Travelling to Porto was a last-minute decision and exactly the escape I needed from the grey winter in London. The city’s colourful buildings, cobbled streets, unique architecture, delicious food, and brilliant sunsets created the perfect setting for a solo winter getaway and some much-needed soul-searching. Here’s how I spent three unforgettable days exploring Porto.
- Day 1: Walking Tour of Porto and the Perfect Sunset
- Day 2: Exploring Porto Across the River
- Day 3: Sao Bento, Livraria Lello, and Francesinha Sandwich
Day 1: Walking Tour of Porto and the Perfect Sunset
Arrival & Accommodation Tip
After a short walk from the main train station, I arrived at my accommodation, Cats Hostel Porto, and instantly fell in love with the city – just look at those iconic Portuguese tiles! Staying near the city centre is ideal for first-time visitors, as it provides easy access to Porto’s main attraction
Church of Saint Ildefonso
I walked up one of Porto’s many hills and passed the Church of Saint Ildefonso, dating back to 1739, with its Baroque architectural details and central location near Batalha Square. While not the most impressive church in Porto, its proximity makes it worth a quick visit.
Next, I joined a Sandeman’s free walking tour, which is perfect for solo travellers wanting to learn about Porto’s history. I discovered that the country’s name, Portugal, originates from Porto and Gaia (formerly Cale). When combined, these names evolved into “Portugal.”
Camara Municipal – Town Hall
While walking to the tour’s starting point, I passed the Camara Municipal, Porto’s symmetrical Town Hall built in 1957. The interior isn’t remarkable, but the exterior alone is stunning and makes for great photos.
McDonald’s Porto
Even if you’re not a fast-food fan, this McDonald’s is a must-see for its stunning interior—it’s arguably the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world.
Lunch at Pedro dos Frangos
I couldn’t go to Porto without experiencing fine Portuguese roast chicken restaurant. A local told me about Pedro dos Frangos and boy am i glad i went – it was a family-run restaurant with so much history and more importantly, delicious food! I loved how genuine it was and that it was a people place – it didn’t need to faff around with looking fancy as the food speaks for itself. The roast chicken is done “nabrasa” – on a skewer and not cut open.
Clérigos Tower and Igreja do Carmelitas
The walking tour started at Clérigos Tower, one of Porto’s most famous landmarks, before moving to Igreja do Carmelitas, renowned for its beautiful blue-and-white azulejos.
Sunset at Botanical Gardens
We wandered through charming alleys to a stunning viewpoint overlooking Porto and the botanical gardens – perfect timing for a sunset that bathed the city in golden light.
Coffee at Majestic Café
Just before heading back to the hotel – I wanted to go for a little walk and have coffee at the majestic café. This is located in the Rua de Santa Catarina, one of the busiest streets in the city. It opened in the 1920s but it was called “Elite”. The name changed a year after its grand opening to “majestic” in order to cater for the intended crowd. I was mesmerised by this beautiful café which is one of the most beautiful representations of Art Nouveau in the city of Porto.
Day 2: Exploring Porto Across the River
Igreja de Santa Clara
I started off the day by walking to Igreja de Santa Clara which was only a 5 minutes walk from my hostel. This is definitely worth visiting as the interior is entirely made of gold. I somehow got lost in the cobbled streets leading down to the river but boy im glad that I did as I felt like it was very authentic Porto with nanas hanging the clothes outside and others sitting in front of their houses.
River Tour
When I finally reached the bottom of the stairs, I sat by the river bed and soaked in the atmosphere. This holiday was for me to reflect and to think carefully about a few things so I must have sat there for ages just people watching and contemplating!
Sitting by the river, I watched boats glide across the water and decided to take a short river tour. Porto’s riverside views are spectacular, and crossing to the other side introduces you to the city’s famous wine cellars.
Wine Cellar Visit (Even if You Don’t Drink)
Curiosity led me into a port wine cellar, where I learned about the production process and history of Portugal’s famous port wines. Even if you don’t drink, these tours are fascinating and usually offer a cozy café to enjoy a coffee.
Lunch with a View – MiraPorto Café
Perched atop a hill, MiraPorto Café serves homemade soup and sandwiches with unbeatable views. It was a local café and the food tasted home-made which was perfect as I was craving home-made food. I must’ve stayed here for 2/3 hours reading my book and people-watching (as I do).
On the way back to the hostel, I popped into a shopping mall and, for some reason, enjoyed a comforting Indian meal—perfectly rounding off a relaxed day.
Travel Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes; Porto is very hilly, and exploring by foot is the best way to see hidden corners of the city.
Day 3: Sao Bento, Livraria Lello, and Francesinha Sandwich
Sao Bento Train Station
I remember waking up the last day feeling so refreshed and content. I was so thankful I took this trip as it was exactly what I needed. I started off my day walking to Sao Bento train station. When reading lists about the world’s most beautiful train stations, Sao Bento in Porto almost always makes the cut. Admittedly, its nothing special from the outside but the entrance hall is so spectacular with its blue and white tiles that makes this train station so beautiful and unique. I believe Sao Bento gets its name from a monastery that was demolished in the 1890s to make way for the railway station for which construction began in 1900. In 1905, Jorge Colacao, one of the most celebrated azulejo artists of his time began painting his tiled. 11 years and 20k tiles latter, this project was completed.
Livraria Lello
Next, I visited Livraria Lello, a bookstore famed for inspiring J.K. Rowling during her time in Porto. It’s stunning, though extremely crowded, so plan your visit early or book tickets online. I don’t think I appreciated the beauty quite so much because it was so freaking crowded and is basically a melee of Instagram posers all angling for the shot.
Just around the corner, I discovered a quiet square and settled into a café for reading and people-watching—a perfect moment of calm in the bustling city.
Francesinha Sandwich at Café Santiago:
Before leaving Porto, I tried the Francesinha sandwich, a local delicacy made with bread, ham, beef, sausage, steak, melted cheese, and topped with an egg. Café Santiago is famous for it. Travel Tip: Prepare for a calorie bomb
Evening Walk Across the Bridge:
To burn off the indulgence, I walked across the bridge and perched on a rock overlooking Porto—a serene way to end my solo winter getaway.
Practical Travel Tips for Porto:
- Best Time to Visit: Winter offers fewer crowds and beautiful sunsets; spring and autumn are ideal for warmer weather.
- Transport: Porto is walkable, but trams, metro, and funiculars make hills easier to manage. Consider a Andante Card for public transport.
- Currency: Portugal uses the Euro (€). Cash is handy for small cafés, but cards are widely accepted.
- Language: Portuguese is official, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
- Footwear: Comfortable shoes are essential due to cobbled streets and steep hills.
- Local Etiquette: Be polite when taking photos of locals, especially in residential areas.
Porto is the perfect city for a solo winter escape—full of history, culture, food, and breathtaking views. From wandering azulejo-covered churches and tasting authentic Francesinha sandwiches to watching the sunset over the river, every moment was unforgettable.
Do you have any questions about travelling to Porto that I didn’t answer? Leave them in the comments, and I’ll get back to you as quickly as possible!
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