Are you ready for a colorful summer? Porto is waiting for you with its deep blue ocean and azulejo art (a traditional form of painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework). The second-largest Portuguese city can actually be visited in a few days.

Arrival

You can arrive in Porto by plane, train, bus, bike… the choice is yours! The public transport in Porto is also very well organized.

If you don’t plan to arrive by train, at least make sure to enter the Porto train station. What you’ll see below is not a museum, but perhaps the most beautiful railway station I’ve ever seen.

Get some pasteis de nata!

This is something you can’t miss in Portugal. The taste is unique and you can even find vegan versions. In Porto, search for Fábrica da Nata or Nata Lisboa, you won’t regret it!

Visit the Clérigos Tower

This tower gives the most amazing views of Porto. The Clérigos Church is one of the first baroque churches in Portugal, built by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century. The entry ticket costs 6 euros and 4 euros for students. Discounts are given to students in almost every historical and cultural site in Porto.

Right next to the Clérigos Tower, there is a beautiful park where you can relax with a Portuguese espresso or beer after having climbed the 75-meter-tall bell tower.

What if Harry Potter was actually born here?

The Lello Bookstore, supposedly the place that inspired J.K.Rowling to write Harry Potter, is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal and the third best bookshop in the world according to The Guardian.
Books can be found in many different languages and the featured authors are usually Nobel laureates.

There is a whole section dedicated to José Saramago, the only Nobel laureate from Portugal. The entry fee is 5 euros, but you get a discount if you buy a book. To avoid long lines, you should get your ticket online.

The Lello Bookstore has become a real tourist attraction because of its fascinating gothic interior. How is this old bookstore linked to the story of Harry Potter, though? Stay tuned for more details in the next posts.

How about some cool handmade souvenirs?

Bem Português is one of the many handmade gift shops on Santa Catarina Street, the most important commercial street in Porto. What makes this shop unique is the originality and sustainability of the products. Besides, this is the place where you’ll find products representing the Portuguese culture and spirit.

Porto Cathedral

Located in the historical center of Porto, this Roman Catholic church is one of the oldest Romanesque churches in Portugal. The azulejo art in the interior makes it absolutely unique.

The narrow streets of Ribeira

Ribeira is one of the most picturesque areas of Porto. The best part is walking along the Douro River, hearing fado or street music in the background, and bumping into Portuguese grandmas trying to sell you something…

The Ocean

Important: don’t have high expectations. It’s cold, even in June! I must admit that I did not use a single time my sunscreen in Portugal. What I found in June was gray clouds, rain, and wind. But again, it is absolutely worth it!

Port Wine Cellars (Caves)

Well, Portugal is one of the biggest wine producers in the world and as you can imagine, the Portuguese are very proud of it. There are several wine cellars in Porto, such as Burmester, located on the river Douro. It is one of the most common tourist attractions in Porto, a chance for you to learn more about the history of wine production in Portugal.

Give a chance to Fado…

Fado is the soul of Portugal. Not many people like it because of its melancholic nature. In Porto, try to give it a chance. A fado night is one of the best experiences in Porto that will make your stay magical.

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