porto - what to see?
Discussion
We went to a Porto last May and the queue for the library was just way too long to even think about joining.
We did the free walking tour from which we felt we had learnt everything that we needed to know. Also did a boat trip to Regua, which was interesting, but convinced us that cruising would not be for us. I doubt these would be interesting for the young ‘un.
The tour guide did mention that if you walk along the northern embankment of the Douro, then you will come across a very nice beach. It is shown on Google Maps.
Hope it works for you all.
We did the free walking tour from which we felt we had learnt everything that we needed to know. Also did a boat trip to Regua, which was interesting, but convinced us that cruising would not be for us. I doubt these would be interesting for the young ‘un.
The tour guide did mention that if you walk along the northern embankment of the Douro, then you will come across a very nice beach. It is shown on Google Maps.
Hope it works for you all.
Porto is very nice. Library is ok, but I was somewhat underwhelmed. Trinity college Dublin is way more impressive! We booked on a walking tour and they got us in quickly without needing to queue.
One of the most fun things we did was to make Pastel de Nata with these guys:
https://www.cookinribeira.com/
One of the most fun things we did was to make Pastel de Nata with these guys:
https://www.cookinribeira.com/
Sao Bento station - amazing azulejo tile decorations - then walk or tram over the river on the high-level bridge, cable-car down to the quay, visit a port lodge - kids like dark cellars and humongous barrels
Boat trip on the river
Beaches: Matosinhos is half an hour by tram or Esposinho by train from Sao Bento
No shortage of things to see and good food
Boat trip on the river
Beaches: Matosinhos is half an hour by tram or Esposinho by train from Sao Bento
No shortage of things to see and good food
mikef said:
A good place to eat with kids who may not want a full sit-down dinner is the converted market hall at Bom Sucesso (metro Casa de Música). Lots of stalls serving good Portuguese and other dishes so everyone can choose what they like
just googled that and that and the other markets look great thanks!are there any good swimming pools about - the famous one by the beach is shut
It was 5-years ago, but my recollection is that you would struggle to find either a rubbish, or expensive restaurant. We have no dietary requirements, or fads. On the south bank, near the Port houses, there are a number of places that would meet your needs.
We used TripAdvisor recommendations for better restaurants, but even then a bottle of really good wine cost about €13 and fish dishes were excellent. In the old market, there are different stalls serving food so you can buy small plates from several places, but eat together.
We used TripAdvisor recommendations for better restaurants, but even then a bottle of really good wine cost about €13 and fish dishes were excellent. In the old market, there are different stalls serving food so you can buy small plates from several places, but eat together.
One place that we like to go to hear fado performed is Mal Cozinhado ("badly cooked") which is in a cellar near the tourist area on the quays north of the river.
Unlike fado performances in Lisbon which can start around midnight, the performances are at dinner time, so you can eat and listen/watch
The food is good and generous portions and prices reasonable. A mix of Portuguese and tourists dining
Two things to watch out for -
Unlike fado performances in Lisbon which can start around midnight, the performances are at dinner time, so you can eat and listen/watch
The food is good and generous portions and prices reasonable. A mix of Portuguese and tourists dining
Two things to watch out for -
- Mal Cozinhado is cash only, so hit an ATM before you go
- The performers will come round with their CDs - no obligation and at least one we bought was pretty good (if you appreciate fado)
Thanks for the tips. Looking to do a wine tasting tour, walking tour of the city ( been researching landmarks to visit) and just mooching about finding nice restaurants and bars to taste the delights.
Booked a hotel about 15 mins walk to city centre overlooking the river.
Any more tip very welcome.
Booked a hotel about 15 mins walk to city centre overlooking the river.
Any more tip very welcome.
rdjohn said:
you would struggle to find either a rubbish, or expensive restaurant.
Not exactly rubbish, but some of the tourist traps on the Cais da Ribera embankment are worth avoidingIf you want expensive and worth every penny, the Gastronomic Restaurant at the Yeatman Hotel (in Gaia, near the port lodges) is quite something - had a recent birthday dinner there
mikef said:
Not exactly rubbish, but some of the tourist traps on the Cais da Ribera embankment are worth avoiding
If you want expensive and worth every penny, the Gastronomic Restaurant at the Yeatman Hotel (in Gaia, near the port lodges) is quite something - had a recent birthday dinner there
That's €1,000 for 2 for dinner with wine pairings - or €750 if you slum it - (checking out all the Porto recommendations as we're there for 5 nights in June as part of a longer road trip)If you want expensive and worth every penny, the Gastronomic Restaurant at the Yeatman Hotel (in Gaia, near the port lodges) is quite something - had a recent birthday dinner there
We went last year, restaurants all good, just use TripAdvisor.
