Valentine’s Day is coming, which means the pressure to put on a special night for your better half is through the roof! We MUST come up with romantic ideas, think of romantic activities, stay in romantic places and eat at romantic restaurants. Blessed are those who are planning on spending their Valentine’s Day in Porto though. Filled to the brim with hip, intimate places and experiences, get ready for a packed day alongside your loved one. Just make sure you save some energy for later! Wink, wink.
HERE ARE 10 CUTE IDEAS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY IN PORTO
1 – PORT WINE CLASS AT IVDP
This one is becoming a staple for Valentine’s, as all across the globe couples choose this day to try out some very particular classes. However, and once in Porto, if you want to learn about something different from what you’re used to, port wine is the way to go! At the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP) premises, regular guided tours (5€) and lessons are arranged. Unlike most wine cellars, these will take you through their labs, where you can learn which features actually matter when producing some damn good port wine. The IBDP is open from Monday to Friday between 11am and 7pm.
To schedule a lab tour or a guided port wine tasting: lojaporto@ivdp.pt
READ ALSO: Top 3 Port Wine Tasting Experiences Of Porto
2 – STAY AT A LUXURY HOTEL…
Photo courtesy of: Le Monumental Palace
If there’s a handful of occasions a year where you’re entitled to splurge a bit, Valentine’s Day is certainly one of them! That being said, how about treating you and your partner in crime to something fancy? One of the latest additions to the city’s expanding hotel scene, Le Monumental Palace presents itself as an obvious can’t-miss choice. Equipped with an American-style bar, a French brasserie a fine-dining restaurant (as well as many other features such as spa, gym and even their own library), and with double rooms available from 216€/night, this is one place you will definitely miss once you find yourself back home sleeping in your IKEA bed.
… OR CHOOSE AN AFFORDABLE BOUTIQUE ALTERNATIVE
Photo courtesy of: Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel
However, if your wallet is hollower than Theresa May’s spirit after a Brexit cabinet meeting, rest assured there are still tons of awesome and budget-friendlier options at your disposal. Enter Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel! Housed in a building where an historic stationery shop used to work back in 1829 (hence the name), the hotel offers a balanced and sophisticated mix of classic and modern, with spacious rooms, wooden floors and antique decorative elements. Double rooms are available from 85€/night.
3 – TRY OUT A MASSAGE AT THE YEATMAN HOTEL
Photo courtesy of: The Yeatman
Make no mistake though, as you’re still not done with the splurging – and certainly not when you have the chance of visiting a place that has been considered the best Hotel-SPA in all of Europe! Borrowing healing and regenerative elements used in the wine-producing industry, I dare you to find any other spa in the world where you can take immersion baths inside cask barrels (65€ for a 25-minute session). It’s luxurious, it’s relaxing and it’s undoubtedly an upgrade on your Valentine’s Day experience in Porto.
Book Your Session – Official Website
Rua do Choupelo, Vila Nova de Gaia
READ ALSO: 5 Spas In Porto You Should Go To For A Massage
4 – PROLONG THE DATE OVER A BOTTLE OF WINE FROM COPO D’UVA
Now that your body, mind and soul are relaxed, it’s time for a one-on-one conversation over a bottle of wine. And we recommend stopping by Copo d’Uva to get it! This gourmet store sells all kinds of extravagant and upscale products, from Himalayan tea, authentic Italian pastas and artisan chutneys, to homemade cookies and several DOC cheese varieties. With such diversity, you will surely be able to find that special wine you’ve so desperately been looking for! Copo d’Uva is open from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 8pm.
Rua Adolfo Casais Monteiro, 101
READ ALSO: Where To Go Wine Tasting In Porto
5 – WATCH A MOVIE AT CINEMA TRINDADE
Although you can find movie theaters in virtually every shopping mall in the city, there is something special about places like Cinema Trindade. You see, we grew up hearing our parents saying how special it was for them to go to the movies when they were young. There were no major malls, and the only existing theaters in the city were these dodgy old-looking rooms where people gathered by the hundreds every Sunday afternoon to see those glamorous stories produced in the modern far-away American lands. After going through a major renovation, Cinema Trindade reopened in 2017, and now stands as probably the most atmospheric movie theater in the entire city.
Keep an eye out for upcoming screenings on their Facebook Page.
6 – TAKE A WALK INSIDE JARDIM BOTÂNICO
Photo by: Nuno Carvalho
Technically part of the local University campus, the city’s Botanical Gardens is one of the best places in Porto for long contemplative walks. Built around the pink Andresen House – which once belonged to a prominent noble family – these gardens are beyond beautiful, and the perfect escapade from the downtown’s crowds. The Jardim Botânico is open every day between 9am and 6pm and entrance is free.
READ ALSO: Enjoy Nature and Check out These Five Porto Gardens
7 – GET SOME CROISSANT FOR A BREAKFAST IN BED FROM MIXPÃO
Photo courtesy of: Mixpão
Ask young locals where to find the best croissants in all of Porto, and 9 out of 10 will surely mention Mixpão! This small seaside bakery in Matosinhos is pretty much packed all the time, as everyone wants to get their hands on these small buttery pieces of heaven (0,95€). However, keep in mind we aren’t talking about your typical French style croissant, as those don’t really fly in Porto. Here in Northern Portugal, we like our croissants made with brioche dough. It may sound weird for you, but as soon as you feel them melting in your mouth, you will get instantly hooked! Mixpão is open every day from 8h30am to 7pm.
However, if you want to save your croissant appetite for the following morning (and yet are still too lazy to get out of bed), we recommend ordering a Rise & Shine (15€) menu from The Crumb Box and surprise your honey-bunny (cheesy, right?) with a stylish breakfast in bed!
8 – DO A VALENTINE’S PHOTO SHOOT AT THE BEACH
While you’re in Matosinhos, why would you pass on the chance of feeling the sand beneath your toes? Yep, it’s finally time to put your significant other’s shooting skills to good use and get that boost on your social media pages – after all, everyone loves some beach photos! Besides, the sun will probably be setting over the ocean by now, making this the perfect time for a visit.
9 – GO FOR LEMON TART AT CHOUQUETTE
Photo by: Nuno Carvalho
How about spending an hour of your Valentine’s Day in the quintessential city of romance? That’s right – there is a Parisian patisserie in Porto’s Art District! If that croissant wasn’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth munchies, we recommend stopping by Chouquette and sharing a big, rich slice of their delicious lemon tart (2,90€). Unlike our previous Portuguese brioche dough adaptation, this place screams authenticity and is 100% French through and through! Chouquette is open from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 7pm.
READ ALSO: Five Cute Porto Bakeries You Can Go to For Cake
10 – CASUAL FINE DINING AT ALMEJA
Photo courtesy of: Almeja
Finally, cap off your long day with a sophisticated dining experience for 2 at Almeja. Co-owned by a chef that has worked in award-winning restaurants in Barcelona, this is definitely a place run by people who master their arts and know what they’re doing. Their goal is to create and provide a fine-dining experience, offering premium quality dishes and service (55€/person for a 2-course menu, plus couvert, starter and dessert), while maintaining a relaxed and informal atmosphere, encouraging customers to leave behind their preconceptions about gourmet food. Come along and give it a try! Almeja is open from Tuesday to Saturday during both lunch (noon-3pm) and dinner (7h30pm-11pm) times.
And there you have it – a complete Valentine’s Day itinerary in Porto. If you manage to tick all the boxes, than we must say you are definitely more romantic and dedicated than the dynamic duo from Cyrano de Bergerac! Any thoughts? Which places will you be visiting? Let us know on the comments section!
