While most travellers flock to Lisbon, Porto quietly captures hearts with its riverside charm, historic streets, and vibrant café culture.
From baking pastel de nata in a local apartment kitchen to wandering across the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, this northern Portuguese UNESCO heritage city offers experiences that feel both authentic and unforgettable. For solo travellers especially, Porto might just become the highlight of any trip to Portugal.
The only real challenge might be the hills, but if you have visited Lisbon before, you will already be familiar with that.
If you would like a quick overview of my trip condensed into under a minute, you can watch my TikTok here:
https://www.tiktok.com/@julestraveldiary/video/7617816381584641300
For those planning a trip, here are some of my favourite things I experienced in Porto as a solo female traveller:
Pastel de Nata Baking Class
If you are visiting Portugal, trying the famous egg custard pastry called Pastel de nata is an absolute must.
When I first heard about it years ago, I was hesitant. An egg custard pastry did not sound like my dream dessert. But when I tried one during my first trip to Portugal three years ago, I was completely humbled and instantly hooked. Since then, every time I return to Portugal I make it a daily ritual to grab a pastel de nata and espresso from a local café.
One of the highlights of my time in Porto was taking a pastel de nata baking class. I booked the “Grandma’s Recipe” cooking class through GetYourGuide and it ended up being one of my favourite experiences of the trip.
The class took place in the apartment of our host Joanna. She was incredibly witty, welcoming, and patient as she guided us through her grandmother’s recipe step by step. She clearly has a passion for the work that she does, and the love she pours into the process is inspiring to see. I had initially felt intimidated by the idea of baking pastel de nata, but the process turned out to be much easier than expected thanks to her guidance.
Her apartment was beautifully decorated and had a cozy atmosphere that made the whole experience feel personal. She even had a record player playing music while we baked, including Olivia Dean, which set the perfect mood.
As a solo traveller, I was a bit nervous walking into a group class alone. Thankfully everyone was very friendly. By the end of the class we were all sitting together enjoying our freshly baked pastries with coffee and tea. It ended up being a wonderful way to meet people, and I even grabbed dinner later with one of the other travellers from the class.
Joanna also shared a list of her favourite local bakeries and restaurants, which proved incredibly helpful. In my experience, the best recommendations always come from locals.
A Walking Tour with Porto Walkers
One of the best ways to start your time in Porto is by taking a walking tour. I joined a free walking tour with Porto Walkers, where you tip the guide at the end depending on what you feel the experience was worth.
I took the afternoon “Lifestyle Tour,” which focuses on modern Portuguese life alongside the city’s history. The tour lasts about three hours and covers many important sights around the historic centre.
Some of the places we visited included Livraria Lello from the outside, Clérigos Tower, the University of Porto, the beautiful Carmo and Carmelitas Churches, and the gardens of Jardim de Cordoaria. We also explored the historic neighbourhood of Miragaia and visited viewpoints such as the Vitória Viewpoint, which offers stunning views over the city.
What I loved most about this tour was how engaging the storytelling was. The guides did not simply list historical facts. They shared stories about daily life in Porto and how Portuguese culture has evolved over time. By the end of the tour I felt like I had a much deeper understanding of the city.
For solo travellers, walking tours are also a great opportunity to meet other travellers while learning about the destination.
The Dom Luís I Bridge
One of the most iconic landmarks in Porto is the Dom Luís I Bridge.
The bridge connects Porto with the neighbouring city of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is famous for its historic port wine cellars.
When I crossed the bridge to the other side, I noticed photographers quietly capturing candid shots of visitors as they walked past. They later offer the images as small black-and-white prints, turning a simple moment into a timeless travel keepsake. It felt like a charming touch and a surprisingly lovely souvenir to bring home.
The riverside along the Douro River is one of the liveliest areas in the city. Restaurants line the waterfront and street musicians often perform in the evenings. During my visit in early January there were still musicians playing and people enjoying the atmosphere along the river.
Seeing the bridge both during the day and at night is worth it. Once the lights come on and reflect on the water, the whole area feels magical.
Livraria Lello
One of the most famous attractions in Porto is Livraria Lello, often described as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.
Entrance typically costs between 10 and 15 euros. The ticket can be used toward the purchase of a book inside the store.
Even though I expected it to feel a bit overhyped, the interior genuinely impressed me. The dramatic staircase, stained glass ceiling, and intricate woodwork make the bookstore feel almost like a piece of art.
That said, the experience can depend on the crowds. Lines can be long, and the space inside becomes quite busy. If you visit during peak travel seasons, it is worth considering whether the wait will be worth it for you.
Shopping in Porto
Porto ended up being one of my favourite places to shop during my travels.
Unlike Lisbon, where many shops are spread across different neighbourhoods, Porto’s main shopping streets are fairly concentrated. This makes it easy to spend an afternoon exploring multiple stores.
If you enjoy thrifting, I highly recommend visiting Humana Vintage. The store regularly offers different deals depending on the day.
During one visit everything in the shop was only three euros, including jackets. When I returned two days later the price had gone up to five euros, but it was still an incredible deal.
Overall I also found Porto to be noticeably more affordable than Lisbon. That makes it easier to justify an extra pastry or a bit more shopping.
Where I Stayed
During my trip I stayed at The Central House Porto Ribeira, a hostel located near the river in the Ribeira area.
The location was perfect and made it easy to explore the city on foot. The facilities were clean, modern, and I felt very safe during my stay.
If you have the option to include breakfast, I would absolutely recommend it. The buffet offers a wide range of options and was easily one of the best hostel breakfasts I have experienced.
The hostel itself felt relatively quiet during my stay, which I personally enjoyed at that point in my travels. I visited in early January, which is considered the slower season in Porto, so it may feel more social during the summer months.
For part of my stay, I also booked a small Airbnb studio apartment. The space had its own kitchen, thoughtful décor, and was located in a quieter part of the city slightly removed from the riverside crowds. The only drawback was that the window faced a construction site. Even so, for the price I paid, having my own comfortable space to unwind for a few days felt completely worth it.
Airbnb in Porto
Bakeries Recommended by a Local
One of the joys of exploring Porto is discovering the city’s many bakeries. It feels like there is a café on almost every street.
If you want a few recommendations to start with, these spots were suggested to me by a local:
- Confeitaria Chicana
- Café Majestic
- Nova Real
- Padaria Ribeiro
- Leitaria da Quinta do Paço
Things I Did Not Do But Heard Great Things About
There were still a few experiences that I did not have time for but heard wonderful things about.
The first is Mercado Bom Sucesso, a food market where you can sample a variety of Portuguese dishes from different vendors.
Another popular experience is visiting the historic port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia for tastings and tours that explain the history of port wine production.
Final Thoughts
Porto surprised me in the best way.
The historic UNESCO heritage city is where history, food, and everyday life blend together beautifully. Whether you are wandering through narrow medieval streets, enjoying pastries at a neighbourhood bakery, or watching the sunset over the Douro River, Porto has a way of making even simple moments feel memorable.
For solo travellers especially, it is a welcoming and easy city to explore. It is large enough to keep you busy, yet small enough that it quickly begins to feel familiar.
Portugal may be famous for Lisbon, but Porto proves that sometimes the places people talk about less end up leaving the biggest impression.
Leave a Reply