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Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
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A Pérola do Bolhão
The guide was updated:Founded in 1917 and boasting a beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired facade covered in Portuguese tiles referencing the spice route, A Pérola do Bolhão in downtown Porto is a traditional grocery store offering a large variety of quality products. From mountain cheeses to sausages, from dried fruits and caramels to regional wines--a great place to pick up a few local delicacies and take them home with you.
Useful Information
- Address: Rua Formosa 279, Porto
- Opening hours: Mon–Wed 9am–7pm, Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 9am–1pm
- Phone: +351 22 200 4009
Digital Travel Guide Download
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
Porto’s main shopping street is the pedestrianised Rua de Santa Catarina in the city centre. Here you will find from the usual international brands, such as H&M and Zara to local shops and street vendors. Along the way, you will also find several restaurants and cafes, including the renowned Café Majestic--featured on our guide--as well as other points of interests such as the Mercado do Bolhão, the Church of San Antonio de los Congregados, and another important shopping centre, the Centro Comercial Via Catarina.
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Centro Comercial Via Catarina
The Centro Comercial Via Catarina is an elegant mall, ideally located in Porto's main shopping thoroughfare, offering everything you would expect from a usual shopping centre, including many international fashion brands, numerous restaurants and cafes, all spread over its four floors.
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Open-air Markets
There is no better way to get a glimpse of daily Portuguese life, than by paying a visit to one of the many open-air markets this city has to offer.
So, here's a list of the three ones worth visiting when in Porto:
- Mercado do Bolhão
One of the most popular and lively markets in Porto, the Mercado do Bolhão and its several floors of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat are a true feast for the eyes, nose, and palette. Centrally located, this market is also a nice place to hunt for souvenirs.
Address: Rua Formosa, Porto
Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–6pm
- Mercado Porto Bello
Although more compact than its namesake market in London, the Mercado Porto Belo still boasts the same hipster vibe from its Notting Hill's distant cousin. Here you will find antiques, vinyl records, vintage clothing and accessories, organic goodies such as homemade jams, olive oil, and soap, as well as a few food stalls. It takes place every Saturday from 10am–7pm at Praça de Carlos Alberto.
- Vandoma Fleamarket
Even if you are not searching for anything to buy, a visit to this flea market is worth just the experience alone. Started in the 1970s by students who would sell their old clothes and books, now this traditional and eclectic flea market offers a vast array of second-hand goods that range from clothes, vinyl records, and books to stamps, electronics, and household utensils.
It is held every Saturday, from 8am–1pm at Avenida 25 de Abril.
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Arcádia
Temple dedicated to chocolate and other sweet treats, such as macarons, almond cake, and línguas de gato, small chocolate bars shaped like a cat tongue. Arcádia is such a popular patisserie that it has other nine shops across the city.
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A Pérola do Bolhão
Founded in 1917 and boasting a beautiful Art Nouveau-inspired facade covered in Portuguese tiles referencing the spice route, A Pérola do Bolhão in downtown Porto is a traditional grocery store offering a large variety of quality products. From mountain cheeses to sausages, from dried fruits and caramels to regional wines--a great place to pick up a few local delicacies and take them home with you.
Read more
Jewellery
Gold jewellery is a speciality of Portugal, the country boasts a great collection of antique and modern gems, a reflection of its colonial past and its conquests of gold-rich lands in South America. Recommended jewellers are David Rosas (Avenida da Boavista 1471) and Pedro A Baptista (Rua das Flores 235).
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Portosigns
If you are looking for unique and genuine Portuguese souvenirs made locally by Portuguese artisans, come to Portosigns in the Ribeira district. Here you will find items, such as hats, clothing, bags, wallets, and home decor, all to remind you of your wonderful time in Portugal.
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Casa Da Guitarra (House of Guitars)
Casa da Guitarra is a string instruments shop specialising in traditional Portuguese string instruments. Assembly, sale, promotion, and learning about string instruments all happen here, with extra room for cultural events--the perfect shop for buying something genuine and Portuguese.
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Livraria Lello
Book lovers will feel as though they have slipped between the pages of a fantasy novel in this lovely bookstore in downtown Porto. With magical architecture rumoured to have inspired J.K. Rowling, Livraria Lello is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and has thus become a major tourist attraction. The building itself is stunning, boasting elements of Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco embellishments that comprise intricate woodwork, a large stained-glass skylight, and an impressive spiral staircase, which starts as one set of stairs and splits into two that join in a circular design.
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Garrafeira do Carmo
Small bottle shop featuring a variety of drinks including liqueurs, whiskey, and last but certainly not least ports and regional wines. You can either buy a bottle or come here for a tasting. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly and will carefully pack everything for you to bring home.
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Mercado Bom Sucesso
Housed in a historic building in the centre of Porto, Mercado Bom Sucesso is an indoor market featuring food and clothing stalls as well as cultural events — a great place to bring your family and experience the Portuguese cuisine.
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Taylor's Port
Since 1962, Taylor's has been dedicated to the production of Port wine, which you can't simply leave the city without trying. As you tour the cellars, you will learn all about the history of "vinho do Porto" as well as its production process from a self-guided audio tour. Once you finish the tour, enjoy some wine tasting in an idyllic setting complete with peacocks and roosters.
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