Tell me about Porto

[cliche guevara]

I've just booked four nights in Porto with a couple of friends, as one of them recently visited on business and said it was a great city and dirt cheap. We're going in September and staying at Porto Spot Hostel, which looks to be ridiculously good value.

Where are the best places to eat, drink, party, chill, explore etc.? We're all on a limited budget so cheap is good.

 

[moomoo]

Pm Dessiato.

 

[Hollis]

Nothing to add. Went there 6-7 years ago. Its one of the highlights of Portugal. Don't remember anything specific, just hang around in the cafes/bars by the river and watch life go by.

Try out some of the Dao and Douro Valley wines while your there.

 

[Amy121]

You should do a boat trip down the river Douro the views from it are stunning. Another thing I would recommend doing in Porto is a wine tour/ tasting session there are tours in English and most of them are reasonably priced.

 

[craigxcraig]

Porto is beautiful as Hollis has said, chill out by the river drinking some lovely wine. On the opposite bank are all the Port houses, I'd recommned picking one and go on a tour.

 

[rimpson]

While in Porto if you like to spend quality time on beach and avoid the crowds then I would like to recommend the south coast of Porto around Aveiro.

 

[Lo Siento.]

Went last year. Few things: weather not fantastic for Portugal, similar to Northern Spain (I got rained on most of the trip). Should be ok in September though.

I liked the city centre and the port neighbourhood (Miragaia), also the newer bit the other side of the river. Guide book told me to go to some god-awful suburbs in the north of the city (Matosinhos maybe?), don't bother. I didn't make it to Viana do Costelo which is supposed to be nice

(food wise, seafood, posher places south of bridge nicer, also rice and bean thing is loooovely)

 

[moose]

Superbock and Port. Nuff said.

 

[Sweet FA]

Looks like I'll be in Porto for 3 nights at the start of August

Any updates? Things to see/do that might vaguely interest a 17 y.o? Is it a dog friendly kind of place?

Recommendations re food, booze, art, shopping gratefully received.

Can you buy weed hassle free?

Ta xx

​

 

[danny la rouge]

Looks like I'll be in Porto for 3 nights at the start of August

Any updates? Things to see/do that might vaguely interest a 17 y.o? Is it a dog friendly kind of place?

Recommendations re food, booze, art, shopping gratefully received.

Can you buy weed hassle free?

Ta xx

​

Eat a Francesinha, go to the train station to look at the tiles, walk down the Rua das Flores, go to the Cafe Majestic for coffee and nata. Look at the outside of the famous bookshop, but don’t go in. Get on a tram.

 

[Sweet FA]

I'm staying on the Rua das Flores

 

[oryx]

go to the train station to look at the tiles,

I heartily second this - it's wonderful.

I would also recommend a port lodge in Gaia. We went to Taylor's which was a great experience. You can get a cable car there (we walked there and got the cable car back after a lot of port).

A river cruise is also worth doing as you get to see the city from afar, and you can get public transport out to some of the smaller seaside villages.

 

[dessiato]

It's a while since I lived there, I still miss it, even though I'm trying to get my Spanish citizenship I have an affiliate for Portugal.

Everything that is big touristy is within easy walking distance.

I wouldn't do a river cruise. Go on the train instead, it's just as nice but more geared away from tourists. Also I would not do the main port houses. If you walk along riverside away from the eiffel bridge then turn left towards the end you'll find some less well known houses which are, IMO, better.

If you are on the Porto side of the river walk down along the river away from the main areas and try the bars/restaurants there. They will be more local than tourist places but still good, and cheaper.

Do visit McDonald's in praça de Liberdade. I know, but go in and have a look. It's amazing.

Around the corner there's a restaurant which used to sell some of the best leitao, roast sucking pig, in the area. It's really worth trying.

As I think of other places I'll post them

 

[Riklet]

I think you'll find weed or hash no problem. I was offered it when I was there. Might be worth asking likely sorts rather than buying off the street dealers in the centre though.

 

[locomotive]

Went here for dinner a few years ago, it was tasty and very affordable when I went. Taberna Folias de Baco

 

[Sweet FA]

Went here for dinner a few years ago, it was tasty and very affordable when I went. Taberna Folias de Baco

That looks great - thanks.

 

[Johnny Vodka]

Has anyone been recently? Is there a recommended area to stay in the city? Thinking of going for a week in June... are there other places to visit nearby?

 

[dessiato]

Has anyone been recently? Is there a recommended area to stay in the city? Thinking of going for a week in June... are there other places to visit nearby?

I used to live there.

There's a lot to do in the area. There's beaches, historic buildings, lots of towns nearby which are interesting. It really depends on what you're interested in.

If it's just a long weekend I'd suggest you stay in the centre from which most things a walkable. If you can stay near the Metro to make places further away accessible.

Cais de Ribeiro is nice, right on the water front and in a good tourist area. You will, therefore, pay a bit of premium.

Going towards Matsosinho there beaches, hotels, etc. There's the Electrico which is worth riding on, it's also a good way to get into the city.

There's a lot to do in Porto.

