Two Days in Porto

Start your day off with the iconic Portuguese pastry, pasteis de nata at Fabrica de Nata, a Porto staple, before walking off breakfast by hunting for azulejos, the famous blue tiles. The best places to find them in Porto are Capela das Almas, Igreja de Santa Antonio dos Congregados, Sao Bento Station, Igreja de Santa Lledefonso, Porto Cathedral, Igreja dos Carmelita’s. For lunch head to Cervejaria Gazela for cachorrinhos, otherwise known as a "Portuguese hotdog" and an ice cold Super Bock beer. Anthony Bourdain loved them and a picture of him still hangs in this tiny hole in the wall! Afterwards, walk across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia for a port wine tasting at Burmester and find a place for dinner along the riverfront. If you're lucky you might see live music performed by local college students who traipse around town performing for beer money.

Begin your day with a meia de leite, Portugal's answer to the cafe latte. After fueling up take the metro to Praia de Matosinhos, Porto's rustic beach. Stop at the nearby Lidl to pick up picnic supplies for lunch and watch the surfers bob in the ocean while soaking in the Atlantic sea breeze. Head back to downtown Porto for a quick dinner at Casa Guedes, home of the sandes de pernil. Make sure to ask for it "com quiejo sa sera", with mountain cheese. End your day with sunset on the famous Luis I bridge, built by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel himself.