We went on a lovely food and wine walking tour of Porto with a knowledgeable and interesting guide. Porto, and Portugal more widely, has had a really strong mark on history. From explorers discovering the world, trade that brought products all around the world, influences on language and food the Portuguese have had a mark on the world.

Traditionally you add cinnamon to your pastel de nata which I quite liked.

The covered market was amazing and very busy on Saturday. There was fruit and veg but also lovely charcuterie, cheeses, olive oils and more. We tasted some delicious goats, cow and sheep cheese along with a wine called Green Wine which is slightly fizzy. It’s not coloured green but called that as it’s an early picked variety.

The bifana was delicious, the meat is slow cooked in a special sauce which is a little spicy. Apparently, the Portuguese actually influenced the creation of curry from their time establishing Goa in India and invented the vindaloo!

We also tasted some cod fish fried in a batter and a yummy chicken and game bird sausage, with watery rice.

Apparently JK Rowling lived in Porto and was influenced by things she saw in Porto and put them in her books. This fountain looks like the Gryfindor creatures. University students in Porto wear black capes! We even saw some. She also used the little house in the photo below.

The reason behind the tiny house between the churches was to separate them to avoid some law, the story is a little vague. We also walked past a famous bookstore that looks very Harry Potter-esque and inspired JK Rowling. The line was long though so we didn’t get in.