Friday evening: Immediately upon arriving in Porto, I took the metro into the city and walked to Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar to catch the sunset. It is a round monastery known for its stunning panoramic views and the view of the Douro River and the city skyline was incredible. I immediately understood why it is a popular spot to take in the sunset - it was the perfect welcome to Porto. Afterwards, I headed to the restaurant across the street and sat at a bar overlooking the river to watch the after-sunset glow, while sipping on my first glass of port wine. I ended the night at a Fado show that I had pre-booked, experiencing Portugal’s traditional, soulful music in an intimate setting.

Saturday: The next morning, I started the day with coffee at a spot that had a great view of the city. From there, I walked to Porto Cathedral, one of the city’s oldest and most important landmarks. I explored the cloisters, which were peaceful and beautifully decorated with azulejo tiles, then climbed up to the top of the cathedral for an incredible panoramic view of Porto. 

I then walked to Livraria Lello, the famous bookstore known for its intricate woodwork and grand staircase, but the line was so long that I decided it wasn’t worth waiting.