Highlights of the Day in Porto
Logistics
Accommodation: YOUROPO – Torre (highly recommended)
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
Porto Travel Journal
Enjoy Portugal Egg Tarts
For today’s brunch, we visited Fábrica da Nata, renowned for its iconic egg tarts. Despite the rain, a long queue had already formed inside. Watching the chefs skillfully craft the tarts while we waited was a surprisingly enjoyable experience.
After purchasing the food, we made our way to the second-floor restaurant. In the short time we’ve spent in Portugal, I’ve already indulged in egg tarts several times—ranging from the lackluster ones at the airport to the warm, freshly baked treats here, each better than the last. I’ve heard, however, that the finest egg tarts can be found in the Belém district of Lisbon, and I’m eager to try them there.
Post-brunch, the rain picked up again, so we sought shelter in a nearby shopping mall. Having underestimated the chill, I ended up buying a few cozy items to better suit the weather.
Visit Livraria Lello
Next, we walked over to Livraria Lello, one of Portugal’s oldest and most beautiful bookstores, and a must-see for book lovers. The line outside stretched across the street, but thankfully, the rain had ceased by the time we arrived. This neo-Gothic gem is famous not only for its architectural splendor but also for its connection to J.K. Rowling, who frequented the bookstore while living in Porto. Many scenes from Harry Potter are said to have been inspired by its unique design. Due to its increasing popularity, an entrance fee of €5 is now charged, though it can be deducted from the price of any book purchased.
Despite the entrance fee, the bookstore was bustling with visitors. Inside, the decor was simply breathtaking, and certain areas definitely evoked memories of Harry Potter.
Visit Wine Cellar
After leaving the bookstore, we made our way to Calem Wine Cellar for a vineyard tour. As I mentioned earlier, all Port wines are aged in Porto’s wineries, many of which are located across the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia. Calem is one such winery, with its own vineyards in the Douro Valley where the Port wines are produced before being brought here for aging.
They offer four types of Port: white, rosé, ruby, and tawny, each with several varieties that total over a dozen different wines. Each wine is aged in specific barrels, creating distinct flavors and aromas.
After the tour, we had the chance to taste three different wines. The quality here was far superior to what we had sampled the day before in the Douro Valley. As someone with a penchant for sweet wines, I was thoroughly satisfied. During the tasting, a couple at the neighboring table asked the guide to help them distinguish between two wines they had accidentally mixed up. The guide simply swirled the glasses, took a quick sniff, and immediately identified which was which—impressive!
Porto Night Scene
As the day came to a close, we made sure not to miss Porto’s spectacular night views. I snapped a few photos, though I can’t claim to have the skills of a seasoned photographer. And just like that, our four-day trip to Porto came to an end. Though the rain and leisurely pace stretched our trip to four days, two or three days would generally be sufficient for most travelers.
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