What are the best things to do in Porto?

To visit Porto is to discover a Portugal steeped in tradition and mystery. The streets of this great coastal city exude a mystical aura. With its colourful houses and flower-filled balconies, you’ll be dazzled by the scenery before you. The city is full of things to do and discover, starting with its historic monuments and contemporary architecture. Just a few hours by plane from France, Porto is the ideal destination for a holiday full of discoveries. As well as being interesting, the city is very lively, with plenty of bars and restaurants for partying with friends! The kind of place we love…

What to do in Porto? 7 ideas for activities

1.explore the Cálem wine cellars

Category: €/Culture

Description: First and foremost, we’d like to kick off your stay with a “chill” activity that’s no less interesting for being able to learn a whole host of things. Discover the famous Port wine with a visit to the “Cálem Cellars”. Immerse yourself in the history of this place, through the production and conservation of these intoxicating nectar drinks. Watching each type of port wine age by the barrels without light or heat will be an enriching experience. And of course (we know you’ve been waiting for this), you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to taste different wines and, with the help of a guide, gain a better understanding of the history of how they are made. Our top tasting tips? The “Grand Blanc de Cálem” and a “Tawny Port”. Drink in moderation!

2. Attend a Fado show

Category: €/Culture/Gastronomy

Description: We’re sure there are music lovers among our readers! In the city of Porto, there is a living art form that reigns, with an enchanting and somewhat melancholy air. What is it? Fado. A musical genre that takes its name directly from the Latin “fatum” meaning “fate”. This traditional Portuguese song is in fact folk music, which, before being listened to and danced to, must be felt. Immerse yourself in the country’s culture in an original way, with the help of plucked string instruments such as the “violao”, a kind of acoustic guitar. Where can you go to see a Fado show? Well, we can only recommend the legendary “Taberna Real Do Fado” on Rua Dr Barbosa de Castro in the historic centre of the city. You’ll love sampling a local speciality, such as “Arroz De Marisco”, literally “Rice with seafood”, while watching one of the most beautiful Fado performances of your life. A romantic and memorable activity.

3 – Take a cruise on the Douro

Category: €/Insolite/Cultural

Description: We suggest you leave terra firma for a few moments, without going too far. In fact, it’s all about taking a step back by sailing on the water, to better admire the city as a whole. There’s nothing better than boarding a traditional river boat, none other than the “Rabelos”, which offers a magnificent 360° view of Porto’s surroundings, the river and the majestic bridges. Tourists generally rate this activity as one of the most enjoyable. After all, who doesn’t enjoy watching the sun set, their hair blowing in the wind on calm, peaceful water? You’ll sail past the historic centre, Vila Nova de Gaia and the mouth of the Douro River. An activity that will take you back in time!

4 Climb to the top of the Clercs Tower in Porto

Category: €/Culture

Description: With its picturesque narrow streets, Porto is a city full of charm and character. It is full of emblematic landmarks, such as the “Clerks’ Tower”, the tallest tower in the country, which stands proudly at 76 metres tall, making it the pride of the Portuguese people. Open every day from 9am to 7pm, enter and climb the 225 steps (bring a few litres of water) of this imposing edifice to admire the incredible panorama from the top. Once you’ve reached the bell tower, you can admire the baroque-style Church of the Clerics, built between 1735 and 1748: you’ll be amazed by its facades and architecture. As an added bonus, you can visit the exhibition space in the Clerics’ building to see the collection of the Clerics’ fraternity and Christus. The programme includes furniture, paintings and priestly vestments dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Make your way to Rue de São Filipe de Nery!

5 Explore FC Porto’s Dragão stadium

Category: €/Sport

Description: Navaway knows. While some of you come to Portugal to discover the culture, others go out of admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo and the world of football as a whole. We’ve thought of you, so come and discover the Dragão stadium, where Portugal’s premier league football team, FC Porto, trains! With a maximum capacity of 52,000, you can expect to see a huge venue that takes at least an hour to visit. You’ll also have the chance to visit the FC Porto museum, located to the east of the city, which traces the club’s 150-year history through videos and other means. The club’s glittering trophies and artefacts await you! And if you didn’t know, the museum has been nominated for the “European Museum of the Year 2016” award. In other words, it’s a must-see!

6 – Discover the Immersivus gallery in Porto

Category: €/Culture

Description: The Immersivus gallery in Porto presents exhibitions of works of art using light projections. The projected lights transform the walls into a canvas of paint, making for an absolutely spectacular show that you’ll need to immortalise with a “click” on your camera. These works glorify famous painters such as Monnet and Klimt, who have left a trace of their art in this world, which we must preserve at all costs. It’s a sensory experience, verging on the sensational, through joy and wonder. It’s the kind of audiovisual activity that children love, and it’s the perfect way to round off a great family holiday in Porto. Admire how art, culture and technology can come together to form a whole…