5 Things: Porto
Dubbed Portugal’s most creative city, we tapped into our favorite things we loved about visiting Porto with kids, from painting Azulejo tiles to a well-earned pastel de nata after climbing its San Francisco-grade hills. Let’s go!
Overlooking the Dom Luis 1 Bridge at sunset.
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Walk Across the Dom Luis 1 Bridge at Sunset
Porto is packed with architectural wonders, but none as iconic as the double-deck metal arch Dom Luis 1 Bridge. Designed by the Belgian engineer Théophile Seyrig, a student of Gustav Eiffel, it connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia’s port wine district. Stroll along the top level at sunset (watch out for passing trams!) and take in the river Douro from above. Once on the other side, there’s the Jardim do Morro where locals hang out and picnic.
Cachorrinhos at Cervejaria Gazela.
2. Do a UNESCO Walk (and discover a few shops and snacks along the way)
Porto is one of Europe’s oldest surviving city centers and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Start at the top of the hill and work your way down towards the River Douro, in the interest of little legs.
A few of our faves are being enveloped in the Azulejo tile wonderland of São Bento Station, the Porto Cathedral is great for a run-around at a classic viewpoint, and the Mercada Ferreira Borges, an architectural monster hewn of glass and iron.
ON THE WAY
EATS
Stop at Cervejaria Gazela for one of their epic cachorrinhos (traditional cheesy Oporto hot dogs) and a very local Porto vibe. Kids will love sitting at the counter for the most action.
SHOPS
We loved concept store and coffee shop Early Made, and Coração Alecrim for gorgeous Portugal-wide homeware and clothing brands.
SLEEPS
Hotel Catalonia on a corner neighborhood near the city center, walkable street and bunk beds for the kids!
3. Serralves
All families needs a good park to burn off steam in, and what better one than blending outdoor spaces with stunning contemporary art? Serralves was designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, winner of the Pitzker Prize and features the Art Deco-fabulous Casa de Serralves, but also a woodland farm (complete with animals) and a treetop walk for the kids. Quadruple win.
Buy tickets early online to avoid the lines, and if there on Sunday, it’s free of charge.
4. Make Portuguese Art
The blue and white Azulejo tiles that adorn many of the buildings across Porto are a classic in Portuguese architecture, and usually tell an important story in the country’s history.
Tell your own story by painting your own Azulejo. There are a few studios in Porto that will lead a workshop with kiddos, as well as Gazete Azulejos (just double check on the age). For ceramics and pottery, reach out to O Ceramica to make your own fired piece.
5. Livraria Lello
It’s a racket and we usually avoid intensely touristy spots if we can, but for a novelty event it was a bit of fun. This neo-Gothic bookstore is said to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s descriptions of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts (we love a good literature happening) with its whimsical wood carvings, stained glass ornamentals and sweeping staircases. Get your tickets online beforehand, and the admission fee is applied towards a book purchase.
