After spending almost a year living in Porto, I still find new reasons to love this city. I also return around five or six times a year for work. I’ve spent almost four years working as a photographer and videographer for Cooltour Oporto. That work has taken me to many places across Porto and northern Portugal.
When people ask me about the best places in Porto, I don’t think only about famous landmarks. I think about the wine bars, restaurants, gardens, viewpoints, and small discoveries that make a visit memorable.
This guide brings together the best places in Porto for food, wine, views, and local experiences. These are places I’ve visited, enjoyed, or returned to over the years. Some are across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Others are in Matosinhos or Afurada, where seafood is part of the experience.
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Capela Incomum: One of My Favorite Wine Bars in Porto
Capela Incomum is one of those places that feels special from the moment you walk inside. The wine bar occupies a former chapel, with a beautiful Baroque-style interior.
The wine selection is excellent, whether you prefer ordering by the glass or sharing a bottle. The staff know their wines well and can help you choose something you’ll enjoy.
There is also a small patio outside, with around six or seven tables. It’s a lovely place to sit during warmer months, when the space feels open and bright.
In winter, the cosy interior makes an equally good setting for a glass of wine. I also recommend ordering one of their sharing boards with cheeses and cured meats. Capela Incomum has a lovely atmosphere without being right in the middle of the biggest crowds. It’s a place I enjoy throughout the year.
Casa Moreira: A Seafood Favorite in Afurada
Casa Moreira: A Seafood Favourite in Afurada
If you’re looking for the best places in Porto and beyond, cross the river to Afurada, in Vila Nova de Gaia. Casa Moreira is one of my favourite seafood restaurants in the area.
It’s a casual, family run place where the food and people make the experience. The grilled fish and seafood are excellent, and I know the family behind the restaurant very well. Pedro, the owner, is the one grilling the fish. His daughter makes the desserts, while her husband, Ricardo, is the head waiter.
That family connection is part of what makes Casa Moreira special to me. It feels personal rather than simply another restaurant recommendation. If you visit, you can say that “Marcelo o fotógrafo“ sent you. You’ll be warmly welcomed.
I’ve written a guide to the best places for grilled seafood and fish in Porto.
Meia-Nau: Where to Eat Seafood in Matosinhos
Meia-Nau has locations in Porto and Matosinhos, but the one I recommend is the Matosinhos restaurant. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for seafood near the Atlantic coast.
The seafood is excellent, and the atmosphere feels casual but still polished. There’s also a good wine selection to accompany your meal. Matosinhos is well known for its seafood restaurants, making it worth a trip beyond Porto’s historic centre. Meia-Nau is one of my personal favorites there.
Reitoria: One of my Top Favorite Restaurants in Porto
Reitoria is a good choice when you want a more special dinner in Porto. The restaurant is known to me for its excellent meat, cold cuts, and wine list.
It’s somewhere I’d consider for a relaxed evening meal rather than a quick stop. If you enjoy good food and wine, it’s worth adding to your plans.
Cervejaria Nortada: Francesinha and Craft Beer in Porto
For a Francesinha and craft beer, Nortada is one of my recommendations. It’s located near Bolhão, making it convenient when exploring central Porto.
I enjoy the Francesinha here, and the craft beer is another reason to visit. It’s a good option when you want something casual and distinctly local. If you’re looking for where to eat Francesinha in Porto, Nortada is worth considering.
✨Related Article: “Porto, Where Smoke Meets Sea: The Art of Grilling | Portugal”
Bars with a View in Porto and Gaia
Some of my favourite places to enjoy a drink come with a view. Across the Douro, Vila Nova de Gaia offers a different perspective on Porto’s waterfront.
Espaço Porto Cruz
Espaço Porto Cruz has a rooftop bar with beautiful views across the Douro towards Porto. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a drink, listen to music, and take in the scenery. Remember that it’s in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from Porto. The view is part of what makes it worth visiting.
Guindalense Futebol Clube
Guindalense Futebol Clube is a much more informal place to enjoy the view. Despite the name, it’s also a casual bar where people come to drink and relax.
From here, you can enjoy lovely views of the Douro and the Dom Luís I Bridge. Prices are affordable, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than polished. I like it for its straightforward character and its position overlooking the river.
BASE: An Outdoor Bar in Porto
BASE is an outdoor garden bar directly in front of Torre dos Clérigos. Olive trees, open-air seating, and a relaxed atmosphere make it a pleasant place to pause.
Come here for a beer or a glass of wine while taking a break from sightseeing. It’s especially appealing when you want to sit outside rather than in a traditional bar.
Saturday Markets in Porto and Pastel de Nata at Castro
On Saturday mornings, I like the idea of combining a browse around Mercado Porto Belo with coffee and a pastel de nata. The market takes place in Praça Carlos Alberto.
You’ll find stalls featuring wooden crafts and artwork, old vinyl records, artisanal jams, and wine tastings. It’s a small market, so it’s easy to explore without setting aside a whole morning. Check the current schedule before visiting, as market details can change.
Afterwards, head to Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata. It’s my favourite place in Porto for a pastel de nata and coffee.
The combination makes an easy Saturday morning plan. Browse the stalls, stop for coffee, and enjoy a little time without rushing between attractions.
