Scenery and Climate in Porto - Places and Activities You Can't Miss

You got your mid-term rental in Porto, you settled down a bit, and you even visited some of the sights, but you still feel like there is a wall between you and the authentic experience of Porto. That’s normal. It can be challenging for visitors of any place to feel like they have experienced a city truly, so we put together a few suggestions on where to go to get the authentic atmosphere of Porto.

Many a guided tour will try and explain the past prosperity of Porto at the height of its maritime history, but a few places will show it quite so directly as the church of Santa Clara. If you have been brought up in austere gothic or protestant churches, this richly gilded, red marbled, heavily decorated church may be a shock to you. Still, it is one of the best examples of the baroque style known as “Barroco Joanino” and perfectly shows Porto's prosperity during the 18th century.

One of the often-overlooked mainstays of Porto is its sweet pastry culture. Most places treat sweet pastry as an occasional or even celebratory food, but in Porto, you are expected to pick up something sweet on your way to work with your morning cup of coffee.

And if you are planning on exploring the city, it’s an excellent way to get your strength back. One of the best sweet treats in the whole town is Pastel de Nata. It’s a puff pastry tart filled with creamy egg custard and dusted with cinnamon. And if you’re looking for a unique place to enjoy your coffee and sweets, why not head down to the more than 100-year-old

Confeitaria do Bolhão that serves both delicious coffee and Pastel de Nata next to croissants and arrufadas (sweetbread). Getting to know a culture never tasted so good.

Ribeira is one of those districts in a city that manages to stand out as perfect examples of the city’s atmosphere. Historically, Ribeira was the heart of commerce in Porto’s mercantile days. Still, today it is home to countless small and cosy cafés, restaurants with local and international foods, and shops selling traditional exports.

Baixa and Sé city parts are situated above the Ribeira. They are home to some of the most famous sights in Porto like Mercado does Bolhão, Rua Santa Catarina, or Palácio do Bolsa and more. So once you have enjoyed the pastel houses of Ribeira, you can move up to marvel at the unique historical architecture and grandiose streets of Porto.

Another excellent seaside part of Porto is Foz do the Douro. This picturesque promenade with countless restaurants is the perfect place to sit down after a long day, order a glass of sangria and savour the sunset in peace. Thanks to the now inactive Farol Molhe do Douro lighthouse, the scenery is much more romantic, which will gaze with you at the vast ocean.