How to Spend a Weekend in Porto, Portugal
In all honesty, Portugal was never high on my bucket list. Not because it doesn’t lots to offer but rather because my sights were set on other destinations. But when a college friend moved to Madrid to teach English, we decided to meet up. Having already been to Madrid, I was hoping to cross another country off my list. Enter my new best friend, Google Flights. With the Explore option, we were able to see different flight prices for the specific weekend directly on the map. And that’s how we landed on Porto, thanks to an affordable price and it not being too far from either of us. We had a fantastic girls’ weekend, ate to our heart’s content and loved seeing Porto’s blue-tile architecture. From best brunch places to photo spots, here’s how to spend a weekend in Porto, Portugal.
Where we stayed
When it comes to accommodations, I’m usually an Airbnb gal. We briefly looked into hostels but found that Airbnb prices weren’t that different — and we could have the place to ourselves. With two girls ballin’ on a budget, we were looking for a smart, affordable option. That’s how we landed on our Airbnb a little outside of the city center. I was a bit hesitant; the price felt too good to be true. However, it ended up being a lovely stay. It may not have been a luxury 5-star hotel, but it was spacious and just a short (but uphill) walk to downtown.
Porta Oito Petiscos & Bar
My flight got in later, and I met Amber at our Airbnb to drop off my things. First things first: dinner! We looked for something nearby and open and landed on Porta Oito Petiscos & Bar. This classy restaurant serves up Portuguese small plates. We each ordered several appetizers and ate to our heart’s content. I ordered their Chouriço Assado com Broa Embebida em Azeite, or chorizo with traditional corn bread, and sweet potato fries. And wow, my mouth is still watering thinking about this meal months later! We stumbled upon this place, but it ended up being a favorite.
Do Norte by Hungry Biker Brunch
After a good night’s sleep in our Airbnb, we were off to see the city. But before that, we needed to fill up on brunch in order to properly explore. (Trust me, it’s a thing.) A coworker recommended Do Norte by Hungry Biker Brunch, and we decided to try it out. I was pleased with their gluten-free options and the copious portions. It was the perfect place to enjoy brunch and catch up with a college friend.
Miradouro da Vitoria viewpoint
Looking for the best views of the city of Porto? You’ll want to head to the Miradouro da Vitoria viewpoint to get your glamour shots.
Igreja dos Carmelitas
I had read about the famed blue tile church in Porto and had to see it with my own eyes. Although we didn’t go inside the Igreja dos Carmelitas, we enjoyed walking around and admiring the blue tiles for which Porto is renowned.
São Bento Train Station
Porto’s train station is also well known for its blue-tile aesthetic, and Amber and I passed by to snap a picture of these gorgeous walls.
CA Downtown
If it wasn’t clear, I’m a fan of brunch. So with two mornings together during our weekend in Porto, we had to brunch both days. We also read good reviews for CA Downtown. And as we walked up to the restaurant, the long line only confirmed that. We had to wait a bit to get a table, but the service was efficient. I enjoyed gluten-free eggs Benedict, and Amber opted for the chicken and waffles. The wait was worth it!
Miss Pavolva Cake & Co.
After walking around the city, we were ready to rest our feet and have a sweet treat. We walked past Miss Pavlova and were intrigued by its bright, feminine aesthetic. This cafe serves up macarons, pavlova cake, cookies, cocktails and more. I couldn’t resist a slice of Snickers pavlova and ate every last crumb. Not only did I love its pink aesthetic but it also was a comfortable place to chat and rest.
Mercado Beira-Rio
When I travel to a new city, I love finding food markets with different stalls. It gives everyone the opportunity to find something to suit her fancy and allows you to test lots of smaller dishes. Amber and I took a stroll through Mercado Beira-Rio and snacked on some Brazilian dishes and enjoyed a glass of port wine.
Museums in Porto
On Sunday, it rained, which meant a leisurely stroll through the town was off the table. I’d heard good things about Palácio da Bolsa, which of course had to be closed for a private event. We pivoted and wound up at Museu da Misericórdia do Porto, a small museum with art and silverware. It was very underwhelming. Okay, I know that I’m spoiled; I’m an expat in France and have a wealth of world-renowned museums at my fingertips. But I was very disappointed by the museum scene in Porto. Perhaps we didn’t do enough research, but I certainly can’t recommend the MMIPO.
Take a boat ride through the Douro River
Another great way to see the city of Porto is by boat. We took the Tomaz do Douro Six Bridges boat tour and enjoyed seeing the city from a different perspective. It’s also a great way to rest your feet! There are multiple boat companies with many departure times as you walk along the water’s edge.
Taste a francesinha
One of Porto’s famed dishes is the francesinha, which is like a multi-layer grilled cheese but add several types of meat and add sauce. And topped with an egg! The word means “little French,” and the story goes that a Portuguese immigrant living in France was inspired by the French croque-monsieur sandwich and brought it back, per Portugal.com. Being gluten-intolerant, I often have to pass by on local breaded specialities. But I was so excited to discover Tasquinha do Bé, a restaurant that offered both regular and gluten-free francesinhas. Amber and I had a lovely evening attempting to finish our hearty, delicious francesinhas paired with a glass of port wine.
See the ocean
During our weekend trip to Porto, we wanted to go see the Atlantic Ocean. It was only a 30-minute bus ride from downtown Porto to Praia do Carneiro. It sure was brisk as it was the middle of February, but it was incredible to see the huge waves and gorgeous golden hour from the beach.
I’d always wanted to try the Google Flights Explore method: finding a set of dates and perusing the different low-cost options and then picking a destination. And Porto did not disappoint. From our tasty brunch spots to gorgeous city and ocean views, there is so much to be explored and enjoyed in Porto.
Did I miss something? Tell me in the comments!
