Lai Yin’s guidebook to Porto & surrounding
Food scene
Just 5 mins drive away for good food. Rocha is a very well run local Portuguese restaurant with great chefs. Affordable, steaks from 9-13 euros, local food - Balcahau (Cod fish) are done well, around 14 euros. Soup at 1.50, wines from 2 euros +. A few minutes drive from the villa, I totally recommend you go, best to book first as they are usually full.
Restaurante Rocha
629 Avenida da QuintelaJust 5 mins drive away for good food. Rocha is a very well run local Portuguese restaurant with great chefs. Affordable, steaks from 9-13 euros, local food - Balcahau (Cod fish) are done well, around 14 euros. Soup at 1.50, wines from 2 euros +. A few minutes drive from the villa, I totally recommend you go, best to book first as they are usually full.
A must go! Exceptional food, we love the atmosphere, the wines, the food, looking into their open kitchen.
The owner and chef, Rodrigo is a friend of ours, the restaurant floor is managed by his very capable sister Beatriz, we recommend having a nice meal here. Affordable, we had a meal there with friends from Hong Kong, it had fresh oysters (book in advance), hams & cheese platter, Steaks, Octopus, sides, a platter of desserts, 2 bottles of wines, waters, for 8 people for 250 euros.
Ask for the "Janet & Ralf" special! you must book 2 days in advance for this.
20 mins away from the villa
Restaurante O Casanova
85 Av. Zeferino de OliveiraA must go! Exceptional food, we love the atmosphere, the wines, the food, looking into their open kitchen.
The owner and chef, Rodrigo is a friend of ours, the restaurant floor is managed by his very capable sister Beatriz, we recommend having a nice meal here. Affordable, we had a meal there with friends from Hong Kong, it had fresh oysters (book in advance), hams & cheese platter, Steaks, Octopus, sides, a platter of desserts, 2 bottles of wines, waters, for 8 people for 250 euros.
Ask for the "Janet & Ralf" special! you must book 2 days in advance for this.
20 mins away from the villa
The best Nata in Portugal, must try!
They are in the city
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Manteigaria (Rua dos Clérigos)
nº37 Rua dos ClérigosThe best Nata in Portugal, must try!
They are in the city
One of my favourite, go for a Flat White, good old hearty breakfast.
They are in the city
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Mercador Café
180 R. das FloresOne of my favourite, go for a Flat White, good old hearty breakfast.
They are in the city
Being Asian and born in Asia, I am spoilt by great Asian food. Not many Asian food in Portugal pass my expectations in taste. Akai is one of a few in Portugal. They serve Japanese pub food, it is good, the chef travelled to Japan to learn his craft along with his wife. The restaurant is run by this dynamic duo. It is a little out of the way but for good food, it is worth it.
AKAI
169 Rua Brigadeiro Pinho FreireBeing Asian and born in Asia, I am spoilt by great Asian food. Not many Asian food in Portugal pass my expectations in taste. Akai is one of a few in Portugal. They serve Japanese pub food, it is good, the chef travelled to Japan to learn his craft along with his wife. The restaurant is run by this dynamic duo. It is a little out of the way but for good food, it is worth it.
If you like a little more high-end dining for a special day or date. Take them to Wish. They have a great sushi section and great food.
They are in Foz
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Wish
If you like a little more high-end dining for a special day or date. Take them to Wish. They have a great sushi section and great food.
They are in Foz
If you like Japanese food and want to go to somewhere special and willing to pay a higher price for it. It is about 100 euros per head but it is exquisite! OR book their executive lunch with includes a drink, a coffee and lunch for 25 euros per person
Go to Yakuza! Great atmosphere, great vibe, great service, great sushi. Their Gunkans will explode in your mouth, totally exquisite!
They are in the city
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Yakuza by Olivier, Porto
151 Avenida dos AliadosIf you like Japanese food and want to go to somewhere special and willing to pay a higher price for it. It is about 100 euros per head but it is exquisite! OR book their executive lunch with includes a drink, a coffee and lunch for 25 euros per person
Go to Yakuza! Great atmosphere, great vibe, great service, great sushi. Their Gunkans will explode in your mouth, totally exquisite!
They are in the city
If you are in to luxury, spoil yourself a little and have a drink at Dick's bar at The Yeatman. It has a jaw dropping view day or night, the valet parks your car for you. Be prepare to pay triple to what you would somewhere else, but it is worth it : )
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The Yeatman Hotel
Rua do ChoupeloIf you are in to luxury, spoil yourself a little and have a drink at Dick's bar at The Yeatman. It has a jaw dropping view day or night, the valet parks your car for you. Be prepare to pay triple to what you would somewhere else, but it is worth it : )
Neighborhoods
Penafiel is a great little town full of restaurants, chemists, cafes, shops, butcher, large supermarkets (Continente, Lidl, etc) there is everything you need there. It is 20 mins drive away from the villa. We are there must weekends, getting everything we need heading to the villa.
Penafiel is a municipality and former bishopric (now a Latin Catholic titular see) in the northern Portuguese district of Porto. Capital of the Tâmega Subregion, the population was 72,265 in 2011, in an area of 212.24 square kilometres (81.95 sq mi).
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Penafiel
Penafiel is a great little town full of restaurants, chemists, cafes, shops, butcher, large supermarkets (Continente, Lidl, etc) there is everything you need there. It is 20 mins drive away from the villa. We are there must weekends, getting everything we need heading to the villa.
Penafiel is a municipality and former bishopric (now a Latin Catholic titular see) in the northern Portuguese district of Porto. Capital of the Tâmega Subregion, the population was 72,265 in 2011, in an area of 212.24 square kilometres (81.95 sq mi).
Douro has beautiful places to visit for sightseeing, visit wineries, or take a cruise. If you do go, I recommend a tour guide as its really worth it.
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Douro
Douro has beautiful places to visit for sightseeing, visit wineries, or take a cruise. If you do go, I recommend a tour guide as its really worth it.
Day Trips (45 - 120 mins away)
Go explore with your family with these nearby towns/city which are interesting
Porto is 45 mins drive away, a day trip is worth a visit
We are absolutely in love with this city. For its narrow streets and colorful houses, breathtaking views, its galleries full of ancient and contemporary art,......
Walk the "Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar".
Look around and explore the city
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Porto
Porto is 45 mins drive away, a day trip is worth a visit
We are absolutely in love with this city. For its narrow streets and colorful houses, breathtaking views, its galleries full of ancient and contemporary art,......
Walk the "Historic Centre of Porto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar".
Look around and explore the city
Braga is a lively city, one of the oldest in the country, and is teeming with young people who study at its universities.
Every visitor to Braga must see the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a city icon, with its monumental staircase. Amid an expanse of greenery, it offers an excellent panoramic view of the city
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Braga
Braga is a lively city, one of the oldest in the country, and is teeming with young people who study at its universities.
Every visitor to Braga must see the Bom Jesus Sanctuary, a city icon, with its monumental staircase. Amid an expanse of greenery, it offers an excellent panoramic view of the city
They say it is the Venice of Portugal. As I have been to Venice several times, it is a little far off from that saying. However, it is a nice place to do a day trip. It is a nice easy going town with some places to see. Take a boat or a Tuk-tuk ride.
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Aveiro
They say it is the Venice of Portugal. As I have been to Venice several times, it is a little far off from that saying. However, it is a nice place to do a day trip. It is a nice easy going town with some places to see. Take a boat or a Tuk-tuk ride.
Spa & Thermas
These springs issue some of the most mineral-rich water in Europe.
They were discovered by the Luso-Romans in the 4th century, and just to the side of the present spa you can find the vestiges of this ancient bathing complex.
