In Porto itself, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitória is the coolest church I’ve ever been in, it’s got some eerily lifelike statues of the Saints, my kids were blown away. It’s in the Old Jewish Quarter which is a very interesting place to go for a walk, they do tours but you can do it yourself. Don’t wear heels! Lots of cool galleries and gift shops down there, offering more interesting souvenirs and homewares.
The Mercado Beira-Rio is a great spot for a low key lunch or dinner, some nice wines and ports (obvs) and it’s a foodhall so you can find a match for any taste or budget. The river cruises leave from there, highly recommend it, the views are to die for.
You might like to try the salt cod croquettes, the best ones are from a slightly expensive shop near the Clérigos Tower, I think of them daily 😝
Afurada is a little fishing village along the coast, some people cycle, if you’re not into that it’s a short uber away. It’s a working place and is worth a walk around to see the houses tiled in religious murals. There’s also an amazing fish restaurant there, Casa do Pescador, it’s mad busy but worth trying to get there early. There’s also a Sunday morning market, of the old style, not tourist tat but linen, homewares, old ladies selling pants who’ll tell you your size with alarming accuracy!
Further along the coast the resort of Gaia has beautiful beaches and if you keep walking along the front there are some lovely beach-side restaurants, they’re a great place for watching the spectacular sunsets. Nice to get a bit of beach time, all manageable by Uber and we were pleasantly surprised by how cheap they are.
Take the restored antique tram to Foz and back, they’re my favourite thing about Porto (not least because one or two of the drivers look like old-time film stars). Foz is a pretty little place and worth a wander, we usually stay there rather than in Porto itself, it’s very chilled.
I wish I was there!