Guimarães, known as the birthplace of Portugal, was just named one of the BBC’s top destinations to visit in 2026 and is Europe’s Green Capital this year. It’s one of my favourite places to visit in the north of Portugal, and the perfect spot for a long weekend. Let’s dive into the history and what you can do here…

Best things to do in Guimarães

It was near Guimarães that Afonso Henriques won the Battle of São Mamede – against his own mother no less – establishing himself as the leader of the kingdom of Portugal. Its independence was recognised some years later in 1143, making him the first king of Portugal. From here, King Afonso fought his way south against the Moors, claiming land that is more or less the same borders we know as Portugal today.

Here are the best things to do with 48 hours in Guimarães.

Read next… Where to eat in Guimarães: the best restaurants and taverns

Wander the historic streets of Guimarães

Every tourist guide and blog I read before visiting Guimarães was hyper-specific, telling me to wander these three specific squares, walk these two streets and look for these 14 specific churches. My advice? Just dive into the UNESCO-protected historic centre – enough aimless strolling will guarantee you see it all.

Across a weekend we sliced and diced our way across the old town on our way from the guesthouse to the castle or restaurants, taking a new route each time. Soon enough we’d criss-crossed the entire medieval layout, crossing paths with Largo da Oliveira, Rua de Santa Maria and all the other churches, streets and landmarks people consider a must-see.

Visit the Paço dos Duques de Bragança

As we admired the courtyard of this 15th-century home, somewhere someone in the building was absolutely shredding on the piano and setting the opening credits for what we hoped would be an impressive visit. Originally built between 1420 and 1433, the 1st Duke of Bragança used the palace as his home. It was abandoned for a period, used as a military barracks during the 19th-century French invasions and then relatively recently rebuilt between 1937 and 1959 to become the museum it is today.

While I loved walking through the grand stone building with its high ceilings, giant fireplaces and medieval vibe, the palace itself lacked a little something. That something might be details. While I expected to learn a little more about the Duke and family of Bragança, I was left wanting. Instead the QR codes in each room told me about the space and the 17th and 18th century objects used to dress the rooms. 

Given the age and the state of decay, it sounds like some guesswork was involved in the rebuild and deciding what different rooms were used for. Criticism aside, it’s a beautiful space with stunning windows, ceilings, details and atmosphere worth checking out in person. It’s a building unlike others I’ve explored in Portugal.

Wander the castle

Just around the corner, Castelo de Guimarães dominates the hilltop. Considered one of Portugal’s most recognisable landmarks, the castle you see today is more like that from the 13th century but there has been a defensive structure here since the late 10th century when a widowed Countess Mumadona Dias took over the County of Portucale.

The castle walls are absolutely stunning, but you will pay for the privilege to walk around. We’ve been spoilt with the opportunity to visit countless other castles around Portugal where you can freely explore the ruins without paying – here expect to pay around €5 to get in. What’s different? Well, there’s a staircase and boardwalk built across the castle walls. Sure, safety handrails aren’t the worst thing in the world, but the turret filled with vending machines was disappointing. I would have liked to learn more about the history of the castle instead of getting a hot coffee…

Eat a Torta de Guimarães

Every town in Portugal is proud of its doces conventuais (convent sweets). Essentially, it seems Portuguese nuns had access to sugar, leftover egg yolks and ingredients like cinnamon, lemon and almonds. With that and some imagination, each village, town and region has celebrated local sweets with an eggy side.

In Guimarães we have Toucinho do Céu and Torta de Guimarães. I prefer the latter, a crunchy slightly savoury half-moon pastry with buttery layers and a stringy, rich egg and almond centre. Turns out the savoury note isn’t butter, but pork fat. Vegetarians, you’ve been warned.

The best place to try them is at the original Casa Costinhas. Legend has it that a nun from the Convent of Santa Clara took in two orphan nieces. The establishment of the Republic meant they were no longer allowed to live in the convent with their aunt. They found a house close to the convent and the three women started baking sweets to make a living.

To market, to Mercado Guimarães

When I saw an old man standing there with two buckets selling live rabbits I realised things are different in the north.

I always visit the mercado municipal when travelling throughout Portugal. It’s a chance to pick up locally-grown produce, discover regional products and spy on cute old ladies. The Guimarães market hall was actually incredible. While my local permanent market here in Lisbon is mostly empty, here in the giant hall every counter was full with vendors selling fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, baskets, flowers and more. It’s the first time I’d seen stalls specialising in just bacalhau (salted cod). 

What I found most interesting were the pop-up temporary vendors. In the giant enclosed balcony off the market people didn’t have stalls, just a couple of metres of floor space and a few buckets of goods. You know the food miles are low when you’re buying seasonal plums off a lady who only has half a dozen cabbages, a bucket of lemons and some fresh flowers to sell. It takes farm-to-table to a whole other level.

In this area it was a little confronting to find live animals. Rabbits and roosters, chickens and chicks were all there ready to be sold. Most sellers had old-school balances with those solid iron counterweights. Maybe there’s a specific dish that calls on you to kill and skin a rabbit yourself, but otherwise I don’t know why someone wouldn’t just go to one of the market butchers where you can buy prepared whole rabbit or chickens.

While the market is open six days a week, I visited on a Friday. I’m not sure if the temporary vendors are there every day or not.

Head up to Monte da Penha

Religion doesn’t thrill me, so the idea of heading up Monte da Penha by cable car to visit the relatively modern Santuario da Penha was bottom of my tourist list (an error!). Our eventual drawcard for this visit was – of course – an outdoor restaurant hidden in the forest called Adega do Ermitão. 

Once we arrived, seeing the incredible natural landscape of giant boulders and lush, moss-covered forest made us realise Penha was worth the visit. Rising 586 metres (1920 ft) above Guimarães, the viewpoint behind the church offers stunning panoramic views back over the city and region.

Usually I’d say it’s very peaceful exploring the green forest paths but on our day a classic car race was taking place. Since it was a hot 30-something-degrees that day, I didn’t expect to hike the stunning mountain pathways but we became curious about the race warm-ups and went for a wander after lunch, exploring some hidden caves, grottos and monuments along the way.

Read next… Where to eat in Guimarães: the best restaurants and taverns

Other things to do in Guimarães

• Museu de Alberto Sampaio – century-old museum with artifacts from the city
• Citânia de Briteiros – archaeological site of a Castro culture settlement dating back to the 1st and 2nd century BC.
• Jardins do Palácio de Vila Flor – manicured gardens to explore

Where to eat in Guimarães

You bet I plan whole trips around where to eat. Discovering local tascas, old-man bars and where to taste the best regional cuisine is almost always top of my list. Guimarães is a surprising smaller Portuguese city that while tiny is home to brilliant taverns, a chic French-Spainish-inspired bistro, and a special Michelin-starred diner. Discover where to eat in Guimarães with my food guide.

RELATED BLOG: Where to eat in Guimarães

Where to stay in Guimarães

Trovador City Guest House €

This super cute little guesthouse was the perfect base for Guimarães. Our room at Trovador looked out over a square and had everything we could want: aircon, private bathroom, super comfortable bed. 

How to reach Guimarães

From Porto

If you’re already in the north, Guimarães is a must visit. The city is a 45-minute drive from Porto, or just over an hour by train from Campanhã Station. 

From Lisbon

Guimarães is a 3.5 hour drive from Lisbon. If you wish to reach the city by public transport, you’ll need to take a train to Porto and then change trains at Campanhã Station. Given that, I think you’re better off road trippping from Lisbon to Porto

Related Blog: 14 best things to do in Viana do Castelo

Photos by Jorge Branco and Daniela Sunde-Brown

Read next… 

• Where to eat in Viana do Castelo
• 48 hours in Porto
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• 16 most beautiful villages and small towns in Portugal
• Where to eat in Coimbra
• Best Festivals & Events in Portugal
• Guide to the best Douro Valley winery tours
• Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Lisbon and the Douro Valley

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Beyond azulejo-covered churches and cobbled lanes that wind down to the Douro River, at its core, Porto is a city connected to food and wine. 

I’ve visited Porto a dozen times, and on a recent summer weekend, I checked into Canto de Luz, a once-abandoned merchant’s townhouse that has been thoughtfully transformed into a boutique hotel with unique light-filled spaces and smart design. It’s located in one of my favourite neighbourhoods to stay in Porto, on a street famous for its historic hardware shops (look for the vintage signage!). But the cherry on top? Food and wine experiences.

Over two nights, a friend and I sampled the hotel’s in-house experiences – from market tours to a cooking class, to a Douro wine tasting. Beyond that, we used Canto de Luz as our calm retreat when we weren’t exploring the city. Let’s dive into all the fun…

Day 1: Train to Porto, join a wine tasting masterclass

Arriving by train from Lisbon, we were met at Campanhã Station by a private driver and whisked straight to Canto de Luz. The warm and friendly manager Gaia was waiting upstairs – but, to be honest, I’m not sure we heard everything she said thanks to a very distracting, very shiny self-serve wine machine sitting pretty at the entrance… It’s quickly clear this is a place designed for food and wine lovers.

Just beyond the reception desk, we passed through an open kitchen that spills into a glasshouse dining room, known as The Orangerie, and then the garden. Porto’s old town has such tall skinny façades that it’s surprising to step through the front door and see how deep each block goes – and Canto de Luz is making the most of this space.  

Checking into the Minho Suite at Canto de Luz

Gaia led us through the garden and checked us into the Minho Suite, a beautifully designed, light-filled apartment split over two floors. Downstairs, we had a petite, open-plan living room – with two sofas that could be converted into beds for kids – and a kitchen, fully equipped with an oven, hob, dishwasher and more. Upstairs, the mezzanine had a superking bed and a bathroom with lush soaps and smart lights. The beautiful space was super modern and clean, yet cosy.

What I loved most might be that the suite – a ‘Garden Duplex Villa’ – shared a wall with just one other, and the two sit in the middle of the garden. City noise? Basically non-existent. Add blackout blinds and a massive luxe bed for a perfect night’s sleep in a bustling European city – the dream.

I asked Gaia if we could sneak a peek at any other rooms before guests checked in, and so we got to see the stunning two-bedroom villa with private pool tucked right at the back of the block and the ground-floor apartments, which are still bathed in light thanks to smart architectural design.

Check your dates at Canto de Luz

Late lunch and exploring Cedofeita neighbourhood

One of the things I loved most about this Porto boutique hotel is the location. It’s set in one of my favourite downtown areas of Porto, on a pretty, yet quiet street close to Bolhão Market, cool cafés and some top restaurants. When I book stays in Porto, I usually choose somewhere around this area as it’s easy to walk anywhere, plus you have quick access to Trindade metro station to zip you across town.

After checking in, we prioritised food before our afternoon wine tasting. Protest Kitchen, a café I’ve had on my Porto ‘to-eat’ list for some time, is just on the next block. The owners – a Brazilian, Russian and Cypriot trio – bring something different to Porto’s specialty coffee and café scene, with a menu that includes everything from sweet syrniki to kchachapuri flatbread. I went for the Cypriotic eggs, with labneh and a toasted, sesame-crusted simit bread.

From here we carved a quick loop west through the hip Cedofeita neighbourhood, popping into vintage stores, historic shops and a gallery along Rua de Cedofeita.

Canto Cooking’s wine tasting masterclass

It was time to taste the best of the Douro Valley – but not like most visitors to Porto do. The city is famous for port wine, a fortified drink that is cellared on the southern bank of the river. But our 90-minute tasting was focused on table wines. 

Gemny, our host and a veritable pocket of sunshine, struck the perfect balance between education and fun. She kicked off with an overview of the Douro Valley, using a photo book to show the wine region through the seasons, explaining how the area’s rocky terroir shapes its wines. One at a time, we were slowly introduced to five table wines and a white port from Quinta do Vallado, one of the oldest and best-known estates that was once run by the legendary Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira (to this day it remains in the same family!)

What made this tasting memorable was its unpretentious approach. Instead of overwhelming us with vintages, years, labels and wine waffle, Gemny encouraged us to focus on the characteristics of each wine – how they tasted, how they compared, and, importantly, what we actually liked. The tasting mat doubled as a comparison chart and a notepad, allowing us to make notes and judge each wine by colour, aroma, taste, body and balance.

Once all six wines were sitting pretty on our tasting mat, we received a cheese and charcuterie board and were encouraged to play around with flavour pairings. Gemny shared helpful hints and anecdotes that kept it light and fun, yet informative without ever being intimidating.

Book this wine tasting for yourself

Day 2: Bolhão Market tour and cooking class, visiting a Port wine cellar

Each morning at Canto de Luz begins with a filling breakfast in the light-filled Orangerie. We’d heard great things, and it didn’t disappoint. Each day expect bread and a little treat from Porto’s oldest bakery, Padaria Ribeiro, open since 1878. Snack on a daily fruit plate while building your own breakfast from the menu, which includes items such as fresh orange juice, yogurt and granola, cheese and eggs cooked to order.

To market, to market with Canto Cooking School

Visiting Porto’s Bolhão Market is a must-do on any Porto foodie itinerary. The historic market hall, which occupies a whole downtown block, reopened after five years of renovations in 2022. We spotted our guide, Mackenzie, in a chef’s hat outside the hall and were joined by an American mother-daughter duo. 

The five of us set off to explore the market, with plenty of time to browse stalls, talk to vendors and sample produce. A spice-identification game set the tone, an oyster made for a morning pick-me-up, and Sofia, the olive oil vendor, shared tips while we tasted.

Back at Canto de Luz, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work on our petiscos menu (Portuguese tapas). The class continued at a fun and relaxed pace, and it was a social experience where the four of us took turns chopping, stirring, mixing and frying until we had a feast ready. The recipes were quite simple and would be easy to recreate at home.

We didn’t receive the recipes during the cooking class, which allowed us to be fully immersed in the cooking experience. However, once we sat down for lunch, I would have liked a printed copy to make notes or check that the written recipes lined up with the class. Canto de Luz is 98% carbon neutral, so to avoid printing they instead send a follow-up PDF of recipes via email. 

With lunch came more wine, the spectacle of a flaming chorizo on the table, and the chance to dig into our pataniscas de bacalhau (cod fritters), peixinhos da horta (tempura green beans), amêijoas à bulhão pato (clams) and salada de polvo (octopus salad).

Join this market tour and cooking class

Touring a port wine cellar

Why is Porto so closely tied to wine? The answer lies in port, the city’s namesake fortified wine that has been produced and shipped around the world for centuries. It starts with young wine, grown in the Douro Valley, that is then shipped downstream to mature in huge wooden barrels by the humid seaside. 

Almost two dozen port wine cellars are located on the southern bank in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the river from Porto. If you have the time, I recommend visiting one for the full experience – but if not, Canto Cooking also offers a “Best of the Best” port wine tasting, where it pairs four styles of port from top-tier producers with artisan chocolates and cheese.

We managed to catch the last daily tour at Graham’s Port Lodge, which was built in 1890. During the hour-long tour, we explored the cellar, passing the oversized barrels and learning about the difference between ruby, tawny and white ports. 

Sunset at Jardim do Morro

For sunset in Porto, I think there’s no better spot than Jardim do Morro. From here, on the southern bank, you’ll soak in an iconic view of Porto’s downtown, with its layers of colourful, narrow townhouses, as the city glows golden. Yes, it’s super touristic and always very busy, but find a spot on the grass, buy a beer from a vendor and enjoy the live music while thinking life is good.

From here it’s super easy to return to Canto de Luz via the metro, or make like we did and walk across the top level of the Dom Luís I bridge and seek out dinner – we went to Lado B, one of my favourite spots for a francesinha in Porto. 

Day 3: Trekking the city on a food tour, lazy pool time

Another day, another legendary breakfast in The Orangerie. But today we ordered half serves… it’s food tour day!

Eating across Porto – a food tour with Canto Cooking

In any new city, I think a food tour is a great way to connect with the history and food culture of a place. Canto Cooking’s food tour kicked off at the Bolhão Market at 11am, where we met with Mackenzie again to explore – this time joined by both a Scottish and an American couple. We spent about 90 minutes at the market, starting with a freshly squeezed juice before receiving a huge glass of vinho verde. Walking around a fresh food market with a glass of wine in hand? Elite, honestly.

At Sofia’s olive oil stall, we tried two popular beer snacks – Portuguese olives and tremoços (lupin beans). And we passed by a butcher for a small plate of local charcuterie. Then it was time to switch to the TimeOut Market, where we received a delicious Douro wine paired with a tasting plate that had a bolinho de bacalau (cod croquette), octopus salad and a bean salad. 

