Pauline

November 5, 2025

#EUROPE #PORTUGAL #PORTO

Things to Do in Porto When It Rains: 7 Good Ideas

View of Porto in the rain with the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Douro River

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1. Visit a Port wine cellar (tasting based on your budget)

Cross the Dom Luís I bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia.

The Port wine cellars offer different tasting options (Ruby, Tawny, 10 years, Vintage…).

👉 The price depends on the tasting you choose.

My personal recommendations:

Cellar	Why I loved it
Graham's	Elegant, incredible view over Porto, premium tastings.
Poças	Family-owned Portuguese house, more authentic and less touristy.

⏱️ Duration: 1h30 – 2h

💡 Personal tip: if you can, try a Vintage Port at Graham’s — it changes everything.

2. Eat in a Taberna (comfort food + local wine)

On rainy days, Porto feels even warmer and cozier.

Wooden tables, good wine, small plates to share… heaven.

My favorite tabernas:

Taberna	Why I loved it
Folias de Baco	Natural wine, local products, super cozy atmosphere.
Have a Bit	Creative petiscos to share.
Eukalduna Studio	More gastronomic — a true culinary experience.

💡 Don’t order everything at once — dishes arrive progressively.

3. Fado evening — and please, book ahead (especially if it rains)

Rain outside + Fado inside = the perfect emotional combo.

👉 When it rains, everyone has the same idea → book the day before if possible.

Fado venue	Vibes
Ideal Clube de Fado	Very authentic, explanations before each song.
Casa do Fado	Intimate, acoustic, very emotional.
Fado Maior do Porto	You can enjoy a glass of Port during the performance.

4. Visit the PINHAIS sardine cannery (The Cannery) 🐟🇵🇹

A real sardine factory in operation, not a museum.

During the visit:

You watch every step of the production,
Everything is still done by hand,
At the end → sardine tasting (no can personalization).

💶 26 €

⏱️ ~1h

💡 A rare and very authentic experience.

5. Mercado do Bolhão (covered market)

Historic market, fully covered → perfect for rainy days.

You can:

eat at the counter,
enjoy specialty coffee,
discover local products.

6. Enjoy a spa (perfect rainy afternoon activity) ☔🧖‍♀️

Here are 3 spas to try depending on your mood:

Spa	Why you should go
The Yeatman Spa (Gaia)	Luxury + panoramic view over Porto.
Calla Wellness & Spa (city center)	Modern, relaxing, accessible.
Flores Boutique Hotel & Spa	Small cozy spa in the historic center.

7. Azulejos workshop (paint your own Portuguese tile) 🟦

Perfect rainy-day activity: creative, calming, and very Portuguese.

👉 Recommended address:

➡️ https://gazeteazulejos.com

You paint your tile → they fire it → you pick it up the next day.

⏱️ ~1h30

💶 25–35€

✦ Conclusion ✦

When it rains in Porto:

Taste Port wine in a cellar
Eat in a cozy taberna
Enjoy Fado in the evening
Discover the Pinhais sardine cannery
Wander around the covered Bolhão Market
Relax at a spa
Paint your own azulejo

Rain doesn’t ruin Porto.

It reveals a more authentic, intimate, and real Porto.

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