Lonely Planet Pocket Porto

By Kerry Walker

Lonely Planet’s Pocket Porto is your guide to the city’s best experiences and local life - neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Explore the fortress of Se, wander in the historic heart, and marvel at Palacio da Bolsa; all with your trusted travel companion. Uncover the best of Porto and make the most of your trip!

 

Inside Lonely Planet’s Pocket Porto: 

Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak

Full-colour maps and travel photography throughout

Highlights and itineraries help you tailor a trip to your personal needs and interests

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Convenient pull-out Porto map (included in print version), plus over 15 colour neighbourhood maps

User-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time

Covers Ribeira, Aliados & Bolhao, Miragaia, Vila Nova de Gaia, Massarelos, Boavista, Foz do Douro & Around and more

 

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet’s Pocket Porto, an easy-to-use guide filled with top experiences - neighbourhood by neighbourhood - that literally fits in your pocket. Make the most of a quick trip to Porto with trusted travel advice to get you straight to the heart of the city.

 

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet’s Portugal guide for a comprehensive look at all that the country has to offer.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 

 

'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times

 

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Release date: Aug 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781837580118

Book preview

Front CoverFull Page Samplerbutton

Contents

Plan Your Trip

Porto’s Top 
Experiences

Dining Out

Bar Open

Treasure Hunt

Festivals & Events

Port Wine

For Free

Tours

Under the Radar Porto

Art & Architecture

For Kids

Museums & Galleries

Four Perfect Days

Need to Know

Porto Neighbourhoods

Explore Porto

Ribeira

Aliados & Bolhão

Galerias Bar Crawl

Miragaia

Vila Nova de Gaia

Afurada Strolling

Massarelos

Boavista

Foz do Douro & Around

Worth a Trip

Matosinhos

Survival Guide

Survival Guide

Before You Go

Arriving in Porto

Getting Around

Essential Information

Responsible Travel

Language

Behind the Scenes

Our Writers

COVID-19

We have re-checked every business in this book before publication to ensure that it is still open after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the economic and social impacts of COVID-19 will continue to be felt long after the outbreak has been contained, and many businesses, services and events referenced in this guide may experience ongoing restrictions. Some businesses may be temporarily closed, have changed their opening hours and services, or require bookings; some will unfortunately have closed their doors permanently. We suggest you check with venues before visiting for the latest information.

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Explore the Sé

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VADIM PETRAKOV / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Marvel at the Igreja de São Francisco

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ROB VAN ESCH / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Be dazzled at the Palácio da Bolsa

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TRABANTOS / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Absorb history at the Centro Português de Fotografia

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EMILY MCAULIFFE / LONELY PLANET ©

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Discover the masters at Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis

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SAIKO3P / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Wander the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

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FOTOKON / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Delight in the arts at the Casa da Música

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VIDALGO / SHUTTERSTOCK ©; ARCHITECT: REM KOOLHAAS

Porto’s Top Experiences

1 Admire the architecture of Serralves

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CARLOS NETO / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Dining Out

Porto’s food scene has gone through the roof in recent years. Hot trends include petiscos (small Portuguese plates, ideal for sharing), lazy weekend brunches, creative vegetarian buffet-style restaurants, urban-cool restaurants putting imaginative riffs on global flavours, and old-school taverns championing slow food. And don’t forget the temptation of cafes, delis and patisseries around nearly every corner.

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DZMITRY RYSHCHUK / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Soul Food

Porto is sprinkled with family-run tascas and tabernas, no-frills, cheap-as-chips places filled with cheek-by-jowl tables and local chatter. At some, you’ll still get change from a €10 note at lunchtime. Here classics have never gone out of fashion – the francesinha (a gut-buster of roast meat, cheese-and-egg-topped sandwich) or tripas à moda do Porto (hearty offal and white bean stew), for instance.

Gourmet Heaven

Forward-thinking, fearlessly experimental chefs have put Porto firmly on the gastro map, with surprise tasting menus prepared with flawless execution, experimental finesse and a nod to the seasons. Names like Pedro Lemos and Ricardo Costa (the Yeatman) have put the city on the Michelin map, while Rui Paula pairs showstopping architecture with menus extolling the virtues of Portuguese produce.

