12 Things to Do in Porto in Winter

Being one of the most important cities in Portugal, Porto has many activities to do throughout the year. But the events around Christmas make winter a great option to visit the Tripeira city. Porto offers many activities for the whole family in the winter season.

Here are the best things to do in the most important city in northern Portugal.

With the arrival of colder temperatures, you will have the perfect opportunity to book a visit to a winery and taste the world famous Port wine that was born during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and is known as fortified wine, as it includes a measure of brandy at the time of fermentation. This technique was born in this region so that the wine can withstand long boat trips without spoiling.

This wine has many varieties and Porto has many wineries where you can taste it. It is a wine with a higher alcohol content than normal, but quite sweet, so I recommend moderation as the sweetness can be misleading. The Riberhina area is one of the best places to taste this wine and any other wine produced in the Douro Valley.

If you are interested, you can tour the best sites in the Douro Valley by booking a tour of this beautiful wine region. You can also visit one of the most modern wineries: Porto Cruz, which has a beautiful terrace where you can relax. This area is not only known for its good wines, but also for being one of the areas to taste the most delicious traditional dishes in Portugal. I recommend you to book a gastronomic tour of Porto.

If February is coming and you plan to spend Valentine's Day in Porto, I recommend you to book a romantic cruise on the Douro. This option of Porto cruises on Valentine's Day will not only allow you to walk along the six famous bridges that connect the city, but also to spend a beautiful evening with your partner.

The available cruises embark from the port of Ribeira. Once the tour begins you can enjoy a delicious dinner, which usually has aphrodisiac options, as well as the best wines of the region.

The tour usually lasts about 50 minutes, where you will tour the city of Porto while sailing along the waters of the Douro River. If you are traveling at another time please note that there are many cruise options for cruises along the Douro and other rivers in the region.

Founded in 1893, it is one of the most important and historical clubs in Portugal. Booking tickets for the F.C. Porto Museum and the Dragão stadium is a perfect activity if the weather is not suitable for an outing or if the cold forced you to change a tour. Also remember that the city has a wide variety of museums to choose from.

This museum is very modern, with interactive exhibits, photos and videos of their most glorious moments, as well as historical jerseys and all the trophies won by the club. The visit also includes a walk through the facilities of the modern Estádio do Dragão, where in 2019 the final of the UEFA Nations League was played, which Portugal won 1-0 against the Netherlands.

If you find yourself with the possibility of watching a match, I recommend you attend, as Porto is always fighting for the title in the Portuguese League and you can enjoy an exciting game of the most popular sport on the planet.

• Location: Via Futebol Clube do Porto - Estádio do Dragão.
• Hours: Every day from 10 am to 7 pm.
• Admission fee: Adults, 15 € / Children (5 to 12 years old) and over 65, 12 € / Children 0-4 years old are free.

What better time than a cold winter day to book tickets for a Fado concert in Porto and take shelter in a local while enjoying this popular musical genre characterized by the emotional expressiveness of its performers.

Love, nostalgia or pain are some of the feelings that will be transmitted by the musicians with whom you will have time to talk and who will let you know all the secrets of fado.

In addition, during the concert, which will last approximately one hour, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of Port wine, typical of the city.

An obligatory stop on your winter trip is a visit to the Porto Cathedral. In fact, it is always an essential visit, but coinciding with Christmas the atmosphere of the square becomes even more magical if possible.

With your ticket, which I recommend you buy in advance, you can access the central nave and cloisters, visit the museum, discover its collection of bibles and relics, and climb the tower to enjoy the best panoramic views of Porto and take the best snapshots.

If you are near the Ribeira area on New Year's Eve, I recommend you to go to the Dom Luís I Bridge to welcome the New Year enjoying an unforgettable fireworks show.

This bridge is an emblematic place in Oporto and is the perfect place to watch the fireworks show on New Year's Eve. It is due not only to its height but also to the width offered by the wide Douro River.

The bridge has two levels. The upper one where the metro passes and the lower level where vehicles pass. Both levels have lanes for pedestrians. I recommend you try to go to the upper level, as you will have a better perspective of the city and the fireworks. Another option to enjoy the fireworks is to book a cruise of the six bridges on the Douro River.

This square is one of the characteristic central points of Porto and in winter, with the arrival of the holidays, it becomes a beautiful place thanks to its incredible Christmas decoration. It is the starting point of the Avenida dos Aliados, which always serves as a place to organize the most important events in Porto. If you are in the Portuguese city in December from day 1 you will be able to see the emblematic Christmas tree, as well as all the classic holiday decorations.

This tree is almost 35 meters high and 15 meters wide is imposing. I recommend that to enjoy this tourist attraction to the fullest, you approach when the sun goes down, as it has a spectacular lighting. With more than 50,000 LED lights, it is a true work of art. Also. The lights of the tree and the screens are synchronized with music and images and manage to create a real show.

It is an ideal place if you travel to Oporto with your family and enjoy the classic Christmas carols, Christmas lights and all the excitement that this time of the year generates.