Things kicked up a notch with a francesinha – the legendary Porto sandwich with its many, many meaty layers – before we visited a wine bar and bottle shop to taste a Douro white paired with local cheese, finishing with a shot of gijinha (sour cherry liqueur).

Overall, I really loved the interactions we had with the stallholders and the stories they shared. I’d hoped for a bit more history and storytelling as we passed through different parts of the city along with more contextual notes. Still, it was an easy, relaxed introduction to Porto’s culinary scene, without too much walking and plenty of opportunities to sit down.

Pool time – and a sad farewell

I like to cram lots into a city trip, but with a mini heatwave gripping Porto, there was nowhere I wanted to be more than poolside at Canto de Luz that afternoon. We’d checked out but kept our pool towels so we could spend our final hours in Porto (before our train to Lisbon) kicking back on a lounger with a book in hand. 

Sitting there, staring at the blue water, verdant garden and Canto de Luz townhouse, I reflected on how nice it is to experience the contrast of city life and then retreat to a central, private oasis like this.

Visiting Porto soon? Check your dates at Canto de Luz and lock in food experiences

How to get there

From Porto’s Campanhã station, it’s a 15-minute drive. From the airport, it’s about 25 minutes by car or metro. Canto de Luz can also arrange private transfers on request.

This feature was created in collaboration with Canto de Luz. Experiences and reflections remain entirely my own.

Keep reading about Porto

• Best tiles in Porto: Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos
• The best tile painting workshops in Porto
• The best pastel de nata cooking classes in Porto
• Where to eat in Porto
• Two days in Porto: Perfect first-time itinerary
• Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley

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I’ve visited Porto probably more than a dozen times, and each time I leave with at least a few new items for my wardrobe. Whether you’re into retro denim, timeless leather jackets or one-of-a-kind accessories, here are my suggestions for where to hunt down pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories in Porto.

Just like my comprehensive guide to vintage and second-hand shopping in Lisbon (where I live), my Porto guide is split into a few sections:

• Thrift shops and charity stores
• Vintage boutiques
• Second-hand consignment stores

Here’s where to start your treasure hunt – plus there’s a map at the bottom.

Don’t shop on Sundays – the majority of Porto’s vintage stores will be closed.

Read next… Where to find the best vintage and second-hand shops in Lisbon

Thrift shops and charity stores in Porto

Humana & Humana Vintage

Locations across Porto (and Lisbon)

Looking for an affordable second-hand or charity shop in Porto? Start with Humana. While the city has fewer locations than Lisbon, there are currently six Humana stores across Porto offering a good mix of second-hand clothing, shoes and accessories. I’d even dare say the stock up north is better than in the capital! You can expect mostly high-street brands, with the occasional hidden gem from a higher-end label – usually found near the counter. 

Porto also has a Humana Vintage shop, where the stock is more curated and the prices are still friendlier than most boutique vintage spots. As always, 100% of Humana’s profits go toward funding the organisation’s social projects. I’ve marked the Porto locations in green on the map at the end.

Vintage clothing stores in Porto

Com Sotaque

A vintage store and a café, Com Sotaque is the ideal addition to your Porto thrifting and vintage trail. When you’re not browsing for unique finds on the racks, you can pause with a slice of cake and coffee.

Dreamy vintage womenswear, plus coffee
Closed Sundays
Trinidade – R. do Alferes Malheiro 120, Porto

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Mão Esquerda Vintage

This Porto vintage store, open since 2018, occupies a cute spot on the corner of a downtown square. Within the small space, Mão Esquerda holds an ever-changing collection of true vintage and retro gear for both men and women.

Vintage curation for men & women
Closed Sundays
Coliseu – Rua da Alegria 5, Porto

ChicleteShop

For vintage streetwear in Porto, head straight to Chiclete, right next door to Mão Esquerda. In Chiclete, you’ll find vintage sports jerseys, Carhartt pants, Hawaiian shirts, denim and sneakers. 

Vintage unisex streetwear
Closed Sundays
Coliseu – R. de Santo Ildefonso 187, Porto

Mon Père Vintage

Another classic vintage shop in Porto is Mon Père, open since 2013. Find its treasure trove of seemingly endless vintage racks hidden in an old arcade. Natural light streams in through huge skylights, illuminating a colourful, well-organised curation of vintage clothing in various themes, from cowboy boots to Hawaiian shirts.  

Huge selection of vintage for men & women
Closed Sundays
Cedofeita – Largo de Alberto Pimentel 38, Porto

O’Kilo

As the name suggests, this vintage shop sells second-hand clothing by the kilo, with prices starting at €10 per kilo. O’Kilo is right next to the Bolhão Market, and it’s open every day of the week.

Second-hand clothing sold by the kg
Open 7 days
Bolhão – R. de Alexandre Braga 83, Porto

Retro City

This retro and vintage clothing store is filled with 80s and 90s aesthetics. A British-Spanish couple are behind it, with stores in Lisbon and Madrid as well. For the three Retro City stores, they source clothing, belts, hats, coats and footwear from abroad.

80s, 90s aesthetics for men & women
Closed Sundays
Heroísmo – Rua do Heroísmo 333 23, Porto

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Vintage Vendetta 

On the outer fringes of Porto’s cool Cedofeita neighbourhood lies Vintage Vendetta, another spot that is more than just a shop. Within you’ll find racks holding a curated range of vintage, retro, pre-loved and upcycled clothing and accessories, plus the odd tiny concert taking place.

Curated clothing, plus concerts
Closed Sundays & Mondays
Cedofeita – Centro Comercial de Cedofeita, R. de Cedofeita 451 Loja 31, Porto

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Wild at Heart

Hidden in a back street near Parque das Virtudes, Wild at Heart is a small vintage and pre-loved clothing shop. Find limited ranges of seasonal second-hand drops, from vintage swimwear to 80s neon sports jackets to Burberry trench coats.

Second-hand clothing for men & women
Closed Sundays & Mondays
Virtudes – Rua das Taipas 113, Porto

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Xaile d’Avó

This quirky boutique holds a mix of second-hand clothing, upcycled goods and vintage homewares. The name – Xaile d’Avó – means grandmother’s shawl, and the idea is that remarkable objects can be passed on, filled with stories and meaning. Who knows what treasure you’ll find here…

Quirky mix of second-hand clothing, upcycled goods & homewares
Closed Sundays 
Trinidade – R. de Santa Catarina 746, Porto

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AMB VestBem

This small second-hand store feels more like a flea market or thrift store, where you’ll find an organised selection of second-hand clothing for men, women and kids. At AMB VestBem expect prices from €2.

Affordable second-hand clothing
Closed Sundays
R. do Morgado de Mateus 167, Porto

Second-hand consignment & luxury vintage stores in Porto

Unearth rare treasures and find luxury classics at these high-end vintage and consignment stores in Porto.

La Petite Coquette

Since 2014, this showroom has been the go-to spot for second-hand luxury goods. La Petite Coquette is only open by appointment – yes, you must call ahead and organise a time to visit this exclusive vintage store. Within you’ll find luxury brand bags, shoes and more on consignment.

Luxury bags, shoes & accessories
By appointment only; closed Sundays
Aliados – R. de Ceuta 60 1ºEsq, Porto

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Yeahllow

For pre-loved luxury, make a trip to Yeahllow. This store curates a collection of second-hand luxury goods with the guarantee that every item (having undergone evaluation by a team of experts) is 100% authentic. Drop in for special one-of-a-kind finds from top-tier brands like Chanel, Prada, Gucci, etc.

Luxury bags, watches, shoes, clothing for men, women & kids
Closed Sundays
Outer Porto – Edificio do Infante, Av. da Boavista 3769 Loja 10, Porto

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Watch Garage

For fans of vintage watches, I’ve included the Watch Garage, a watch store and repairer that has a curated selection of what they describe as “interesting, obscure and exceptional vintage watches”.

Vintage watches
Closed Sundays
Vila Nova de Gaia – Candal Park, R. 28 de Janeiro 350, Porto 

Flea markets in Porto

You can find plenty of feiras around Porto, but most won’t have any vintage or second-hand clothing.

Feira da Vandoma – every Saturday

This is Porto’s most famous flea market. Once a student swap spot, it now offers a sprawling open-air bazaar of books, records, military gear, bric-a-brac, tools, ceramics and random treasures. Bargain hunters’ paradise – bring cash.

Saturdays, early morning to 1pm
Avenida 25 de Abril, Porto

FleaMarket Porto – monthly

The location of FleaMarket Porto changes monthly, so keep an eye on social media to see when and where the next one will pop up. 

Map of Porto’s vintage shops

That’s my list of the best places to shop for vintage and second-hand clothing in Porto. Is there somewhere that’s missing? Leave me a comment…

The post Where to go vintage and second-hand shopping in Porto appeared first on Olá Daniela.

If you have 10 days to explore Portugal, this classic itinerary ticks off Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

Sharing a 10-day Portugal itinerary on Olá Daniela is no easy task. Why? Because trip planning is such a personal experience. Whether someone has 7, 10, or 14 days in Portugal, I know from helping others that every itinerary is unique, shaped by individual timelines, interests, and travel styles.

That’s why I’d put off writing a 10-day Portugal itinerary – until now. Many of my readers may have limited vacation time, so I’ve designed this as a fast-paced 10-day trip. But if you’re lucky enough to have more time up your sleeve, I’ve included plenty of details for optional day trips and side quests.

Personally, I enjoy a more moderate travel style and speed, as I value visiting smaller towns and villages. They add such rich colour and contrast to a trip, offering a deeper, more varied experience beyond the main sights. If that sounds more like you (and you still only have 10 days), then I recommend visiting Lisbon and Porto OR Lisbon and the Algarve. Use the extra time to savour slow moments, enjoy curious day trips, and really experience the depth and soul of Portugal.

Want a custom day-by-day plan? Let’s build one together on a 1:1 call — matched to your pace, your budget, and your style of travel.

Overview of 10 days in Portugal – Perfect fast-paced itinerary for first-time visitors

• Day 1: Lisbon – Introduction to Lisbon (tour or self-guided); fado music
• Day 2: Lisbon – Day trip to Sintra & Cascais
• Day 3: Lisbon – Visit Belém; time to explore
• Day 4: Lisbon to Algarve – boat to Benagil Cave; Seven Valleys Hike
• Day 5: Algarve – Kayak or boat Ponta da Piedade; beach time
• Day 6: Algarve – Day trip of your choice (West, Central or East Algarve)
• Day 7: Algarve to Porto – drive via Évora or Tomar
• Day 8: Porto – Introduction to Porto (tour or self-guided); tour a Port wine cellar
• Day 9: Porto – Day trip to the Douro Valley
• Day 10: Porto to Lisbon – Drive via Aveiro & Óbidos

Not sure how to fit it all in? Book a 1:1 call with me and I’ll help you figure out the perfect rhythm for your trip.

How many days do you really need in Portugal?

The more, the better (obviously). If you have 5-7 days, you’ll be able to experience a taste of Portugal. I’d suggest limiting yourself to two regions or destinations – e.g. Lisbon and the Algarve, or Lisbon and Porto, but not all three. 

If you really want to get to know the country, 10-14 days will give you enough time to dash from north to south – but don’t forget Portugal is more than Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve. The magic happens in the small, spontaneous moments, which you’ll need time for – Portugal rewards slow travel.

When is the best time to visit Portugal?

Spring and autumn – specifically late April to June and September to October. Expect long, sunny days, smaller crowds, and delicious weather ideal for drinking crisp white wine on a terrace.

July and August can be lovely by the coast, but the interior will be super hot. In August, all of Europe is on vacation, which means crowds in popular spots and many restaurant closures in the cities. Winter is quieter and greener, but it’s also when we receive the most rain in Portugal. Pack layers and expect moody skies.

Do I need a rental car?

A rental car will give you to the freedom to do this 10-day itinerary in full, but if you don’t hire a car you can experience the same detinations, just differently. You can easily take the train or a coach bus between Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, butyou won’t be able to make stops en route (as I have suggested below). If your budget allows, a private driver can make stops between Lisbon and Porto or Porto and the Algarve.

I use Discovercars.com to compare rental prices, conditions and book cars.

Day 1: Lisbon, get to know the capital

Olá, Lisboa! Portugal’s colourful capital is a patchwork of cobblestone streets, brightly-tiled facades, and leafy squares. If you’re coming from an international destination, you’ll likely land in Lisbon (though plenty of flights now arrive in Porto and even Faro, in the Algarve, too). This itinerary assumes you have all day, so if you’ve landed in the morning, find a place to store your luggage – or use Luggit, a storage van that comes to you and later drops your bags at your hotel. Very handy (and use you can use my code OLADANIELA for 10% off).

First time in Portugal? Read this article next to learn about the top mistakes to avoid. 

Morning – introduction to Lisbon, self-guided or a tour

Since it’s your first day in Portugal, consider a guided tour so you can meet the locals, learn about the country’s history and gain cultural tips. If a guided tour is out of budget, Lisbon is easy enough to navigate solo too.

If you want to go guided, you can:

• Join a small-group walking tour and explore the city heart, learning about history and important sights
• Book a private tuk-tuk tour and cover more ground. Lisbon is very hilly and quite spread out, so I strongly suggest this as your top option in order to see the most. I can highly recommend Joao’s Journeys. The 3.5h “Seven Hills” tour will show you the best of the whole city. He also offers shorter tours if you prefer 
• Join a small-group food tour, and eat your way across the historic centre, learning about food with a side serve of history 

If you don’t want to go guided, follow Day 1 of my 48 hours in Lisbon guide. It sends you into the more historic neighbourhoods of the city, including Alfama, where you’ll find plenty of sights to explore and things to do. 

Lunch: Half of my site, Ola Daniela, is about what and where to eat in Portugal, so I have some great recommendations. Here’s my Lisbon restaurant guide, or since it’s lunchtime, why not go for a local tasca to try authentic local dishes – here are some of my favourite tascas.

Afternoon: Continue exploring old Lisbon

In the afternoon, take your time exploring Lisbon’s historic heart at your own pace. Let yourself get lost in Alfama’s tangle of cobbled lanes, or venture to Baixa and Chiado. Here are some ideas.

Things to do & see in Alfama

• Sé: the oldest church in the city
• Museu do Fado: museum dedicated to Fado, a genre of music 
• Tile-painting workshop: make your own souvenir
• Small-group Alfama walking tour: covering the stories of Alfama
• Half-day e-bike tour: explore the city by electric bike
• Igreja de São Vicente de Fora: for a church with tiles, head here
• Museu do Aljube Resistência e Liberdade: museum about the past 100 years, covering the rise and fall of the dictatorship that lasted until 1974

Things to do & see in Baixa & Chiado

• Santa Justa Lift: Lisbon has lots of hills! They built this neo-Gothic elevator in 1899. Snap a photo and skip the queue – you can walk to the top easily enough
• Convento do Carmo: built in 1389, the cathedral was left in ruins after the 1755 earthquake
• Rossio Station: Central Station, but if Central Station were in romantic Manueliene architecture
• Rua Augusta & Praça do Comércio: Baixa’s main pedestrian shopping street leads to Lisbon’s grandest square. Once you reach the waterfront, wander along and enjoy the vibe or stop for a drink
• Shop for souvenirs in Chiado, where you’ll find local brands like A Vida Portuguesa, Ceramica na Linha, Burel, Zillian, The Feeting Room, and more

Evening: Listen to Fado music

Fado is a traditional style of music from Portugal, sometimes called the Portuguese blues, thanks to its themes of longing, love, and nostalgia. Usually, fado is sung as a trio, with a singer, a  12-string Portuguese guitar and a six-string guitar. Even when I can’t understand the lyrics, the powerful voices and tunes always give me goosebumps. It’s emotive, it’s raw, it’s full of passion, and it’s a must-do. 

The music genre originated in the old neighbourhoods of Lisbon, and in the capital, you’ll find lots of fado clubs where you pay a set price for a three-course meal with music. I’ve also included a few alternative options below: a 1-hour pre-dinner concert with wine; a fado tour with a guide; and a restaurant that offers à la carte.

Fado’s #1 rule: You must be silent when the performers are playing. 