The spring is highly alkaline, and is rich with sodium, sulphur compounds and fluoride.
The claim is that this makes the waters more effective at treating musculoskeletal and breathing problems.
If you only have a few hours to spare, you can soak for a short time in the thermal pool and spa’s jacuzzi and whirlpools.
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Termas de São Vicente
These springs issue some of the most mineral-rich water in Europe.
They were discovered by the Luso-Romans in the 4th century, and just to the side of the present spa you can find the vestiges of this ancient bathing complex.
The spring is highly alkaline, and is rich with sodium, sulphur compounds and fluoride.
The claim is that this makes the waters more effective at treating musculoskeletal and breathing problems.
If you only have a few hours to spare, you can soak for a short time in the thermal pool and spa’s jacuzzi and whirlpools.
For Kids
Kids up to the age of 10 will get the most out of this small theme park on the outskirts of Penafiel.
The park has a splash ride, a couple of rollercoasters, bumper cars and carousels of varying sizes an speeds.
Magikland is arranged over six zones: Far West, Pirate’s Refuge, Medieval Village, World of Confusion, Africa and the Souk.
Each area has rides and playgrounds, and few hands-on activities.
For instance, at the souk kids can learn how to make artisan soap, while on the hottest days the park’s large pool is always a hit.
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Magikland - Парк за забавления
n.º1279 R. de Santo AndréKids up to the age of 10 will get the most out of this small theme park on the outskirts of Penafiel.
The park has a splash ride, a couple of rollercoasters, bumper cars and carousels of varying sizes an speeds.
Magikland is arranged over six zones: Far West, Pirate’s Refuge, Medieval Village, World of Confusion, Africa and the Souk.
Each area has rides and playgrounds, and few hands-on activities.
For instance, at the souk kids can learn how to make artisan soap, while on the hottest days the park’s large pool is always a hit.
About 30-40 mins away, it is the water park to take the kids to put a smile on their faces for days.
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Амаранте Воден Парк
2245 -909 R. do TâmegaAbout 30-40 mins away, it is the water park to take the kids to put a smile on their faces for days.
Essentials (nearby the house, in Bem Viver)
A 7 mins drive to this small town with:
- Tavern (6 euro lunch with coffee and wine)
- A barber (Shave is 3 euros, with hair cut is another 9 euros) Raphael will look after you, my husband goes there for a shave once a week
- Supermarket
- Farmacy
- Fruit & Veg shop
- Bakery (you can also order their grilled chicken in advance, if you don't want to cook)
- Florist
- Butcher
- Cafe
- Restaurant
Farmácia Confiança
Rua da Feira Nova7 mins drive away, a friendly pharmacy who speaks English
Pão de Açucar
Rua Engenheiro Manuel Carneiro GeraldesA supermarket 7 mins away, across the river.
Sightseeing
A place with an awesome view of Porto (both Gaia and Porto side), watch boats go by through the Douro river and romantic buildings, all for free.
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Jardim do Morro
Jardim do MorroA place with an awesome view of Porto (both Gaia and Porto side), watch boats go by through the Douro river and romantic buildings, all for free.
You can't come to Porto and not go see the city, walk across the Luis bridge (historical bridge), take pictures from both sides (Gaia & Porto side).
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Мост Луис I
Ponte Luís IYou can't come to Porto and not go see the city, walk across the Luis bridge (historical bridge), take pictures from both sides (Gaia & Porto side).
If you are a Harry Potter fan, this is a good experience but beware of long lines
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Ливрария Лело
144 R. das CarmelitasIf you are a Harry Potter fan, this is a good experience but beware of long lines
Начална точка на Пасадишуш ду Пайва
Estrada do Areinhowww.passadicosdopaiva.pt/en
Port is famous in Porto, if you like to know how its made, book yourself a tour
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Taylor's Port
250 Rua do ChoupeloPort is famous in Porto, if you like to know how its made, book yourself a tour