Best thing we did which really made the Port/Porto experience was a combined wine/port/food experience at the Grahams Port winery. It was about £100 each and we got a tour of the winery, then tasted 3 ports in their beautiful library/bar, followed by a 3 course meal with 3 of their wines. The walk back down the hill to the river was very easy after having had about 7 ports and 3 wines each for lunch! (We paid for extra Port cocktails and white port).
https://www.grahams-port.com/files/news/attachs/32...
The dinner looks even more extravagant, but we felt lunch gave us 90% of the experience for less than 50% of the price. It's a walk up from the river, so has an amazing view, but worth considering a Taxi up if you don't like exercise.
PS We used The Fork (which is owned by Trip Advisor) to book restaurants in advance.
Best thing we did which really made the Port/Porto experience was a combined wine/port/food experience at the Grahams Port winery. It was about £100 each and we got a tour of the winery, then tasted 3 ports in their beautiful library/bar, followed by a 3 course meal with 3 of their wines. The walk back down the hill to the river was very easy after having had about 7 ports and 3 wines each for lunch! (We paid for extra Port cocktails and white port).
https://www.grahams-port.com/files/news/attachs/32...
The dinner looks even more extravagant, but we felt lunch gave us 90% of the experience for less than 50% of the price. It's a walk up from the river, so has an amazing view, but worth considering a Taxi up if you don't like exercise.
PS We used The Fork (which is owned by Trip Advisor) to book restaurants in advance.
Edited by Guyr on Monday 12th February 17:13
The food market is a must do - it's not a Time Out theme park type operation but the real deal full of little independents, you can buy a glass of Port for around 3Euros and wander around the whole place snacking on various treats from other vendors and they trust you to take the glass back later!
The bomehian quarter is great and there is some superb achitecture to look at - lots in the A&C/Art Nouveau style which I love.
When you go over to Gaia I'd suggest avoiding the port houses along the front (rip off) and go into the back streets and seek out the lesser knowns. We spent a wonderful, and rather merry, time in Quevedo port house (the youngest in Porto) and they were so friendly and obliging with no pressure whatsoever.
A boat trip on the Douro is worth it and a 45min train ride to the beach is a good option.
Wonderful city, can't go wrong anywhere really just wandering and exploring. The sunsets are amazing and something of a local tradition to gather and watch.
Oh, Harry Potter bookshop for the youngsters if that's their thing, so long as you can put up with the long queue - apparently where JKR had the idea for HP, that and the begowned students of Porto Uni who you see about the city who clearly influenced the Hogwarts dress
The bomehian quarter is great and there is some superb achitecture to look at - lots in the A&C/Art Nouveau style which I love.
When you go over to Gaia I'd suggest avoiding the port houses along the front (rip off) and go into the back streets and seek out the lesser knowns. We spent a wonderful, and rather merry, time in Quevedo port house (the youngest in Porto) and they were so friendly and obliging with no pressure whatsoever.
A boat trip on the Douro is worth it and a 45min train ride to the beach is a good option.
Wonderful city, can't go wrong anywhere really just wandering and exploring. The sunsets are amazing and something of a local tradition to gather and watch.
Oh, Harry Potter bookshop for the youngsters if that's their thing, so long as you can put up with the long queue - apparently where JKR had the idea for HP, that and the begowned students of Porto Uni who you see about the city who clearly influenced the Hogwarts dress
Edited by Lotobear on Wednesday 5th June 11:13
Lotobear said:
When you go over to Gaia I'd suggest avoiding the port houses along the front (rip off) and go into the back streets and seek out the lesser knowns. We spent a wonderful, and rather merry, time in Quevedo port house (the youngest in Porto) and they were so friendly and obliging with no pressure whatsoever.
Yep, I'd second this. The ones along the river are just tourist traps. Head up the hill a bit and you tend to get rewarded for your effort. Can recommend Taylors.sunnygym said:
Going this weekend so if anyone has some last min recommendations for restaurants/ bars please let me know.
Think we will generally have a mooch about the city and looking to do a tour of one of the port houses.
Cheers
Sunnygym
Try and go here if you can; it's superb and very reasonably priced:Think we will generally have a mooch about the city and looking to do a tour of one of the port houses.
Cheers
Sunnygym
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189...
Lotobear said:
sunnygym said:
Going this weekend so if anyone has some last min recommendations for restaurants/ bars please let me know.
Think we will generally have a mooch about the city and looking to do a tour of one of the port houses.
Cheers
Sunnygym
Try and go here if you can; it's superb and very reasonably priced:Think we will generally have a mooch about the city and looking to do a tour of one of the port houses.
Cheers
Sunnygym
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189...
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