• Gain more context on the art of fado with this guided musical tour. Your local guide will lead you on a walking tour through Mouraria and Alfama, sharing stories about the history of fado before you sit down for dinner and a show
• For dinner and a show, I recently went to this fado house and thought it was good value for the experience. For €50, you receive what must have been a dozen small dishes, so you’ll taste lots of traditional Portuguese snacks while enjoying the great music
• Another favourite dinner and show spot is Mesa de Frades. The setting is truly beautiful, a small and intimate club in an old tile-lined chapel. The experience is €65 for a three-course meal with music, but it’s known for having some of the best singers
• For a quick pre-dinner show, Lisboa em Fado is highly rated and offers an intimate one-hour experience and a glass of port wine
• And finally, I love A Baiuca for a more relaxed à la carte experience. The restaurant is tiny and you’ll be squeezed in, perched on small stools, but the experience is fun. Reserve directly via Facebook message

Where to eat in Lisbon: Looking for tips on where to eat in the capital? Read my Local’s Lisbon Restaurant Guide (2025): 41 Best Places To Eat 

Where to stay in Lisbon

It’s a big city with plenty of choice, read my guide on where to stay in Lisbon and find your perfect base.

Day 2: Day trip to Sintra & Cascais

The romance of a bygone era is still alive in Sintra, a 19th-century summer playground for the royals and the rich. Dotted across a lush green mountain reserve, just a 25-minute drive from Lisbon, you’ll come upon more than half a dozen extravagant and unique palaces, and a 10th-century Moorish castle.

Sintra is easily Lisbon’s best and most popular day trip, and for good reason. Most people want to see the Disney-like, yellow-and-red Pena Palace, and the mysterious gardens and tunnels of Quinta da Regaleira – but there are other beautiful, quieter landmarks to explore.

If you have limited time in Lisbon, my favourite way to explore is to combine Sintra with Cascais, a chic seaside town, exploring the rocky coastline and mountainside en route. You can easily get the train to Sintra and do self-guided, but if you choose a guide for the day (or join my favourite off-road Jeep tour), you’ll really explore the area.

With a guide, you’ll:

• Explore a palace or two, with history and details
• Drive through the lush Sintra-Cascais Natural Park to the coastline
• Stand at the westernmost point of continental Europe, Cabo da Roca
• Follow winding coastal roads past Guincho Beach
• Stop or finish in the seaside town of Cascais, where you can stay for dinner or drinks before returning to Lisbon 

Sintra guides I recommend:

• For something adventurous and different, I personally recommend Flamingo, who run off-road tours of Sintra in vintage Portuguese UMM Jeeps. You see a palace, then hit off-road mountain trails, go to lookouts, etc. It’s super fun!  
• For a guide with a car, Fernando from “Portuguese Chauffeur – Private Tours” is fantastic. He includes pick-up and drop-off in Lisbon and will shape the day to suit your group. His rates are really reasonable for private tours too

Read next: Lisbon’s best day trip: Sintra 1 Itinerary 

Tip: Carry a jacket at all times (seriously, it’s much colder here than in Lisbon).

Alternative day trip: Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park

Day 3: Lisbon, go deeper and visit Belém

Morning: Flea market, neighbourhood hopping and views

If it’s a Tuesday or Saturday morning, Lisbon’s Feira da Ladra flea market will be buzzing next to the Pantheon in Alfama. It’s a gorgeous, historic area of Lisbon, and you never know what treasures you’ll find. At the centre of the market is a leafy park with a kiosk that makes for a lovely escape, or there are stacks of cafes and restaurants with tables that spill out onto terraces overlooking the flea market.

If not, I’d set out to explore some of Lisbon’s inner-city neighbourhoods, visit a museum, or chase your personal interests – I’ll share some quick ideas below. 

If you explored downtown Baixa and Chiado yesterday, head into Príncipe Real. The main street of this chic, pastel-hued neighbourhood tops a ridge where canary-yellow trams trundle along and cool restaurants or boutiques line each side. Stop for views at Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara on the way in.

Alternative ideas for things to do in Lisbon

Lisbon is fairly limitless in terms of things to do, with something for everyone.

• Join a cooking class and learn about Portuguese cuisine
• Head to the top of Parque Eduardo for great panoramic views
• Take the family to the Oceanarium and meet the otters
• Visit the beautiful Jardim Gulbenkian and explore the two Gulbenkian galleries
• Wander through leafy Jardim de Estrela and climb onto the roof of the nearby Basilica
• Shop Portuguese brands in Chiado or Príncipe Real, or shop luxury labels on Avenida Liberdade
• Take the train to the beaches of the Cascais line, or Uber over to the Costa da Caparica beach clubs

Afternoon: Pilgrimage to the Belém neighbourhood, for history and tarts

Belém is a must-visit Lisbon neighbourhood deeply connected to Portugal’s maritime history. Between the many monuments, museums, and manicured parklands, you’ll discover tales of explorers, like Vasco da Gama in 1497, who left to map the world during Portugal’s powerful Age of Discoveries. 

Besides history and seeing some of Portugal’s most important buildings, any visitor should make a pilgrimage to Belém to eat the original pastel de nata at a bakery open since 1837. Here’s what to do – more details in my Belém guide.

• See the Jeronimos Monastery (entering the church is free, or you can buy tickets to enter the cloisters)
• Try Pastéis de Belem (the original custard tarts) – I like to join the table queue (middle door), which moves very fast as they have 400+ seats inside
• See the Discoveries Monument, which symbolises the discovery of the ‘new world’
• Next to the monument is a great oyster truck – Ostras Sobre Rodas – with local oysters and wine!
• Walk over to the Belém Tower, a 16th-century tower in the river and a symbol of the city
• From there, I’d walk along the riverfront, past parkland and museums, back towards the bridge. After the bridge, the waterfront gets a bit ugly – jump on a tram, bus, or Uber
• Close to the bridge pillar is the LX Factory, a creative micro-neighbourhood that has taken over an old textile factory. Inside, you’ll find restaurants, afternoon happy hour specials, shops, artisans, and cool street art

Further reading: Best things to do in Belém and Local’s guide to the LX Factory, Lisbon’s creative micro neighbourhood 

Evening: Go sailing at sunset 

Belém and Alcântara have a couple of smaller docks where you can go sailing in a sailboat (my favourite) or board a fun party boat and watch the sunset. Either way, you’ll be out on the water for a couple of hours with a glass of wine, looking at the historic city from a new perspective. My pick is the classic sailboat tour (or private charter) with Enjoy Tagus. Find more boat tours with my guide.

Want a day-by-day plan? I’ll build one with you on a 1:1 travel call – matched to your pace, your budget, and your style of travel.

Day 4: Drive from Lisbon to Algarve, boat to Benagil Cave

One thing I find first-time visitors to Portugal underestimate is that the Algarve is a huge region, not a singular place. There are 150 kilometres (100 miles) of coastline to explore, many towns and villages, and so much to do. 

Planning tip: If you have less than three available days for the Algarve, cross it off your itinerary and explore beaches closer to Lisbon or between the capital and Porto.

Morning: Travel to the Algarve

There are four ways to reach the Algarve: rental car, private driver, train, or coach bus. 

I would only pick up your rental car on Day 4, because having a car in Lisbon is honestly just a pain. Choose to zip down the highway, reaching the Algarve Coast in about 2.5 hours, or take the slower coastal route and make a day of it – I’ve detailed some potential stops between Lisbon and the Algarve here.

Afternoon: Benagil Cave, Praia da Marinha & Seven Valleys Hike

Dive straight into Algarve sightseeing and head for the coast’s famous cliffs. The most popular thing to do in the Algarve is to visit Benagil Cave – now, you know that means there will be crowds, but there are also rules. While you used to be able to stand on the beach within the sea cave, recent regulations mean you have to join a guided kayak tour or boat excursion to see the cave. Due to traffic, there is a time limit, and kayaks get longer to appreciate Benagil’s beauty.

I’d book your Benagil kayak or boat excursion ahead if you’re crazy keen, otherwise you could hike the famous Seven Valleys Trail, which stretches along the coastal cliffs between Praia do Vale de Centeanes and Praia de Marinha. With parking lots at both ends, you can trek the 6-kilometre (3.7-mile) trail one way, then Uber or Bolt back to your car. Pack plenty of water and your swimsuit, as you can take dips along the way. You’ll actually pass by Benagil en route, so you could chance it for a kayak or boat tour (good luck).

Where to stay in the Algarve

In the Algarve, there’s so much choice. You can choose a town base, such as Lagos or Faro, or you can choose a resort base somewhere along the coast. If you’re looking for a town or village, I’ve written a detailed guide about each Algarve destination. For first-time visitors, Lagos or Carvoeiro make a good base with lots of restaurants and a touch of nightlife.

Day 5: Algarve: Explore Ponta da Piedade, beach time

Morning: Kayak around Ponta da Piedade in Lagos

While the entire Algarve coastline offers access to incredible beaches, the central and western Algarve are most famous for dramatic orange cliffs and one-of-a-kind spots. My favourite beach near Lagos is the dramatic Praia do Camilo, but you have to explore the whole peninsula of Ponta da Piedade. 

This real-life postcard is a series of orange cliffs carved by the sea and time. You can wander along the boardwalks on top, but the best way to experience the landscape is with a kayak tour or boat excursion that can dip into sea caves and explore the cliffs to their full potential. For the best light, go in the morning. On my last Algarve trip, I did this guided kayak experience. We jetted towards the cliffs before launching our kayaks, spending about one hour paddling around the craggy rock formations after our humorous guide. 

Tip: Before kayaking, grab coffee and breakfast at my favourite café, Everyday People. It’s close to the marina.

Afternoon: Beach time, or explore Lagos

Since you’re in Lagos, you could spend the afternoon lazing on a beautiful beach, explore the historic centre, or pop to the villages of Burgau or Ferragudo nearby.

Things to do in Lagos

• Explore picturesque cliffs, hidden coves, and sea caves with a boat tour from Lagos
• Embark on a guided kayak or stand-up paddleboard adventure
• Visit the Slave Market Museum, which sheds light on Lagos’ role in the transatlantic slave trade
• Shop at the local mercado to buy fresh fruit and local produce
• Chase thrills with adventure water sports, like windsurfing, kiteboarding, or jetboating
• Go dolphin watching with a boat safari
• Discover local history and culture at the Lagos Regional Museum
• Tee off at a nearby golf course, such as Palmares Golf or Boavista Golf & Spa Resort

Day 6: Algarve: day trip of your choice

On Day 6 of this Portugal itinerary, you can choose your own adventure. Either opt for a lazy lay-by-the-pool or beach-hopping day, or pick one of the suggested day trips below to explore the coast.

Day trip west Algarve: Sagres & the West Coast

Sagres is the southwest tip of Portugal, and the peninsula juts out dramatically with high cliffs and cool breezes. Pack jackets and make the drive here if you’re interested in surf culture, Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, or a quieter corner. Sagres is 35 minutes west of Lagos. 

• En route, visit a cute town called Burgau, partway between Sagres and Lagos, and explore some quieter beaches 
• In Sagres, find a fort, lighthouses (Farol do Cabo de São Vicente and Farol de Sagres), and museums. This is one of the places where Portugal launched ships during the Age of Discoveries – hence why it was once known as the “edge of the earth”. And it’s so windy there at times, it can feel that way! 
• It’s a lovely spot for sunset at the top of the high cliffs. Here, the sun sets into the ocean
• Don’t miss Ceramic Paraiso! You’ll see this huge warehouse filled with Portuguese ceramics on the drive in. Great value! 
• Retiro do Pescador is a good local restaurant hidden in the backstreets of Sagres. Arte Bianca does good Italian pizza
• If you have time, head north along the west coast to Arrifana, a surf haven, where you can rent boards or take a lesson

Day trip central Algarve: Silves & Ferragudo

This day trip combines the former Moorish capital of the Algarve (and its castle) with a cute fishing village and dreamy wine tasting. 

• Silves is the Moorish capital of the Algarve. It’s an inland town on a river with a huge red castle above the town. Drop into Café DaRosa for coffee and cake. If you want lunch, try Marisqueira Rui, a famous seafood restaurant
• Close to here is Morgado do Quintão, a really lovely winery where you can join a tasting under a 2,000-year-old olive tree. Booking is essential
• In the afternoon, aim for the beach. Praia dos Três Irmãos or Praia Grande in Ferragudo are charming
• Later, visit the Old Village of Ferragudo. It’s a postcard-cute fishing village with lots of seafood restaurants and fish grills by the water, where tiny fishing boats bob in the harbour nearby. Very pretty. Walk through the town, passing bougainvillea-covered streets, to the beach where a castle looms over the sand

Day trip east Algarve: Olhão, Tavira & Cacela Velha

I love the east of the Algarve, where the towns of the Ria Formosa wetlands are more historic and the beaches are quieter with whiter sand. There’s a bit much to do on this day trip, so I’d choose Olhão or Tavira, and a sand bank beach or Cacela Velha. 

• Start in Olhão at the market, one of the best fish and fresh produce markets in all of Portugal. Have breakfast or coffee here, and then either pick up picnic supplies for a light lunch at the beach (fruit, cheese, charcuterie meats, wine) or have lunch at Chá Chá Chá or Vai e Volta. Read more: 13 best things to do in Olhão 
• Or visit Tavira, commonly said to be the most beautiful town in the Algarve. Wander over the Roman Bridge, tour the castle gardens, see the Roman ruins, and walk through cute squares before taking a ferry out to Ilha de Tavira, a sandbar island, for some beach time
• Or, in the afternoon, head to Cacela Velha, a tiny village with an amazing seafood restaurant that opens at 4.30pm. Arrive early to wade across the sand bank to the beach (or take a cheap, short ferry ride). Then return for an afternoon feast of oysters, fantastic prawns, clams, prosciutto, flaming chorizo, and half loaves of bread with crisp white wine at Casa da Igreja

Read next: My favourite towns in the Eastern Algarve

Overwhelmed by options? Let’s sort your itinerary together. I’ll help you shape the perfect trip – check out my 1:1 video call service.

Day 7: Algarve to Porto, via Évora or Tomar

The drive from the Algarve to Porto takes at least five hours, so you’ll want to split up the journey. If you take the train, you’ll have to switch lines in Lisbon, and the journey will take the majority of the day (with no fun), or you can fly (but you’ll miss seeing the countryside).

My suggestion is to make a road trip of your drive from the Algarve to Porto with your rental car, or hire a private driver who will make a couple of stops along the way (I can recommend one if you DM me, I know it’s a bit tricky to find).

Option 1: Drive to Porto via Évora, the Alentejo capital

It’ll take between 2-2.5 hours to reach Évora, a small inland city that’s encircled by city walls. 

• Head straight to Pastelaria Conventual Pão de Rala, my favourite little bakery, for coffee and to try the city’s traditional sweets 
• Then wander up Évora’s highest hill to see the Roman Temple, a Moorish tower, and the ginormous Catholic cathedral. The three represent the cultures that have shaped this city over two thousand years

There’s so much to do in Évora, so if you want to stay overnight or see your options, then check out my guide to the best things to do in Évora. As for lunch, take your pick from these restaurants in my where to eat in Évora guide. 

From Évora, it’s still a 3.5-hour drive to Porto. You could break up this portion of the drive with a brief stop in Coimbra or Aveiro, though both are large cities with lots to see, so for something more minor, visit the Grutas de Mira de Aire (caves), or the religious site of Fátima and nearby Ourém Castle.

Option 2: Drive to Porto via Tomar, the Knights Templar stronghold

I’d love to say you have time to see both Évora and Tomar on the route north, but both small cities hold so much history and curious sights that I’d suggest you don’t overdo it. Tomar is about 3.5 hours north of the Algarve, and if you set off early enough, you could make a small detour to see Almourol Castle, set on an island in the middle of the Tagus River.

• In Tomar, the main site to see is the Convent of Christ, an incredible slice of history linked to a mysterious medieval military and religious order known as the Knights Templar, and later the Order of Christ. The UNESCO World Heritage site is worth at least two hours of your time to see the many cloisters, the round Chorala temple, and the late-Gothic Manueline window. Buy tickets here 
• After, pop by the Tomar aqueduct – you can walk along the top if you’re brave enough – then continue north. 
• If it’s a hot summer day, make a stop at the Fragas de São Simão river beach or just charge on two hours north to Porto.

Day 8: Porto, the unstoppable second city

Porto is hard not to love. The compact downtown is packed with history, skinny cobbled streets, and cool spots to stop for a classic tawny Port or funky natural wine. On this 10-day Portugal itinerary, I’m giving you just one day to explore Porto – it’s enough time to see all the top sights, but I’ve been a dozen or more times and discover something new each visit.

