Neighbourhoods
Porto is divided into various neighborhoods or “freguesias” (parishes):
- Ribeira: The oldest neighborhood in Porto famous for its narrow, winding streets and historic buildings. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Baixa: This is Porto's downtown area, where you'll find a mix of old and new, with historic churches and monuments side by side with modern shops and cafes. Avenida dos Aliados is the heart of Baixa, with the city hall at one end and the Trindade church at the other.
- ⭐ Cedofeita: This is a lively neighborhood filled with independent boutiques, art galleries, and traditional tascas (small eateries). The centerpiece of this district is the Romanesque Church of Cedofeita.
- Miragaia: West of Ribeira. Known for its colorful houses and narrow, medieval streets. It also has a charming riverfront with views of the Douro and the Porto wine cellars.
- Boavista: Porto’s most modern neighbourhood known for its business centers and shopping malls.
- ⭐ Foz: Foz is where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It's a chic neighborhood with upscale restaurants, bars, and beautiful beaches.
- Serralves: In the western part of Porto, known for the Serralves Foundation. The Foundation oversees the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art and Serralves Park (perfect for taking a walk or going for a run). Casa de Serralves (an impressive Art Deco building) is a must-visit within the park.
- ⭐ Vila Nova de Gaia: A separate city located on the southern bank of the Douro River, opposite Porto. It's often considered part of the broader Porto metropolitan area because of its close proximity and integration. Gaia is internationally famous for its port wine cellars, where port (the fortified wine named after the city of Porto) is aged and stored. You also get beautiful views of Porto, particularly the Ribeira district, from across the river. Cais de Gaia (the riverfront) has a lot of restaurants, bars, and shops. Gaia also has cool beaches along the Atlantic coast.
Cafes
- Combi Coffee Roasters
- ⭐ C'alma Coffee Room
- ⭐ SO Coffee Roasters
- Early
- ⭐ Fábrica
Brunch
- Floresta cafe by Hungry biker
- Eleven Lab
- Época
- ⭐ Alto
- Nicolau
Lunch / Dinner
- Cafe Santiago — try the famous Francesinha sandwich.
- ⭐ Pedro dos Frangos — one of the best spots to grab frangos (Portuguese chicken).
- ⭐ NOLA KITCHEN — for healthy eats and drinks made with whole and organic ingredients.
- ⭐️ 🥩 Muu Steakhouse — sophisticated spot specializing in meat dishes & wine, plus seafood & vegan options. super friendly owner and staff.
- Digby
- ⭐ Onze
- 🥩 KOB By Olivier
- ⭐ Flow
- 🌮 Duello
- ⭐️ Izakaya — intimate Japanese spot, super kind staff, and an amazing chef (Ruben) who knows ins and outs of Japanese food and culture. tried real wasabi for the first time here.
Bars
- ⭐️ Aduela
- ⭐️ Terraplana — they also serve some amazing thin-crust pizzas.
- Padaria Nacional
- Base Porto — good spot to sit and drink outdoors.
Things To Do
- Estádio do Dragão — FC Porto’s home stadium.
- Livraria Lello — a bookstore located in the civil parish of Cedofeita.
- Casa da Música — a renowned concert hall with a distinctive modern design.
- Boardwalk in Gaia — 16km beachside walk from lavadores to espinho.
- Douro River — perfect for a day-trip or two.
Hotels
- Exmo
- Torel Avantgarde
- Vila Foz