First solo travel trip - 2.5 days in Porto

[YouBelongWithMe]

I'm off to Porto this week - i have two and a half days on a little solo travel trip.

What are the must-dos or hidden gems I might not know about?

Any suggestions of how to enjoy the 'solo' part of the trip (I've never done this before!)

Thanks!

Have never been to Porto but I have done a few solo city breaks. I love it and think you see more of the place because you are observing rather than chatting to your companion.

I love spending an hour having lunch or a drink in a nice square people watching and enjoying the scenery. I often eat a bigger lunch as it feels easier being a solo diner at lunch and then have a lighter dinner / snack somewhere casual in the evening. But if I want to go somewhere at dinner I do - I have eaten alone on Christmas Eve (the main celebration in Catholic countries) because I wanted steak and red wine!

I have usually got a plan of where I am aiming for in the daytime and how to get there but if I see an interesting looking street I just wander and then see what happens. I am usually back in my accommodation by nightfall. Almost always tired and happy.

Have fun!

I did a fab food tour in Porto, a guide took a small group around about six different spots, market, bars, restaurants, bakeries over the course of a few hours, learned a lot about local history and culture on the walking route in between and had lots of tasty stuff along the way. It was very sociable.

Do a tour of one of the Port houses, you get taken around in a small group (they do English tours) and then most offer tastings and even food afterwards.

We went on the Cockburns one, it is very interesting as they are one of the few port houses to still age all their port on site and have their own cooperage.

I think you can also do boat trips up thr river Douro to the vineyards as well.

If you are a bit wary of eating on your own in evening, Porto is very keen on food markets. There are a number, including a trendier Time Out one near the station. However we like Bolhao market, it is in a beautifully restored building and you can wander around and buy drinks and small plates from the stalls before standing at a communal table to eat them.

Porto is absolutely gorgeous, one of my favourite cities.
I loved sitting outside a bar on the Gaia side of the river sipping port and people watching. The views of the main city / bridge / river are beautiful.
Take the tram down to the coast and have a coffee / beer at a beach bar.
We walked from there to the modern art museum (the name escapes me) which is in a beautiful art deco building with amazing gardens. From there, you can walk back to the riverside then catch the tram back to the centre.
Leiteria da Quinto do Paço - for the most delicious chocolate eclairs you’ll ever eat.
Port tour - has to be done!