Morning – introduction to Porto, self-guided or a tour

Kick off Day 8 by exploring Porto’s central historic neighbourhoods and sights.

If you want to go guided, you can:

• Walking tour: Porto is a very walkable city with many sights. You can explore solo or with a guide. This private walking tour packs lots of history into 3 hours, along with seeing all the sights
• Tile walking tour: For a tile deep-dive, this one is focused on Porto tiles
• Food tour: This 3-hr food tour can run in the morning or afternoon

If you prefer to explore independently, follow Day 1 of my 48-hour guide to Porto. In essence, I suggest starting at the Bolhão Market – you can find pastry shops within or nearby for breakfast (or better yet, join a guided food tour in the market). After, seek out some of Porto’s famous tiled churches. In between, you’ll come across cool boutiques, artisan makers and more as you wander downhill towards Ribeira and the riverfront.

Things to do in Porto

• Climb the Clerigos Tower in the middle of the city for views across Porto
• Pass through the magical Bank of Materials, a tiny free museum where they store antique and vintage tiles, ceramics and building pieces for use in construction
• Pre-purchase tickets for Livraria Lello, the famous bookshop that looks like it inspired Harry Potter, even if it didn’t. Alternatively, you can spend half the day lining up
• Prance about the Palacio do Bolsa, the old commerce house. It’s a spectacular palace-like building
• If you didn’t arrive by train, visit the entrance hall of the city’s central station, Estação de Porto São Bento, to see 20,000 insanely beautiful, hand-painted tiles. You could create a self-guided trail between Porto’s most beautiful tiled buildings
• Visit a gallery, such as the Soares dos Reis National Museum or Portuguese Centre of Photography, or venture out to the Serralves gallery and parkland
• This 4-hour market cooking experience starts at Bolhão Market, then the group goes to the kitchen. Cook a traditional Portuguese meal – guests can choose to watch or help out. Looks like they usually make pasteis de nata for dessert, so this experience ticks a few boxes

Lunch: Where to eat in Porto

Afternoon: Tour a Port wine cellar or boat on the river

When in Porto, you absolutely must do a port wine tasting tour. While the grapes are grown upstream in the Douro Valley, all port wine is aged in the more humid conditions in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the southern bank of the Douro River opposite Porto’s downtown. 

Cross the narrow river to find two dozen port wine cellars, most of which offer tastings and tours. While you can try a walk-in, I’d recommend booking ahead to get your language and time preference. The last tours usually kick off around 5pm. 

Some favourite port wine tours of mine are….

• Taylor’s – €25 – this basic tasting at Taylor’s is a decent introduction to port wine
• Cockburn’s – €30 – this tasting includes three tawny ports, which is a great way to understand how aging impacts the wine. Plus, it has the only working cooperage in Gaia
• Graham’s – €40 – Graham’s has one of the best views of Porto from the tasting room. This experience pairs the ports with cheese, chocolate, and a pastel de nata
• Quevedo – this is a port experience without a cellar tour or visit

Read more…. Best Porto wine tasting tours (that I’ve done) & a list of port wine cellars

Another great afternoon or evening activity in Porto is a boat tour. It’s fantastic to see the city from the water, and you can choose between a cheap, touristic boat tour or opt for a longer, more intimate sailing experience.

• Porto Six Bridges is the most popular one-hour tourist boat. It’s an affordable way to get out on the water and see Porto from the river, but it’s very touristic. You cruise around for about 50 minutes, and it’s just €18 per person. I’ve done it, and it does the job – a quick, affordable way to get on the river 
• For something more intimate, this two-hour river cruise or this boat set off on a smaller sailboat for around €45 per person. 

Evening: Catch a legendary Porto sunset

Jardim do Morro is “the place” to watch the sunset in Porto. Yes, it’s very busy – but it’s a serious vibe! From this public garden, high on the hill, you’ll soak in a fantastic panoramic view of Porto’s historic skyline. There is almost always a busking band giving the grassy hill atmosphere, and roving vendors wander by selling drinks and snacks too. Busy, but beautiful.

In winter, when the sun sets much earlier, I love to catch the sunset from the top of the Sé cathedral. Time it right with the opening hours, and you can climb the tower to see Porto cast in golden light. Dreamy.

Cool bars to explore in Porto

But don’t stay out too late – there’s a huge day trip planned tomorrow….

• Genuino – really cool natural wine and vermouth bar with Brazilian-inspired snacks
• Rooftop Flores – secret garden bar with great city views
• Fiasco – cool cocktail bar with vinyl
• Flôr Bar – known for experimental cocktails
• Aduela – casual bar that attracts a crowd to the terrace
• Musa das Virtudes – craft brewery with a lovely terrace, creative snacks, and views
• Royal Cocktail Club – old-school, speakeasy-vibe cocktail bar

Day 9: Day trip to the Douro Valley 

Today, the Douro Valley is calling. If you love good wine, insane views and being in the countryside, then use Day 9 for a Douro Valley winery tour.

It’s one of the most rewarding day trips from Porto, but it’s a long day with an early start. The Douro Valley is celebrated as the world’s oldest officially designated wine region, and the dramatic terraced vineyards, historic quintas, and centuries-old winemaking heritage are just a few reasons to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site that spans 26,000 hectares.

With just one day, go guided. I recently compiled a list of the Best Winery Tours & Douro Valley Day Trips, and from that list, my pick is one of the two small-group tours with Cooltour Oporto:

• Classic Douro Valley tour – includes tastings at two wineries, a three-course lunch with wine, and a 1-hour private river cruise
• Three-Winery Douro Valley experience – skip the boat tour and visit three wineries, plus enjoy a three-course lunch with wine

If you’re on a budget, you can explore the Douro Valley solo by train (follow this Lonely Planet article for tips). The tricky part is that a lot of the wineries are far from the train station, and if you’re going self-guided, most wineries expect you to book tastings ahead of time. If you do take the train, two wineries that are easy to reach are Quinta do Bonfim and Quinta das Carvalhas. I believe both have tasting rooms that don’t require pre-booking.

Visiting in September? It’s harvest season, so you can roll up your sleeves, crush some grapes, and earn your lunch in the process.

Day 10: Porto to Lisbon, via Aveiro & Óbidos

It’s the final morning of your 10-day journey across Portugal, and it’s time to return to the capital. You can, of course, depart Portugal from Porto’s airport, but if you rent a car, it’s always good to drop off at the same location to avoid one-way fees.

The direct drive from Porto to Lisbon takes about three hours, so you could spend the morning in Porto souvenir shopping before driving south, but I’ll offer some suggestions for a couple of incredible spots to see on the way.

Read more… Where to stop between Lisbon and Porto

Aveiro – canals, art nouveau, and striped houses

Drive: 50 minutes south of Porto

Aveiro is a beautiful, small city, just south of Porto. The historic centre is filled with Art Nouveau architecture and a handful of canals. Traditional, colourful moliceiro boats, once used to collect seaweed in the Ria Aveiro lagoon, now ferry visitors around the old town. Aveiro has a double-edged nickname – “Venice of Portugal”. Don’t come expecting Venice, but do arrive to discover a charming university city with a gorgeous historic centre, beautiful beaches, and plenty to do. 

While in Aveiro:

• Ride in a moliceiro boat around the 3-4 canals. Book ahead here or in town
• Follow an Art Nouveau architecture trail, or visit the small museum
• Try ovos moles, a sweet egg custard enclosed in a thin wafer-like shell. My favourite spot for them is Peixinho
• Drive out to Costa Nova, the beach area where historic striped fishermen’s shacks have become a landmark

Read more…. 11 Best Things To Do in Aveiro

Lunch: Have lunch in Aveiro before heading south, or make a detour to Nazaré.

Óbidos – medieval walled village

Drive: 90-minute drive from Aveiro to Óbidos

Portugal’s King Dinis gave Queen Isabel this little village to mark their wedding back in 1282. Why go? It’s a gorgeous destination that you can see in under an hour – satisfying and rich in history! It’s the ideal spot for an afternoon tea break.

While in Óbidos:

• Wander inside the fortified walls to find a village of typical white-washed buildings with yellow or blue trims
• Climb the stone walls (there is a staircase to the left when you step inside the walls) and wander around above the town
• Pick up a sweet treat from Capinha d’Óbidos 
• Try a shot of ginjinha liqueur in a chocolate cup
• Cut a lap of the handful of streets

From there, continue to Lisbon – a one-hour drive.

Those are my suggestions for a fast-paced 10-day Portugal itinerary. If you’d like personalised advice for your trip to Portugal, book a call in my calendar and we can talk about what to do and what to skip.

Read next… 

• 14 best things to do and see in the Algarve
• Guide to autumn in Portugal: Where to go, things to do & more
• 4-day itinerary for São Miguel Island
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• 16 most beautiful villages and small towns in Portugal
• Where to stop between Lisbon and Seville
• 3-day itinerary for Terceira Island
• Fall in Portugal: 8 places to visit this autumn
• What to wear in Portugal – packing list and seasonal guide

The post 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary appeared first on Olá Daniela.

While summer is a fun time to explore Portugal, it is peak season, so the most popular places will be super busy. I suggest you visit these popular spots in either June or September, or choose an alternative idea from this list. (Don’t worry, they’re all winners!)

If you’re wondering where to go in Portugal this summer, here are a few ideas for the best places to visit in June, July, or August – whether you’re into surf towns, island escapes, or slow sunny adventures.

Summer tip: August is peak summer high season, with every European person on vacation. Students finish school around mid-June, with the school year starting in mid-September, but it’s August (when most parents and many workers can take time off) that is the craziest and hottest month. Therefore, in August, I’d avoid the more popular destinations, such as the western and central parts of the Algarve.

Alentejo Coast, a slow summer escape to Melides or Comporta

Just a 70-minute drive south of Lisbon lies the wild, usually empty beaches of Comporta and Melides. I’m not the biggest fan of Comporta – an area that attracts Europe’s jet-set crowd for private, barefoot luxury resorts – but Melides retains its Portuguese heart of soul. There’s not much to do but beach hop, read books, laze by the pool, and eat at a handful of restaurants. It’s the ideal place to switch off for sunny summer days.

Best things to do in Comporta & Melides this summer

• Beach hop along the coast, exploring somewhere new each day
• Ride horses on the beach near Comporta with Cavalos na Areia
• Shop at the chic and bougie boutiques in Comporta, particularly for homewares
• Keep an eye out for the summer cork tree harvest
• Visit the Cais Palafítico da Carrasqueira, a rickety, zig-zagging pier, built in the 1950s and ‘60s by local fishermen
• Take a boat trip along the Sado to Alcácer do Sal, or go dolphin watching in Troia
• Visit the 381st Feira de Agosto to shop and eat street food in nearby Grândola

Read next: The average person’s guide to A-list Comporta: Portugal’s luxe beach town

Where to stay

I stayed one night at À Espera, a new guesthouse at the border of the Comporta and Melides area. It’s a beautiful little escape with a delicious breakfast and a pool to laze by. Then I switched to Ponte Pedra, an adults-only rural retreat with a large pool, cozy cabanas, bar service, free bicycles, and a yoga deck.

How to get there

Life moves slowly along this stretch of coast. While you could take a bus or transfer down here and then borrow bikes or use Uber/Bolt, having a car is the way to go.

Monsaraz, for surreal Alentejo sunsets

Best time: June or September

Golden hour seems infinite in Monsaraz. This medieval village, perched on the highest hill, with views as far as the eye can see, is the most magical in Portugal. Incredible scenery stretches endlessly in every direction beyond the preserved village walls as the sun dawdles downward, casting a glow all the way to Spain.

Best things to do in Monsaraz and nearby this summer

• Catch an immense Alentejo sunset from the walls of the ancient castle
• Wander the four streets of Monsaraz, taking in the details
• Swim at the praia fluvial on the lake, just below the town. There’s a fake sandy beach and lifeguards
• Visit Portugal’s largest pottery village, Corval, on the way
• Visit in June to catch the Feira de São João in Évora

Summer tip: Portugal has hundreds of praia fluviais, or what we might call river beaches in English. If you head inland during the summer, jump on Google Maps and type in praia fluvial to find a freshwater beach on a creek, river, or lake.

Read next: Full guide to Monsaraz

Where to eat

• Sahida
• Sabores de Monsaraz
• Xarez (best located for sunset with dinner)
• Taverna Os Templários

How to get there

Monsaraz sits a two-hour drive from Lisbon, and I’d suggest pairing it with a weekend in Évora or a countryside stay. You can take the train to Évora, but from there it pays to have a car.

Olhão, a seafood-heavy escape in the Eastern Algarve 

Best time: anytime June – September

Olhão, a small whitewashed eastern Algarve town, is easily one of my favourite places in Portugal and somewhere I’ve returned to again and again. It’s hard to describe why I love this slightly beaten-up fishing town so much. Maybe it’s the relaxed yet buzzing vibe, the narrow alleyways of the old town that resemble a medina, or the huge waterfront market halls that hide treasures of the land and the sea.

Whatever the draw, there’s nothing like spending a week here soaking up sunshine, skipping off to small Algarve villages, and indulging in endless seafood. Bliss.

Best things to do in Olhão & the Eastern Algarve this summer

• Visit the huge daily fish and fresh produce market on the waterfront
• Catch a ferry to one of the sandbank islands for a relaxed beach day
• Visit a local olive producer or winery
• Go walking in the Ria Formosa wetlands reserve
• Explore nearby towns, such as Tavira
• Catch the Festival do Marisco in August, or visit Castro Marim for the Dias Medievais fair

Read next: Full guide to Olhão plus Itinerary: My ideal 7-day Algarve road trip

Where to eat

• Chá Chá Chá
• Vai e Volta

How to get there

Olhão is less than a 20-minute taxi ride from Faro airport or a three-hour drive from Lisbon. Olhão is on the Algarve regional train line, which is handy – although you’ll have to change lines on the way down from Lisbon.

June festas in Lisbon, São João in Porto

Best time: Lisbon, all month but especially the night of June 12; Porto, just the night of June 23

June is a very religious month… which Portugal celebrates by partying non-stop. Three saints are honoured in June: Santo António, São João, and São Pedro (Anthony, John, and Peter).

Best things to do during Santos in June

Lisbon celebrates with a month-long party, known as Santos Populares, with pop-up bars, sardine grills, and stages in traditional neighbourhoods across the city. The biggest night is the evening of June 12, when everyone gathers to dance to pimba music, drink beer, and stay up until dawn. You’ll find a handful of unique traditions detailed in my guide.

Read next: Sardines & pimba: Your 2025 guide to Lisbon’s Santo António Festival

Porto turns into a party for just one night – June 23 – each year. Naturally, there’s also terrible (yet perfect) music, dancing, street food, and beer, but São João has its unusual traditions too. In Porto, you’ll be bopped on the head with martelinhos – oversized plastic hammers – plus after dark, people begin releasing small paper hot air balloons, casting a fairytale glow across the entire city. 

Where to eat

On the big party nights, you’ll find ample street food stalls where you can order simple dishes such as grilled sardines on bread, a bifana (pork sandwich), or a fartura (rustic cinnamon churro). For serious eats, refer to my Lisbon food guide and Porto food guide.

Read next… 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced itinerary

Minho, the verdant north – Viana do Castelo’s August Romaria, and Peneda-Gerês National Park

Best time: 12-20 August 2025 in Viana do Castelo, anytime in Peneda-Gerês

Summer in Portugal is a great time to explore the far north. The Minho region, which touches the border with Spain, has beautiful and wild beaches, a rich local culture, stacks of history, and is famous for vinho verde (green wine).

Best things to do in Minho this summer

If I were visiting in summer, I’d try to time my trip to align with Viana do Castelo’s annual Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia. Every August, the town – famous for its embroidery and filigree jewellery – throws this huge religious festival that celebrates faith, folklore, and cultural heritage with concerts, parades, processions, folk dancing, and fireworks. The highlight (for me, at least) is the Desfile da Mordomia, a parade where nearly 1,000 local women parade in traditional clothing. It’s thought to be the biggest public display of gold in the world, as they all wear their heirloom jewellery pieces.

Read next: 15 best things to do in Viana do Castelo

I’d pair my visit with a nature escape to Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only national park. Here you can hike trails, swim at river beaches, and visit small villages within the park. The castle at Castro Laboreiro holds a special place in my memories, and you can’t miss the historic village of Soajo.

