Porto is a charming city for university students. Unlike the grand avenues of Lisbon, Porto is full of narrow cobbled streets and viewpoints that offer a good view of the Douro River. This city is home to local restaurants, beautiful gardens and inspiring museums.

This city is perfect for students to live surrounded by history, culture and tranquillity. There are many things to do and enjoy in Porto as a student. Here are some of the most popular:

Meet the most beautiful bookshop in Europe

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you’ll love this plan. Did you know that J.K. Rowling lived in Porto for a few years? The Lello bookshop is the place where the author was inspired to write her famous stories, so it will be great to be in the same space where she brought her characters to life.

The bookshop is located in the heart of the city centre, at 144 Rua das Carmelitas. It is one of the most emblematic bookshops in Europe and the world. And of course, it is part of the city’s historical heritage.

One of the most striking features of the bookshop is its architecture. Its construction was inspired by neo-Gothic art, so you’ll see carved wood, ornaments decorating the walls and ceiling, and gilded columns.

Climb the Clerics’ Tower

Studying in Porto without having climbed this tower is like never having been there. The Clérigos Tower offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city. The only detail is that you will have to climb more than 220 steps, as in 1735 there were no elevators yet. But we assure you that the view will be worth all your effort.

Enjoy the terrace of Aduela

Aduela is one of the most famous bar-restaurants in Porto. It’s very popular with students, locals and tourists, so you’ll get a good overview of what life is like in this city.

We recommend you visit this place for a light lunch or to spend the afternoon with friends. They have a good selection of cheese boards and torrijas, as well as wines and national reserves.

Indulge yourself with a francesinha

In Porto, you will find many local restaurants and cafés where you can try the best typical Portuguese dishes. A favourite among students is the francesinha. This is a sandwich dipped in beer and tomato sauce and includes pork, sausage and even beef steak, chorizo, ham and egg. On top of that, some people serve it with French fries.

It is quite a caloric and heavy dish, but it is delicious. One of the best places to try it is Café Santiago. This place is very popular, so you might have to queue a bit when you get there, but it will be worth it.

Admire the art of Portuguese illustration

O! Galeria is an illustration gallery where you can admire the illustration works of several young artists. It is located in the Barrio de las Artes, in Miguel Bombarda. This space serves as a launching pad for those who are just starting out in this world of art.

That’s why you’ll also find for sale various prints, T-shirts, books, tote bags and other products with the work of these artists printed on them. If you like art and illustration, you’re sure to enjoy this tour.

Take a stroll through the Ribeira do Douro

The Ribeira do Douro is part of the historic centre of Porto. It is an old and beautiful area that is definitely not to be missed. Here you will see the scenery of the Douro River and the cargo ships that ply it. You can also wander through the narrow cobbled streets of the centre, admire the colourful houses and picturesque corners.

Don’t forget to leave with your mobile phone battery at 100% because you’ll come across several instagrammable places and historic buildings. Along the way, you’ll also see some restaurants, cafes and bars where you can stop for a bite to eat or a drink.

Taste Portuguese chocolate

Chocolataria Equador is one of the most popular chocolate shops in Porto. There are 3 shops in the city, so you can visit any of them. You will find it at:

• Rua Sá da Bandeira
• Rua das Flores
• Rua Sousa Viterbo

We recommend you try the truffles, the chocolates, the chocolate bars and if you want to warm up your body a bit, don’t miss the hot chocolate. If you are a chocolate lover, you will love visiting this place.

Explore the Crystal Palace Gardens

This is an emblematic space in Porto. In the Crystal Palace Gardens, you will have 8 hectares of flora, viewpoints and museums to explore. These are the stops you should make to enjoy your visit to the fullest:

• 360º viewpoint of Pavilhão Rosa Mota
• The Almeida Garrett Municipal Library
• The Romantic Museum at Quinta da Macieirinha

With so much to do, the experience of studying in Porto will be a delightful one from start to finish. There will always be a corner of the city to explore, a museum to discover and a meal to try.