14 Unique Things To Do In Porto Portugal
Are you looking for fun and off-the beaten path things to do in Porto? If so, this article’s for you.
Porto is a beautiful riverfront city with such a vibrant culture, amazing food scene, and dozens of activities to offer. I spent three days exploring Porto, and loved how laid back it was, when compared to Lisbon.
To help you plan a memorable trip, I’ve compiled a list of all of the most interesting things to do in Porto. Whether you love food, wine, or exploring town, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Here are 14 unique things to do in Porto.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning if you book/buy something through one of these, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Unique Things To Do In Porto
1. Climb Up The Clerigos Tower
The Clerigos Tower is an iconic 18th century tower and church, and one of the first things you’ll see as you walk around Porto.
For one of the best city views, climb up the tower’s narrow winding staircase to the top.
It has over 200 steps, but the views make it well worth it! Entrance to the church is €10/adult, and they offer photos at the top of the tower for a fee.
2. Go On An Excursion To The Douro Valley
If you love wine, go on a Douro Valley excursion to Portugal’s premier wine growing region. The Douro Valley is located an hour and a half outside of Porto, and home to a variety of excellent wineries tucked along the rolling hills.
On a tour, you’ll get to cruise along the Douro river, enjoy lunch, and multiple wine tastings at the top wineries in the region.
3. Spot Peacocks At Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
For a peaceful walk, visit the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. This is an idyllic riverfront park with gardens, fountains, picnic areas, and a variety of birds.
I went on an early morning walk in this park, and saw two peacocks, and chickens roaming around! It also has an amazing view of the Douro River, and colorful houses on the river banks.
4. Tour The Porto Cathedral
The Porto Cathedral is a marvelous 12th century church, and a definite must-see while in Porto.
In the inside of the church you’ll get to see the beautiful Gothic and Baroque architecture, and the iconic Portuguese azulejos (painted blue tiles).
It also has an amazing viewpoint overlooking the river and city, without nearly as many steps as the Clerigos tower.
5. Go On A Douro River Cruise
If you’re looking for a relaxing experience, go on a Douro River cruise. You’ll get to ride in a unique boat that was once used to transport wine barrels, cross under six bridges, and enjoy the beautiful river scenery all throughout.
6. Explore The City On Bike
When the weather’s nice, rent bikes to explore Porto and its beaches. There are a variety of bike rental shops, and they offer both e-bike and bike rentals.
On bike, you can visit the Farolim de Felgueiras lighthouse, and continue riding to the beaches and boardwalks along the coast.
7. Tour Port Wine Lodges In Gaia
Beyond the Douro Valley, the next best place to go wine-tasting is Vila Nova de Gaia. Gaia is a city on the opposite side of Luis I Bridge as Porto, and it’s only around a 20 minute walk from the bridge.
In Gaia, there are a variety of incredible port wine lodges, with some of the most popular being Taylor’s and Cockburn’s. You can visit them individually, or go on a port wine tour to visit up to three with a guide.
The wineries in Gaia are just a short walk from a riverfront plaza with restaurants, and a beautiful view of the Luis I Bridge.
8. Visit The WOW Museum
If you want to learn all about Porto and wine, visit the WOW Museum in Gaia. This is a complex with three wine museums, and three other museums dedicated to corks, chocolate, and the region’s history.
A ticket to the complex (44€/adult) will grant you access to all of the museums, or you can purchase a ticket to the individual museums.
I visited the Wine Experience museum, and it had many interesting rooms with interactive exhibits, displays, and movies. It costs 20€/adult, and includes a wine-tasting at the end.
Here’s an overview of the museums in the WOW complex.
- The Wine Experience: Science of wine-making museum that includes a tasting at the end
- Pink Palace: Rosé wine museum that includes a tasting at the end.
- The Chocolate Story: Chocolate making and history museum
- Planet Cork: Educational museum on the cork industry
- The Art Of Drinking: History of drinking museum, with preserved drinking vessels
- Porto Region: Porto history and culture museum
9. Go On A Food And Wine Tour
If you’re a foodie, explore Porto’s culinary scene on a walking food tour through the historic center. You’ll get to enjoy pastel de nata, port wine, and local delicacies like Pastéis de Bacalhau (salt cod fritters) and more.
This is a great way to try some of the best restaurants in town, and get recommendations from a local.
10. Ride A Cable Car To Gaia
Hop on a cable car to enjoy panoramic views of the Douro River. This cable car travels from the top of Luis I bridge, to the riverside plaza in Gaia.
This is a great alternative to the steep downhill walk to Gaia, and you’ll have a beautiful river view throughout.
11. Watch The Sunset From Jardim Do Morro
Jardim do Morro is a picturesque park overlooking the Douro river, located right next to Luis I bridge. This is the perfect place to watch the sunset, and walk (or take the cable car) to Gaia for dinner.
12. Attend A Fado Show
Fado is a traditional Portuguese folk music that’s centered around themes like love and loss. Attend a live fado show to hear this soulful music in person, sip wine, and learn about a cornerstone of Portuguese culture.
13. Watch the Spiritus Light Show
For a truly unique experience, watch the Spiritus light show at the Clerigos Church.
This is an immersive light show with music, and visual artwork contrasted with the Baroque architecture inside of the church. This is a great after dinner activity, and the shows begin in the late evening.
14. Take A Pastel De Nata Cooking Class
Pastel de nata are a traditional egg custard pastry with a flaky crust, and a must-try while in Portugal. If you’ve tried and loved them, join a cooking class to learn how to make them from a local grandma.
Not only will you get the authentic recipe, but you’ll get to enjoy a batch of the freshest homemade pastries!
Summary
Porto is a dream destination for food and wine lovers. It has a laid back atmosphere and is not as crowded as Lisbon, yet offers dozens of culturally rich experiences for visitors.
If you have limited time in Porto, I recommend going on a river cruise, port wine tour, or attending a fado show.
And if you want to enjoy the best views in the city, climb up the Clerigos Tower, or visit Jardim do Morro at sunset!
Related articles you may be interested in: