Porto is not just port wine. The Portuguese city has a vibrant underground culture and much to see, do and eat. Should you only have one day or weekend to spend in Porto though, this guide will guarantee you a great time in one of the most beautiful cities of Portugal.
24 hours in Porto
Other than it’s ‘big sister’ Lisbon, Porto is not as overflowed by tourists yet. It has around 238,000 inhabitants which is around half the population of Lisbon. This gives you the opportunity to visit the countless bridges, to have a port wine tasting and to stroll through the narrow streets during the day. The food scene in Porto is constantly growing and reveals new restaurant concepts every week. Most of them combine traditional Portuguese cuisine and present them in an innovative way.
Tip: Should you have more days to spend in Porto and want to know more about the local subculture, have a look at this t[rave]l Guide.
Breakfast for Digital Nomads in Porto
Start your day right! Gain some energy for the day at Hungry Biker. Great coffee, handcrafted interior, and healthy breakfast options like porridge, smoothies, granola, avocado bread, but also salad bowls are waiting for you there. Gluten-free bread and milk options are available. For all digital nomads out there: Hungry Biker offers wifi and plugs. If you feel like exploring the city with bike, you can directly rent it there, starting from four euros.
A Stroll through the narrow Streets of Porto
Just around the corner of Hungry Biker you’ll find a great spot to enjoy a fantastic view over the city and river. Mirador is a terrace which perfectly serves as observation deck. From there you’ll find your way through the narrow streets down to the riverside with it’s tiny, colourful houses. You can even walk over the famous Ponte D. Luís I to Vila Nova de Gaia, the city on the other river side of Porto and do a port wine tasting. Ferreira is a good address, as it’s the most traditional one that also is still 100 % Portuguese.
Extraordinary Lunch in Porto
Cantina 32 convinces you not only with an excellent service, the extraordinary industrial-chic interior, but also with the delicacies Chef Luís Américo Teixeira and his team bring to your table. Two things you should not miss here: The bread basket with banana butter at the beginning and the cheesecake, that comes in a clay pot. What looks like dirt with a sprout is Oreo cookie crumble, covering a creamy banana filling.
Tip: Tables are rare, make sure to book in advance!
Special Dinner Experience in Porto
The Italian restaurant Puro 4050 serves Mozzarella in every way you could think of: as burrata, smoked and much more. It’s the perfect place for a nice evening with tasty wine and tapas variations to share. The chef also owns the before mentioned Cantina 32, which you can not only taste but also see in the vintage interior.
Tip: The port tonic is a refreshing drink made with local port wine but not as heavy and sweet as the pure one. It works perfectly as aperitif for your starters at Puro 4050.
Must-Eat: Pastel de Nata
This one is obligatory for every trip to Portugal: Pastel de nata at Manteigaria. The Portuguese custard tart is an egg tart pastry dusted with cinnamon. You’ll get the best version of it at Manteigaria where you can watch the baking process while taking a bite of your warm pastel.
Techno Club in Porto
Gare Porto is the city’s techno temple and is considered one of the best clubs in Europe. Incidentally, one of the most well-known Porto exports is currently Trikk with releases on Innervisions. One artist that is contributing to Gare Club is Tiago Fragateiro. You want to know more about Porto’s electronic music scene, festivals and clubs? Check our podcast interview with the local artist.
What are your favourite spots in Porto? Join us in the closed community for techno&travel lovers worldwide and share your thoughts with likeminded people.