 

[dessiato]

To add, go to McDonalds. I know the food is, well McDonald's, but the building is worth visiting. (Praça de Liberdade)

The other side of the square is a restaurant the base of which escapes me, it's worth a visit.

In the main shopping street there's another historic eatery. There's quite a few around the centre.

 

[Johnny Vodka]

I was looking at a place out past a (the?) big roundabout, mainly because it's cheap and has a balcony. Does that sound too far out? I actually like walking...

 

[dessiato]

I was looking at a place out past a (the?) big roundabout, mainly because it's cheap and has a balcony. Does that sound too far out? I actually like walking...

I'm not sure where you mean. There's a very large roundabout near the Dragon Stadium. (You might like to visit this. FC Porto is my team. Or Boavista which is a nice stadium)

 

[dessiato]

If you go look up incomingporto.com. They do tours and the owner, Gustavo Rossi has exceptional English. He's a friend of mineso I'm not impartial.

 

[Riklet]

I was looking at a place out past a (the?) big roundabout, mainly because it's cheap and has a balcony. Does that sound too far out? I actually like walking...

If it looks good and got decent reviews then trust your instinct dont ask us!

Ive stayed in 2 hostels in Porto. Both were good. I could find the names if you're bothered? Northern Portugal is great! You wont wanna leave. If you like walking you can do the camino from Porto up to Santiago in Spain, going through the most awesome places and small towns on the way. Highly recommended. Takes about 12 days. I did it in 2017 and it was amazing.

 

[Johnny Vodka]

If it looks good and got decent reviews then trust your instinct dont ask us!

Ive stayed in 2 hostels in Porto. Both were good. I could find the names if you're bothered? Northern Portugal is great! You wont wanna leave. If you like walking you can do the camino from Porto up to Santiago in Spain, going through the most awesome places and small towns on the way. Highly recommended. Takes about 12 days. I did it in 2017 and it was amazing.

Looking for accommodation with private bathroom and balcony.

 

[Riklet]

Looking for accommodation with private bathroom and balcony.

Well accommodation used to be cheap in Portugal but probably isnt now. Porto is super touristy and more expensive than bofore but if its less than like 60€ a night then book it for sure!

I always have a cruise of google map and the reviews for accomm there. You can find some good local central places and sometimes better prices than on booking etc. But you might need to phone up.

What do you want to do in Porto? Its a very easy city to bimble around. You can do everything from tour a port house to chat with friendly locals on wanky open air posh terrace bar to eat great food for 20€ to buy drugs and go to a DnB rave in an old theatre then mooch on the beach in Viana do Castelo the next day. Yes I have done all of those things.

How long are you going for?

 

[Johnny Vodka]

Accommodation seems very reasonably priced, I'd say. I'll be going for a week. Buying drugs and going to a rave sounds like a great idea (and I won't rule it out), but more likely I'll just be walking, eating, drinking, probably a few art galleries, enjoying the sun... If a week is too long in Porto itself, I'll see if there's any nice places nearby for a daytrip.

 

[Riklet]

Oh controversial opinion incoming - Francesinhas are rubbish (try them anyway tho) and food in Portugal just isnt as good as Spain. It has no sex appeal. The ingredients are good but the whole shebang is usually a bit lacking. The Portuguese are thifty with going out and love eating off crappy metal tasca trays and charging you extra for petiscos/bread and butter etc too. If you get to Galicia you will see what I mean - 20€ goes a lot further in Spain than Portugal if youre really into your food.

Ive heard things are a bit fancier in Porto nowadays and compared to most of the UK its a dream for good value consistent eating out, albeit not super exciting a lot of the time. Wine (and booze generally) is great value though and people are much kinder and more helpful and generally gentler with tourists in Portugal, and maybe a bit keener in the north to impress you than in Lisbon.

 

[Johnny Vodka]

I've been to Portugal before - Faro & Lisbon. I do remember enjoying the food, especially the sardines... & the custard tarts are great too.

 

[dessiato]

Looking for accommodation with private bathroom and balcony.

We used to stay in Hotel San Marino which is right in the centre.

It was/is owned by friends of ours.

Not been for a long time so can't really say what it's like now.

 

[dessiato]

Oh controversial opinion incoming - Francesinhas are rubbish (try them anyway tho) and food in Portugal just isnt as good as Spain. It has no sex appeal. The ingredients are good but the whole shebang is usually a bit lacking. The Portuguese are thifty with going out and love eating off crappy metal tasca trays and charging you extra for petiscos/bread and butter etc too. If you get to Galicia you will see what I mean - 20€ goes a lot further in Spain than Portugal if youre really into your food.

Ive heard things are a bit fancier in Porto nowadays and compared to most of the UK its a dream for good value consistent eating out, albeit not super exciting a lot of the time. Wine (and booze generally) is great value though and people are much kinder and more helpful and generally gentler with tourists in Portugal, and maybe a bit keener in the north to impress you than in Lisbon.

I agree with most of that, but a good francesinha is great. The best are in Gaia. Also, if you can, try the leitao (sucking pig) which are excellent. But, again keep away from the main tourist areas for the best.