Before You Go: 7 Things Nobody Tells You About Porto
Updated: Sep 8
Our Porto travel tips for making the most of your time in Portugal’s northern gem
The first time a stranger bopped us on the head with a giant plastic hammer, we had absolutely no idea what was going on.
It was early evening in Porto and we were happily wandering along admiring the vintage tram when bonk. I got whacked, the stranger burst out laughing, and carried on walking. Then it happened to James. And again. Apparently, this was perfectly normal behaviour.
Welcome to Sao Joao, Porto’s biggest annual street party, when the city celebrates its patron saint with fireworks, lantern releases, grilled sardines, music, dancing and the traditional ritual of tapping people on the head with plastic hammers, a playful custom said to bring good luck.
Porto has a habit of surprising you, from its steep cobbled streets and azulejo-covered churches to its excellent food, port-soaked afternoons and wonderfully odd traditions. These Porto travel tips cover the things we wish we’d known before visiting, including when you might want to watch your head.
Contents
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’ve personally booked, used or packed ourselves and would recommend regardless of whether we earn a commission.
01 Prepare for hills
Porto is anything but flat. The historic centre tumbles down towards the Douro, so even seemingly short walks can involve a fairly serious climb, particularly if you’re heading back up from the river.
The main sights are close enough to walk between, but Porto’s hills, stairs and cobbled streets can make short distances surprisingly time-consuming. Give yourself more time than Google Maps suggests, particularly when you’re crossing between the upper and lower parts of the city.
Many of those hills are paved with smooth cobblestones that can be surprisingly slippery even when it's dry, so sensible shoes are less a fashion choice and more basic survival equipment.
02 Consider restaurant reservations compulsory
Porto has an excellent food scene, and the best-known restaurants can fill up quickly, particularly at weekends and any day during peak season.
The same goes for popular Fado shows, so if either is on your must-do list, book ahead rather than assuming you’ll be able to wander in and find a spot.
We loved the intimate atmosphere at Fado Maior do Porto, but if it’s sold out, don’t worry. There are plenty of other places to catch a good fado night in Porto.
03 Port wine lives across the river in Gaia
Despite giving its name to the city, Port’s famous historic wine lodges are actually in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the opposite bank of the Douro. Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge and you’ll find the cellars of the major Port houses, where you can learn how the wine is made before settling in for the important bit: the tasting.
04 Allow time for the other side of the Douro
Vila Nova de Gaia is much more than somewhere to visit a Port cellar and immediately head back across the river. Give yourself time to explore the waterfront, soak up the views towards Porto and linger for sunset, when the city lights begin to twinkle across the Douro and the whole scene becomes rather difficult to leave.
05 Don’t just look at landmarks, look at the walls
Porto’s azulejos (traditionally, blue and white tiles) are everywhere, from spectacular church façades and railway stations to residential buildings tucked away on ordinary-looking streets.
Some of the city’s finest tile work is easy to miss if you’re busy ticking off the sights, so keep looking around as you wander because the next beautiful wall may be completely unannounced.
We were tempted to join this tour, but in the end decided to explore azueljo-clad buildings at our own pace. If you’d rather do the same, follow our 9-stop walking route to see Porto's best tiles.
If admiring azulejos isn't enough, go one better and paint your own azulejo at a local workshop. We wish we did!
06 Tipping isn’t compulsory in Portugal
Service is generally included in the menu prices, so there’s no need to panic when the card machine arrives and presents you with a selection of percentages. An extra tip is appreciated for good service, but it isn’t expected, so round up or leave something extra if you feel the service deserves it.
07 Expect to be hammered on Sao Joao
Porto’s biggest party takes place on the night of 23 June, when the city celebrates Sao Joao with street parties, fireworks, lantern releases, grilled sardines and an astonishing number of people wandering around armed with extremely large plastic hammers.
Getting gently whacked on the head by strangers passing by for good luck, is somewhat bizarrely, part of the festivities.