Porto, Portugal
Exploring Porto: A Day of Culture, Views, and Unexpected Surprises
After an eventful road trip from Lisbon to Porto, we arrived late at night, checked into our Airbnb, and got some much-needed rest before diving into Porto’s charm the next morning.
A Foodie’s Paradise at Mercado do Bolhão
We kicked off our day at Mercado do Bolhão, Porto’s iconic market, where I was beyond excited to sample traditional Portuguese foods. The market was buzzing with locals and tourists, offering everything from fresh seafood to sweet treats.
One thing I was particularly looking forward to? €1.50 glasses of wine. But when the bartender asked if I wanted sweet or dry and I asked for something "in between" sweet and dry, I got a €5 glass instead with no warning—lesson learned! Still, this wine was amazing and this was the moment I truly started falling in love with wine. The fact that you could walk around with your glass while sampling different food items made it even better.
Some of the things we tried:
Ouriço-do-Mar – Sea Urchin
Yes, we even tried sea urchin! For weeks before the trip, i had been talking about how I HAVE to try sea urchin when in Porto. I’ve never had anything like it so I did not know what to expect, but it was a unique and briny taste. I thought it would be similar to oysters which it was a little bit but still completely different. Would I eat it again? Maybe not the same style that the one I tried was… but cooked differently I may try it again! It tasted okay and it was a cool experience so I’d consider this a win.
Polvo – Octopus.
We tried this octopus that comes on bread and it was okay… it didn’t have the most flavor but it was cool to try it! (Pictured to the right)
Bolinhos de Bacalhau – Portugal’s famous cod fritters, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
These were so good! We first tried it in Obidos and loved them, and in Porto they were a hit as well!
Empadas de Frango – Small, savory chicken pastries.
We tried these at Quinta da Regaleira in their cafe and loved them in both places as well.
Portuguese Chocolate – I couldn’t leave without grabbing some to take home! I got a couple different bars, even a pastel de nata one, which if I’d have known it was that good, I would have picked up a dozen bars.
Exploring Porto’s Iconic Landmarks
After the market, we wandered through Porto’s beautifullll streets and stopped at Capela das Almas (Chapel of Souls). Its stunning blue-and-white azulejo tiles make it one of the most photogenic places in the city. I’ve been to many churches around the world and normally the “prettiest” ones are because they’re so large and grand. This is not one of those large, grand churches, but the way it is designed is truly stunning- definitely somewhere you have to visit when in Porto.
We continued our stroll and stumbled upon the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. Not exaggerating! This used to be a cafe, so this location features chandeliers, stained glass, and even a live eagle outside that you can take pictures with. We only got some fries since the menu was basically the same, but this was still really cool to see! I have never seen a McDonald’s so packed.
Next up was the São Bento Train Station, which is unlike any train station I’ve ever seen. I have been to train stations all through Europe and none of them are this beautiful. And you can forget about comparing it to a train station in the US lol. The walls are adorned with 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles, depicting Portugal’s history. If you’re in Porto, this is another absolute must-see! Even if you are just walking through to take a look, you’ll be mesmerized by its beauty.
Next, we made our way to the Church of Clérigos (Igreja dos Clérigos) and admired its impressive baroque tower, Torre dos Clérigos. From there, we visited Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and a rumored inspiration for J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
Tickets were €10, which you could put toward a book purchase. But spoiler alert: there are no books under €10, except for a tiny notepad for €9.90. Still, the intricate woodwork and magical ambiance made it well worth the visit. I also liked that each side of the library had different languages, having just as many books in English as Portuguese.
Scootering Across the Luís I Bridge & Sunset Views
Next, we got a couple scooters and crossed the Dom Luís I Bridge, which was such a cool experience—until our scooters suddenly shut off! Still, the view from here was one of the best of the trip, offering panoramic sights of both sides of Porto. This was also an awesome experience because you can ride directly on the train tracks (when the trains aren’t coming) which made it even cooler to ride alongside a moving train! Of course, this was only cool until our scooters shut off.
We timed it just right to catch the sunset from Jardim do Morro, a viewpoint that turned golden hour into pure magic. While it was stunning, I still have to say that the sunset in Lisbon remains my all-time favorite (check out that blog post for more details!).
The bar that we went to was right on the water in front of Jardim do Morro. This spot had a modern vibe, great drinks, and the kind of view that makes you want to stay forever. Across from it, there’s even a building that resembles a mini Colosseum!
Big Bad Bank Bar
To wrap up the night, we visited Big Bad Bank Bar, a hidden gem in Porto. From the outside, it looked like an old-school whiskey bar for retirees, but inside, it had a unique, speakeasy-style vibe with creative cocktails. Even our Uber driver told us when we got there that it should be easy to get an Uber out of here, meaning he thought it didn’t look all that cool either. However when you walk in, you can see its anything but what you expected. The bar is adorned with the beautiful tiles that you see all around Porto, and theres even a vault that you can walk into where they keep their “money” behind bars. The drinks are great too- I got the one called “Ay Regina” which had chocolate and sesame oil- a weird combo I know- but it was delicious. Definitely a place worth checking out!
Final Thoughts on Porto
Porto completely blew me away with its mix of historic charm, incredible food, and breathtaking views. Whether you’re exploring livrarias, sipping wine, or just getting lost in the streets, there’s something magical about this city. There is also so much more to do in Porto as well, such as taking a Duoro Valley Wine Tour or a river cruise. If we had more time, I would have explored these as well. I’ll be going the next time I’m in Porto though!
While Lisbon was my favorite for the sunsets, Porto quickly became my favorite city between the two. If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, Porto deserves a top spot on your list!
