Porto Part 1, May 2026

By Beatrice Wong
June 24, 2026
7:30 pm
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I have visited Lisbon several times but this is the first time I ventured north to visit Porto which is about a 3-hour drive away. Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and many people told me they find Porto much more charming and attractive than Lisbon and I have to agree. Porto used to be an outpost of the Roman Empire and is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Porto became a major trading port in the 15th century with port wine becoming one of its most famous exports. Many of you might have seen the iconic photo of Porto sprawling down the hills into its age-old port on the banks of the Douro. The UNESCO historical center of Porto is perfect for exploring on foot and getting lost is its labyrinth of alleys. I chose to stay at the beautiful Intercontinental Porto Cardosas in a renovated 18th century palace in the center of town.

Intercontinental Porto Cardosas

Porto City Hall

The Baixa area of Porto is where most of the historical landmarks stand. A stone’s throw away from the Intercontinental Porto is the Sao Bento railway station with stunning examples of the famous azulejo tin-glazed ceramic tiles which decorate the buildings in Portugal. Sao Bento was built in 1900 taking over the space formerly occupied by a Benedictine monastery. The tilework was done over 11 years and there are about 20,000 azulejos here depicting wars, the Portuguese royalty, important events, as well as transportation history. It is best to visit early in the morning as it gets crowded with tourists and train riders throughout the day. In one wing is the TimeOut Market with a selection of famous Porto eateries and communal tables like a food court.

Sao Bento railway station

Sao Bento railway station

Sao Bento railway station

Sao Bento railway station

Also a stone’s throw away from the Intercontinental Porto Hotel is the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. The McDonald’s took over the space of the former Imperial Cafe, an emblematic historic building from the 1930s. The restoration is to maintain the iconic features of the cafe especially the art deco stained glass. Still in the center of the facade is the eagle which is where the name “Imperial” comes from.

Porto McDonald’s

Located in the center of the city is the Mercado do Bolhão market where one can buy fresh produce, meat, fish and flowers. As there was once a small creek running through the square with an air bubble (“bolha”) forming on that spot, the market was named Bolhão (as in big bubble). The neoclassic building that now exists was built in 1914 dividing the market into two floors with restaurants on the upper floor.

Mercado de Bolhão

Mercado de Bolhão

Mercado de Bolhão

Mercado de Bolhão

Livraria Lello is said to be one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, built in 1906 with an art nouveau facade and a neo-gothic interior. If not for all the books on the shelves, I would have thought it was a church that I entered. There are beautiful carved wood paneling, a stunning twisting wooden staircase, and a stained glass skylight. You need to buy a ticket and line up for the visit. The price of the ticket can be deducted from any purchases you make. I think there are way too many visitors, making the experience a bit unpleasant.

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello

Porto

Porto

Porto

Porto

Porto

Porto

Porto

Rua de Afonso Martins Alho, famous for a massive, five-story street art mural of a giant blue cat called “Perspéntico”.

Rua de Afonso Martins Alho, famous for a massive, five-story street art mural of a giant blue cat called “Perspéntico”.

The most popular neighborhood in Porto is no doubt the Ribeira which is a stretch that runs along the Douro River with many restaurants and cafes. Ribeira is one of the oldest neighborhoods here and used to be Porto’s hive of commerce. The area is filled with a maze of winding medieval streets and cobblestone alleyways between pastel houses and is fun to explore and just get lost in.

Porto waterfront

Porto Ribeira

Porto Ribeira

Porto waterfront

View of Porto from Gaia

View of Porto from Gaia

Porto

Porto

Porto

The most famous bridge in Porto, the Dom Luis Bridge, linking Porto and Gaia, was designed by Théophile Seyrig, a co-founder of Eiffel and Company alongside Gustave Eiffel. Its sweeping iron arch and panoramic upper walkway provide some of the most breathtaking views in the city, especially at sunset.

Dom Luis Bridge

Dom Luis Bridge

Across the River Douro are the Port houses of Vila Nova de Gaia or simply “Gaia” to locals. Fortified port wine is still stored in these warehouses just like back in the 17th century. Port production began here when the British added a dash of brandy to wine to make it into a post-dinner drink. Historically the wine from the upper Douro Valley would arrive Gaia by boat, mature in the riverside cellars and then fortified by adding aguardente to stop the fermentation process resulting in port. Many of these port houses have tasting tours, of which Taylors is one of the most famous.