Porto is one of Europe's most forgiving cities — affordable, friendly, and hard to get wrong. But I still managed to make plenty of mistakes across three visits. Here's what I'd do differently, organized by category so you don't repeat my errors.
The Metro Line E (Violet) goes from the airport to Trindade or Bolhao in 30 minutes for 2.50 EUR (including the Andante card). A taxi costs 20-25 EUR. An Uber/Bolt is 10-15 EUR. Unless you have heavy luggage or arrive after midnight, take the Metro.
This is the single most important tip. Porto is built on steep granite hills covered in smooth cobblestones that become ice rinks when wet. Some "streets" are staircases. Flip-flops, heels, smooth-soled sneakers — all dangerous.
Wear shoes with rubber grip soles. Your ankles will thank you. I watched someone in sandals go down on Rua das Flores — she was fine, but her dignity wasn't.
The Funicular dos Guindais (2.50 EUR) connects the Ribeira waterfront to the upper city near the Dom Luis bridge. It saves a grueling climb up slippery steps. Some visitors don't know it exists — it's tucked into the hillside near the Ponte Dom Luis I.
Vintage Tram Line 1 (same price as a regular ticket, covered by transit passes) runs along the flat river from the center to Foz do Douro beach. It's scenic and saves your legs.
The waterfront restaurants have the views and the prices to match. A grilled fish that costs 10 EUR two blocks uphill costs 18 EUR on the quay. The food quality is often worse because the location does the selling.
Eat dinner in Cedofeita, Miragaia, or at tascas away from the waterfront. Come to Ribeira for sunset drinks, not meals.
Porto's most underrated snack: a simple pork sandwich marinated in garlic and white wine, served in a crusty roll. 2-3 EUR. Available at almost any local cafe. I ate one every morning for breakfast and regret nothing. Conga near Bolhao market is the famous spot, but any neighborhood cafe makes a good one.
A francesinha is a meal for one. A very large meal. I ordered one and thought, "I could eat another." I could not. One francesinha = one sitting. Pair with fries (usually included) and a Super Bock beer. Then walk for 45 minutes to recover.
Tascas are Porto's family-run neighborhood restaurants — tiny, no-frills, incredible. A full meal (fish or meat, rice, salad, bread, wine) costs 8-12 EUR. The menus are often handwritten in Portuguese only. Point at what someone else is eating or ask the waiter's recommendation. You won't go wrong.
Taberna dos Mercadores, A Cozinha do Manel, and Adega Sao Nicolau are all excellent.
The best seafood in the Porto area isn't in Porto — it's in Matosinhos, a fishing neighborhood 20 minutes away by bus (line 500 from Praca da Liberdade, 1.50 EUR). Rua Herois de Franca is lined with restaurants grilling fish on the sidewalk. A whole grilled fish with sides: 12-18 EUR. The freshness is another level.
It's a beautiful bookshop. It takes 20-30 minutes to see properly. Don't spend your morning in the queue (book a time slot at livrarialello.pt, 8 EUR redeemable on books). See it, appreciate it, buy a book, leave.
The Dom Luis I bridge has two levels. The lower deck has traffic and pedestrians. The upper deck — which you access from the Gaia side near the cable car or from the Porto side near the Se Cathedral — is pedestrian only with unobstructed views of Ribeira, Gaia, and the river. It's the best free viewpoint in Porto. Go at sunset.
The port wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia vary enormously in quality and experience. Visit at least two. One for the tour (Taylor's has the best self-guided experience with audio, 15 EUR) and one for the terrace (Graham's view is unbeatable, 15 EUR). Allow 3-4 hours for two lodges with tastings.
Some people walk right past the entrance without going in. It's a working train station — you don't need a ticket to enter the main hall. Just walk in and look at the 20,000 azulejo tiles. Free. Five minutes is enough to be stunned. Go early morning for the best light and fewest people.
The 76-meter Baroque tower (8 EUR, 240 steps) offers the best 360-degree view inside the city. On a clear day, you can see the Atlantic. The steps are narrow and steep — not ideal for claustrophobia — but the panorama is worth the climb.
Porto's transit system uses the Andante card (0.60 EUR for the card, then load trips). You must tap in AND tap out on the metro. The card works on metro, buses, and trams. Don't buy single-use tickets — the Andante card saves money from your second ride onward.
Porto is lovely in summer (20-28°C, long days), but autumn (September-October) and spring (April-May) are arguably better — fewer tourists, comfortable walking temperature, and the Douro Valley vineyards are either flowering or in harvest colors.
Winter (December-February) is rainy and cold (8-15°C), but hotel prices drop by 40-50% and the city has a cozy, atmospheric quality. Christmas decorations in Ribeira are spectacular.
Porto gets rain. Even in summer, an unexpected shower can hit. A light waterproof layer saves you from ducking into doorways. The cobblestones also get slippery when wet (see mistake #2).
Porto is compact, which makes people think one day is enough. It's not. Two full days is the minimum: one for the city (Ribeira, bridge, Sao Bento, Clerigos), one for the port lodges and a neighborhood wander. Three days lets you add the Douro Valley or Matosinhos seafood. Four days is ideal.
Porto is a city that reveals itself slowly. For the full picture, read our 12 reasons Porto is underrated. And don't miss Lisbon, just 3 hours south by train. — through a third glass of port, through a conversation with a tasca owner, through a sunset seen from the bridge for the second time that hits differently because now you know the city below.
If you love Porto's character, you'll also appreciate the raw beauty of Dubrovnik or the charm of Edinburgh.
Give it time. It gives back.