How to get there

It’s easy to reach Viana do Castelo by train, but the national park requires a car or a guide – there are lots of day trips available from Porto if you’re keen.

Read next… Guide to autumn in Portugal

Peniche & Berlenga Islands

Best time: hot summer days, June – September

“Ah, the Oeste,” a friend said when I described how the fog came in on a gorgeous summer day in Peniche. Even on a perfectly sunny day, this patch of coastline north of Lisbon can be unpredictable – but the best time of year is certainly summer. Peniche is a raw and authentic fishing town and the launching point for the Berlengas Islands, a reserve that you can reach by crossing rough seas in the summer.

Best things to do in Peniche this summer

• Take a guided boat trip to the Berlengas Islands. This nature reserve is truly beautiful, though the sea can be choppy
• Visit the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, a must-visit for anyone interested in Portugal’s anti-fascist resistance movement of the 1970s. It’s free for Portuguese residents
• Laze on the beach at Praia dos Supertubos, or on either side of the mini Baleal peninsula
• Visit the market in Peniche to shop for fruit or fish
• Drop into the Museu da Renda de Bilros de Peniche to learn about the tradition of lace making

Where to eat

• Tasco do Joel
• Taberna do Ganhão (Baleal)
• Marisqueira Mirandum

How to get there

Peniche is a 70-minute drive from Lisbon. Alternatively, catch a coach bus with Rede Expressos. The boat out to Berlengas usually takes around 40 minutes.

Summer days in Arrábida Natural Park, near Lisbon

Best time: perfect sunny, summer days between May and October

Note: Arrábida Natural Park closes to traffic in the peak of summer, making it a little bit trickier. With the restrictions, you can still drive close to Portinho da Arrábida, and some restaurants offer quad bike shuttles.

One of my favourite Lisbon day trips is Arrábida Natural Park, a paradise 50 minutes south of Lisbon. Each summer in Portugal, I’ve made some of my favourite memories exploring this coastal park that feels like a Mediterranean forest meets the Caribbean.

Best things to do in Setúbal & Arrábida this summer

• Start with a visit to Setúbal‘s incredible daily market, Mercado do Livramento. This market is one of the best in Portugal, and I’ve detailed why here
• Or start with a cheese factory tour and tasting at Queijaria Simões
• Stay in Setúbal for lunch to eat the local specialty, choco frito (fried cuttlefish)
• Or visit the village of Portinho da Arrrábida. Here I’d reserve a waterfront table at O Farol for the seafood rice (and everything else on the menu)
• Spend the afternoon lazing on the beach (with one eye on the lookout for wild boars)
• On the return to Lisbon, cross the mountain range to the wine town of Azeitão. Here you can join a wine tasting or drop into a bar, but I usually visit my favourite tile producer
• At Azulejos do Azeitão, the super nice owner usually shows us how tiles are made, and we explore the atelier and showroom. You can do a tile painting workshop here if you book ahead

Where to eat

• O Farol, Portinho da Arrábida
• Adega Leo do Petisco, Setúbal

How to get there

The easiest way to do this day trip is by car, though guided tours are also available if you’d rather sit back and let someone else do the driving. Alternatively, you can take a train from Lisbon to Setúbal, then a water taxi to Portinho da Arrábida, and finally an Uber/Bolt back to Lisbon (with or without a stop in Azeitão).

Read next – My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park

Azores escape to São Miguel & Terceira islands

Best time: May through September for weather, June to August for whale watching

Want somewhere cooler, greener, and way off the beaten path this summer? The Azores are calling. São Miguel and Terceira – two of the archipelago’s largest and most accessible islands – offer dramatic volcanic craters, lush hiking trails, and natural hot springs. I can’t wait to visit in June to slow down in a place where the landscapes are Portugal meets Iceland, Hawaii, and New Zealand all at once.

The summer months collide with the best season for whale watching, coastal picnics, and soaking in steamy thermal pools under a sky that stays light past nine o’clock.

Best things to do on São Miguel & Terceira this summer

• Join a whale and dolphin watching cruise in the summer
• Soak in steamy hot springs in the rainforest on São Miguel
• Explore geothermal power in Furnas on São Miguel
• Go canyoning down rivers or hiking on epic trails
• Visit the inside of a volcano on Terceira
• See the Sanjoaninas festival on Terceira Island in June
• Explore wine making and ocean pools on Terceira

How to get there

It’s easy to fly to either Terceira or São Miguel from the mainland, and smaller flights with SATA connect the two. Once on the islands, either rent a car or book day trips with guides.

Read next… 3-day itinerary for Terceira Island

Late summer western Algarve escape

Best time: The Algarve is summer. September is more fun than July or August

Come September, the Algarve starts to exhale. The summer crowds thin, and yet the water – after a long, hot summer – is at its best. I’ve noticed the Portuguese summers often stretch well into October, so you’ll still enjoy spontaneous swims at one of Lagos’ best beaches, cliffside walks around Ponta da Piedade, and long seafood lunches that stretch into late afternoons.

Best things to do in Lagos & the Western Algarve

• Swim at Praia do Camilo, or one of Lagos’ dreamy beaches
• Kayak through the sea caves at Ponta da Piedade
• Take a hike along coastal paths with the scent of wild herbs in the air
• Take a boat tour to spot dolphins or explore sea caves
• Wander the old town of Lagos and visit the daily fish market
• Watch the sunset from Cabo de São Vicente in Sagres, for that “end of the world” feeling
• Catch the Silves Medieval Fair in August

Read next: Where to stay in the Algarve: Ultimate guide to choosing your base, and Where to eat in the Algarve 

How to get there

It’s easy to reach the Algarve coast. Fly into Faro in the centre, then either rent a car or take a train to Lagos. From Lisbon, the train will drop you in the middle of the coast; however, if you’re aiming for Lagos, it’s faster to take a coach bus from the capital.

 Aveiro & Costa Nova

Best time: July during the Canal Festival

An hour south of Porto lies Aveiro, a small city with a handful of canals and stunning art nouveau architecture (and the unfortunate nickname of the “Venice of Portugal”). There’s always plenty going on in the old town, which is protected from the open ocean by a huge lagoon. But, I suggest heading out to Costa Nova to discover wide and windy, white-sand beaches, along with rows of the famous striped houses.

Best things to do in Aveiro this summer

• Go for unrushed summer days with icy ocean swims, long fish lunches, and jugs of vinho verde wine
• Explore Aveiro’s canals by traditional moliceiro boat
• Visit in July for the Festival dos Canais, and avoid August crowds
• Eat ovos moles, a traditional sweet invented here
• Get cultured at the Art Nouveau Museum or the Aveiro Museum
• Walk the salt pans and learn about traditional salt harvesting
• Learn about ceramics at the Vista Alegre factory

Read next: 11 best things to do and see in Aveiro

Where to eat

• O Augusto
• Zico
• Mercantel
• Taberna do Arco

How to get there

Aveiro is a stop on the high-speed train between Lisbon and Porto, making it easy to reach. Otherwise, it’s a one-hour drive south of Porto and about 2.5 hours from Lisbon by car.

That’s where to go this summer in Portugal. Anywhere else I should add to the list? Leave me a comment…

Keep reading….

• Lisbon’s best restaurants: 41 great places to eat
• 20 best things to do in Évora, the Alentejo capital
• 22 most beautiful castles in Portugal
• 48 hours in Monsaraz
• The average person’s guide to A-list Comporta: Portugal’s luxe beach town
• Best boat tours in Lisbon
• Where to stay in the Algarve: Ultimate guide to choosing your base
• Where to eat in the Algarve 
• What to eat in the Azores Islands
• Fall in Portugal: 8 places to visit this autumn

The post 9 places to visit in Portugal this summer appeared first on Olá Daniela.

I live in Lisbon, so each time I visit Porto with friends I try to join wine tours to a different cellar to explore behind the scenes, enter the ageing rooms to see the giant barrels, and taste the most precious port wine at the source. Even though I’ve done a handful of port wine tours, I’ve found each one super interesting and offering something a little bit different. Below I’ll share both my personal experiences of port wine tastings and tours  – because I know how intimidating it can be to choose from two dozen port wine tours!

No time to read the whole article? Here’s the essence…

My top pick is Cockburn’s Tawny Tasting & Tour. The tawny tasting is the best introduction to the world of port wine.
My second pick is Graham’s. Go for the premium tasting or essentials tour – or if you prefer private, the super premium tasting includes a 40-year-old tawny! Epic.

Under that you’ll find a list of all the Port wine tasting tours you can join in Vila Nova de Gaia (across the river from Porto), along with some drop-in tasting rooms. I’ve also included a list of some other port wine producers and brands that don’t have an operating cellar door in Gaia – you’ll likely have to visit them in the Douro Valley.

Why is Porto famous for wine?

Why is this big coastal city famous for wine? Porto is the birthplace of port wine (vinho do Porto), a sweet fortified wine known and loved worldwide. The 400-and-something-year-old story of port wine begins in the Douro Valley, one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions, where sun-drenched vineyards produce exceptional grapes. The port wine made upstream in the Douro Valley, about a two-hour drive from Porto, is always transported to Porto – or more accurately, Vila Nova de Gaia – where it ages silently in the humid, coastal atmosphere in huge wooden casks. 

Read next… Guide to the best Douro Valley wine tours from Porto

Where are the port wine houses in Porto?

Well, technically they are not in Porto. The port cellars are all in Vila Nova de Gaia, the city set on the southern bank of the Douro River. The river is fairly narrow, so the cellars are easy to reach by foot, Uber, Metro or bus from the city. You also get to enjoy stunning views back to Porto’s skyline.

➼ Want someone to shortcut your Portugal research? ➼ Talk to me – I offer 1:1 video calls and can plan your perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more here.

The best port wine tasting tours (that I’ve actually done)

My top pick: Cockburn’s 

When my brother came to visit, I decided we’d go to Cockburn’s (pronounced “co-burn”) for a port wine tasting and tour as they have the only cooperage left in Gaia. Verdict? I really loved it.

Book here: Cockburn’s Tawny Tasting & Tour

While the sound of coopers bang, bang, banging oak barrels together used to ring out across Vila Nova de Gaia, these days it’s just Cockburn’s. The skilled coopers are constantly repairing barrels for the Symington family, who own a handful of other port wine brands too. Sadly I visited a couple of days before Christmas, and since the job of a cooper is very physically demanding (hello 19th century tools) they had been given some extra days off (sad for me, not for them!).

Despite the slight disappointment of not seeing the coopers at work, I thought the tour was great. Carolina, our guide, was super knowledgeable and it didn’t feel like she was reading a script. I’m that person on tours asking a million questions (blame my journalism degree), and she had in-depth and interesting answers for anything I threw at her. 

If you arrive early you can explore a small museum – in English and Portuguese – to learn more about the brand’s history and some quirky facts (like how a São João balloon set the roof on fire in the 1980s and they lost some stock). 

Once ready, we set off into the cellar past a handful of huge wooden casks each with 36,000 litres of ruby port ageing. You’ll learn lots. Cockburn’s is the largest producer of port wine in the world. The oldest wine still on wood is a 1937 colheita. The oldest bottle in the family’s private collection is from 1861.

Carolina showed us a map of the Douro Valley, explaining the specifics of the terroir and what makes the climate what it is. She pointed out the sub-regions and mentioned how Dow’s, a sibling brand grown in the Baixo Corgo sub-region, has a drier profile, while Graham’s and Cockburn’s grapes are grown in the Douro Superior area, deeper in the valley,  making them a lot sweeter. She also showed us a piece of schist stone, the special rock found in the valley that holds heat overnight and is essential to grape production in this climate. 

Cockburn’s port wine tasting experience

Full of knowledge and thirst, we make it to the tasting room. I’d booked the Cockburn’s Tawny Tasting & Tour on GetYourGuide so we sat down to a tasting mat with the special reserva, 10-year-old and 20-year-old tawny ports. It was good fun tasting the big differences in flavour, scent and even texture. 

Cockburn’s isn’t set right on the river in Gaia, which I think is a good thing. I’ve been to others where you feel more like a number as they push through a tour every half hour in a different language. The disadvantage is that the cellar and tasting room didn’t have a view of Porto or the river (but there are loads of riverfront restaurants with views).

Address: Rua de Serpa Pinto 346 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Book here: Cockburn’s Tawny Tasting & Tour

➼ Looking for a non-fortified Douro Valley wine tasting? I can highly recommend this six-wine tasting with a cheeseboard that I did recently at Canto de Luz. You’ll taste two whites, two reds, a rosé and end with a fragrant white port.

Graham’s

The first port wine house I visited, way back in January 2019, was Graham’s – I visited again in June 2025 just to make sure the tour is still good. This port wine brand was founded in 1820 by two brothers – William and John Graham – who started one of the world’s most well-known port wine names.

Book here: Tour with premium tasting, essentials tour, or private tour with super premium tasting

The tour lasted about one hour and time zipped by. You get to explore Graham’s lodge and the old cellar, which was built in 1890, and learn a lot in the process. The guide gave a really detailed explanation about the difference between ruby, tawny and white ports. It’s a great introduction to port wines and an amazing experience to explore the historic cellars. 

The other delightful advantage is the location of Graham’s. While it’s not down by the riverfront, the lodge has sweeping panoramic views of both Gaia and Porto’s riverfront from the terrace. It’s a magic place to sit in the late afternoon and take in the scenery. After the tasting we took ourselves out onto the deck to really take in the view.

Graham’s port wine tasting experiences

There are a few different Graham’s tastings you can book, with the major difference often being which ports you’ll have the chance to sample. With the tour and premium tasting you’ll try the Graham’s LBV paired with chocolate, Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos paired with cheese, and Graham’s 20-year-old paired with a pastel de nata.

The essentials tour gives a four-port line-up includes the Graham’s Blend Nº5 White, Graham’s Six Grapes, Graham’s Quinta dos Malvedos Vintage Port, and Graham’s 30-Year-Old Tawny.

There’s also a private experience, where you’ll enjoy the tasting in the special vintage room. It’s a little more pricey but not unreasonable – though rather than the most basic private one I’d pay the €10 more for the “super premium” tasting that includes Graham’s Single Harvest 1997, Graham’s 30-year-old Tawnies, and Graham’s 40-year-old. Now that would be a treat!

Address: Rua do Agro 141 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Book here: Tour with premium tasting, essentials tour, or private tour with super premium tasting

Ramos Pinto

I’ve always enjoyed the vintage advertising posters of Ramos Pinto, a port wine house started in 1880 by Adriano Ramos Pinto. Senhor Adriano was a smart guy when it came to marketing. His bold, artistic, and sensual posters brought plenty of attention to his high-quality Port wines. 

On the cellar tour we got to explore his old office, learning about how he revolutionised wine marketing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I found it interesting and funny to hear about how controversial their provocative posters and art were at the time.

Ramos Pinto is set in a beautiful multi-storey yellow manor house right on the riverfront. After exploring the antique offices and wine cellars, we were led to a beautiful tasting room on the upper floors, with uninterrupted views of the river and Porto.

Address: Av. de Ramos Pinto 380 – Vila Nova de Gaia

Read next… Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley

List of all the Port houses opens for wine tastings

So there are at least 18 port wine houses and cellars on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the Douro River open for a wine tasting. 

I’ll list them all below so you can see your options, then under that you can find a map of them all to explore. Some are an easy walk from Ribeira in Porto, others are a little further and you might need an Uber or Bolt!

Historic heavyweights: Port wine cellars with 200+ years of history

Burmester

You’ll find the Caves Burmester, founded in 1750, at the foot of the Dom Luis I Bridge, making it the easiest port wine cellar to access if you’re staying in Porto. Burmester is part of the Sogevinus group. 

Address: Largo Dom Luís I – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Book Burmester here

Casa Ferreira 

The story of Casa Ferreira stretches back to 1751. Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira was a legendary Portuguese businesswoman well ahead of her time. At the age of 33, the widow took over and developed the family business. The 19th century wasn’t exactly a time for women to be negotiating deals, but there she was investing in new wine innovations. In 2026 Porto will open a bridge named in her honour. Now part of the Sogrape group.

Address: Avenida Ramos Pinto, 70 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto wine tours: Details here

Taylor’s

The Taylor’s cellar is one of the oldest Porto wine houses, founded back in 1692. You’ll likely recognise the name of this popular brand, and it has an ace location with gorgeous views of Porto. You can tour the 300-year-old cellar at your own pace on a self-guided tour using an audio guide. After you can taste three ports.

