My Porto

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Porto is a haven for creative minds with its myriad galleries, design studios and excellent shops. This is a city that likes to eat, party and dress up. The proximity of the city to big textile factories, which supply leading world brands, has made it a perfect place for fashion designers to set up shop - Luis Buchinho among them. Born in Setúbal, near Lisbon and named best Portuguese fashion designer in 2010 and in 2011, Buchinho moved to Porto in 1987 when he opened his first shop. A second store is due to open this year.

Day One

■ 10:00 Overlooking a nice square Leitaria da Quinta do Paço (49 Praça Guilherme G. Fernandes, +351 222 004 303) is the right place to start the day with a full breakfast. Or give in to temptation and try the wonderful assortment of cakes and pastries, particularly the famous éclairs. Take a seat in this modern café and watch the passers-by on a busy work day, or flick through your favourite magazines and newspapers on a sunny weekend.

■ 11:00 Time to go shopping. Of course your first stop should be the Luis Buchinho shop (122 Rua José Falcão, +351 222 012 776). This season you will find fine dresses in delicate wool with sensual shapes. The women's summer collection is inspired by Greco-Roman imagery.

■ 12:00 Spend the time before lunch visiting one of the most iconic markets in the country, just a couple of blocks down the road, on the other side of Avenida dos Aliados. In Mercado do Bolhão (Rua Fenandes Tomás), you get a real sense of typical Porto - the ladies behind their fruit stands love to gently hassle non-locals, in a very affectionate, funny way. Wander amidst the fresh fruit and vegetables, take in the fish stalls and let your senses be overwhelmed by the smell of fresh herbs and flowers.

■ 13:00 For something to eat, walk back up to Café Vitória, (156 Rua José Falcão, +351 220 135538). During the day this place operates as café and tapas bar and serves wonderful food. Sit inside and admire the 1960s and 1970s furniture or relax in the inner garden. Try the tasty pork sausage with flour and spices in scrambled eggs, or a sirloin steak sandwich with Dijon mustard. Alternatively, the cured salmon sandwich and cod fish salad are excellent. At night visit the restaurant on the first floor and try the fine pork and lamb specialities. Don't miss the superb pear and Azorean cheese kebab.

■ 14:30 This is the most interesting commercial area in the city, so take the time to visit the incredible design shops. There's a great collection in the magnificent building on Rua Galeria de Paris (20). A Vida Portuguesa on the first-floor, has a huge variety of retro design products. If you have the time and energy left, visit Rua Miguel Bombarda, a street full of art galleries and a small shopping centre, CCB, with its trendy shops and a wonderful second-hand store. In Porto and the north of Portugal, people eat well and portions are usually pretty generous, which is fortunate because you'll need a hearty meal after walking so much. Get back to your hotel, have a shower with a gorgeous soap by Ach Brito, available in many of the retro design shops, then book a table at Canelas de Coelho, (29 Rua Elísio Melo, +351 222 015 824).

■ 21:00 Southern European eating habits differ from the North, and people in Portugal like to dine out late, after 9pm. Dining any time before means missing out on the special Portuguese atmosphere. Order a good bottle of wine from the Douro region and let the experienced staff advise you on the best vintage. The menu at Canelas de Coelho is a reinterpretation of Portuguese traditional cuisine; the house special is duck with pears in a wine and truffle risotto.

■ 23:30 Time to go for a quiet, post-dinner drink. Café Candelabro (3 Rua da Conceição, +351 966 984 250) has contemporary touches and a very cool atmosphere.

If you want to party the night away then you should head to Rua Galeria de Paris, with its numerous bars and guest DJs from all over the world. Plano B is one of the best clubs in town on this very street.

Day Two

■ 11:00 After a busy first day in Porto you probably feel like kicking back a little. Two pieces of advice: brunch and a visit to one of the cultural hotspots of the city and/or a lazy day at the beach around Espinho, south of Porto. I like to go to the beach in the morning and come back around 2.30pm for lunch or brunch at Pizzaria Casa D'Ouro (797 Rua do Ouro, +351 226 106 012). Situated just by the river and close to the modern bridge of Arrábida, this is great place to admire the view and linger over lunch. You can eat inside, but try to bag a table on the terrace to make the most of the sun and enjoy the breeze. Try the mixed fish fillets with pistachio and vermouth or the superb scallops with ham and parsley stuffing.

■ 16:00 Walk or take a taxi up the hill to the Serralves Foundation, (210 Rua Dom João de Castro, +351 226 156 590). This art institution is a must-see in Porto for its beautiful gardens and its terrific exhibitions. Don't miss the exhibition by João Paulo Feliciano (until 3 June).

