The historic coastal city is one of the oldest European centres
Hannah Rees visits Porto from Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Sun, sea and Super Bock – what more could you want from a summer break? Portugal is a firm favourite for UK travellers, with more than 2.5m Brits heading to the European country last year, making it one of Europe’s most popular destinations.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport flies to several Portuguese cities such as Lisbon, Faro and Madeira, each offering something different for travellers. Another charming Portuguese city accessible from Liverpool that shouldn’t be missed is Porto.
The historic coastal city is one of the oldest European centres, with its roots dating back to Roman times. Its long history makes walking through its streets feel like stepping back in time, featuring a mix of medieval and Art Nouveau architecture. The city is also home to delicious restaurants, affordable bars and plenty to see and do.
I visited the city for a last-minute break with my partner after searching for something reasonably priced. We flew on a Tuesday night and returned Friday morning, with a return flight to Porto from Liverpool John Lennon Airport costing us £60 each. The travel time is around two hours.
There are hotels, apartments and hostels available on Booking.com for whatever your budget. The taxi ride from the airport to the city takes about 20 minutes and there’s also the option of the metro.
Porto felt quite like Liverpool in size, for me. Like the city, it could be covered by foot, with most of its sights a short walk from each other. It also has a lot of bars and restaurants, so you won’t feel the need to travel elsewhere for more options.
We stopped at several nice bars and restaurants that offered traditional delicacies such as the Porto sandwich Francesinha, pastel de natas, Port wine and of course, Portuguese beers like Super Bock.
On our trip, we visited Espaco 77 where small bottles of Super Bock were less than €1. Impressively, the bar is famous for the sheer volume of bottles it sells; one article in Portugal’s Publico claimed the bar sold one 20cl bottle of Super Bock every 19 seconds. It was a nice spot with a lively atmosphere, with large groups sitting with crates of beer on ice in the middle of the table, and others having a famous Portuguese Bifana, a sandwich made with thin slices of pork.
Another great spot was Dom Ginjas on the other side of the famous Dom Luis I Bridge. The snack bar was right next to the bridge, offering incredible views of the Douro River along with a nice wine menu. We stayed for an amazing sunset, snacking on Spanish omelette and watching a live singer.
For sightseeing, Dom Luis I Bridge is one of the city’s most popular attractions and connects both sides of the Douro River. The bridge, built in 1886, offers beautiful views of Porto, making it the perfect place to stop for a photograph. Visitors can walk along the top or lower section of the bridge. There’s something to see and do on both sides so the walk across is worthwhile. Many visitors walk across to the Jardim Do Morro, which reportedly offers the best sunset view in the city.
The Time Out Market is also worth visiting. It is a food hall located in the South Wing of the historic São Bento Railway Station, offering some of the city’s most talented chefs under one roof. It also has an outdoor sun trap area, perfect for making the most of the warm weather while trying the delicious dishes on offer. I went for a prawn and pineapple salad that was so good I had to visit again for a second one. Considering its popularity, the price was reasonable. My salad cost around €12.
There’s also a lot to take in while strolling around the city. From Porto’s cathedral to the Chapel of Souls, famous for its exterior of blue and white tiles, there are many beautiful buildings and sights to explore. If you’re after an affordable city break, with great food, plenty to do and hot weather, then Porto is certainly one to consider. It was definitely a favourite for me.
