Porto was the one port on our Celebrity Apex cruise where we didn’t book a shore excursion. We explored on our own, with our girls, ages 8 and 11, and it ended up being a really fun day: an Uber, Porto’s famous little hot dogs, a glass of vinho verde, and some shopping for handmade gifts.
Our ship was in port from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on July 27. We didn’t get off until about 11:00, and we still never felt rushed.
Why We Skipped a Shore Excursion at the Porto Cruise Port
At every other port, we booked an excursion through the ship. In Porto, however, we went around ourselves.
We felt confident doing that because of our tour guide in Lisbon the day before. He used to live in Porto, and he was happy to tell us the best way to get around and what to do. According to him, Porto was very safe, and the easiest way to get around was by Uber. He also pointed us to a safe area of the city. Plus, we did our own research, and between the two, we felt good about being on our own.
Porto Cruise Port: Getting From Leixões to Porto by Uber
Cruise ships don’t dock in Porto itself. They dock at Leixões, outside the city. We walked outside the cruise terminal and got an Uber into Porto. The area we went to was only about 30 minutes from the ship, and the fare was €10.97. We added a €2.00 tip.
Our driver on the way in didn’t speak any English. Still, that was OK. We felt very safe, because with Uber you can track where you are and make sure you’re headed to the right place. The driver’s information is also saved in the app in case anything happens.
Lunch at Cervejaria Gazela: Porto’s Famous Cachorrinho
Our Lisbon guide told us to go to Cervejaria Gazela and get the Portuguese hot dog. He said it was famous and that Anthony Bourdain had visited and featured it on Parts Unknown. If Anthony Bourdain went there, we for sure had to go!
We went to the original location, the Casa-Mãe, at Travessa do Cimo de Vila, 4. It’s tucked into a narrow side street right beside the Teatro Nacional São João and Praça da Batalha. Gazela has more than one location, so look for this one if you want the original.
It’s a tiny little restaurant, and we sat at the counter. In fact, we were the only Americans there. Luckily, one person working the counter spoke English, so he took care of us, gave us an English menu, and told us what to order. He suggested the spicy sauce if we liked spicy. So we did, and we loved it.
What Is a Cachorrinho?
The cachorrinho is Porto’s own take on the hot dog, served in bite-size pieces. It’s basically a pressed sandwich with sausage, cheese, and spicy sauce if you want it, chopped into bites. If you only eat one thing after leaving the Porto cruise port, make it this.
How Much Does a Cachorrinho Cost?
Not a lot, which is part of the charm. For example, a traditional cachorrinho was €4.70, a side of fries was €2.70, and my glass of vinho verde was €10.00. For four cachorrinhos, two fries, and one glass of wine, our whole lunch came to about €34 for the four of us.
We ordered four cachorrinhos, two sides of fries, and a glass of vinho verde. We loved it, and the kids loved it too. Anyone will love it. So if you’re in Porto, have one here. You won’t be disappointed.
Vinho Verde: The Perfect Midday Wine in Porto
I had done some research and learned that vinho verde is a refreshing Portuguese wine, so what better place to try it than Porto? I loved it because it’s crisp, refreshing for a hot midday sip, and not strong at all.
Also, it was hot that day, so bring your fan. The restaurant had a little bit of air conditioning, which helped.
Shopping at Mercado Alegria
After lunch, we stumbled on Mercado Alegria just a short walk from Gazela and did some shopping. There, we found adorable handmade jewelry to bring back for friends, and the girls picked out some pieces for themselves.
We also found a super cute stall that sold its own handmade leather-bound journals, homemade incense, and handmade incense holders. Some of those went home as a gift for my brother, which was a cool thing to bring back.
I really enjoy a place where you can walk around, feel safe, eat great food, and shop for unique crafts. We didn’t really get to do that at any other port, since we were on ship excursions everywhere else. And what kid doesn’t enjoy a hot dog for lunch and shopping for bracelets and necklaces? It was an 8- and 11-year-old girl’s dream day!
