Porto: One of the Coolest Cities in Portugal!

Porto is one of the coolest cities in Portugal, and after hearing great things and seeing how much there was to explore, we planned a short trip north from the Algarve. Our friend Emma joined us, and with short, inexpensive flights into Porto, it was an easy getaway. We found a great one bedroom apartment right in the center of the city, complete with a comfy sofa bed that made it perfect for three people.

We arrived in Porto and grabbed a Bolt straight to the apartment. I was running on very little sleep after staying up late the night before to watch the Vegas Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, but adrenaline and excitement took over. We dropped our bags, headed out to explore, and grabbed lunch before making our way to the beer festival. With only a few days in the city, we packed in as much as we could. This guide covers the best things to do in Porto, Portugal, based on everything we loved during our trip.

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Honest Greens and Gluten Free Vibes

Our first stop was Honest Greens, a vibrant and healthy spot with a beautiful outdoor patio covered in plants. They had tons of gluten free and vegan options, which was perfect for us. I ordered the Ginger Goat Cheese Crunch bowl and it was huge and delicious, while Karl had the Latin Lover bowl. We also shared hummus and tried a miso cheesecake for dessert, which was interesting even if it wasn’t my favorite.

Exploring Porto on Foot

After lunch, we set out to explore Porto on foot, which is truly the best way to experience the city. We wandered through different neighborhoods and popped into a few churches, including the Trindade Museum and the connected Igreja da Santíssima Trindade. The museum offered interesting insight into the history of Porto and the Catholic Church, with displays of religious art, silver pieces, old books, and ceremonial robes worn by priests. Inside the church, the massive altar immediately stands out. We also climbed the tower via a narrow, winding stone staircase and were rewarded at the top with incredible panoramic views over the city.

Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes and give yourself extra time if you plan to climb towers or viewpoints. Porto is very hilly, but the views are always worth it.

Cool Bar Moments and Unique Drinks

As we continued walking, we came across a bar called Ilícito and decided to stop in for a drink to escape the heat. We were expecting a normal bar, but once we walked inside, we were immediately surprised. The space had an Alice in Wonderland vibe, with circus-themed murals covering the walls. After sitting down, our server brought over a deck of tarot cards along with a small bucket of popcorn. While there was a standard drink list on the window, the real menu was the tarot cards, each one featuring a unique cocktail.

I ordered the Starry Egg, a vodka-based drink with vanilla, lemon, and strawberry, topped with foam, and it arrived as a giant egg. Emma’s drink was served in a mini bathtub with a rubber duck floating inside, and Karl’s whiskey came with burning rosemary and was poured from a genie lamp. The presentation was creative, the drinks were genuinely good, and the staff made the whole experience even more fun. It was such an unexpected find and one of those places you’re glad you randomly wander into while exploring a city.

Instagram Worthy Stops

After our drinks, we walked over to see what’s often called the world’s most beautiful McDonald’s. I had seen it all over Instagram and wanted to see if it lived up to the hype, and it really did. The building was originally the Imperial Café, and when McDonald’s purchased it in 1995, they preserved much of the original décor. Inside, you’ll find stunning stained glass windows and massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. It’s a strange but charming contrast to see such an ornate space housing a fast-food restaurant. It’s also a great spot for people watching. For anyone curious, McDonald’s in Europe does offer gluten-free options, though I wasn’t hungry at the time and stopped in purely to admire the space.

Pizza!

For dinner, we ate at Terraplana and had some seriously good pizza. They were very careful with gluten and made sure everything I ordered was safe, which I always appreciate. I ordered a pizza with chicken, spinach, and really good cheese, and since I don’t get to eat pizza out very often, I was especially excited. It did not disappoint. The restaurant also has a great vibe, with several different seating areas, including a cozy back patio and an upstairs space with couches that feels more like a lounge.

Porto Beer & Cider Festival

After dinner, it was time for the main reason we came to Porto: the beer festival. I was especially excited because I’d heard there would be cider options. I’ve mentioned before how limited cider choices can be in Portugal, so having some variety felt like a win. I also knew there would be a few meads. Karl and Emma were focused on the beer and even brought along their beer horns, which they had picked up at a medieval festival a few weeks earlier.

The festival itself was a blast. There were tons of beer tents, food trucks, and live music, and everyone was dancing, drinking, and having a great time. There were three different ciders available along with a few meads, and I quickly found a cider that became my favorite. It tasted like berry juice and went down very easily. Unfortunately, I enjoyed it a little too much and forgot to check the name so I could hunt it down later. We also grabbed some excellent french fries from one of the food trucks, which were exactly what we needed.

As the festival started winding down, we headed back toward the apartment and stopped for one last drink along the way. It had been a long and exhausting day, but also incredibly fun. We packed a lot into our first day in Porto, and it was a great start to the trip.

Day 2 in Porto: Wine, Views, and Exploring

Day 2 started with a much-needed coffee before we made our way to Mercado do Bolhão. The market is large and lively, with stalls selling everything from fresh food and produce to flowers, candy, and wine. It’s a great place to wander and soak in the local atmosphere. We grabbed a light, healthy lunch and enjoyed a refreshing glass of Vinho Verde, which was especially welcome given how hot it was outside.

Pastel de Nata- Gluten-Free

We had signed up for a free walking tour of Porto but had some time to kill beforehand, so we stopped at Com Cuore for another coffee and a snack. Com Cuore is a 100 percent gluten free café that makes pastel de nata along with a variety of other baked goods. It’s tucked away right in the middle of downtown, making it easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there. If you’re gluten free, this spot is absolutely worth seeking out.

