Things to Do in Porto, Portugal for 48 Hours - Suggested and Tested Itinerary (4k UHD)

Things to Do in Porto, Portugal for 48 Hours - Suggested and Tested Itinerary (4k UHD)

Start your day early in the Ribeira District, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Old Porto, to get acquainted with its narrow and colorful streets. Its tallest point is the Torre dos Clérigos that stands at around 250 feet high. Climb the tower’s 225 steps and you’ll be rewarded with phenomenal 360-degree views of the city. Get here early before a line forms, making your way via the Avenida dos Aliado, a grandiose avenue with impressive architecture that you’ll want to drink in before the tourists wake up.

Close by, you’ll find the Lello Bookshop, one of the most extraordinary historical and architectural sights in Porto. Dating back to 1881, its neo Gothic-style façade ensures that it stands out against its neighbors. Inside, a grand staircase leads to the first floor where a vast stained-glass ceiling bears the store’s, “decus in labore” (honor in work). Head to the store as close to its 9:30 AM opening time as possible, as it often has a line out of the door later in the day.
Refuel your energy by savoring one of Portugal's gastronomical treasures: the Pastel de Nata. Grab one of the best in the country at Manteigaria, by the Torre dos Clerigos, before continuing through Ribeira to the Bolsa Palace. The 19th-century palace boasts a unique design thanks to the many architects, artists, and craftspeople who each put their stamp on it during its 68-year construction. Pour over the details, inside and out, with a guided tour and learn about its history and purpose in Porto today. Make the most of being in the area by finding a spot for lunch on one of the streets surrounding the palace and Infante D. Henrique Square. You’d be wise to try one of Porto’s most famous dishes: the Francesinha sandwich.

Looking for a new perspective? Head south until you reach the river, where boat cruises take off from Ribeira do Porto near Ribeira Square. Climb aboard one of the traditional Rabelo boats, which were used to transport wine from the Douro Valley, to learn more about the historic bridges that connect Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. The Six Bridges Tour, as its name suggests, neatly takes in all six of them, all the way up to the Arrábida Bridge and the sandy beaches of Foz do Douro, where the river finally spills into the Atlantic.
You’ll have sailed underneath it during your Rabelo cruise, but now it’s time to cross one of the most iconic monuments in Porto: the Luis I Bridge. It leads you to the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is the hub of the port wine trade — in fact, it’s where all the port in the world has originated since the 17th century. Thirsty? Drop in at one or two of the best cellars in the area: Burmester or Graham's Port Lodge.

After another day getting to know the city, or after returning from the Douro Valley, you have to sample the magic of fado. Listening to fado music, while sipping on a final glass of port, is so intrinsically Portuguese that UNESCO has declared it part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Book a seat at the Ideal Clube de Fado Porto for a traditional show which is far removed from the commercial style often found in tourist hotspots. Or, oenophiles should toast to a wonderful two days in Porto at Cálem Cellar, where white and a special reserve port wine are served during the performance.

[espersamin]

I wish I was there to admire with you!🤩