萝莉射区

Conveniently compact, with delicious food and drink, beautiful scenery and architecture, and some excellent museums, Porto is the perfect weekend escape. 

I live in Lisbon, and at this point, I鈥檝e probably visited Porto more than a dozen times, but crossing the Douro River via the Dom Lu铆s I Bridge is always a thrill, and it would take me several lifetimes of weekends to taste every barrel of port wine that鈥檚 aging in the city. 

Simply put, I鈥檓 always happy to spend time in Portugal鈥檚 graceful northern city, and my frequent visits mean that I now have a go-to list of delicious things to eat and drink and places to see. 

• When to arrive: Try to arrive early on a Friday and stay until Monday morning 鈥� which is when many museums and other attractions are closed. 

• How to get from the airport: 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 metro runs from Francisco S谩 Carneiro Airport to the city center. 

• Getting around town: The center of Porto is walkable by foot if challengingly hilly; metro and buses can carry you outside the city center.

• Where to stay: I love the old-world feel 鈥� and mega-convenient location 鈥� of Hotel Aliados. If I鈥檓 looking to save euros, I鈥檒l stay at the even more old-school and admittedly less comfortable Hotel Peninsular, a short walk away.

• What to pack: Porto is a rainy city, so come prepared with a light rainproof jacket and hat, and shoes appropriate for hilly, slippery walking.

Friday  

Morning

Ditch your bag at the hotel and beeline to for a quick baked snack and a coffee.

How to spend the day

The top level of Ponte Lu铆s I, 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 iconic Gustave Eiffel-designed bridge, is dedicated to pedestrians (and the metro) and offers amazing views of the city you鈥檙e about to explore 鈥� it鈥檚 a must-visit. Descend from the bridge and wind through Ribeira, 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 ancient riverfront district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Peruse Casa do Infante, museum and alleged birthplace of the Infante Dom Henrique, also known as Prince Henry the Navigator, the monarch during the dawn of Portugal鈥檚 maritime expansion.

Enter the humming Prac抬a da Ribeira, an ancient square and former trade center. Spot the Torre da Rua de Baixo, a five-story structure thought to go back to the 8th century, making it one of the city鈥檚 oldest; note the flood markers recording the Douro River's major flooding events.

Book in advance for lunch at , where you can try one of 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 signature dishes, arroz de polvo (octopus rice) ideally paired with a crisp white and if you鈥檙e lucky enough to score a seat outside, views of the Douro River. After lunch, head uphill and pick up a unique souvenir at , a hardware store stuffed with charmingly old-school domestic items ranging from fragrant soaps to wooden toys. 

Dinner

After resting those legs, cross the Ponte Lu铆s I again to Vila Nova de Gaia. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l find the various port wine houses that Porto is famous for. Organize a tour and tasting in advance; is the only entirely Portuguese-owned house and feels distinctly off the beaten track, while 鈥檚 offers the most contemporary experience. Cross back to Porto for dinner at , a cozy restaurant specializing in rissoles, 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 beloved deep-fried, meat-stuffed pastries. 

Saturday

Morning

Start the day with toast and a 驳补濒茫辞 (Portugal鈥檚 take on the latt茅) at the charmingly stuck-in-time A P茅rola do Bolh茫o. Consider a brief pop-in at , 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 central market that鈥檚 just next door, although it must be said that it lost most of its charm during a recent and extensive renovation.

How to spend the day

Set off on a half-day trip to 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 sister city, Matosinhos. Take the metro north and stop in at , a century-old cannery that鈥檚 one of the country鈥檚 best. Book a visit to the factory floor or stop at the pleasant cafe for a taste of sardines or mackerel in spicy olive oil paired with a glass of vinho verde, 鈥済reen wine.鈥� Matosinhos, a port city, is known for its seafood, so follow the trail of smoke to the knot of grilled fish restaurants at the northern end of Avenida Serpa Pinto; O Felipe has a solid reputation. Burn off lunch via a walk south along the coast, passing handsome urban beaches until you reach Foz do Douro. From here, it鈥檚 easy to catch a bus back to the city center. 

Dinner

Pair browsing secondhand books and sipping a glass of natural wine at . Lunch was sensible, so now it鈥檚 time to indulge. In Porto, this means the francesinha, the city鈥檚 over-the-top sandwich that combines steak, sausages, ham, melted cheese, a fried egg and a spicy sauce, often served with a pile of French fries (you鈥檝e been warned). The dish was allegedly invented at , while remains a go-to for many locals, and serves what is arguably the city鈥檚 most refined version. 

After dark

Close with boundary-pushing cocktails (sample name: Peanut Macumba) at . 

Sunday

Morning

Start the day with a cortado and cardamom roll at . Stroll through the adjacent Jardim Marques de Oliveira and the neighboring and graceful Bonfim neighborhood. Reach out in advance to visit the showroom of , an outfit that makes quirky rugs from recycled materials.

How to spend the day

Sunday is, naturally, a day for culture. Climb the Torre de Cl茅rigos, a 75-meter tower built in the 18th century, for stunning views over the city. Head next door to the , an excellent (and free) museum located in a former prison. If you鈥檙e serious about art, hop on a bus or taxi to , an expansive park and contemporary art museum with enough to keep you busy for hours. On Sundays, the vast majority of 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 eateries are closed, but fortunately, , an excellent restaurant that specializes in the hearty dishes of the country鈥檚 north, keeps its doors open for lunch 鈥� book ahead.

After dark

Kick off the night with a glass of red from the Douro region at , one of the city鈥檚 best wine bars. It鈥檚 entirely understandable if you鈥檙e still full from lunch; instead proceed directly to dessert at , who do an avant-garde version of rabanadas, 笔辞谤迟辞鈥檚 beloved take on French toast.