24 hours in Porto

Porto is not brash, it won’t dwarf you with garish skyscrapers or super modern designs. Porto knows what it’s good at and does it brilliantly. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a place that can so effortlessly charm you quite like Porto. This historic town is one where lovers of architecture, food, culture, design, coffee and sport can all come together in one place. The only challenge is managing to fit everything in. Let us guide you through 24 hours in Porto:

Porto is a very well connected city but you can quite comfortably travel around on foot or by bicycle. Its modern metro, numerous tram lines and buses can help guide you around the main sights and attractions at your leisure. For just €7 a day, you can buy an Andante Tour Ticket, which allows for unlimited bus, metro and train trips. Just be sure that it is valid to save you from any potential fines. If you want to try some of the historic trams, then you can get most tickets for around €2.50 on board.

Coffee is a massive part of the social life in Porto. Rather than a pick me up in the morning, it is an event for friends or co-workers to get together, sit down and enjoy a cup. The Portuguese take it seriously. And this is reflected in the quality of coffee that they drink. Unlike the takeaway coffee culture of the UK, you’ll rarely find any plastic or polystyrene cups. Instead, proper glasses or mugs that you take to a table or enjoy propped up at the bar are used.

This 19th-century building is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture and honours the city’s past and present money merchants. Built between 1842 and 1910, it is among the most beautiful structures not only in Porto but across Portugal. Otherwise known as the Stock Exchange Palace, Palácio da Bolsa is a popular tourist attraction. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage and named a national monument for both its age and its striking architecture. Belonging to the Porto Commercial Association, the building is now often used as Porto’s main conference centre, hosting a range of cultural, social and political events.

Building began on the church of São Francisco do Porto in the early 13th-century, however, it wasn’t completed until 1410, under the patronage of King John I. Anyone who loves architecture cannot miss this church during their 24 hours in Porto. Though the exterior may be relatively modest, if not an exquisite example of Gothic design, the interior, with its columns and altars, is bold and stark in contrast. The inside of the church is said to be covered in 650 pounds of gold.

You cannot place Porto alongside other major European cities in the sense that it has a much slower pace of life, with great pride in its history. It does not have sprawling crowds filling the streets or chaotic rush hours like Paris, Rome or London. But if you want to be alone with your thoughts, head to Jardim do Palácio de Cristal, the Crystal Palace Gardens. This oasis ranks among Porto’s best-kept gardens, meticulously maintained, this is a perfect place to unwind and look out across the scenery. Do not make the mistake of thinking that this is an ordinary park. Jardim do Palácio de Cristal is full of fountains, different smaller themed gardens and breathtaking views. Why not relax on a bench and admire the resident peacocks?

You don’t need to stick to the city during your 24 hours in Porto. If you have had your fill of bars, museums and European architecture, take the short trip out of town to the Douro Valley - the motherland of Portugal’s finest wines and ports. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001, the Douro region is one of the world’s oldest demarcated wine regions. You can venture along the Douro on a number of different river cruises.

We spoke to Bruno from Geeky Explorer. He told us, “When visiting Porto, make sure you cross the river to the other side of the Douro via the D. Luís Bridge. The famous Port wine cellars are all located within walking distance. Pick one of them for a tour inside and indulge in the sweetest and heartiest drink of them all.”

We challenge you to find a more beautiful bookstore than Libraria Lello. Here, you step back in time where no phones are allowed, encouraging you to appreciate the magnificent interior of the building rather than looking at your screen.

“A cultural highlight and something I recommend to everyone is Libraria Lello,” says Jessica from The Better Places. “It’s the most beautiful library in Europe. The neo-gothic exterior, spectacular staircase, wonderful woodwork and stained glass ceiling are rumoured to be the inspiration behind some aspects of the Harry Potter Books. Author J.K. Rowling spent ten years in Porto teaching English and is said to have been inspired by the design of the city.”

With 27 domestic league titles, 16 Portuguese cup successes and twice being crowned the kings of Europe with triumph in the UEFA Champions League, FC Porto are one of the most successful sides in the continent. Nicknamed Dragão, an intimidating and atmospheric cauldron of sport. The Estádio do Dragão has been their home ground since 2003 and has seen numerous league titles and even a Champions League success in its relatively fresh history. You can join some 52,000 supporters during your cruise, as you cheer on one of Europe’s and Portugal’s most iconic football sides. But if you cannot secure tickets, you can still feel every rush of a goal with passionate supporters in the many local bars that will be showing the game.