Best Portuguese

Flor dos Congregados Rustic, welcoming family-run number, playing up seasonal Portuguese cuisine.

Cantinho do Avillez Portuguese star chef José Avillez puts riffs on Portuguese flavours at this modish bistro.

Casa Agrícola Sidling up to a chapel, this smart Boavista fave serves the like of cataplanas (seafood stews).

O Caraças A mother and her daughters run this sweet tavern like a tight ship, serving up Portuguese soul food.

Best Tapas & Tascas

Taberna do Largo Tasting platters, hand-picked wines and a relaxed ambience.

Tapabento Cosy bistro for sharing plates and carefully chosen wines.

Cantina 32 Imaginative, insanely tasty petiscos in an industro-cool setting. Terrace for warm-weather dining.

Porta 4 Super-friendly, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tapas place in Miragaia.

Tascö We love the sleek Scandi look and petiscos at this central haunt.

Best World Flavours & Fusion

Belos Aires A little drop of Argentina in Miragaia, with terrific steaks, Malbec and empanadas.

Frida Boho-flavoured Mexican, with cuisine that packs a punch.

Mistu Porto’s neo-Moorish sophisticate, with nods to Asia and South America.

Flow Go with it for clean, bright Mediterranean flavours in a pretty inner courtyard.

Best Fine Dining

Vinum Hilltop gourmet restaurant, with an excellent cellar to boot.

Pedro Lemos The chef takes pride in local, seasonal sourcing at this two-Michelin-starred stunner.

Antiqvvm Romance, captivating views and one Michelin star.

Yeatman Chef Ricardo Costa pulls off a class act at this two-Michelin-starred restaurant.

Euskalduna Studio Tables are like gold dust at this intimate, experimental choice. Book ahead.

MUU Urban-cool steakhouse with choice cuts of meat.

Eat Like a Local

The couvert (bread, olives, pâté etc) brought to the table as an appetiser costs. Pay for what you eat or feel free to send it away.

Bar Open

While Porto isn’t going to steal the clubbing crown any time soon, tripeiros (Porto residents) love to get their groove on, especially in the Galerias, with its speakeasy-style bars and the party spilling out onto the streets. With just enough urban edge to keep the scene fresh-faced, a night out here can easily jump from indie clubs to refined rooftop bars.

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EMILY MCAULIFFE / LONELY PLANET ©

Districts

Porto’s nightlife scene is incredibly chilled, swinging with ease from beachfront haunts in Foz to river-view bars in Vila Nova de Gaia. The backstreets of Ribeira brim with wine bars. As the night wears on, Galerias is party central, with bar-rammed streets where you can drift from one bar to the next as the mood and music takes you.

That’s Entertainment

Porto has never been one to shy away from a party, and its entertainment scene is upbeat and eclectic. Besides performing arts and classical music, there are live-music haunts homing in on home-grown talent, jazz and fado bars, cultural venues and artsy enclaves. For the top places you’ll need to reserve tickets, but smaller venues often stage gigs for free.

Best Bars

Prova Diogo shares his love of Portuguese wine at this stylish number.

Wine Quay Bar Sunset is prime-time viewing at this riverside wine bar.

Era uma Vez em Paris Bordello-chic bar evoking Paris in the 1920s.

Aduela Retro-cool haunt with vintage furnishings.

Museu d’Avó Glorious time-warp of a bar.

Café Candelabro Artsy cafe-bookshop, spilling out onto a pavement terrace.

Best Cocktails & Beer

The Wall Urban-cool, backlit, insanely popular Galerias bar for a mojito.

Letraria Craft beers, a chilled vibe and a tree-shaded garden.

Pinguim Café For quality gin cocktails and a boho vibe, this is the perfect tonic.

Armazém da Cerveja Some 70 brews on offer and a beer garden.

Catraio A shop/bar placing the accent on Portuguese craft beers.

