The new face of travel is slow and considered. Through five comprehensive city guides that promote living like a local, Vogue Singapore’s May ‘Escape’ issue takes you into the heart of the underrated creative capitals around the world that are ripe for exploration. Don’t expect any of the usual haunts or Instagram-famous tourist spots. Here, you’ll find insider recommendations driven by authenticity and connection.
Porto is a design-lover’s dream. The second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, its culturally rich landscape belies a 2000-year history—with the city’s historic centre recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996—and this certainly comes through in its architecture. Paved with winding cobblestone streets and dotted with stately bridges, Porto’s charm lies in its old-world buildings that reflect its storied histories. Vibrant street art fills the city, as opulent churches and everyday train stations alike are covered in intricately painted clay tiles known as azulejos.
Beyond its beauty, there are hidden gems waiting to be discovered in every corner—from quaint restaurants to playful art spaces—a testament to the city’s robust creative spirit. Below, find a curated list of recommendations for where to play, eat and stay in Porto to experience the best of its vibrant culture.
1 / 9
Casa de Serralves
If Wes Anderson were to visit Porto, Casa de Serralves might be his first stop. The gorgeous pink art-deco dream house was built in the 1930s and is part of the Serralves cultural grounds, which includes a museum, park and the iconic villa. Designed by José Marques da Silva, Casa de Serralves is an extension of the Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses temporary exhibitions. There is no better way to while your afternoon away and get lost in the architectural beauty and lush greenery of the institution. Our tip? Visit Serralves in the late afternoon and early evening to avoid the crowds and for the best photo-taking opportunities.
2 / 9
Livraria Lello
Everyone in Porto knows Livraria Lello, the city’s most stunning bookstore. You’ll find true bookworms alongside TikTok users here, standing in awe at the vast stained-glass window or walking up the hourglass-shaped crimson staircase. Pop by the ‘O Rosto do Porto’ installation on the left, an artistic manifestation that celebrates the city through the faces of its people via 400 extraordinary clay busts. The Little Prince themed room, a partnership between Livraria Lello and Fondation Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is also worth checking out especially if the little ones are in tow.
3 / 9
Loja da Burel
Burel Factory is an art and design playhouse—an exquisite trove where history, design and innovation come together as one. The Portuguese brand, born in Serra de Estrela, pays homage to the legacy of wool and burel while weaving with the threads of the past a sustainable and circular vision of the future. In Porto, you will find its store, which doubles up as a walk-in art installation filled with a selection of colourful bags, shoes and homewares.
4 / 9
Euskalduna Studio
Count yourself lucky if you manage to snag a table at this one-Michelin-starred restaurant, where chef Vasco Coelho Santos showcases a global cuisine with Portuguese accents. Expect a smorgasbord of seafood delights, including amberjack, monkfish, tuna, prawn and octopus. Once a testing space for culinary ideas and newfangled techniques, the intimate restaurant now houses 16 seats, eight counter seats overlooking the kitchen, and two tables. The oyster pancake will be your new favourite as it sets off many sensory pleasures in its excellent mastery of flavour and texture.
5 / 9
Cozinha Das Flores
Cozinha Das Flores serves inventive takes on traditional Portuguese dishes. Chef Nuno Mendes cleverly and playfully crafts a savoury pastéis de nata (Portuguese tart) with turnip and caviar, as well as pão-de-ló (sponge cake) with shrimp. There’s also a sensational milk dessert, inspired by Mendes’s childhood on his grandparents’ dairy farm, that involves varying textures of milk in a comforting end to your meal here.
6 / 9
The Royal Cocktail Club
Nestled in a quiet street corner, The Royal Cocktail Club is the embodiment of somebody’s beloved, return-every-Friday-night type of bar. It is uncompromising on the quality of its cocktails, with Neverland—which transports you back to your childhood with that beautifully toasted marshmallow on top—and San Juan being hot favourites. Coupled with old-timey jazz playing in the background, this is the optimum spot for a memorable night out.
7 / 9
Tipografia do Conto
This typography-themed boutique hotel, located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Cedofeita in central, is housed in a 19th-century factory building, but the interiors are far from it. Modernist architecture, vintage designer furniture and generous amounts of natural light are key elements here. Its 10 rooms are quiet, design-savvy havens that have been set away from the bustle of the streets.
8 / 9
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
Think oysters, caviar and champagne as you sit on your balcony during a romantic sunset. Located 20 minutes from Porto, this manor channels both an old-world charm and modern-day vibe, and boasts scintillating views of the tourmaline green Atlantic Ocean. The Vila Foz restaurant, under chef Arnaldo Azevedo, has a Michelin star and is absolutely worth a visit.
9 / 9
Torel Avantgarde
Set in a 19th-century palace, this hotel is one of the coolest new addresses in town by virtue of the fact that it is incredibly pretty at every turn. There is immersive art everywhere, and each room is named after a painter, writer, designer or musician and designed to embody their work. Bring your most stylish swimsuit because the swimming pool and hot tub on the rooftop offer unbeatable views of the river.
Additional reporting Jesslyn Lye