Address: Rua do Choupelo, 250 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto wine tours: Self-guided tour & tasting, or pair the tour with a visit to the Wine Museum

Did you know…  Taylor’s also has a tasting room in Lisbon too. You can book a guided tasting of port wines and learn about this style of wine.

Kopke

Kopke is the Douro region’s oldest port wine house – established in 1638. It started when a German native arrived in Portugal and started a wine exporting business, then in 1781 the family bought vineyards in the Douro Valley. Now part of the Sogevinus group.

Address: Avenida Diogo Leite, 312 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: In Gaia there is a small tasting room – drop in early to get a seat.

Read more… How to spend 48 hours in Porto

Real Companhia Velha

The royal charter of King D. José I led to the founding of Real Companhia Velha back in 1756, and now it’s the oldest Portuguese port wine house. From five vineyards in the Douro Valley, grapes are sourced to create port wine that is stored in the quiet cellars at Gaia. You can visit the casks, giant barrels, and vats where the wine rests for decades, letting time do its work. On a tasting tour you’ll see the private wine cellar of the Silva Reis family, including rare vintage ports, with the oldest dating back to 1765.

Address: Rua Azevedo Magalhães, 314 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto wine tours: Classic tour or Premium tour, both include 4 ports

Sandeman

You might recognise “The Don”, the Sandeman mascot that wears a long black cape and traditional hat. This logo defines the Sandeman Wine Cellars, which opened in 1790. I always love seeing the vintage advertising mural on the Porto side of the river. Apparently the guides take tours wearing capes, which adds to the drama of this top-rated port house. Part of the Sogrape group.

Address: Larga Miguel Bombarda 3 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Half-a-dozen tasting options

Read next… Where to eat in Porto

19th- and 20th-century port wine houses

Poças

Poças is one of the only remaining wine lodges in Gaia still owned and run by a Portuguese family. It’s not on the riverfront – so you might want to take a taxi or rideshare to this cellar. I like that you can choose from tasting three ports, or a mix of two table wines and two ports at the end.  

Address: Rua Visconde das Devesas, 168 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto wine tours: Tour with 3 ports, or tour with 2 wines, 2 ports

➼ Wish someone could shortcut your Portugal research? ➼ Talk to me – I offer 1:1 video calls to help people cut through the noise and plan a perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more here.

Calém

If you’re in a hurry, Calém’s port wine tour is just a quick 30-minute one, plus you’ll have time to explore an interactive museum and taste two wines. But Calém’s coolest experience is the port wine tasting with a fado show. It’s just once per day – you’ll still tour the winery, but after you’ll taste the two wines while experiencing fado, a melancohlic music style from Lisbon. Double culture tick! Calém is now part of the Sogevinus group.

Address: Avenida de Diogo Leite, 344 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Porto wine tours: Museum & tour, tour with fado music show (6pm or 6.30pm), or chocolate, cheese & wine tasting

Churchill’s Lodge

Opened in 1981, family-run Churchill’s is the relative “newcomer” to port wine, but it has deep roots. Johnny Graham, son of the famous Graham’s family, dared to launch his own brand to create a drier, different style of port wine. Now it’s the last remaining independent British port house. 

Address: Rua da Fonte Nova, 5 – Vila Nova de Gaia 
Port wine tasting: Besides the usual tasting, Churchill’s offers a Tawny Blender’s Session, where you’ll play winemaker and get to craft your own signature 20-year-old tawny port. You’ll taste cask samples and leave with your hand-filled 200ml bottle.

Fonseca Port Wine Cellars

Fonseca is a popular Port wine house, founded in 1815, known for its vintage ports. On the Gaia side of the Douro River you can drop in for a wine tasting and tour the 200-year-old cellars. Or, in the evening enjoy a traditional fado music show with two port wines. 

Address: Rua do Choupelo, 54 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Simple tour and tasting, or a cool fado experience and tasting in the cellar (with optional dinner)

Port wine walking tour: I found this really well-priced Port wine walking tour that allows you to sample 10 wines and tour three port cellars with a guide. You’ll visit the cellars of Vasques De Carvalho and Fonseca, tasting five ports before trying Douro Valley table wines too. 

Porto Augusto’s 

The Augusto family has been involved in the port wine business since the 1970s, but it was only in 2014 that three generations banded together to open their own brand. Now the entirely Portuguese-owned port house opens the Gaia cellar to visits, where you can join a short 20-minute tour to learn about port, then taste port wine made from grapes grown at one of two family vineyards.

Address: Rua da França 10 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Book via the website

Read next… Best tiles in Porto: Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos

Niepoort Wine Cellar

If you like it exclusive, Niepoort is your cellar to tour. Part of Niepoort’s brand is doing things differently – as it has done since 1842 – and each day it only opens to a maximum of 24 people. Since there are more than a dozen other cellars open to visits in the Porto wine district, Niepoort only opened its “temple” in 2021 with the goal to keep the experience authentic (cobwebs and all).

Address: Rua de Serpa Pinto 278 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Book via the website

Port wine tasting rooms in Gaia

The following port wine houses don’t offer cellar tours – instead you can drop by the cellar doors in Vila Nova de Gaia opposite Porto where you can join guided tastings or simply enjoy a drink! 

Quevedo

Quevedo is run by two Portuguese brothers and has a really beautiful space in a 200-year-old warehouse that used to be a cooperage. The cellar isn’t open for visits – instead there are a range of experiences and guided tastings on offer, or you can drop in for a drink and food. The friendly staff are super knowledgeable and will explain in detail what you’re tasting.

Address: Rua de Santa Marinha, 77 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tastings: Port wine discovery tasting, Port wine and cheese pairing

Quinta do Bom Dia

Five generations of the same family have been producing port wine under the Quinta do Bom Dia name. It’s a more boutique port house, with just 25 hectares of vines in the Douro Valley. And it sounds like you can drop into the cellar door in Gaia without a reservation.

Address: Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandez, 54 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Reservations not required, tours leave every 30 minutes.

Vasques de Carvalho

Vasques de Carvalho has an estate in the heart of the Douro Valley where the best grapes become port wines. While the Carvalho family’s story started back in the 19th century, this is relatively new brand and you can drop by the modern tasting room in Gaia to sample ports.

Address: Tv. do Ribeirinho 19 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Drop into the tasting house 

Caves Porto Vasconcellos

Back in 1879, founder José Teixeira Pinto Vasconcellos started exporting wines. Fast forward to today, and while the brand is now owned by Christie’s, the Douro wineries produce some 30,000 litres of wine annually from almost seven hectares. From the tasting room in Gaia, you’ll enjoy views over Porto and the Douro River while sipping on your choice of Ports.

Address: Av. Diogo Leite, 8 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Email for a tasting tour 

Read next… Guide to the best Douro Valley wine tours from Porto

Quinta do Noval

This estate dates back to 1715, but it was only in 1894 that Quinta do Noval gained a reputation for fine Port wines. You can drop into the casual tasting room of Quinta do Noval, complete with waterfront views of Porto.

Address:  Av. de Diogo Leite 256 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Drop into the bar

Espaço Porto Cruz

Visiting Espaço Porto Cruz is an experience. This port wine brand has turned an entire five-storey building by Gaia’s riverfront into a space where you can join wine tastings, visit an interactive museum, and take in the sunset from the rooftop bar. There are dozens of ways to experience port wines from Porto Cruz (and sister brand Dalva) within the building.

Address: Largo Miguel Bombarda 23 – Vila Nova de Gaia
Port wine tasting: Drop into the bar

Read next… Tile of the day: Porto’s famous São Bento Station

Map of all the Port wine houses in Vila Nova de Gaia

Other port wine brands 

I’ve dug deep to find more port wine houses. The below brands do not have cellar doors in Gaia or Porto, so you may have to venture out to the Douro Valley to try these ports, or source them at a bottle shop.

There are a handful of big players in the port game – Sogrape, Symington Family, Sogevinus, Taylor’s Fladgate – that seem to hold the lion’s share of these historic companies. There are a few more not listed here that they own but I’m not sure if those labels still produce port wine. 

• Warre’s – established 1670
• Croft – founded in 1588
• Osborne – family run, founded in 1722
• Barros – founded 1913, now owned by Sogevinus group
• Dona Matilde – founded 2006 by Barros family
• Wine & Soul – founded in 2001
• Hutcheson – established 1881
• Krohn – founded 1865, known for Vintage Ports and ‘Colheitas’
• Blackett
• Romariz – established 1850
• Quinta do Crasto
• Barão de Vilar
• Maynard’s
• Feuerheerd’s – founded in 1815
• Andresen 

Other questions about port wine and Porto

Where else can you make port wine?

Literally nowhere. It’s like Champagne. While you can drink sparkling wine from other regions, only bubbles from Champagne region can be called that. Other places make fortified wines, but port wine will always come from the Douro Valley, aged in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Is it worth doing a port wine tasting tour in Porto?

Absolutely yes. Port wine is a drink with centuries of tradition, and you can visit some of the oldest port wine houses to tour the historic cellars and taste rich ruby and tawny ports while learning about different styles and what they mean. Even if you’re not big on port wines – or are unsure – I think it’s fascinating to learn about how the drink is made and its heritage.

Read next… The best tile painting workshops in Porto

How far is the Douro wine region from Porto?

The Douro Valley wine region is about 75 to 100 kilometers (47 to 62 miles) east of Porto, depending on where you start exploring. By car, it takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the heart of this breathtaking valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

You can read my guide on where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley if you’d like to make the journey out there. There are lots of wine day trips from Porto out to the Douro Valley, though if you have more time it’s worth making a weekender of it!

Where do the locals eat in Porto?

Tascas and sandwich bars! I’ve got a great blog about where to eat in Porto that includes tried-and-tested local spots like O Buraco, which is perfect for comforting home-style lunch dishes, or Conga for a spicy bifana.

Planning to join one of these port wine tours and tastings in Porto? Let me know about your experiences in the comments…

Keep reading

• Guide to the best Douro Valley wine tours from Porto
• Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley
• Taste of Porto: A food-filled weekend at Canto de Luz
• How to spend 48 hours in Porto
• Best tiles in Porto: Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos
• Where to eat in Porto
• Tile of the day: Porto’s famous São Bento Station
• The best tile painting workshops in Porto

The post Best Porto wine tasting tours (that I’ve done) & a list of port wine cellars appeared first on Olá Daniela.

There’s not much that’s mediocre in a small city like Porto, just old gems to cherish and new roughly cut diamonds to explore. The invictus city is rich with narrow streets and dark history while being compact, walkable and an absolute joy to explore over a few days.

I’ve kept my comprehensive 48-hour or two-day guide to Porto loose (just like my 48-hour Lisbon guide) to give you the chance to choose your own adventure and explore what interests you most. I live in Lisbon and have visited Porto almost a dozen times (and in every season). I always leave thinking “what if”… It holds a special place in my heart.

Here’s what I would do in Porto if I had just two days or a weekend to get under its skin.

Day 1 in Porto

➼ Wish someone could shortcut your Portugal research? ➼ Talk to me – I offer 1:1 video calls to help people cut through the noise and plan their perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more here.

Start at the markets

Rise, shine and make your way to the main fresh produce market in Porto: Mercado do Bolhão. After five years closed for extensive renovations, the spectacular market hall reopened in late 2022 with everyone’s favourite vendors moving back into the original, shiny new space.

Dip into a nearby cafe or pasteleria around the market or across the street for a quick breakfast – probably something sweet from the counter, or a sandes mista (fresh ham and cheese sandwich) – with a coffee. You could try the historic Confeitaria do Bolhão.

Now you’re fueled up and ready to explore the colours, sights, sounds and smells of one of Portugal’s great markets. Here you’ll find cute avôs (grandmas) selling choriço and smoked meats, fishwives peddling the catch of the day, and loads of fresh produce, tinned fish, spices, coffee, dehydrated fruits, and bacalhau (salted codfish).

Want a food guide? I can recommend this top-rated small-group food tour that visits Porto’s beautiful Bolhão Market, includes historic stops and a side of history.

Prefer a serious food tour? Culinary Backstreets offers two incredible Porto food tours – use my code DANIELA5 to get 5% off.

Take in your first spectacular tiled church

Porto has incredible tiled churches like other cities have bus stops – they’re everywhere. One minute you’re enjoying the cityscape and the next minute your jaw is on the floor at the beauty in front of you. Next to Bolhão you’ll find Capela das Almas, also known as Capela de Santa Catarina, an 18th-century chapel covered with a casual 15,947 tiles. I think this one might be my favourite.

Related read… Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos

Hunt out specialty coffee (or go shopping)

From here I suggest wandering down Rua de Santa Catarina, the heart of commerce in Porto. It’s a pedestrian artery loaded with local boutiques and international brands, so you can shop your way to C’alma Coffee. This blog is run and written by an Australian with an addiction to a good flat white. While I love a bica or short, sharp Portuguese espresso, I also love big cities with a great specialty coffee scene. Porto has some great cafes and local roasters, which I’ve highlighted in this blog for my fellow coffee lovers.

Related Blog: The best specialty coffee and cafes in Porto

Explore riverside Ribeira

Porto is a fairly compact city, so you can wander between all the sights on foot. Visiting the charming Ribeira neighbourhood is an essential stop, and while it’s gorgeous in the evening, you could drop in for lunch at Adega São Nicolau (or Restaurante Casario) and then explore the curious warren of tall houses and narrow back streets by the river. Terrace tables spill out across the waterfront, so it’s always a good stop for a drink.

When you reach the riverside you’ll see iconic Porto scenes unfolding before your eyes, including typical Porto houses and the double-decker arching Dom Luis I Bridge, which was designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, Théophile Seyrig.

Choose your own adventure

After lunch, it’s a choose-your-own adventure. By now you will have spotted plenty of skinny traditional boats putting up and down the narrow river. These barcos rabelos were used to transport port wine from upriver in the Douro Valley down to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto (yes, technically the other side of the river is another city).

You could jump on a one-hour river cruise and explore Porto’s six bridges and cityscapes from the water (or if you’re fancy, book a private boat), or continue on the tourist trail. I recently did one of the boat tours, and while it’s a bit cheesy it’s an inexpensive way to see this beautiful city from the perspective of the river.

Related read: Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley

Things to do in Porto this afternoon

• Cross the bridge and tour a port wine cellar on the Gaia side of the river. I’ve done half-a-dozen port wine tours and my favourites so far have been Cockburn’s and Graham’s, but there are basically limitless port wine activities you can do – such as catch a fado show in a port cellar.
• Drop into the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto where you can pour your own port wine tastings.
• Climb the famous Clerigos Tower, one of Porto’s icons, for views across the city.
• Pass through the magical Bank of Materials mini-museum, a place where they store antique and vintage tiles, ceramics and building pieces for use in construction.
• Pre-purchase tickets for Livraria Lello, the famous bookshop that looks like it inspired Harry Potter, even if it didn’t. Alternatively, you can spend half the day lining up.
• Explore the top sights by e-bike tour, or join a walking tour that includes skip-the-line tickets to Lello bookstore.
• Better yet, join this top-rated food tour that includes a handful of stops and side serve of history, or explore the city with Culinary Backstreets who offer two great Porto food tours (use my code DANIELA5 for 5% off).
• Prance about the Palacio do Bolsa, the old commerce house. Unfortunately you have to follow a tour to explore the exquisite space, but hanging at the back meant we could take some gorgeous photos.
• If you didn’t arrive by train, visit the entrance hall of the city’s central station, Estação de Porto São Bento, to see 20,000 insane hand-painted tiles. Gorgeous.
• Learn something when you join a tile-painting workshop, Portuguese cooking class, or pastel de nata baking class.
• Join a night tour of Porto that explores the city and seaside before a special fado dinner.

Read next… Best Porto wine tasting tours (that I’ve done)

Snack your way through until dinner

Hungry? Always. It wouldn’t be an Olá Daniela guide without plenty of great food suggestions. Porto is the land of sandwiches, so I hope you’re not gluten intolerant. The Portuguese eat dinner between 8-10pm, so it’s always a good idea to snack in the late afternoon to tide you over. While locals lean sweet for the 5pm “lanche” (yes, it’s a meal time), I’d go savoury.

