10 Things to Do in Porto in January

Porto is one of the most touristic cities in Portugal, which is not surprising considering its great cultural heritage. Its architectural richness, its gastronomic offer and its artistic proposal make Porto one of the best destinations to travel to.

If you are planning a visit to this Portuguese city in January and want to prepare your travel itinerary, bear in mind that Porto usually offers all kinds of plans, from the most typical to some unusual ones.

As in Spain and other countries, Portugal celebrates the Christian holiday of Día de Reis or Three Kings' Day. So, if you're in Porto on 6 January, it's the perfect opportunity to see how the locals celebrate the holiday.

One of the traditions for this day is to try the Bolo de Rei, the Portuguese version of the Three Wise Men's cake. Unlike the Spanish sweet, the Bolo de Rei contains sultanas and nuts, as well as port wine. You can order it in a patisserie or have it with a hot chocolate in a café.

It is definitely a delicacy and you can also try it when you book a guided tour of Porto in January. And if you want to know more traditions linked to the Christmas festivities, I recommend you to take a look at the 10 best things to do in Porto at Christmas.

Another plan I propose you in Porto in January is closely related to Christmas. The janeiras are a type of traditional Portuguese Christmas music. They are popular songs with years of history that you can listen to during the month of January in the Christmas markets, as well as in some bars and establishments

Christmas in Oporto is a festival with a tradition strongly linked to music. In the past, the streets were filled with bands and groups singing the traditional janeiras. Nowadays, this no longer takes place. However, you can still listen to the city's popular songs in different venues and establishments

. This plan is perfect if you are interested in getting to know the city's popular culture and if you are a music lover. In this case, I also advise you to book a ticket to a Fado show in Porto, another of Portugal's traditional musical genres. In this article you can see which are the best Fado shows in Porto.

A must-visit among the best things to see and do in Porto in January is the most important religious building in the city. It is also the perfect activity to do on a rainy day, which are common in January.

After booking tickets for the Sé Cathedral you should go to the Batalha neighbourhood, in the highest part of the city, where it is located. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, although it has undergone many reconstructions, which is what makes it so special.

The cathedral is the result of a mixture of different styles, including Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic. It was declared a National Monument and what I like most are the views it offers, thanks to its strategic location. Also worth admiring is the cloister, which dates back to the 14th century and allows access to the Casas do Cabildo.

Another of the city' s most emblematic constructions is the Dom Luis I Bridge, the symbol of Porto's commercial growth in the 19th century. Visiting it is a perfect activity to do on a sunny day in January, as you won't feel the heat during the walk.

What makes it essential to visit it are the views it offers of the city, embellished by the winter light. From there you will be able to see the different cruise ships that navigate the river, as well as the little houses of Miragaia. I recommend you to book a cruise on the Douro in advance because I assure you that you will feel like it.

The bridge has two levels, one for the metro and one for vehicles only. If you are going to cross the bridge on foot, you can do so on both levels, as there is a lane for pedestrians. And did you know that it is the work of a disciple of the great architect Gustave Eiffel?

First of all, it is important to clarify that, technically, Vila Nova de Gaia is a different city from Oporto. Although only the Douro River separates them, the truth is that, when you cross the riverbank, you will be crossing the limits of Oporto.

To get to this beautiful city, all you have to do is cross the Dom Luis I bridge, either on foot or by public transport. But if the weather is fine, it might be a good idea to hire a rabelo, a small wooden boat that was originally used to transport wine.

One of the most popular activities is a visit to the famous wine cellars. You can hire a tour of the most famous ones or do the tour on your own, although you will have to book in advance. If this activity tempts you, you should know that you can also book a visit to a winery in Porto if you prefer to stay in the city.

After so much walking and so many hills, your legs are probably begging for a break. If so, I recommend you take a ride on the beautiful and classic tram 22. This plan is perfect for bad weather in January, as you'll be able to see the city's main sights indoors.

Although you can also hop on Porto' s tourist bus and book your seat, I recommend the tram. Tram 22 runs through the city centre, starting at Rua de Carmo and ending at Batalha, where you can get off or return to the point of origin on a different route.

Although it is not too long a route to be done on foot, there are some steep streets that are not recommended for families or for those days when you are more tired. That's why this is one of the best things to do with children in Porto.

If you are an art lover and you have a few days to spare in Porto, it is essential that you dedicate some time in your itinerary to contemplate its street art.

Porto is, above all, a cultural city and the artistic wealth goes beyond the walls of its best museums, flooding the steep streets that make up the city.

