porto

Ciao, porto

Porto was once the last stop of adventurers on their way across the Atlantic to the New World. The cliché that Lisbon shows off and Porto just works is a well-worn metaphor that fails to do justice to the city's innumerate charms fully. History dwells around every corner, and more than ever, Porto is a place determined to hold on to its own distinct identity.

Shopping

La spesa da visitare

Tram at Rua de Santa Catarina in Porto, Portugal

Rua de Santa Catarina

Porto’s main shopping street is the pedestrianised Rua de Santa Catarina in the city centre. Here you will find from the usual international brands, such as H&M and Zara to local shops and street vendors. Along the way, you will also find several restaurants and cafes, including the renowned Café Majestic--featured on our guide--as well as other points of interests such as the Mercado do Bolhão, the Church of San Antonio de los Congregados, and another important shopping centre, the Centro Comercial Via Catarina.

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Shopping bags - Via Catarina Centro Comercial - Porto, Portugal

Centro Comercial Via Catarina

The Centro Comercial Via Catarina is an elegant mall, ideally located in Porto's main shopping thoroughfare, offering everything you would expect from a usual shopping centre, including many international fashion brands, numerous restaurants and cafes, all spread over its four floors.

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Flea market in Porto, Portugal

Open-air Markets

There is no better way to get a glimpse of daily Portuguese life, than by paying a visit to one of the many open-air markets this city has to offer. So, here's a list of the three ones worth visiting when in Porto: - Mercado do Bolhão One of the most popular and lively markets in Porto, the Mercado do Bolhão and its several floors of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat are a true feast for the eyes, nose, and palette. Centrally located, this market is also a nice place to hunt for souvenirs. Address: Rua Formosa, Porto Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–6pm - Mercado Porto Bello Although more compact than its namesake market in London, the Mercado Porto Belo still boasts the same hipster vibe from its Notting Hill's distant cousin. Here you will find antiques, vinyl records, vintage clothing and accessories, organic goodies such as homemade jams, olive oil, and soap, as well as a few food stalls. It takes place every Saturday from 10am–7pm at Praça de Carlos Alberto. - Vandoma Fleamarket Even if you are not searching for anything to buy, a visit to this flea market is worth just the experience alone. Started in the 1970s by students who would sell their old clothes and books, now this traditional and eclectic flea market offers a vast array of second-hand goods that range from clothes, vinyl records, and books to stamps, electronics, and household utensils. It is held every Saturday, from 8am–1pm at Avenida 25 de Abril.

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Box of chocolates - Porto, Portugal

Arcádia

Temple dedicated to chocolate and other sweet treats, such as macarons, almond cake, and línguas de gato, small chocolate bars shaped like a cat tongue. Arcádia is such a popular patisserie that it has other nine shops across the city.

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A Pérola do Bolhão - Porto, Portugal

A Pérola do Bolhão

Founded in 1917 and boasting a beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired facade covered in Portuguese tiles referencing the spice route, A Pérola do Bolhão in downtown Porto is a traditional grocery store offering a large variety of quality products. From mountain cheeses to sausages, from dried fruits and caramels to regional wines--a great place to pick up a few local delicacies and take them home with you.

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Jewellery shop

Jewellery

Gold jewellery is a speciality of Portugal, the country boasts a great collection of antique and modern gems, a reflection of its colonial past and its conquests of gold-rich lands in South America. Recommended jewellers are David Rosas (Avenida da Boavista 1471) and Pedro A Baptista (Rua das Flores 235).

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