• Venture to Gazela and knock back a couple of finos (small beers) and cachorrinhos (a small spicy hotdog). It’s been open since 1962 and the legendary Anthony Bourdain ate here.
• Try the sandes de pernil (pork leg sandwich) at Casa Guedes, which now has a few locations.
• The rojões sandwich at Casa Expresso, then a cheeky late afternoon drink at relaxed local bar Aduela

Hungry for more? Where to eat in Porto

Check into your Porto accommodation

If you scroll to the bottom of this article I’ve included a chunky section about where to stay in Porto (based on my 8+ trips). If you’re just after a couple of quick suggestions, try:

• Village by BOA – homely apart-hotel with luxe hotel services, historic charm, and warm design touches, located right next to Porto’s best metro station (yet supremely quiet).
• Torel Avantgarde – 5-star luxury splurge from Torel, a hotel brand I highly trust in Portugal
• The Passenger Hostel – for a buzzy yet grown-up budget option at the iconic train station

Pick your spot for sunset

Between summer and winter the sunset time varies wildly, so I have an option for both times of year. I love visiting Porto in winter when the smell and smoke of roasting chestnuts casts a haze over the city and everything feels like you’re walking through a romantic movie. In winter you’ll also be able to see the sunset from the top of the magnificent cathedral. It stays open until just after dark, so you can climb the tower of the Sé do Porto and admire the views over the city and the river – it’s one of my favourite experiences in Porto and I wrote about it (and the Cathedral’s tiles) here in detail.

In summer (or any time of year, really), cross the top level of the Dom Luis I bridge (ideally after snacking on a few hotdogs and finos at Gazela) and venture over to Jardim do Morro where you’ll be able to grab an ice-cold drink and enjoy the enchanting views back towards Porto. It’s almost guaranteed to have someone busking and good vibes all year round.

Tip: It’s easy to buy drinks and snacks here, with locals selling beers and wine from coolers (with card machines!) but if you need a bathroom, there are plenty of cafes just back from the park that will sell takeaway beers and let you use their bathroom.  

Alternatively, grab a drink at a fun rooftop bar.

Rooftop bars in Porto

• Rooftop Flores – one of my favourite Porto activities is enjoying a wine on the lawn with the below view.
• Terrace Lounge 360º – on the top floor of the Porto Cruz building in Gaia
• Lift Rooftop – near Mercado do Bolhão
• Mirajazz – down near Ribeira

Dive into Porto’s most famous sandwich for dinner 

I wasn’t lying when I said there would be a lot of sandwiches. If you only have space for one, make it a francesinha. This heart-stopping monstrosity is a must-eat and it grows on you. While I once thought I could only handle one per year, now I get excited to have one on every trip to Porto. 

A francesinha should have toasted square white bread. Inside you’ll find a thin steak (ideally cooked medium rare), slices of ham and two types of sausage (usually fresh and linguiça). The sandwich is topped with thin layers of sliced cheese and sometimes a grilled egg. Then, most importantly, a secret sauce is poured over the dish, melting the cheese and giving you plenty to dip your hand-cut potato chips into. The sauce usually uses a secret house recipe with unknown quantities of beer, port wine, brandy, tomato paste and stock. It’s delicious and you can usually ask for more in a jug.

Where to eat a francesinha in Porto

• Brasão – a repeated favourite, with multiple locations (reserve a table online).
• Lado B – my current favourite
• Cafe Santiago – a classic
• Bufete Fase – local gem
• O Alfonso – where Anthony Bourdain went

Read next… 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced itinerary

Chase the party in Porto

It’s not hard to find the fun in compact Porto – and better yet, most of the city’s pubs, cocktail dens and wine bars are compressed in just a couple of blocks. For a guaranteed scene head to the chic streets of Rua Galeria de Paris. Here almost every door leads to a bar and you’ll find punters rolling out onto the road until late (or early). if your vibe is chic cocktail bar, try The Royal Cocktail Club. If you want natural wines, seek out Genuíno. If you’re more bohemian chill, go to Aduela.

Day 2 in Porto

Your second day in Porto is all about choice. I’ve listed a couple of fun day trip ideas that you could knock over in an afternoon or stretch out to a full day out. Of course, if you moved a little slower yesterday you can always stick around and enjoy the downtown vibes. 

Kick off with brunch

Of course, you could repeat the basic pasteleria breakfast of yesterday with a sharp espresso, orange juice and pastry of choice. But Porto is a hip, modern city so why not venture out for a solid modern brunch. I have two picks for you that do both great specialty coffee and interesting, excellent breakfast (we’re talking beyond pancakes and fried eggs here).

Where to go for brunch in Porto

• Época (great food, week days only)
• Protest Kitchen (different, boundary-pushing café)
• Hakko (creative cafe fare and bakery)
• MiBa Artisanal Bakery (for pastries and coffee)
• SO Coffee Roasters (best coffee with light breakfast)

➼ Wish someone could shortcut your Portugal research? ➼ Talk to me – I offer 1:1 video calls to help people cut through the noise and plan their perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more here.

Crawl the cool Cedofeita neighbourhood

The artsy inner-city suburb of Cedofeita is fun for a late-morning wander. Admire the architecture and step between boutique stores, wine shops and galleries, searching for unique mementos to take home.

Shops and galleries to explore in Cedofeita

• Coração Alecrim, for local and sustainable gifts
• Ó! Galeria, for local art and prints
• Catraio Craft Beer, Porto’s first craft beer shop
• Copo D’Uva, gourmet grocer
• Cookie Club, for fat American-style cookies
• Couto, vintage brand for skincare and toothpaste

Read next… Where to go vintage and second-hand shopping in Porto

Time for lunch, your choice

I know, I know, everything is easier when I make all the decisions, but this is your vacation and so you have to decide where to eat in Porto. Luckily I’ve written a food guide covering some of my favourite places to eat across Porto, from classic tascas and taverns to international food. Take your pick depending on where you are.

Afternoon adventure time, your choice

Option 1: Cross the river to Gaia for a port wine tasting

Go beneath the surface and discover where these famous port wine houses cellar their liquid gold. If you didn’t join a port wine tasting yesterday, lock one in today. Book ahead as not every session will be in English (or your language of choice) and they do sell out. My recent favourite is Cockburn’s, which houses the last cooperage (barrel workshop) in Gaia. If you visit during the week you’ll see the skilled coopers repairing and rebuilding port casks. Very cool. Taylor’s and Graham’s also offer a great experience.

Read more – Best Porto wine tasting tours (that I’ve done)

Naturally any good tour finishes with a tasting of the good stuff, then you can wander the waterfront of Vila Nova de Gaia (yes, the south bank of the Douro River is technically a different city), go explore the many museums at WOW Porto, or enjoy a coffee at local roaster 7g.

Option 2: Go to the beach at Matosinhos

Jump on the metro and head for the seaside: Matosinhos is waiting. If you choose this option, make time for a long fish lunch somewhere along Rua Heróis de França where dozens of restaurants have fish grills smoking out on the street. I like Restaurante O Lusitano.

You could also go in the morning and explore the fish market at Matosinhos and take a coffee at Booínga Roasters before finding a spot on the sand. As a bonus, book a tour at the Pinhais tinned fish factory to see the busy factory floor in action.

Option 3: Tick off what you missed yesterday

On Day 1 in the afternoon I gave you a long list of ideas covering the top sights of Porto. It’s likely you only squeezed in one or two things, so take a look and bounce around the city centre.

Extend the adventure: Day 3 – Day trip to the Douro Valley

If you’re a fan of wine, spectacular landscapes, and fresh country air, then a Douro Valley winery tour is the best day trip from Porto. This beautiful area west of Porto is a stunning destination and is recognised as the world’s oldest demarcated wine region. Its rich winemaking history dates back to 1756 when the Prime Minister Marquis of Pombal established its boundaries.

Fast forward to today and you’ll find terraced green vineyards cascading down to the river banks, charming quintas and farmhouses dotting the landscape, and long-standing traditions that have earnt the Douro Valley a UNESCO World Heritage designation. If you have an extra day, join a top-rated small-group Douro adventure, or book a private Douro Valley wine-hopping tour.

Find more Douro Valley day trips… Guide to the best Douro Valley winery tours

Want help planning your trip to Porto? Book a one-on-one video call with Daniela and get custom help organising your perfect Portugal itinerary. Find out more here.

Where to stay in Porto

It’s hard to go wrong in Porto city centre, and during the half dozen times I’ve visited I try to stay in different downtown areas. Porto is easy to walk around, so you can’t really go wrong.

Generally I love to stay in Bolhão and around Rua Catarina because it’s near the market, which is a great morning activity. Around this area, my top pick is Village by BOA, which is a really cool apart-hotel concept set up within an old working-class micro-neighbourhood. Even the gorgeous studios have a small kitchen where you can whip up market produce. My other pick is nearby Canto de Luz, a boutique guesthouse with a pool where I recently spent a foodie weekend that you can read about here.

First-timers might love to stay by the riverfront in Ribeira neighbourhood, while I prefer creative Bomfim or Cedofeita, a cool area with lots of brunch cafes and boutique stores. Slightly further out, I’ve stayed in Marques a couple of times and it’s easy to take the metro in or walk an extra 10 minutes. I’m not a huge fan of Batalha, I just find the area doesn’t have enough of a vibe in the evening.

For those on a budget, I loved my stay at The Passenger Hostel. It’s set right in the famous São Bento train station with both shared and private rooms. You could also try Lost Inn Hostel and Selina, which are all new-age hostels.

If you want to splash out on a luxe hotel, check out the beautiful and historic Torel 1884, Pestana Vintage or Casa da Companhia.

Don’t forget to check out my other guides to Porto. Leave me a comment if you found this useful!

Keep reading about Porto

• Best tiles in Porto: Where to find Porto’s most beautiful azulejos
• The best tile painting workshops in Porto
• The best pastel de nata cooking classes in Porto
• Where to eat in Porto
• The best cooking classes in Porto
• Portugal Road Trip: Where to stop between Porto and the Douro Valley

The post Two days in Porto: Perfect first-time itinerary appeared first on Olá Daniela.

1. Eat as many as you can while here. Try to beat my friends Tom and Mila who hold the current record among my visitors for most tarts consumed per day (2.7, FYI – find the best with my Lisbon pastéis guide).
2. Join a pastéis de nata cooking class and learn how to make them yourself. Join a pastry workshop and you’ll take a piece of the magic home with you.

If you’re interested in learning the secrets behind this irresistible Portuguese pastry (and potentially learn to bake other traditional desserts), read on to find the many hands-on pastéis de nata classes found across Lisbon and Porto. 

No time to read the whole article? No worries

My top picks for Lisbon –  Book this top-rated class with Compadre where you make both tarts and a traditional savoury snack too, or this top-rated relaxed two-hour class with HomeCooking. Vegan? This is the pick.

My top pick for Porto –  Book this two-hour pastel de nata baking class where you’ll learn grandma’s recipe.

My top pick for Algarve –  In Lagos? Book this two-hour pastel de nata baking class.

What is a pastel de nata?

It’s a flaky, buttery, creamy gift from the heavens. The origin of the tart is connected to Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery, where it’s said monks invented the sweet. They sold the recipe on to Pastéis de Belém, a bakery located about 100 metres from the church that’s kept the exact recipe under lock-and-key since 1837.

If you visit Lisbon, you have to make a pilgrimage to Belém to taste the OG at the source. You can learn more about the history of the pastel de nata here.

From an eating and baking perspective, the anatomy of a pastel de nata comes down to two parts – and one is not greater than the other. If the flaky, butter pastry that coils at the bottom is soft or unstable, the pastry is bad. Same goes for if the custard isn’t up to scratch – too sweet or wrong consistency.

With these pastel de nata baking workshops in Lisbon, Porto and beyond you’ll learn tips and tricks to make sure you nail both when working in home kitchens with home ovens.

Read next… Local’s guide to Belém, Lisbon: Best things to do with a half-day or more

Can you make pastéis de nata in a home kitchen?

Yes, but it won’t taste as good as in Portugal. Something about the magical light, relaxed holiday vibe, and the pretty tiled buildings to photograph as the backdrop. 

But, if you return home with the skills to whip up a dozen pastéis de nata from scratch you’ll be very popular with your family and friends. There’s nothing like eating one that’s still warm.

Most professional bakeries have super hot ovens that bake the tarts in a flash. Home ovens can’t quite compete, but with a hands-on class you’ll pick up tips and tricks for home chefs with regular home ovens.

Related read: The best pastéis de nata in Lisbon

What is the price of a baking class?

Typically, it seems the cost for a Portuguese custard tart baking class is around €50-60 per person. I’ve seen a couple that are cheaper, and a few that are more. Most of the inclusions are the same – a two-hour class with a glass or port wine or ginjinha, a local liqueur.

Top pastel de nata classes in Lisbon

 Book the most popular Portuguese custard tart workshop in Lisbon direct (or with GetYourGuide via the widget below).

Read on to find a full list of pastry class options – I’ve done deep research to find the best workshops in Lisbon.

• In this two-hour pastel de nata cooking class you’ll make everything—including the pastry—from scratch plus a traditional treat, cod fritters.
• Join this tried-and-tested top-rated two-hour pastel de nata baking class with drinks – I sent my friends to this class and they loved it. I got to taste the result and it was 10/10.
• Pastel de nata workshop at a real bakery. Learn the art of baking with chef João Batalha at an authentic bakery in the heart of Lisbon.
• Lisbon Cooking Academy offers both a regular class or a vegan pastel de nata pastry class – and you’ll learn to make the puff pastry from scratch.
• Learn traditional methods and home-kitchen variations with this Portuguese custard tart cooking class
• In this top-rated pastéis de nata cooking workshop you’ll whip up the eggy treats in two hours.
• Visit a small local sweets shop and cafe, Casa dos Ovos Moles, for this hands-on class with port wine or gijinha included.

Porto’s best pastel de nata workshops

Want me to choose for you?  Book this 90-minute class – the most-booked pastel de nata baking class in Porto.

More pastry class options in Porto:

• Two-hour pastel de nata baking class where you’ll learn grandma’s recipe.
• A top-rated class where you’ll enjoy a port wine or mimosa too! Families with young children can book it as a private class. 
• This 2.5-hour Portuguese custard tart class guarantees that you’ll make the pastry from scratch.
• A cheaper 90-minute Portuguese custard tart class with Domus Arte with port wine.
• Deep in the suburbs of Porto you’ll learn to make pastéis with Joana in her home kitchen.
• Join Virginia in her home kitchen and learn to bake pastel de nata.

Read next… Taste of Porto: A food-filled weekend at Canto de Luz

Pastéis baking classes in the Algarve and Madeira

If you’re on the southern Algarve coast, there’s a top-rated two-hour pastel de nata baking class in the town of Lagos.

Or on Madeira Island, try this two-hour pastel pastry class that’s rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor.

Beyond the pastel de nata…. Other traditional sweet cooking workshops in Lisbon and Porto

Yes, Portugal has plenty of other sweets! In fact, there’s a traditional sweet for basically every village in Portugal – usually made with some combination of eggs, sugar, cinnamon, lemon and almonds. We’re talking hundreds of recipes unique to Portugal – the custard tart is just the most famous!

If you want to dive deeper than Lisbon’s pastel de nata you can you try these other classes.

• This Portuguese Dessert Workshop in Porto will teach you three popular desserts. Go beyond pastel de nata and learn to make brisas do lis, queijadas, and pastéis de feijão at a local’s home using her grandmother’s recipes.
• Learn to bake two traditional Portuguese sweets with this hands-on workshop in Lisbon. You’ll get to choose, but will likely make Travesseiros de Sintra!

FAQs about Portugal’s pastéis de nata workshops

Can kids join a pastel de nata class?

Yes! Most classes are family-friendly – naturally kids love getting their hands messy with pastry dough. When booking, see if tickets are offered for children – that should indicate kids are allowed. Some small-group classes are restricted to ages 15 up (but offer private classes to families) so read the fine print.

Are there vegan or gluten-free options?

Vegan pastel de nata is slowly becoming an option — this vegan pastel de nata cooking class is one of the few focused onh plant-based versions. Gluten-free is a no-go at the moment, since puff pastry is such a key element. If you have dietary restrictions, reach out to the instructor in advance to see what’s possible.

What should I bring or wear?

Keep it casual! Think comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a dusting of flour or splash of custard on. Closed shoes are better in a kitchen. Cooking schools usually provide aprons, utensils and all the ingredients.

How long does a class usually take?

