You find this gem of a city in the northwest of Portugal, colorful buildings tumbling down the hillsides to the banks of the Rio Douro.

Once an important port for merchant ships, Porto nowadays boasts a UNESCO-listed historic center, a burgeoning cultural scene, and an infectious laid-back vibe.

The beauty is in the discovery here. It’s a city that was made for walking – although the steep hills might make you sometimes think otherwise! Strolling along the cobbled streets, weaving your way through narrow alleys or across its landmark bridges, stopping for breath at one of the soaring miradouros (viewpoints); these are the moments that you’ll remember and the times you’ll get to the heart of Porto.

Much like Lisbon and Lagos, Porto is a city with a lot of heart and a lot of charm. You can feel it in how friendly its inhabitants are, in the slow pace of life, and in the pride they take in both Porto’s past and its present. We were also surprised to find out that Porto is not all stunning historic buildings and tiled churches (although there are plenty of them; the city also has an edgy side.)

Contemporary architecture is seen in the Museum of Modern Art, or Koolhaas’ Casa de Musica. Hip restaurants and bars pop open along the river banks – and everywhere else for that matter. There’s always a new exhibition to see or concert to attend.

Porto isn’t a place that relies on its past…as glorious as it is!

In between exploring the city on foot, enjoying the rejuvenating Atlantic views and admiring the street art, you might want to take some breaks. Luckily, you’re in the right place for that.

You can sip on the local port on a roof terrace, nibble on Portuguese-style tapas in a petiscarias or sample every dish at one of the many food markets. If you’re feeling fancy, plenty of top chefs have made Porto home to their restaurants.

We know we said that Porto is best discovered by accident, stumbling across new things on meandering walks, but there are definitely some things you should aim to see and do in order to make the most of your time here fully. After all, you’re going to be raving about this place to everyone who’ll listen, so you want to have some recommendations to hand.

Have a look at some of our favorite things to do in Porto. Then look forward to adding your own discoveries once you’ve visited it!

15 Unique Things To Do In Porto: History, Wine, Fun, And Unparalleled Beauty! 🇵🇹