■ 18:00 You are now close to the modern part of town, Boavista, where you will find my favourite shop, Por Vocação (971 Avenida da Boavista, +351 22 600 02 11). This is one of the best menswear shops in Portugal and the place to get shirts, trousers and shoes by brands such as Paul Smith, Martin Margiela or Raf Simmons and occasional pieces by Portuguese designers.

■ 21:00 For a nice dinner in the more affluent area of town try the numerous restaurants in Foz and finish the night dancing in the renovated discotheque Indústria (843 Avenida Brasil).

FR
Mon Porto

Le styliste Luis Buchinho emmène Carlos Tomé Sousa dans un parcours de Porto. Une ville où l'on aime manger, faire la fête et s'habiller avec goût

Leitaria da Quinta do Paço (49 Praça Guilherme G. Fernandes) est l'endroit idéal pour commencer la journée par un bon petit-déjeuner, ne manquez pas les fameux éclairs.

Chez Luis Buchinho (122 Rua José Falcão) vous trouverez de magnifiques robes en laine délicate et une collection d'été d'inspiration gréco-romaine.

Au Mercado do Bolhão, (Rua Fenandes Tomás), entrez dans le Porto typique - derrière leurs échoppes, les femmes adorent gentiment taquiner les non locaux.

Le Café Vitória, (156 Rua José Falcão) officie la journée comme café et bar à tapas. Essayez le savoureux steak sandwich à la moutarde de Dijon.

Dans le sublime immeuble de la Rua Galeria de Paris (20) se concentrent plusieurs boutiques de design.

Réservez une table au Canelas de Coelho, (29 Rua Elísio Melo), mais oubliez vos habitudes d'Europe du nord : au Portugal, on dîne tard, après 21h.

Savourez un verre au calme après le repas au Café Candelabro (3 Rua da Conceição, +351 966 984 250), où règne une ambiance très cool.

Une suggestion : sortez du lit le matin pour rejoindre les plages autour d'Espinho, au sud de Porto. Et rentrez vers 14.30 pour le brunch à la Pizzaria Casa D'Ouro (797 Rua do Ouro).

La Fondation Serralves, (210 Rua Dom João de Castro, +351 226 156 590) est une institution d'art avec des jardins et un nombre important d'expositions.

Mon magasin favori est Por Vocação (971 Avenida da Boavista, +351 22 600 02 11), l'endroit où glaner des chemises, pantalons et chaussures de marques telles que Paul Smith et Martin Margiela.

NL
Mijn Porto

Modeontwerper Luis Buchinho geeft Carlos Tomé Sousa een rondleiding door Porto - een stad voor wie houdt van eten, feestvieren en mooie kleren

Leitaria da Quinta do Paço (Praça Guilherme G. Fernandes 49) is de ideale plek om de dag te beginnen met een heerlijk ontbijt; probeer zeker de beroemde eclairs.

Bij Luis Buchinho (Rua José Falcão 122) vindt u mooie jurken in fijne wol en een zomercollectie geïnspireerd door de Grieks-Romeinse voorstellingswereld.

In Mercado do Bolhão (Rua Fenandes Tomás) leert u het typische Porto kennen, maar u moet wel tegen de (onschuldige) plagerijen van de dames aan de marktkramen kunnen.

Café Vitória (Rua José Falcão 156) is overdag een café en tapasbar. Proef hier een lekker sirloin met Dijon-mosterd.

Aan designwinkels geen gebrek in het prachtige gebouw in de Rua Galeria de Paris (20).

Reserveer een tafel bij Canelas de Coelho (Rua Elísio Melo 29), maar vergeet niet dat Portugezen meestal pas na 9 uur's avonds dineren.

Voor een afzakkertje is de leuke en rustige sfeer in Café Candelabro (Rua da Conceição 3, +351 966 984 250) ideaal.

Ik stel voor dat u 's ochtends vroeg opstaat, op het strand in Espinho, ten zuiden van Porto, gaat wandelen en tegen half 3 terugkeert voor een brunch in Pizzaria Casa D'Ouro (Rua do Ouro 797).

De stichting Serralves (Rua Dom João de Castro 210, +351 226 156 590) is een kunstencentrum met prachtige tuinen en vele tentoonstellingen.

Voor T-shirts, broeken en schoenen vind je mij bij Por Vocação (Avenida da Boavista 971, +351 22 600 02 11), met merken als Paul Smith en Martin Margiela.

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