Drink at Cais da Ribeira
This is the center of the festivities and the riverside bar district. While it’s easy to over-imbibe with the free-flowing Port and wine, try to pace yourself for the long haul.
Stay up late
Watch the fireworks at midnight from the Ribeira.
Dance in the streets
Don’t worry, nobody is watching, but if they are they might hit you on the head with a hammer (and that's a good thing).
Try the traditional treats
The best local food is found on Avenida de Aliados. The Portuguese donut is our favorite.
Don’t miss the beach bonfires at Foz
These are essentially reenactments of centuries-old traditions of fire worship, and the morning dew that covers your skin the next day (presuming you sleep outside all night) is said to bring health and beauty.
Getting There
Fly into Porto’s Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), and you’ll be about 12 kilometers out of the city center, where the majority of the festivities occur.
Lodging
It’s worth booking accommodations early, as even locals will be crashing at hotels in the center of town.