12 Things to Do in Porto in Winter

As one of the most important cities in Portugal, Porto has many activities to do all year round. But the events around Christmas make winter a great option to visit the Tripeira city. Porto offers many activities for the whole family during 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 16th and 17th 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 could withstand long journeys by ship without spoiling.

This wine has many varieties and Porto has many cellars where you can taste it. It is a wine with a higher alcohol content than normal, but quite sweet, so I recommend you to be moderate 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 are planning 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 stroll 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 approximately 50 minutes, where you will tour the city of Porto while sailing along the waters of the Douro River. If you are travelling at a later time, there are many options for cruises along the Douro and other rivers in the region.

Founded in 1893, it is one of the most important and historic 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 has forced you to change a walk. 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 tour of the modern Estádio do Dragão, where in 2019 the UEFA Nations League final was played, which Portugal won 1-0 against the Netherlands.

If you find yourself with the chance to watch a match, I recommend you attend, as Porto are 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.
• Opening times: Every day from 10am to 7pm.
• Admission fee: Adults, €15 / Children (5-12 years) and over 65, €12 / Children 0-4 years free.

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

Love, nostalgia and pain are just some of the feelings that will be conveyed by the musicians with whom you will have time to talk and who will let you in on all the secrets of Fado.

Moreover, during the concert, which will last approximately one hour, you will have the chance to enjoy a glass of Oporto wine, typical of the city.

An obligatory stop on your winter trip is a visit to Porto Cathedral. In fact, it is always a must-see, but at Christmas time the atmosphere in the square becomes even more magical.

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 that you go to the Dom Luís I Bridge to welcome the New Year by enjoying an unforgettable fireworks display.

This bridge is an emblematic place in Porto and is the perfect place to watch the fireworks display on New Year's Eve. This is due not only to its height but also to the width of the wide Douro River.

The bridge has two levels. The upper level where the metro passes and the lower level where vehicles pass. Both levels have lanes for pedestrians. I recommend that 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 festive season, it becomes a beautiful place thanks to its incredible Christmas decorations. It is the starting point of the Avenida dos Aliados, which is always used as a place to organise the most important events in Porto. If you are in the Portuguese city in December from the 1st you will be able to see the emblematic Christmas tree, as well as all the classic holiday decorations.

This tree is almost 35 metres high and 15 metres wide and is imposing. I recommend that to make the most of this tourist attraction, you should go when the sun goes down, as it is spectacularly illuminated. With more than 50,000 LED lights, it is a true work of art. What's more. The lights of the tree and the screens are synchronised with music and images and create a real show.

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

• When: From 1 December to 6 January. The light shows start from 8pm 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, cafés and terraces to taste the Portuguese gastronomy. In case you are travelling on New Year's Eve, I recommend you to go to any of them for 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 check in advance and reserve a table. In addition, New Year's Eve menus are usually fixed, so it is also advisable to check what is on the menu before booking.

The most famous restaurants are not the most sumptuous, but those that serve hearty and typical Portuguese cuisine. These include Adega São Nicolau and Restaurante Ora Viva, which is a little more traditional and inexpensive, but serves hearty meals.

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

One of the specialities 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. It is usually served with fried potatoes and a fried egg on top. It's a real calorie bomb, ideal for a boost of 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 own 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 a perfect place to try this food.

One of the typical foods of this festive 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 where you can try all kinds of delicacies, but Bolos de Rei are definitely not to be missed.

The shape of the Bolo is similar to a crown, and it is covered with nuts 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 centre is Confeitaria dos Clérigos. Here I also recommend you try the savoury pastries, which are known as 'coixinhas' or 'bolinhos de bacalhau'.

The most popular place to welcome the New Year is undoubtedly the Avenida dos Aliados. Festivals and shows are organised throughout the 31st, culminating just before midnight to count down to the New Year.

At midnight you can watch the spectacular fireworks display which lasts for several minutes. It is advisable to go a little earlier to get a good location, as this party is very crowded. Afterwards 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.

Due to its location, snow is not common in the city of Porto. 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 the 1st of December until the beginning of January in Porto, specifically the 6th of January. 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 Praça da Batalha may be quite crowded. For this reason, 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 roundabout in Praça da Fantasia, where you will not only have an ice skating rink, but also games and activities for the little ones.

Useful facts:

• Prices: Approximately €6 per hour.
• Opening hours: Every day from 1 December to 6 January from 10am to 8pm.

Temperatures in Porto are quite mild in winter, with temperatures averaging around 16ºC compared to other European cities. 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 problems. December and January, the coldest months, don't have snowfall or freezing temperatures, so a warm coat will suffice

. If you do happen to get some rain, as December and January are the months with the most rainfall. That said, the average rainfall is not that high, with an average of 16 millimetres between them. With a simple umbrella you'll be more than fine for any outdoor activity.

Porto's peak season is the summer, so if you decide to visit between December and March you'll find prices quite affordable. The only exception may be the festive season, when hotels, tours and activities tend to increase in price. But outside of this time of year, winter is the best time to enjoy all there is to see and do in Porto while keeping your wallet in check.

Another advantage is that in winter there are usually fewer tourists, so you won't have to queue or make reservations at the busiest places.