The Uber Ride Back to the Ship
On the other hand, our Uber driver on the way back spoke very good English, and he talked the entire way about how great Porto is, how much he loves living there, and how Porto is the best city ever. I thought that was really nice and sweet. I sure don’t feel that way about where I live in LA!
Overall, we had plenty of time to get there, eat, walk around, and get back without stressing about missing the ship.
Do You Need a Shore Excursion at the Porto Cruise Port?
No. Porto is a great port to explore without one because it’s easy to get around, safe enough to walk around comfortably, and what we did was close enough to the port that you don’t have to freak out about traveling far and missing the ship.
Lisbon vs. Porto: Which Is Better?
There’s no comparison. These two cities are incredibly different. Lisbon is a bustling, eclectic city. Porto is more relaxed, laid-back, and traditional. That’s also exactly why it was nice to spend a day in each. They had totally different vibes, even down to the ports: Lisbon’s cruise terminal is right in the city, while the Porto cruise port is a short ride outside it.
What We’d Do Next Time in Porto
In short, I would definitely go back to Porto. Next time, I’d like to be a little more adventurous. I want to see the Ribeira riverfront and the Dom Luís I Bridge, take the cable car in Gaia, and try port wine at one of the cellars there. Our Uber driver also told us we have to try a francesinha, Porto’s famous meat-and-cheese sandwich, so that’s on the list too.
I’d also like to go into Livraria Lello, the bookstore people connect with Harry Potter. We drove by, but it was packed with people. It would have been cool to see, but my kids weren’t going to wait in a long line for it, especially since they aren’t Harry Potter fans. So if you want to go, plan for a line.
There’s so much to see here that I would totally go back and explore some more.
Porto Cruise Port: Quick Answers
How far is the Porto cruise port from the city?
Ships dock at Leixões. Our Uber ride into Porto took about 30 minutes.
Can you use Uber from the Porto cruise port?
Yes. We walked outside the terminal and got an Uber both ways with no problems. Our fare was €10.97, plus a €2.00 tip.
What is the famous hot dog in Porto?
The cachorrinho, a pressed sausage and cheese sandwich cut into bites. We had ours at Cervejaria Gazela.
Where is Cervejaria Gazela?
The original location is at Travessa do Cimo de Vila, 4, beside the Teatro Nacional São João and Praça da Batalha.
How much does a cachorrinho cost?
We paid €4.70 each. Our lunch for four came to about €34, including fries and a glass of vinho verde.
Is Porto good for kids?
Yes. Our girls loved the cachorrinho and shopping for jewelry at Mercado Alegria.
More From Our Europe Trip
This post is part of our series on our summer trip to London and our Celebrity Apex cruise to Spain, Portugal, and France.
London With Kids
- Virgin Atlantic Review: Flying LAX to London With Kids
- London Marriott County Hall Review: A Family Stay by Big Ben
- London With Kids: One Big Thing a Day (Our Easy Itinerary)
- Getting Around London With Kids: The Best Ways, Honestly
- Dining in London With Kids: Our Honest Reviews of 4 Spots
Our Celebrity Apex Cruise
- The Retreat on Celebrity Apex With Kids: Was It Worth It?
- Lisbon Tuk Tuk Tour From a Cruise Ship: Fun, Hot, and Worth It With Kids
- Porto Cruise Port Without an Excursion: Hot Dogs, Vinho Verde, and Shopping With Kids
- Vigo and La Coruña Cruise Ports With Kids: A Walking Tour, Galician Food, and Gelato
- Bilbao Shore Excursion With Kids: The Guggenheim, the Market, and the Pintxos We Missed
- Southampton to Heathrow via Stonehenge: Our Cruise Excursion With Kids
- Le Havre to Paris on a Cruise With Kids: Is the Long Day Worth It?
Planning a cruise? These are already on the blog:
