The Most Romantic Spots In Porto

Porto is an ideal city for a romantic getaway. With dimly lit streets and dark corners that invite stolen kisses, the charming Douro River, and a nostalgic atmosphere typical of Portugal, Porto welcomes romantic souls looking for a memorable visit.

Dreamy Streets

Narrow and winding, Porto’s streets are often mysterious. One stands out among the rest, however, for quite a different reason. Rua das Flores (Flower Street), is beautifully decorated, bright and cheerful with lots of cozy cafes and restaurants, perfect for snuggling with a coffee or steaming mug of tea, with that special someone.

Inspiring Sunsets

Church

Since Porto sits upon hills, there are no shortage of beautiful lookout points from which to enjoy breathtaking sunsets. Terraced gardens, historical landmarks, and elegant bridges are a few locations where couples can lose themselves in the scenery, such as the Crystal Palace Gardens or the Clérigos Tower. These spots may provide rousing settings for declarations of love!

Historic Trams

Porto’s trams are beautiful, cozy, and a great way to discover the city. They are also an excellent way to avoid climbing the hilly streets. Bouncing along the streets in these shaky vehicles is also a fine excuse for holding hands.

Romance Along the Douro

Nearly every picturesque photo of Porto seems to contain an angle of the Douro River. Lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, the river is a good place to meet someone new. Or if traveling with your partner, why not look into one of the many enchanting hotels in the area? The Ribeira Porto Hotel is one excellent option that also offers romantic packages.

McDonalds: Not Just for Fast Food!

This is no joke! Porto’s McDonalds may actually be the most beautiful branch in the world. Surrounded by stained glass windows all around and chandeliers from above, the setting is enough to make anyone overlook the fast food menu. To increase the romantic vibe, skip a burger and go straight for dessert. The venue, as with other McDonalds stores around Portugal, offers the world renowned pasteis de nata, a delicious creamy custard tart which pairs wonderfully alongside a coffee.

Port Wine Tour

Skip the bubbly and go for sweet instead. In Porto, Port wine is ubiquitous, and one of the top locations for a romantic experience is Taylor’s Port Wine Lodge. Dating back over 300 years, it is one of the most historic cellars. Tours, as well as tastings are offered.

The Coast

Is there anything more romantic than a stroll along the beach, hand-in-hand, with someone special? Many Portuguese cities are coastal, and Porto’s seafront is as magical as any other (perhaps more so). Praia do Molhe is the most iconic beach, showing up in picture after picture. Near Porto, roughly 10 km or 6 miles away, is the much quieter Miramar Beach, complete with a 17th-century chapel on the sand.

About the author

Nina Santos

Nina is a Portuguese-American writer living in Lisbon. She spends all of her time exploring and sharing the amazing things that Portugal has to offer.