OUR FIRST DAY IN PORTO: tiles, bridges & first tastes

After dropping our bags, we headed straight out into Porto, joining the locals on Avenida dos Aliados for a much needed coffee and our very first pastel de nata at Guarany. From there we wandered down through the tiled streets towards the Douro until the Dom Luís I bridge and its incredible views opened up in front of us. We crossed on the upper level, stopping often to take in the river, the boats and the jumble of terracotta rooftops on both banks. On the Gaia side, a quick cable car ride carried us down to the south bank waterfront, where we walked along the promenade and “dove in at the deep end” with our first francesinha sandwich and a glass or two of crisp vinho verde.

Refuelled, we crossed back to Porto on the lower deck of the bridge and joined a classic “6 Bridges” river cruise from Cais da Ribeira, gliding under the arches that link the city to the Douro Valley beyond. As the afternoon light softened, we took an Uber back up from the river, glad not to tackle the hill after such a full first day. Before dinner we squeezed in a late visit to Livraria Lello, just before it closed, when the queues had gone and the wooden staircases, stained glass and shelves of books felt almost other‑worldly. The evening was then all about good food and football: dinner at Belos Aires, followed by a lively local sports bar to watch England’s World Cup game, surrounded by great atmosphere and generous drinks. It was a simple but brilliant introduction to Porto: easy wandering, big views, a taste of the river and a few of the city’s favourite flavours.

DAY 2 IN PORTO: pool time, Port and perfect pizza

Day 2 started slowly with some time on the pool deck, soaking up the sun before heading out on our own DIY wander through Porto’s classic sights. By mid‑afternoon we switched to the south bank, taking an Uber over the river for a 3 pm tour and premium tasting at Cockburn’s Lodge. We had a flight of white, tawny and ruby Ports, each paired with flavoured chocolates, cheese and charcuterie. Port is not usually my drink, but the tour was genuinely fascinating and the chocolate‑and‑Port pairing really worked. Afterwards, we settled on the riverside for a couple of relaxed drinks, watching the river cruise ships come and go, before rounding off the evening with some of the best stone‑oven Italian pizza we have eaten outside Italy at M’arrecreo Gaia.

DAY 3 IN PORTO: a food odyssey, the Atlantic and city‑skyline cocktails

Our final full day in Porto was dedicated to food, wine and views. After a few lazy hours on the pool deck, we met our food tour guide nearby and set off on a three‑hour culinary odyssey through the city. We began at a small traditional restaurant with a francesinha sandwich and a cachorrinho (a local hot dog), washed down with a glass of local beer. From there we sauntered over to the beautifully refurbished Mercado do Bolhão: first stop was a fish stall where we tasted sardines and bacalhau paired with crisp vinho verde, then a glass of Douro red before wandering between cheese and charcuterie counters, finishing with a shot of ginja served in an edible chocolate cup. Next came one of the Manteigaria outlets for another pastel de nata, still warm from the oven, followed by a second tiny restaurant for alheira sausage and yet more vinho verde, by which point we were chatting animatedly with our fellow food‑tourists. Our final stop was a traditional Porto shop for a taste of aged white Port.

In the afternoon we hopped on tram number 1 along the river to Foz, spending a couple of unhurried hours at Restaurante Praia da Luz, watching Atlantic waves crash in and sipping (yes, again) vinho verde with our toes almost in the sand. As dusk approached, we took an Uber back into the city for our dinner reservation at 17 Degrees Porto, where lovely food was matched by mesmerising views across the rooftops and river. We rounded off the night with a final drink at The Royal Cocktail Club, already planning when we might come back to Porto to do it all again.

Porto surprised me in all the best ways. I arrived expecting pretty tiles, Port wine and a couple of good meals; I left smitten with a lived‑in, friendly city full of small moments that stay with you. From that first pastel de nata on Avenida dos Aliados to drifting under the six bridges, from discovering Port at the lodges to chatting with strangers on a food tour over yet another glass of vinho verde, each day had its own rhythm. It is so easy to move between culture, coastline and great food without feeling rushed, then end the night with cocktails and skyline views. Porto quietly gets under your skin, and I am sure this won’t be my last visit.

YOUR NEXT STEP: if this has sparked your curiosity about Porto, I’d love to help you design your own version of this trip, tailored to how you like to eat, drink, explore and relax.