• When: From December 1 to January 6. The light shows start at 8 p.m. until midnight.
• Where: Plaza de la Libertad and Avenida de los Aliados.

One of the most common postcards in Porto is its Ribeira, a characteristic symbol of Porto. Located on the banks of the Douro River, it has many bars, restaurants, cafes and terraces to taste the Portuguese gastronomy. In case you are traveling on New Year's Eve, I recommend you to go to any of them to enjoy an unforgettable dinner. On this special date many restaurants plan a full menu, with shows and special events to look forward to at 24 hours.

Not all bars and restaurants open their doors for this date, so I recommend that you consult in advance and reserve a table. In addition, New Year's menus are usually fixed, so it is also advisable to check what the menu includes before booking.

The most famous restaurants are not the most sumptuous, but those that serve hearty and typical Portuguese cuisine. Among them are Adega São Nicolau and Restaurante Ora Viva, a bit more traditional and economical, but with abundant amounts of food.

Although it doesn't snow and sub-zero temperatures are rare, winter in Porto catches many people by surprise. This is because its humidity and proximity to the Douro River makes it feel cooler than what the thermometer indicates. Therefore, I recommend you to try hot and powerful meals to continue with your walk.

One of the specialties for this time of the year is the famous Francesinha: This typical Portuguese dish is a sandwich filled with Portuguese sausages, ham, meat, melted cheese and tomato sauce. In addition, it is usually served with French fries and a fried egg on top. It is really a calorie bomb, ideal to gather energy after a cold and windy day.

There are many unique places to try this dish and keep in mind that each place gives it its personal touch or style. For example, you can try the francesihna at Yuko, a typical Portuguese restaurant located at Rua de Costa Cabral, 2331. You can also try it at Francesinha Café, which has no other item on the menu, as it is dedicated only to Francesihna. Definitely, it is a perfect place to taste this food.

One of the typical foods of this holiday season is the classic Bolo Rei. The Portuguese version of the roscón or rosca de reyes is an ideal treat to celebrate both Christmas and the arrival of the Three Wise Men. The city of Porto has some exceptional bakeries to try all kinds of delicacies, but you should definitely not miss the Bolos de Rei.

The shape of the Bolo is similar to a crown, and it is covered with dried and candied fruits. Some places sell it with these fruits rested in port wine.

One of the best pastry shops in town is Padeirinha Doce. It is located near Praça de Batalha and has very cheap prices. Another well-known pastry shop near the city center is Confeitaria dos Clérigos. Here I also recommend you try the savory pastries, which are known as 'coixinhas' or 'bolinhos de bacalhau'.

The most crowded place to welcome the New Year is, without a doubt, the Avenida dos Aliados. Throughout the 31st festivals and shows are organized, culminating shortly before midnight to count down to the New Year.

At midnight you can see the spectacular fireworks show that lasts several minutes. It is recommended that you go a little earlier to have a good location, as this party is attended by many people. Then you can continue the festivities in the bars located in Galerias Paris and Rua Candido dos Reis, where the party continues until dawn.

If you are not a fan of crowds I recommend you head to Ponte Don Luis I or from the Ribeira, where you will have a perfect view of the fireworks without having to worry about the crowds.

Because of its location, in the city of Porto it is not common for it to snow. However, you can experience ice skating in some of its beautiful parks. If you are near Praça da Liberdade or Avenida dos Aliados you can walk to Praça da Batalha where you will find an ice rink ideal for skating.

These rinks are available from December 1st until the beginning of January in Porto, specifically January 6th. They are perfect for learning to skate with the little ones and, why not, for adults to try it too.

Keep in mind that due to its location, the skating rink in Batalha Square may be quite crowded. Therefore, you can also go to the other rinks located in Praça de D. Joao I or Praça de Mouzinho Albuquerque. You can also find one located at the Boavista traffic circle the Praça da Fantasia, where you will not only have an ice skating rink, but also games and activities for the little ones.

Useful data:

• Prices: 6 € per hour approximately.
• Hours: Every day from December 1 to January 6 from 10 am to 8 pm.

The temperatures in Oporto are quite mild in winter, as if you compare it with other cities in Europe it has temperatures that reach an average of 16 ºC. This means that, as temperatures are not hostile, you will be able to enjoy all the things to see and do in Porto at Christmas as well as going for walks outdoors without any problem. December and January, the coldest months, do not have snowfalls or sub-zero temperatures, so a simple coat will suffice

. If it is possible that you get some rain, as December and January are the months with more precipitation. That said, their average is not so high either, since between them it does not exceed the average of 16 millimeters. With a simple umbrella you will be more than fine to do any outdoor activity.

Porto's high season is summer, so if you decide to visit between December and March you will find prices quite affordable. The only exception may be the holiday season, when hotels, tours and activities tend to increase their prices. But outside this season, winter is the best time to enjoy all there is to see and do in Porto and take care of your pocket.

Another advantage is that in winter there are usually fewer tourists, so you will not have to wait in line or make reservations in the busiest places.