One of my favourite pastimes when I visit Porto is to get lost in the city in search of graffiti, each one more curious than the next. Why do I suggest this plan for January? In this month, the streets are emptier of tourists, so you'll be able to wander around the city at your leisure and see the graffiti without any difficulty.

The best graffiti in Porto

Nobre e Leal, a work by the artist Mr Dheo, stands out in the Trindade metro. You'll be amazed by the hyperrealism and the contrast of its colours.

Another of the city's best graffiti pays homage to Spain's cultural heritage. It is a graffiti called Don Quixote, which represents the two main characters of Cervantes' star work.

In addition to the above, this work of art stands out for its historical importance, as it was the first legal graffiti in Oporto. The merit does not belong to a single artist, but to three renowned graffiti artists: Mesk, Fedor and Mots. It is located at the intersection of Diogo Brandão Street and Miguel Bombarda Street.

The São Bento train station is one of the most beautiful in Europe and if you don't believe me, you only have to see it with your own eyes to realise what I mean. This plan is ideal for your trip to Porto in January, as you will be able to take shelter from the rain and the cold.

This station started its services at the end of the 19th century. The building was constructed on the ruins of the Convent of São Bento, which burnt to the ground in the 18th century. Imitating the French model, this station is the work of the Portuguese architect José Porto, Marques da Silva.

In addition to its curious history and architecture, one of the most striking things about the station are the tiles that decorate the main concourse. There are more than 20,000 of them and, through them, you can take a journey through the history of Oporto, as they illustrate the most famous episodes of the city.

With this plan, you will have the opportunity to get to know a much more modern construction. The Casa da Musica, a futuristic style building designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

The origin of Casa da Musica is due to a competition held between Rotterdam and Portugal, in which it was stipulated that a Portuguese architect should design a work in Holland, at the same time as a Dutch architect did the same in Portugal.

Finally, in 2005, this modern building was born, which breaks with the classical architecture of Porto. In fact, the latter is what makes it all the more interesting, providing a magnificent visual effect when seen next to the city's old churches.

My advice for visiting the Casa da Musica

You can visit the Casa da Musica to admire its architecture or attend one of its concerts. My recommendation is to check the monthly calendar to time your visit with a musical performance, ideally a Fado concert.

This way, you will get a much more complete experience. Plus, you'll be able to take shelter from the January cold for a few hours.

Another of the most important buildings of Porto's religious heritage is the Clérigos Tower, which crowns the church of the same name and is one of the most interesting monuments in Porto.

The architectural ensemble dates from the late 18th century and the tower is the highest in the whole of Porto, so you can imagine the panoramic views it offers. What's more, you'll be able to take the best pictures from there, taking advantage of the winter light and the mist that usually rises on the river and gives Porto a mysterious air.

Of course, everything comes at a price: to get to the top, you'll have to climb more than 200 steps. The soundtrack is provided by a total of 49 bells, which frighten more than one tourist. To get here, you can make use of the city's public transport, whether by metro, tram or bus.

Compared to January temperatures in other European cities, Porto's weather in January is quite pleasant. The city averages around 10°C and, to top it all off, snow is not part of Porto's weather plans.

It's true that rainfall is frequent, though, so you'll need to take that into account when packing your suitcase. Don't forget to pack a good mackintosh and rain boots. Of course, always carry an umbrella when you go sightseeing.

If you plan to visit nearby cities (which I highly recommend), be aware of possible temperature changes at your destination. Especially if you intend to book a trip to Aveiro from Opoto.

Portugal has experienced a tourism boom in recent years, which has been driven by the country's government measures. As such, Portugal stands out for the huge number of tourists it attracts in the months of July and August.

This is obviously reflected in the prices, which go through the roof during the summer season. However, while Porto tends to be expensive in summer, it is not so expensive in winter. This month is low season in the city, so you'll find it cheaper to travel.

In addition to the favour you'll be doing your wallet by travelling to Porto in January, you'll also be able to enjoy your trip with more peace of mind. Since it is low season and there are fewer tourists.

So, you won't have to wait in queues to get into the tourist attractions, you'll be able to access a greater number of places and you'll enjoy your walks without having to dodge people.

Finally, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't visit the city on other dates, as there are plenty of things to do in Porto in summer.

Rain is a common occurrence in Porto in January. You should pack clothes suitable for those days. Be sure to pack warm clothes with hoods, which are often a great help in case of unexpected rainfall.

In addition to wellies, it's also a good idea to pack good walking shoes. These should be shoes that you have tried and tested before and are comfortable, as you will be doing long walks during your trip.

Finally, don't forget to pack some formal wear for those situations that require it, such as restaurants or theatres.