Curator’s statement
My husband and I joined two of our best friends on their 40th birthday milestone trip. I was lucky enough to help them plan their eight-day itinerary to Porto and Lisbon. We only stayed for the Porto portion of the trip (four days) but felt like we really had a chance to see the city and all that it has to offer. Our tours guides were wonderful and shared a wealth of knowledge with us which helped us to better understand the culture. The food, wine and surroundings were absolutely incredible. Cannot recommend this destination enough.
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Day 1: Arrival in Porto
If you were like us, you will arrive in Porto around mid-morning. Grab a taxi from the airport and head to your hotel. Use this as an opportunity to check out the surrounding area of the hotel and stumble into the many charming restaurants or cafes that line the street. You can also check out Time Out Market, which features the best chefs and restaurants from the city. There you can sample many of the local delicacies, including but not limited to The Francesinha, which is a famous Portuguese sandwich that originated in Porto. If you are an oyster fan, definitely check out the freshly shucked oysters. They were some of the best I've ever had! For dinner, eat like a local at Tito 2 featuring super fresh seafood.
Day 2: Tour the city's food and history
Take a walking food tour or historical walking tour around the city. We did both and our guides were extremely knowledgeable. We were able to see so many highlights around the city, including the beautiful tiles in the train station, Lello Bookstore, gorgeous churches, Majestic Cafe (where JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter). Our walking food tour was one of the highlights of our trip. Eat dinner at Tascö. Make sure to make reservations far in advance. We had an absolutely incredible meal here due to both the food and impeccable service. Make sure to try the octopus, steak and truffle cauliflower.
Day 3: Douro Valley
Head up to the Douro Valley for the day. We took a car up to the Douro Valley (about an hour and a half drive) and from there took a private boat up the river to Quinta Nova Vineyard where we took a tour of the vineyard and then enjoyed a three-course lunch paired with QN wines. Our surroundings were absolutely beautiful and it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Upon return from the Douro, get dropped off in the city center and check out Mercado do Bolhão (Porto's central market).
Day 4: Vila Nova de Gaia
Wrap up your Porto experience by visiting the port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia which is a short walk across the bridge. There you can also check out the World of Wine museum that ends with a wine tasting. Check out of your hotel and head to the airport!
Need to know
If you book your stay with me at The Yeatman, it comes with a complimentary wine tasting in their wine cellar with their sommelier. This was another highlight of our trip.
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Jen Disler
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This itinerary is part of our ongoing series on travel to Porto. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my itinerary, Couples Weekend in the Hudson Valley, NY.