Most pastel de nata workshops run for about 1.5–2.5 hours. That’s enough time to learn the technique, bake your batch, and of course, eat them warm from the oven.

What language are the classes taught in?

Almost all classes are taught in English, and since this is an English-language website I’ve featured classes that will be held in English. Some teachers may also speak Portuguese, Spanish or French too.

Do I get to take some pastel de nata home?

Usually, yes! Most classes let you box up the extra tarts you’ve baked. That said, they’re at their absolute best straight from the oven – you’ll eat more than you save.

How far in advance should I book?

If you’re visiting Lisbon, book at least 1-2 weeks ahead – especially in peak season, as spots sell out quickly. In Porto, you might snag a spot last-minute, but it’s always safer to book early if you have a fixed itinerary (especially in the summer months).

That’s my guide to the best pastéis de nata cooking workshops in Lisbon, Porto, Algarve and Madeira. Read my guide covering where to eat the best pastéis de nata in Lisbon, and leave me a comment if you take a class! I’d love to hear about your experiences….

Keep reading about Lisbon….

• 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
• Where to eat in Lisbon
• Where to Find the Best Views in Lisbon: 11 Top Miradouros
• Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
• Lisbon’s best vintage shopping
• Best Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon
• The best cooking classes in Lisbon
• Where to find the best Portuguese street food and snacks in Lisbon
• Where to eat in Belém: Local’s guide to the best restaurants, snacks and bars

The post Pastel de nata cooking class: Best workshops in Lisbon & Porto appeared first on Olá Daniela.

I took so many photos of the parade, and I wanted to find a way to share them with you here. There was a great exhibition at the festival that explained the different traditional costumes and their purpose, so I’ll do my best to share some details here along with photographs.

I’m in no way an expert on this matter, so I’ve done my best to relay and translate information from official sources on the subject. If you have more information for me to share, or if I have attributed something incorrectly – please let me know.

Two ways to see traditional costumes if you visit Viana do Castelo

The first is simple. Visit the Museum do Traje or Costume Museum in Viana do Castelo. Houses in a grand 1950s building that was once a bank, the museum opened in 1997 and displays a great range of traditional dress for both men and women. It’s only a couple of euros to get in, and I go every time I’m in Viana. A must visit!

Read next: 15 best things to do in Viana do Castelo

The other way to visit in August during the incredible Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia when there is a program of events that brings women out onto the streets in their beautiful hand-made outfits. There are a few parades, folk dancing, and more that means you’ll see women in their “Sunday best” traditional dress across the nine-day event.

Traditional costumes of Minho (Trajes do Minho)

Trajes de Festa de Ribeira – Viana do Castelo’s Fisherman’s Quarter Costume 

The traditional Minho costume least like the other traje was from Viana do Castelo. Women from Ribeira, the fisherman’s quarter of the town, paraded down the street in what seemed like shorter, cotton fabrics (not wool or linen). They wore shorter checked skirts with aprons, whose details were “Richelieu” cut-outs fined carved into the fabric. Overall the look was more basic and they have shorter skirts with no socks, which may reflect the fact they would work by the sea or at the docks getting wet.

Trajes de Lavradeira – Farmer’s Costume

The famous red Portuguese costumes were used by farmers on Sundays or when they went to the Friday market in Viana do Castelo to sell produce. These costumes were used between the late 19th century and mid 20th century by agricultural families in this fairly self-sufficient region.

The lavradeira costumes generally included:

• An apron (avental) – adorned with embroidered floral motifs and leaves
• Scarves (lenços) – colourful scarves often draped over the shoulders and head
• A vest (colete) – a cropped vest that is often a work of art, embroidered with ornate floral scenes and folkloric motifs.
• A pocket (algibeira) – an external pocket on a long strong that would be tied around the waist. This is often the shape of a heart with very detailed embroidery and beads.
• Slippers (chinelas) – slip-on hand-made black clogs sometimes with embroidery, worn with cotton socks.
• Gold jewellery – heirloom pieces gifted to the women or passed down through the family. I’ll touch more on the gold pieces at the bottom.

Below I’ll mostly share some pictures, but I’ll also highlight some small differences (where possible!) in the lavradeira (farmer) costumes from different villages or towns.

Read next: Romaria d’Agonia: The most beautiful traditional festival in Portugal

Trajes à Vianesa das Terras de Geraz (green costume)

While most of the traditional costumes in the parade are red, one region steps out in green. It’s the villages from around Terras de Geraz such as Geraz de Lima, who also don’t use a little side pocket. It’s thought the color came around after a royal visit from Dona Maria II in the early 19th century.

Trajes à Vianesa de Afife

The women from Afife mostly wear the red lavradeira costume, but distinguish themselves with a yellow headscarf and an orange scarf draped on the shoulders. Their red skirts have thin black and white vertical stripes with a red apron, shirts with white embroidery, and a red waistcoat.

Trajes à Vianesa da Ribeira Lima

While there is a huge variety from village to village, this costume is generally characterised by striped skirts with a black bottom that is hand embroidered. It’s common to have floral aprons and shirts with blue embroidery.

Traje de Dó – Pity Costume

Yes, curiously enough when the lavradeira costume appears in dark colours – blacks, dark purple, deep blue – it’s the “traje de dó” which translates to pity dress. This one doesn’t seem to be specific to a certain region, and there are variations on it. It’s mostly a difference of colour, with a black skirt and apron with deep blues, greens, toasted yellow, and purples.

Trajes à Mordoma

The Mordomas were a young women chosen in each village to help raise funds for the church. They would help prepare for the festivities and pilgrimage, sweeping the churchyard and raising money for religious fairs. They would receive cash or goods – such as salted pork, rabbits, beans, corn, rye or linen, which would be auctioned off after Sunday mass.

For whatever reason, wearing this costume was mandatory so the girl (or her family) had to have the money to afford all the details of the dress. The traditional Mordoma dress includes a jacket or vest worn over an embroidered linen shirt. The jacket of vest is embroidered with glass beads and sequins. 

Apparently sometimes instead of black the costume could be a rich navy blue. Because the black dress doubled as a traditional wedding outfit, having this Mordoma costume in blue signaled that your family had the means to afford both. The difference between the Mordoma and the bride is the silk headscarf and the use of a palm or decorated candle instead of a veil and bouquet.

During the Romaria d’Agonia you’ll see the Mordomas in the ethnographic parade, the folk performances, and the Mordomia parade.

Traje À Noiva – Bride’s Costume

Curiously, the traditional wedding dress of the Minho region is just the Mordoma’s costume adapted for a bride’s wedding day. I read that from the end of the 19th-century until around 1905 that brides would wear a linen shirt with white embroidery and a black vest or waistcoat embroidered with glass beads. 

The skirts sometimes had between seven and nine metres of cloth, with multiple underskirts and a woolen peticoat. The outer skirt was often velvet with glass beads sewn with silk thread, or decorated with silk ribbons embroidered with glass beads. Then there is a black apron with floral motifs and sometimes the Protuguese royal coat of arms in the centre.

Brides also wore white cotton stockings with black leather mules, and a richly embroidered pockets that was tied at the waist known as an algibeira.  

And, of course, brides wore an elaborately embroidered veil. The Mordoma costume is almost the same, and apparently some villages would have silk or muslin headscarves for brides too – something now only associated with the Mordoma.

You can see brides parading down the stress in the ethnographic parade, where the spectators yell “beijinhos” (kiss!), and at traditional costume show.

Trajes à Morgada – Heiress Costume

And finally, the Morgada. This costume I find a little confusing as it seems to be worn by elder women who would be the head of the household. The direct translation is heiress, so I guess you could say matriach of the house. I’ve also read it’s an outfit the eldest daughter would wear, who might be the heir is there is no male descendent. I’m working on getting some confirmation on this, but I wanted to publish this traje run down before the festival!

Whatever the reason behind the outfit, the Morgada traditional costume is less flashy than the Mordoma. It’s always black and lightly decorated, which makes the traditional gold filigree jewellery pop against the dark colour. This was a way to display their household’s economic power.

 I noticed many women in the parade carried a richly patterned large silk shawl too.

The story and styles of Portuguese gold filigree jewellery

In the pictures you’ll see some women are dripping with gold. It’s said that girls would receive filigree gold pieces when they were born and for their birthdays or special occasions. Filigree gold balls, known as contas de Viana were commonly gifted, symbolising protection and good luck. It started with godmothers gifting girls these beads. One story I hear is that by the time a woman is ready to marry she would have had enough Viana beads to string on a necklace, the other is that a full strand is expensive so I woman would buy herself these beads one by one. I’m not sure if the Minho tradition from the 19th century is still as popular today, but I love both stories.

Filigree has existed on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, but it really took hold in Portugal in the 17th century. Most traditional shapes represent religion, love and nature. Lots of women also wear the Heart of Viana, a wonky tear-drop-like heart. It was a symbol of dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, but now it more generally symbolises life, love, fraternity, and friendship. The heart would be gifted to brides for good luck, who would pass it on to their daughters.

You’ll also see a lot of religious crosses, and sometimes widows will have a tiny picture of their late husband. You might see filigree gold angels, flowers, fish, boats and religious figures. For earrings, you’ll see a style called arrecadas, and another called rainha or Queen earrings.

If you fall in love witt the gold filigree artform, you can find 19ct gold, silver and gold-plated silver filigree jewellery at any jeweller in Portugal. Naturally, there are plenty of jewellery stores in Viana do Castelo, but also in the big cities. Most of it is manufactured in the north around Gondomar and Póvoa do Lanhoso.

That’s my wrap of all the gorgeous traditional traje costumes in the Desfile de Mordomia, which is part of the Romaria d’Agonia – an amazing festival that falls each August.

If you know more about some of the specific lavradeira costumes or have acorrection for me, leave a comment or reach out…

Keep reading…

• 15 best things to do in Viana do Castelo
• Romaria d’Agonia: The most beautiful traditional festival in Portugal
• Where to eat in Viana do Castelo
• Devil on the loose: 7 traditional pagan carnivals to attend in Portugal
• 19 best medieval and historic events in Portugal in 2024
• 36 hours in Coimbra
• 2024 Guide: Best Festivals & Events in Portugal
• Where to go vintage and second-hand shopping in Porto

The post Photo Diary: Guide to the traditional costumes of Viana do Castelo & Minho appeared first on Olá Daniela.

If Mattel was to make a Portugal Barbie, the traje de Viana would be the costume.

After the train passes Porto the hills turn green and we pass vineyards that line the tracks and corn fields at their peak. Stone towns and cabbage patches zip by as we chug north towards Viana do Castelo, the capital of the Costa Verde – the well-named green coast.

When I arrive in Viana do Castelo on a sunny mid-August day, the town is in the midst of its biggest annual festival, the Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia. It’s mid-week so the locals are still warming up for the festivities and fun to come. I’ve travelled five hours from Lisbon by train for one particular event during the nine-day festival – the Mordomia Parade, or Desfile da Mordomia.

Watching 900+ Minho women pass by in the Mordomia Parade

After sitting in anticipation for some time, almost 1000 Minho women start to pass by, each walking tall and proud in perfect rows, with their hands on their hips and a beaming smile. They’re immaculately dressed from head to toe in the beautiful traditional folklore costumes from their area or village.

Beaming with pride, they trot along in uncomfortable slides, thick woollen skirts, embroidered white blouses and intricately designed colourful aprons. Many wear a hand-embroidered pocket on the right hip and a colete (vest) covered in bright floral embroidery. A vibrant tasselled scarf of eastern European origin covers the shoulders and the head.

Read next: Photo Diary: Guide to the Traditional Costumes of Viana do Castelo & Minho

Read more…. 15 best things to do in Viana do Castelo

The largest outdoor showcase of gold in the world

Finally, the family jewels hang around their necks. Each woman is dripping with great quantities of gold, with some family heirlooms dating back centuries. Necklaces are pinned to fan out across the chest so many appear to be wearing a plate of gold across their chests, with the intricate and traditional filigree jewels catching the light.

It’s said that collectively this parade of mordomas is the largest outdoor showcase of gold in the world. In Viana do Castelo I shared a hostel room with a jeweller, and she said the tradition used to be that women would receive these filigree gold balls at birth, birthdays and Christmas. The idea was that once they were a woman they’d have a whole strand to wear.

The strong and beautiful tradition is something that unites the women of this region. It’s incredible to witness several generations of the same family parade together and show off the beauty of their costumes and stunning gold pieces, which are often only seen in public on these days.

What is the Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia?

The Mordoma Parade is part of a much bigger festival. As with most fairs or festivals in Portugal, Viana do Castelo’s annual romaria is linked to religion and takes place each August. This festival in particular centres on Senhora d’Agonia, the patron saint of fishermen.

Over the nine-day festival there are dozens of events celebrating the local folk culture, including a religious sea procession with decorated boats, ethnographic parades and craft markets. Personally I think it’s one of the best festivals you can attend in Portugal as it is a real show of culture, pride, tradition, and celebration.  

When is the Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia?

The festival always falls around the day of Nossa Senhora d’Agonia – August 20. In 2025, the festival dates are from August 12 to 20.

Read more… Ultimate Guide to the Best Festivals & Cultural Events in Portugal

Other notable events at the Festas d’Agonia

There are four more main events during the Romaria in Viana do Castelo but you can expect concerts, folk dancing, fireworks and markets too.

Giants & Big-Headed Puppets Performance (Revista de “Gigantones e Cabeçudos”)

The deafening march of dozens of drums will ring out from Praça da República a few times across the festival. Gather around the central fountain to see the Gigantones (the giants) and Cabeçudos (big-headed puppets) put on a show to the rhythm of drumming troupes.

This tradition seems to be unique to the north of the Minho region of Portugal. The drummers and bagpipers put on an athletic show, giving it their all as different groups battle off against one another. Meanwhile the giants and puppets dance (in a clumsy way) to the beat. The giants are made with an iron frame stretching up to 4 metres high and weighing about 30 kilograms!

Heritage Parade (Cortejo Histórico/Etnográfico)

The heritage parade features more than 3,000 participants, huge floats, and plenty of drama. Apparently it’s like a living museum passing by, with locals showing off traditions and historic ways of life. This parade includes a bit of everything from avós (grandmas) showing off traditional crafts, to the drummers and Cabeçudo puppets.

Along the way, floats will hand out bowls of wine and pieces of cornbread and the crowd will yell at the bride and groom to kiss – yelling “beijinho”.

Flower Carpets (Tapetes Floridos)

From about midday until dawn on the evening of August 19, the residents of the Ribeira neighbourhood cover the streets with coloured salt carpets. Neighbours, friends, and even onlookers help cover the streets with 30 tonnes of colourful salts for the religious processions to walk over. 

On the same evening, fishermen are decorating their boats with floral arrangements, decorations, and fishing gear, ready to take the saints out to sea on August 20.

The Procession Out to Sea (Procissão ao Mar)

On August 20, the day of Nossa Senhora d’Agonia, local fishermen give thanks to their patron saint, who protects them in their times of need at sea. After mass at the Santuário de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia, Vianese fishermen dressed in their best plaid shirts carry religious floats – weighing about 600 kilograms – out to the port. 

Here the fishing vessels are blessed and loaded with the figures of Nossa Senhora d’Agonia, Nossa Senhora de Monserrate, Nossa Senhora dos Mares (Our Lady of the Sea) and St Peter. Thousands of people line the Lima River to watch more than 100 decorated boats float by and out to sea. When they return, the procession continues on land along the colourful salt carpets to the church.

Read more… Where to eat in Viana do Castelo

Where to stay in Viana do Castelo

I recommend booking ahead for the festival, and you can find plenty of great hotels and small guesthouses downtown.

For me, a bucket-list stay is the 4-star Pousada de Viana do Castelo, which is a heritage hotel with amazing views over the town, famous sanctuary and coast. Up the hill there is also a highly-rated hostel called Albergue de Santa Luzia.

Close to town, the 4-star AP Dona Aninhas is well located. For something different, I’ve heard good things about the 4-star FeelViana Sport Hotel, which is on the other side of the Lima River near Cabedelo Beach.

Find out more about the timing of different events on the official website for the Romaria.

Keep reading

• 15 best things to do in Viana do Castelo
• Where to eat in Viana do Castelo
• Photo Diary: Guide to the Traditional Costumes of Viana do Castelo & Minho
• How to spend 48 hours in Porto
• Best Festivals & Cultural Events in Portugal
• Where to go vintage and second-hand shopping in Porto

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