Porto, a city by the coast in Northern Portugal, offers everything you could need for a city break. I recently returned from a trip there with Jet2 (after visiting previously in 2019, what a lifetime ago that feels like) so here’s my tips if you’re looking to visit somewhere for the weekend. A quick head’s up – early spring is a great time to go, so get your passport ready!
Flights to Porto with Jet2
Porto is just a short flight from the UK and there’s a range of airports to depart from. We got flights from Manchester Airport for this trip and the whole experience through security and into duty free was seamless. It was also extremely early in the morning – and I often get up at 6am for a run, but a pre 5am alarm is definitely considered extreme! But worth it for an early flight to maximise the first day in Porto.
Any of my local pals will be pleased to know that Newcastle Airport departures to Porto will be taking off from May 2026, which is fantastic news.
Where to stay?
The first thing to consider when you’re booking a city break is how much walking around you want to do and where you want to be based. Of course this is entirely dependent on your preference (I’m happy to walk and walk and run, if you didn’t already realise) but if you’re there for a quick weekend getaway, you might need to consider the distance to your top attractions and how much time you’ve got. Pousada do Porto – Rua das Flores is right by Sao Bento station so it’s really centrally located. This might suit you best if you’re wanting to maximise what you can see through the day, with a quick stop back to freshen up before heading out for an evening meal or Fado show. It’s also nice and quiet too, despite the ideal location, so you do get the best of both worlds!
Jet2Holidays have a range of Porto Hotels you can browse and pick one that’s right for you. I will just cheekily add, Pousada do Porto have a pool, sauna and gym if you’re looking to keep on top of your fitness routine while away (or you could tackle some of the hills on the streets!) and the breakfast buffet was pretty great. No photos for you, I’m sorry but when they have a selection of juices, plus fresh pineapple and papaya for me to enjoy with yoghurt – that’s a winner!
What to do in Porto?
Okay, you’ve come to the right place, let me give you my top 5 things to do in Porto if you’re visiting for the first time.
So this isn’t one of my top 5 as I think it’s an essential part of the Porto experience and must be done daily – eat pasteis de nata. Those custard tarts, yes. One a day (at least) please! My faves were from Manteigaria and there’s a few of their bakeries around the city. One is open until midnight which I find staggering but when pasteis cravings strike, I getchu! You can of course try others and leave a comment with your personal favourite if you like. Who knows, I could return and do a ‘best pastel de nata’ series!
Take a walking tour
What better way to get your bearings in a new city, than by taking a walking tour? You’ll also find out fun facts about the place. There’s plenty of tours you could book. Ours was with On The Road With Elena and she was a great guide. If you have a small group then this can be personalised to you, whether you want to be bombarded with historic facts and figures or just find out the best spot for a sunset drink.
Visit Dom Luís I and walk across the top (and the lower level)
This is the iconic bridge in Porto and I’d hope you’d be planning to visit before you landed on this post on Hello Freckles. You can walk across the top, just be mindful of the metros whizzing by in both directions, but also cross on the lower level too. I’d recommend crossing over the top, then looping down onto the riverside, before strolling back over the lower level. If you’re wanting a good vantage point for sunset, then Dom Luís I is great, or go for the gardens on the south side of the river.
One thing to keep in mind is that Porto is a coastal city and is prone to mist and fog. I encountered fog on a previous trip to Portugal (Sintra palace to be precise, still not sure I’ve got over that…) so was expecting on my morning run I might encounter some. I was right and it was actually very atmospheric and eerie, paired with it being around 7am. So if you’re a morning person and there’s a chance of some low level mist, make sure you’ve got an alarm set and take your camera with you for a walk. Panic not – it will dissipate by lunch at the latest in the warmer weather.
Paint your own azulejo tile
This is a fun activity and for me it was especially exciting knowing I was painting something that would be going in my new house – yes, I bought a house recently but maybe I’ll share more on that in another post (fun fact, it was on my 26 for 2026 list so this wasn’t a really random thing, believe me it’s taken quite a while!)
If you’re looking for somewhere to do this, check out GetYourGuide. Handy site for a range of activities and excursions, or you can always ask at your hotel too if they have any recommendations.
Follow one of the stencils if you need some inspo and guidance, or go freehand! Just make sure you do this at least a day before you have to travel back, as the tiles need time to go in the kiln and set. It’s a fun activity though and also a great one to do if the weather isn’t the best, so check the forecast for the dates of your trip and plan accordingly.
Port tour (or even a food tour)
Whether you’re a port drinker or not, a tour is an interesting way to learn about the production of port wine. There’s many a port house on the south side of the river, plenty of them offer tasting at the end of the tour too so take a look. We visited Calem on our trip and enjoyed port, cheese and chocolate afterwards.
Visit Ribeira and look at the tiled facades
The Ribeira area of Porto is a must visit, it’s the location down by the Duoro river and it’s a multicoloured metropolis. There’s live music from buskers on the riverside, bars and cafes to enjoy drinks and snacks and of course all the colourful buildings. There’s even a rather splendid looking McDonald’s down this way, which is a little surprising. If you’re a fan of Maccies then you should probably visit the one in the Avenue, with chandeliers and some ornate ceiling decor, it’ll be the most upmarket big mac you’ve had, or chicken nuggets! Of course, go sparingly on the fast food, you’re meant to be embracing the local cuisine too!
Weather conditions not favourable? No problem, here’s some rainy day activities too:
- Visit Palacio de Bolsa
- Visit Livraria Lello
- Experience a Fado show
- Explore the Mercado do Bolhao
Where to eat?
There’s lots of great foodie spots in Porto, so go hungry and be bold and daring to try some of the local cuisine, along with some other top restaurants around the city.
Encaixados: Traditional Portuguese dishes and cool decor. You must try the port mushrooms and the prawns. Keep some space for Grandma’s cake too for dessert.
Mercado do Bolhão: This spot was saved from despair by Anthony Bourdain. It’s a great local market with all the sights, smells and tastes you could ask for. Walk around with a glass of vinho verde and enjoy.
Apotecario Speakeasy: If you fancy a cool cocktail bar, this is the one to visit. You will need to book in advance though!
Cantina 32: A great spot for sharing plates for lunch, but would also be a good one for dinner. This unassuming restaurant is somewhere you’d definitely walk by on the street, but it was one of my favourite meals of the trip.
Ramen Me! Okay, not a typical Portuguese place but a top rec if you fancy some good ramen!
Time Out Market: These markets have popped up in a selection of cities, they’re a great way to please a mix of food tastes and the Porto market has some fab local dishes you can try. It’s a pretty cool location right by São Bento station too.
Muti: Fancy a good bowl of pasta or a tasty pizza? Then this is the place for you.
Have you been to Porto? Anything I’ve missed that you’d like to share? If so, let me know in the comments. Otherwise, get planning your next trip and if you want more inspo on Jet2CityBreaks check out my Barcelona post!
This was a press trip with Jet2, all words and photos are my own.
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