Best Performing Arts

Casa da Música Porto’s cultural behemoth, with concerts from classical to jazz.

Teatro Nacional São João Porto’s foremost theatre wows with dance, drama and live music.

Coliseu do Porto Art deco theatre staging gigs, dance productions and plays.

Best Live Music

Plano B Jazz, jam sessions, indie gigs, DJ sets and more.

Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club The hottest jazz club in town.

Best Gardens & Terraces

Miradouro Ignez Sundown drinks, snacks and river gazing.

Praia da Luz Tucked-away beach bar for sundowners in Foz.

Mirajazz Steps lead to this terrace, with a cool crowd and jazz beats.

Intrigo Peer out across the rooftops to the river at this hidden terrace.

360º Terrace Lounge Arresting views of Porto’s historic centre.

Top Tips for a Night Out

A In typical southern style, nights begin late here. Bars don’t really crank up until around 11pm and clubs take over when they close at 2am-ish.

A Book concert and theatre tickets at least a week ahead to ensure decent seats.

Treasure Hunt

Shopping in Porto is very much a local experience, whether you are tasting port before selecting the perfect take-home bottle, nattering to the friendly senhora at an old-school grocery about the merits of tremoços (lupin beans), or talking to resident artists and designers at pop-ups, galleries and concept stores.

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INGEHOGENBIJL / SHUTTERSTOCK ©

Best Food & Drink

Touriga David Ferreira uncorks the world of Portuguese wines and ports.

A Pérola Do Bolhão Time-warp grocery store with an eye-popping art nouveau facade.

Chocolateria Ecuador Sublime dark chocolate (including one made with port wine).

Oliva & Co Premium extra virgin olive oils from all over Portugal.

Loja das Conservas Taking conservas (canned fish) to a whole new level.

Garrafeira do Carmo For vintage port and high-quality wines at reasonable prices.

Best Arts & Crafts

Azulima Jazz up your home with the Portuguese azulejos (hand-painted tiles) sold here.

águas furtadas Modish Portuguese fashion, design and crafts.

Armazém Riverside warehouse turned concept and vintage store.

CRU Imaginative Portuguese crafts from a new wave of creatives.

Loja das Tábuas Cork products and oak tábuas (chopping boards).

Best Gifts

Coração Alecrim One-off retro, vintage and eco-friendly gifts in a delightful store.

Tradições Ribeira one-stop shop, with original finds from cork bags to azulejos.

Claus Porto Retro-wrapped luxury Portuguese soaps.

Vista Alegre Highly regarded Portuguese porcelain.

43 Branco Porto-inspired gifts from filigree jewellery to ceramic sardines.

Zinda Atelier Original ceramics, including Portugal’s famous andorinhas (swallows), in a working studio.

Best Design & Fashion

Workshops Pop Up Original interior design and fashion buys.

Nuno Baltazar Flagship of the Portuguese catwalk king.

Monseo Jewellery funked up with Portuguese motifs.

Scar-id Store Some 40 designers show their work at this modern concept store.

Best Markets

Mercado Beira-Rio A covered food market that will get you up close and personal with tripeiros (porto residents).

Mercado da Foz With stalls piled high with fresh produce and flowers.

Mercado da Afurada Small but lively fish market in the pretty village of Afurada.

Mercado Bom Sucesso Offering everything from fresh food to concerts to courses.

The Best Shopping Streets

Click into the city’s creative pulse along Rua Miguel Bombarda, home to a seemingly ever-expanding crop of art galleries, vintage shops and kooky boutiques. Mosey down Rua das Flores for all-Portuguese souvenirs worth showing off, or, for high-street stores, hit Rua de Santa Catarina.

Festivals & Events

Let’s face it: the

Reviews for Lonely Planet Pocket Porto

[datrappert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Porto is a fantastic place to visit, and this guide is a good introduction. But after trying one or two of the recommended (expensive) restaurants, try out one of the local places, and be prepared to get an incredible value for about 10 Euros. Don't miss the bridge, and don't miss the Port wine!