Jardim do Morro: A Favourite Sunset Spot near Porto
Jardim do Morro is across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia. The large garden and adjoining stone viewpoint offer beautiful views over Porto and the Douro. It’s one of the places I recommend for sunset. The view takes in the river, the city’s rooftops, and the bridge connecting Porto and Gaia.
You can settle into the garden or walk towards the viewpoint. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the changing light rather than arriving just before sunset.
Where to Drink Port Wine in Gaia: Caves Ferreira
A visit to Vila Nova de Gaia is a good opportunity to discover Port wine. Several cellars offer tastings, each with its own history and atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed my tasting at Caves Ferreira. It wasn’t crowded when I visited, and I really enjoyed the wines.
If you’d like to learn more about Port wine, a tasting can be a lovely addition to your trip. Choose an experience that suits your interests and the time you have available.
Best Tours from Porto: Food, Fado, and the Douro Valley
Working with Cooltour Oporto has given me plenty of opportunities to experience its tours firsthand. I’ve taken some of them many times, so these recommendations come from personal experience.
Porto Food Tour
I’ve taken the Porto Food Tour around six times. It’s a good option for visitors who want to explore Porto through its food and local food culture.
A guided food tour can also help you discover dishes and places you might otherwise miss. Consider it if you enjoy learning about a destination through what people eat.
Fado Dinner Tour
I’ve done the Fado Dinner Tour twice, and I can genuinely recommend it. The singers were excellent, the venue was lovely, and the food was very good.
Fado is an important part of Portuguese culture, and hearing it in person adds something special to an evening. This tour brings dinner and live music together in one experience.
Douro Valley Tour
If you have an extra day, consider taking a tour to the Douro Valley. I’ve done this tour around fifteen times and visited approximately thirty quintas in the region.
The valley offers a different perspective on northern Portugal, with its wine-growing landscapes and long winemaking traditions. A guided tour is a practical way to explore when you don’t have your own transport.
Of the tours I’ve experienced, this is one I’d particularly consider if your itinerary allows another day.
Book Your Tour with Cooltour Oporto
If you’d like to book one of these tours, you can do so through my Cooltour Oporto affiliate link here⭐. Use the discount code provided with the link when you book.
By booking through my link, you support this blog and my Go travel Planet YouTube channel as well as my work as a photographer. Thank you for supporting my work and helping me keep creating travel content from Porto and beyond.
Where to Stay in Porto
Porto has accommodation options for different budgets and travel styles. Prices can also be attractive compared with those in several other European cities, depending on the season.
Rather than recommending specific hotels, I’d suggest choosing an area that suits the kind of trip you want. Consider whether you prefer staying close to the main sights, enjoying a quieter neighbourhood, or being near restaurants and nightlife.
I’ve also written a guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto. It can help you compare areas before choosing your accommodation.
✨Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best places in Porto for a first visit?
For a first visit, I’d combine central Porto with a few personal favourites. Visit a wine bar, try local food, and cross the river to enjoy the views from Gaia.
Where can I eat seafood near Porto?
Casa Moreira in Afurada is one of my personal favourites. I also recommend Meia-Nau’s Matosinhos location for excellent seafood.
Where can I enjoy a drink with a view?
Espaço Porto Cruz in Gaia offers rooftop views across the Douro. Guindalense Futebol Clube is a more informal option overlooking the river and Dom Luís I Bridge.
Where should I go for sunset near Porto?
Jardim do Morro and its adjoining viewpoint in Vila Nova de Gaia are lovely sunset spots. Arrive early enough to enjoy the views before the light begins to change.
Is Porto a good destination for food and wine lovers?
Absolutely. You can explore seafood restaurants, try a Francesinha, visit wine bars, and taste Port wine in Gaia.
Are the best places in Porto all in the city centre?
No. Some of my favourites are in Afurada, Matosinhos, and Vila Nova de Gaia. Exploring beyond the centre gives you a broader experience of the area.
A Few Final Thoughts on Porto
Porto is a city that rewards curiosity. Some places stay with you because of their views, others because of their food, atmosphere, or the people you meet.
After years of discovering Porto through my camera lens, I still find places that make me appreciate the city differently. Sometimes, it’s a wine bar tucked away in an old chapel. Other times, it’s a seafood restaurant where familiar faces welcome you back.
That’s what I love about Porto. Beyond the famous landmarks, there are countless places that give the city its character, each with its own story and atmosphere.
So, visit the places that interest you, but leave some room for the unexpected. Sit down for another glass of wine, follow a street that catches your eye, or stay somewhere a little longer than planned.
Some of the best places in Porto are found when you leave room for unplanned stops. You might discover a favourite of your own.
And that, to me, is one of the best ways to experience Porto.
Até já,
Marcelo, Go Travel Planet
Read More From the Archive: Deepen Your Portuguese Journey
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I lived here for almost a year and this gave me time to understand its rhythms beyond a sightseeing route.
⭐ Where to Stay in Porto: Discover Porto’s Neighborhoods
For a first visit, I would stay fairly central. That gives you more time for wandering, eating and simply enjoying the city…
⭐ How to Visit the Douro Valley from Porto: Tour or Train
Every time I return, I have that same feeling of stepping into another world.
Keep exploring and choosing the journey over the destination. We would love to hear your thoughts, drop a comment below. 🌍
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