Explore Porto & Portugal with Cooltour Oporto

The University of Coimbra, founded in 1290 by King Dinis, is Portugal’s oldest university and one of Europe’s oldest. For centuries, its students, professors, traditions, and historic buildings have shaped Coimbra’s identity, making it a major historic university centre. Today, it remains an important cultural landmark, with its historic buildings forming part of the University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013. 

The Francesinha is one of Porto’s most iconic dishes, celebrated for its rich combination of meats, melted cheese, and signature beer-based sauce. While it is beloved across the city, opinions differ widely on where to find the best version, as each restaurant offers its own take on the recipe, varying in flavor, spice, and preparation methods. This guide highlights some of Porto’s most highly regarded places to enjoy a Francesinha, from traditional establishments and local favorites to venues offering vegetarian options. 

From traditional taverns in the Minho countryside to contemporary restaurants overlooking the canals of Aveiro, codfish remains one of the country's most beloved ingredients. In fact, many Portuguese people will happily drive several hours just to enjoy a favourite bacalhau dish at a particular restaurant.

The story of the Pastel de Nata is far richer than the familiar tale of monks using leftover egg yolks at Lisbon's Jerónimos Monastery: its history stretches across three centuries, influenced by a royal recipe book, political upheaval that nearly caused the recipe to disappear, and the enduring legacy of a family bakery that still closely guards its original version. Today, this iconic Portuguese custard tart has become one of the country's most celebrated culinary symbols, enjoyed in bakeries around the world and inspiring home bakers to recreate the traditional dessert.

Portugal's cuisine goes far beyond iconic dishes like Francesinha, Bacalhau, Caldo Verde, Leitão à Bairrada, Cataplana de Marisco, Carne de Porco à Alentejana, and Pastéis de Nata. Shaped by its long Atlantic coastline, centuries of maritime exploration, regional traditions, and global trade influences, Portuguese food reflects the country's rich history and diverse landscapes. The most memorable meals are often found in humble family-run tascas, local festivals, or small village restaurants rather than famous tourist spots. This guide explores not only Portugal's signature dishes but also the stories, regions, and traditions behind them, helping travelers discover the authentic flavors that make Portuguese cuisine one of Europe's hidden culinary treasures. 

Portugal is the world's largest consumer of bacalhau (salted cod) per person, accounting for about 20% of global consumption despite having a population of just over 10 million and no native codfish in its waters. Bacalhau has become deeply intertwined with Portuguese identity and culture, featuring prominently in Christmas Eve dinners, Easter celebrations, family meals, and traditional cuisine. Over time, it has inspired fishermen, sailors, cooks, writers, and entrepreneurs, evolving from a simple imported ingredient into a powerful national symbol. 

 If you've never heard of a Francesinha, you're about to discover one of Portugal's most iconic comfort foods.

Born in Porto, the Francesinha is a rich sandwich layered with steak, ham, linguiça, and fresh sausage, covered with melted cheese and generously smothered in a hot beer-based sauce. It is hearty, indulgent, and unlike any sandwich you've ever tried.

Every year on the night of June 23–24, Porto comes alive with the vibrant Festas de São João, one of Portugal’s largest and most authentic popular festivals, where music, grilled sardines, fireworks over the Douro River, colorful plastic hammers, and basil plants fill the streets. Rooted in both ancient midsummer pagan traditions and the Catholic celebration of St. John the Baptist, the festival blends religion, food, music, and community into a unique citywide celebration where neighbors dine outdoors, strangers celebrate together, and Porto’s traditions feel genuinely alive rather than staged. 

Every June, the historic centre of Guimarães, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, comes alive during Festa Afonsina, one of Portugal’s most important historical festivals. Inspired by Afonso Henriques, the event transforms the city into an immersive medieval world filled with knights, merchants, musicians, artisans, and costumed processions that celebrate the origins of Portugal.

The Carnation Revolution is one of the defining moments of modern Portugal, and April 25th remains one of the most meaningful days to experience the country. For travelers, it offers something rare: a celebration that is not designed for tourism, but deeply rooted in national identity.