Free Walking Tour of Porto

We booked our free walking tour with Hi Porto Walking Tours. Our guide, Filipe, was fantastic. He was incredibly knowledgeable and took us all over the city while sharing stories about Porto and Portugal’s history along the way. During the tour, we passed through Jardim da Cordoaria, a park filled with unique trees and statues, walked by Porto Cathedral, visited the stunning São Bento train station, stopped at an amazing viewpoint, and saw several museums and historic buildings that are important to the city. The tour ended in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river. I won’t give too much away because it’s something you should experience yourself, but it’s absolutely worth doing. The tours are free, though tipping your guide is appreciated.

Sunset Drinks and Festival Vibes in Gaia

After the tour, we wandered through a local festival, grabbed some food, and then headed to the rooftop bar at Espaço Porto Cruz, one of the famous port houses, for a nightcap. It was lively, with great music and incredible views of Porto across the river. Gaia had such a cool, laid-back vibe that we immediately knew we wanted to come back. Before leaving, we stopped near the bridge to take some photos because, honestly, it was too beautiful not to.

Day 3: Exploring Porto at Our Own Pace

This was our last full day in Porto, and while our list of things to do was still very long, time was… not on our side. We started the morning the only responsible way possible: going back to Honest Greens for breakfast. Once again, it did not disappoint. I had protein overnight oats topped with granola and fruit, plus an iced mint matcha that absolutely hit the spot. A solid fuel-up before squeezing as much Porto as possible into our final day.

A Free Museum Inside a Former Prison

After breakfast, we headed to the Portuguese Centre of Photography. This free museum is housed inside the former prison Cadeia da Relação, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The space alone is worth the visit, but the exhibits make it even better. The museum showcases different styles of photography from the past 100 years, and throughout the building, there is information about its time as a prison, including stories about former inmates. It’s one of those places that’s equal parts interesting, unexpected, and slightly eerie in the best way.

Palácio da Bolsa

Next up was the Salão Árabe at Palácio da Bolsa, the stunning headquarters of Porto’s Chamber of Commerce. The building was originally part of the St. Francis Convent, but after a fire destroyed it in 1832, Queen Maria II donated the ruins to the city’s Commercial Association. Construction and interior work continued for decades, and the palace wasn’t fully completed until 1910.

Inside, the palace is made up of several rooms, each featuring different architectural styles and artwork by various artists. Every room is impressive, but the Moorish Revival Arab Hall completely steals the show. It is genuinely breathtaking. I didn’t know what to expect when we visited, but I’m so glad we went. My photos don’t even come close to capturing how beautiful it is in person.

The guided tour was informative and covered both the history of the building and more of Portugal’s past. The palace is still used for events today, and when we visited, they were setting up for a high school prom, which felt very “teen movie finale” in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Port Museum and Port Tasting in Gaia Without the Price Tag

We made a quick stop at a Port museum and then headed back over to Gaia for a Port tasting. Every Port house offers tastings and tours, but since we were short on time and not looking to drop a small fortune, we went a different route.

First, we visited the free Port museum in Porto to get a better understanding of the history and process. Then we crossed over to Gaia and found a little spot offering tastings at the old Mercado Municipal de Gaia, which has been converted into a food hall. For just €5, we each got five tasting glasses of Port, and every single one was delicious.

It ended up being way cheaper than doing a formal tasting at one of the Port houses, and honestly, it was a great option if you want to try a variety of Ports without committing to a full tour. More wine, less money. Always a win. 🍷

One Last Night at the Beer Festival

For our final night in Porto, we went back to the beer festival. We still had tokens left, and we were all on a mission to find that cider again. Friday night was way busier than the night before, and the whole place had a much more energetic vibe.

There was more music, more people, more dancing, and obviously more drinking. We danced, drank, laughed a lot, and just soaked it all in. It was the perfect way to end our trip and say goodbye to Porto on a high note. 🍻

A Gluten Free Farewell Breakfast

On our last morning, we grabbed a quick breakfast at 100 Culpa before heading to the airport. It’s a 100% dedicated gluten-free restaurant, which immediately put my mind at ease. They have a great breakfast menu with beautiful presentation, and everything tasted fresh, healthy, and delicious.

It was the perfect calm, feel-good sendoff before saying goodbye to Porto and hopping on our flight. ☕✨

Saying Goodbye to Porto (For Now)

Porto completely stole our hearts. From wandering the city on foot and stumbling into unexpected bars, to museums, markets, river views, and that unforgettable beer festival, it felt like every corner had something special waiting for us. It’s a city that’s beautiful without trying too hard, full of history, personality, and really good food and drinks.

That was a wrap on Porto, and honestly, I loved it. There is so much to see and do that squeezing it all into three short days felt almost impossible. We had to be a little ruthless with our choices, but even then it still felt packed in the best way. Even with everything we managed to do, we left feeling like there was so much more to explore. I would absolutely love to spend more time there, maybe even a month or two, just to slow down and really settle in. The energy of the city hooked me hard, and long story short, I will 100 percent be going back.

Read my full post about Porto Restaurants and Bars here

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Check out my Instagram @vegas.to.portugal to see a Beer Festival reel and more pics of Porto, as well as more of my life living in Portugal. 💙