First Trip to Porto, Looking for Advice!

My first question is how to you plan to get from Granja de Baixo to Porto?

I can't offer any suggestions on Douro River cruises, but I can recommend a couple of excellent restaurants:

• Coupage (https://www.instagram.com/coupage51/)
• The 41 Bar (https://the41bar.eatbu.com/?lang=en)

Both are small though, so you'll want to make reservations.

To me, Porto had no must see sites, but a lot of places to wander. We did a couple port tastings, spent time along the river, and walked all over. We went into the central market, some of the popular churches and train station with the blue tiles, and by city hall to get our picture taken with the Porto letters sign. We also took the one hour touristy boat ride.

A little bit of research and you should find places that are of interest to you. What I consider a must see site is probably different than what you consider must see.

I would respectfully disagree with jaime about Porto having no must-see sights. (Although I also agree in the sense that I don't believe any sight anywhere is "must-see." And I also agree that it is a great city to just wander around.)

Here are some of the things I did in Porto this past spring that I recommend:

• Palacio da Bolsa
• Sao Francisco Church
• Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
• Clérigos Church and Tower
• Conservas Pinhais (sardine factory) tour

Thank you for the recommendations! @Lane, we are staying along the river just west of the Porto city center. Google maps says we are 13 minutes away from the city center so I may have got the region wrong. It is right near the Tide gauge of Foz do Douro.

I've been told that the Jardim do Morro is a good place to go to watch the sunset. Anyone been? Also told that a good spot for Francesinha dish is Cenejarin Brasao.

I spent most of the first week of October 2023 in Porto. I did a tour of the Douro, arranged by my hotel, with 7 of us in a van with a driver. It was good, but I can't tell you the company. It made for a very full day, and our luncheon was very local and some of the best fish I've ever had. The main indoor market is one place that you should visit, and try to be there before 9am. Everything is fresh and you can easily eat there. I did the Sandeman tour with the really old ports and had a great time, but you must have a reservation, even in October.

Be prepared for rain. It rained twice during my stay, and the locals told me that's normal. Not all day, but wet. It's okay by me, I'm from Seattle.

The best sunsets I saw were from the beach at Matosinhos. There's an old fort, surfers, great sand, bars on the sand, there was a DJ with crowds on one end, quiet on the other, and just great color. See pics.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/vhz4hA2.jpeg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/upke9Rn.jpeg[/img]

I've been told that the Jardim do Morro is a good place to go to watch the sunset

Yes and love it. The views with the river and Ribeira when the sun is setting is gorgeous. Also walking across the Dom Luis Bridge while the sun is setting is an attraction in itself. Walk the upper and lower decks. The park is a gathering place for friends and family to watch the sunset, so it has a fun vibe too.

Adding to your list, some street art. 'Half Rabbit' by Bordalo II in Vila Nova de Gaia and in Porto 'Perspéntico' by Liqen. Also Hazul Luzah, a local artist, who has works throughout the city.