3/12/2026
24 hours in Porto
So, you’ve found yourself at JAM Porto. Excellent choice. You’re currently perched in the site of a former generator factory in Bonfim, a neighbourhood that manages to be effortlessly cool without even trying (unlike some of us).
Porto is a city of vertical challenges. It is essentially one giant staircase built on granite, but don’t worry, we’ve mapped out a day that balances "culture" with "sitting down and consuming things."
Here is your strictly unofficial, highly recommended itinerary for a day in the city of tiles, hills, and heavy lunches.
09:30 – The "I’m Definitely a Local" Coffee
Where: Cafe Passaporte or Combi Coffee Roasters
Since you’re staying in Bonfim, there’s no need to trek across town for your morning fix.
- - Cafe Passaporte: A 5-minute stroll from JAM. This is the authentic Portuguese experience. No frills, strong espresso, and a Pastel de Nata that costs less than your bus fare. It’s honest, it’s loud, and it’s perfect.
- - Combi Coffee Roasters: If you prefer your beans roasted in an industrial-chic garage, walk 10 minutes to Combi. They started in a vintage van and now serve the best specialty flat whites in the district. It’s where the neighbourhood’s creative crowd hides out.
Pro Tip: If you see someone with a sketchbook and a flat white, don't make eye contact. They’re "working."
11:00 – Modern Art and Moving Very Slowly
Where: Serralves Museum
Hop in a Bolt or take the 201 bus. Serralves is a contemporary art museum designed by Pritzker-winner Álvaro Siza Vieira. The building is so minimalist it might make you feel like your own outfit is too loud. Walk through the pink Art Deco villa and then hit the Treetop Walk. It’s a wooden walkway high in the canopy that allows you to judge people in the park from a safe, elevated distance.
13:30 – The Lunch of Champions (and Nap Enthusiasts)
Where: Gazela or O Afonso
You cannot come to Porto and ignore the Francesinha. It is a sandwich containing steak, ham, and sausage, covered in melted cheese and drowned in a spicy tomato and beer sauce. It is a structural engineering marvel.
- - Gazela is famous for their "Cachorrinhos" (skinny, spicy hot dogs).
- - O Afonso is a shrine to the Francesinha (and apparently a favorite of the late Anthony Bourdain).
Eat it. Don’t ask about the calories. Just accept your fate and plan for a very long walk afterwards.
15:30 – Tiles, Views, and Avoiding Fitness
Where: Igreja do Carmo & Miradouro da Vitória
Walk back toward the centre. Stop at the Igreja do Carmo to see the massive side wall covered in blue and white azulejos (tiles). It’s the law that you must take a photo here for your grid. Then, head to the Miradouro da Vitória. It’s a slightly rugged, unofficial lookout point that gives you a view of the Douro River and the Gaia wine cellars without the souvenir-shop crowds.
17:00 – Shopping for Things You Didn't Know You Needed
Where: Rua do Almada
Forget the main shopping streets. Rua do Almada is where the good stuff lives. Visit Coração Alecrim for sustainable Portuguese goods or Objectos Misturados for weird and wonderful design pieces. You’ll probably buy a ceramic swallow or a very expensive candle. It’s fine. You’re on holiday.
19:00 – Pre-Dinner Rituals at JAM
Where: JAM Porto Café
Head back to our mid-century sanctuary. Since we don't have a rooftop (we prefer to keep our feet on the ground), we’ve focused on making the bar the heart of the hotel. Grab a craft beer or a glass of Douro red. It’s the perfect place to watch people check in and wonder if they also struggled with the hill on Rua de Frei Heitor Pinto.
21:00 – Dinner and "Just One More Drink"
Where: Maus Hábitos
For dinner, head to Maus Hábitos. It’s a "cultural intervention space" located on the top floor of a multi-storey car park. It’s a restaurant, a bar, a gallery, and a club. The pizzas are legendary, the vibe is "Berlin-meets-the-Atlantic," and there’s usually a DJ playing something you’ve never heard of but will definitely shazam.
