Top 10 things to do in Oporto

In this post I want to share with you ten things I think you must do when in Oporto. A couple of them might include indulging in simple pleasures such as a gigantic ice cream, whilst others aim to take a break from the usual sightseeing.

Have breakfast in Café Majestic

Just like any big city, Oporto is filled with both traditional and modern cafés where you can have your breakfast in, but having breakfast in Café Majestic is a must. This is not only because of its sublime food options but also because of the history and culture it carries along with it. Open since 1921, Café Majestic is the best example of well-preserved “Art Nouveau” decoration. Art Nouveau is my favourite style because it includes intricate, complex details and inside Café Majestic you will find plaster sculptures, marble covered in floral ornaments, columns, and beautiful large mirrors with winding contours. You cannot come to Oporto and not have breakfast here, unless you come on a Sunday; in this case it will be shut!

Opening Hours:

Monday-Saturday: 9. 30 - 23. 30.

Eat in one of the many traditional fish restaurants on Rua Herois de França

Rua Herois de França is a road located in the Matosinhos area of Oporto. On this road you will find numerous restaurants that serve the freshest fish of the city. Due to it’s location you can enjoy an ocean view whilst having a meal. There are more than twenty restaurants you can chose from, each different in their own way. For example O Valentim, which I have mentioned in my "three day tour guide of Oporto", which focuses on high quality fresh fish. Furthermore there are Restaurante Tasquinha do Polónia, Dom Peixe, Salta-ó-Muro, Palato which all have top ratings.

Take the funicular dos Guindais

The Funicular dos Guindais connects the top part of the city, specifically the Batalha area to the Ribeira. In only two minutes you will be taken up to the top of the hill to have one of the most spectacular views of the Murallas Fernandinas, Ponte don Luis I and the rest of the city. It is a fun and different thing to do. Considering I love photography I always look for any excuse to get a different perspective of the city so that my photos don’t always look too similar. For only 2. 50 Euros take this little funicular to the top part of the city from the Ribeira. If you come in the summer then I would also suggest taking the funicular at night time as it is a pretty romantic after-dinner view!

Opening Hours:

• November-April: 8. 00 - 20. 00
• May, June, July, September and October: Friday-Saturday: 8. 00 - 00. 00 & Thursday-Sunday: 8. 00 - 22. 00
• August: 8. 00 - 00. 00

Have a glass of Port at The Yeatman Hotel

The Yeatman is a top quality 5 star hotel situated in Vila Nova de Gaia. Vila Nova de Gaia is an area that excels in wine producing, especially the Portuguese speciality: Port Wine. The hotel has a very close partnership with Portugal’s finest winemakers; therefore I would highly suggest coming here in the late afternoon for a glass of traditional Port wine whilst watching the sun go down on Ponte da Arrábida.

Go for a Wine-tasting tour

One thing I never recommend is organized group activities because in my opinion the quality of the activity never lives up to expectations. This is why if you do come to Porto and want to go wine tasting then I would suggest going to one of these independent cellars and take a tour rather than the organized River cruises and wine tasting activities because I believe that you can only experience real, authentic wine from small, local winemakers. There are quite a few authentic wine cellars that offer small-guided tours, and they are part of Caves do Vinho do Porto, a private organization established in 1975. This Association called The Association of Port Wine Companies not only provide sensational wine tasting but also enrich your knowledge on Port Wine, the Douro region and the cities of Oporto and Vila Nova de Gaia through history. The Cellars that are available to visit are: Cálem, Ramos Pinto, Burmester Churchill’s, Cockburn’s Port, Ferreira, Offley Forrester, Poças Júnior, Real Ca. Velha, Rozès, Sandeman, W. & J. Graham, C. N Kopke, Quinta do Noval and Espaço Porto Cruz.

One tour I would recommend is A. A. Cálem. This cellar was first founded in 1859 and has been producing top quality Ports ever since. The tour immerses you into understanding the pleasures of Port wine, how to distinguish the different flavours and the history behind the region and behind the practice of wine tasting itself. For more information visit their website.

Another cellar hat I would highly recommend due to its historical ties is Cockburn’s Port. It was founded in 1815 by Robert Cockburn, a Scottish Soldier who served in Portugal during the Peninsular War. This cellar preserves its Port for more than a hundred years in handmade oak casks. The tour includes a guided visit around the cellar and Port tasting.

Climb la Torre dos Clerigos

If you think you can hack 225 steps up to the top of the tower then the view is absolutely worth every step. The Torre dos Clerigos is one of Oporto’s landmarks and was claimed a National Monument since 1910. Designed by Nicolau Nasoni, a famous Italian architect, this tower is a prime example of baroque style as you can see from its carefully detailed structure. The panorama from the top of the tower extends to the confines of the city. The 76 m height of this tower is of great importance as it was used as a reference point for anyone navigating in the Douro River.

Take a Rabelo Boat ride

The best way to explore all six bridges and to get a different perspective of the city is through the Porto Six Bridges Cruise on a Rabelo Boat. In 50 minutes you will be taking a step back in time and following in the footsteps of the wine merchants who would have taken this very route from the valley to reach the wine cellars on these Rabelo boats. For just 15 Euros you navigate past Luis I bridge, Arrábida Bridge, Infante D. Henrique bridge, Maria Pia bridge, São João bridge and the Freixo “double” bridge.

Santini ice cream

Whether it is autumn, winter, spring or summer having an ice cream in Santini is a must. Since 1949 Santini have been producing ice cream that has been described as the best ice cream in Portugal. Santini explores and creates interesting flavours through different amalgamations of tastes such as “Summer” which is a mixture of orange, mango, passion fruit and melon, amaretto cookie and baked apple.

Teleférico de Gaia

Take a five-minute cable car across from the Jardim do Morro down to Cais de Gaia. Make the most out of the scenic panorama of the Douro River and the Ribeira area. You can either choose to take the cable car back and forth or to be dropped off in one of the two locations as an alternative way of transport.

Opening Times:

• 26/04 - 24/09: 10. 00 - 20. 00
• 24/03 - 25/04: 10. 00 - 19. 00
• 25/09 - 24/10: 10. 00 - 19. 00
• 25/10 - 23/03: 10. 00 - 18. 00

Tickets:

• Adult single: 6 Euros
• Adult return: 9 Euros
• Child Single: 3 Euros
• Child return: 4. 50 Euros

Enjoy Oporto’s Nightlife

The good thing about going out in Oporto is that the main nightlife is concentrated in two main areas. In the centre you will find Rua de Cândido dos Reis which is a street containing many bars such as The Gin house and Plano B. When I came here it was absolutely filled with students at the weekend so I can assure you it is a perfect place to come for a drink and mix with the locals. Another location that is popular on the weekend is the Ribeira area, but I have not personally been there to test it out.

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