Where to actually go in Porto

Bufete Fase

Restaurant · Bolhão / Santa Catarina

A tiny counter that serves one thing: the francesinha, Porto's meat-and-melted-cheese sandwich drowned in sauce.

Best for: trying a francesinha properly, a heavy lunch

Price: $ — roughly $14 with a beer

Booking: Cash only; a queue forms from lunchtime.

Best time: lunch

Casa Guedes

Restaurant · Praça dos Poveiros

Famous for its slow-roast pork sandwiches (add the sheep's cheese). Quick, cheap and filling.

Best for: a cheap lunch, a hangover sandwich

Price: $ — roughly $6–12

Best time: lunch or late snack

Mercado do Bolhão

Market · Bolhão

Porto's restored historic market hall: produce, cured meats, cheese and small food counters.

Best for: a morning wander, picnic supplies, local food

Best time: morning

Majestic Café

Cafe · Rua de Santa Catarina

A belle-époque café of mirrors, wood and chandeliers, opened in 1921. Pricey, but beautiful.

Best for: a coffee in a famous room

Best time: morning or afternoon

Conga — Casa das Bifanas

Restaurant · Bolhão

A local institution for spicy bifanas (pork sandwiches) and beer.

Best for: a cheap local lunch

Best time: lunch or late snack

Cervejaria Brasão Aliados

Restaurant · Aliados

A busy beer hall known for one of the city's favourite francesinhas.

Best for: a francesinha dinner with a group

Best time: dinner

Taberna de Santo António

Restaurant · Miragaia (Rua das Virtudes)

A small family tavern serving traditional Portuguese plates at local prices.

Best for: a cheap traditional lunch

Best time: lunch

Cantinho do Avillez

Restaurant · Ribeira / Mouzinho da Silveira

A relaxed restaurant from chef José Avillez doing modern Portuguese comfort food.

Best for: a nicer dinner out

Booking: Reserve ahead.

Best time: dinner

Livraria Lello

Sight · Clérigos

The ornate neo-Gothic bookshop with the red staircase. Small and very crowded; a paid timed ticket gets you in.

Best for: the famous staircase photo, book lovers

Booking: Buy a timed ticket online; there is usually a line.

Best time: first thing in the morning

Clérigos Tower

Viewpoint · Clérigos

The baroque bell tower you climb for the classic view over Porto's red roofs and the river.

Best for: the best view in the centre

Best time: late afternoon

Ribeira and the Dom Luís I Bridge

Walk · Ribeira

The colourful riverfront, then across the top deck of the iron bridge to the Gaia side for the postcard view back.

Best for: a free evening walk, sunset photos

Best time: sunset

Port wine cellars, Vila Nova de Gaia

Activity · Vila Nova de Gaia (across the river)

The old port houses line the Gaia riverbank and run cellar tours that end in a tasting.

Best for: a classic Porto afternoon, trying port

Booking: Book a cellar tour slot on the port house's own site.

Best time: afternoon

Jardim do Morro

Viewpoint · Vila Nova de Gaia

A hillside park at the Gaia end of the top bridge deck: the classic sunset spot over Porto.

Best for: a free sunset with a crowd

Best time: sunset

Capela das Almas

Sight · Santa Catarina

A small chapel covered entirely in blue-and-white azulejo tiles.

Best for: a quick free photo stop

Best time: any time

Serralves Museum and Park

Museum · Boavista (outside the centre)

Contemporary art museum in large gardens and woodland.

Best for: art and a green afternoon

Best time: afternoon

Rua Galeria de Paris

Area · Baixa

The street at the centre of Porto's night: bars spill onto the pavement and the crowd moves between them.

Best for: bar-hopping, a first night out

Best time: from about 11 PM

Pinguim Café

Bar · Ribeira

A small, relaxed bar for a beer after dinner near the river.

Best for: a low-key drink

Best time: after dinner

Plano B

Club · Baixa (Rua Cândido dos Reis)

A two-floor, multi-room club: house and techno in the Cubo room, bar rooms upstairs.

Best for: the main club night in Porto

Best time: after 1 AM

Heads up: Trainers and sportswear can be turned away on busy Saturdays.

Maus Hábitos

Live music · Baixa (Rua Passos Manuel)

A fourth-floor cultural space: gig room, gallery, bar and pizza, with DJs later.

Best for: gigs and an alternative crowd

Best time: evening

Candelabro

Bar · Baixa (Rua da Conceição)

A bookshop-bar where people drink port tonics to vinyl jazz and soul.

Best for: a calm first drink

Best time: early evening

Base

Bar · Clérigos

A garden bar on a lawn under olive trees in front of the Clérigos Tower.

Best for: a sunny drink outdoors

Best time: afternoon into evening

Bars on Rua Cândido dos Reis

Area · Baixa

The street next to Galerias de Paris, lined with cheap bars spilling onto the pavement.

Best for: bar-hopping on a budget

Price: $ — beer roughly $3–5

Best time: from about 11 PM