Why Porto is a great citybreak for Illustrators!
Ola! I’ve just come back from a trip to Porto, Portugal and OH MY this is an excellent spot for creatives to take a citybreak! Full of contemporary galleries, spots to have a cod croquette, a beer and draw - Porto should be on every Illustrators list to go and visit.
Location drawing is a great practicing tool to utilise when out and about in Porto. There are beautiful ornate buildings, people having a cold drink, and lots and lots of dogs!
Where to Visit?
1. Ó! Galeria
https://ogaleria.com/
Ó! Galeria is one of the best small galleries I’ve been to. Full of original artworks that cover the walls in a controlled messy explosion of texture and colour, the gallery sells local and regional artist’s work in sizes varying from post-it-notes to a0 screen-prints. If you don’t fancy grabbing an original, the middle isles are full of affordable postcards, riso-prints and zines.
2. Serralves
https://www.serralves.pt/en/
Serralves is a beautiful park, gallery and contemporary art museum located just outside of the city centre (we got a bus).
Featuring modern artists, film makers and designers from Porto, Brazil, France etc - Serralves is a whole day experience. We visited when the ‘Pink House’ (a beautiful architectural building cast in a powder pink) had a display of Joan Miró’s work (some he created whilst staying in Porto), worth the visit alone.
Psst! - If you’re a student you can get a ticket to the whole place for 10 EURO (20 otherwise).
3. MANNA
https://www.mannaporto.com/
If you love great coffee and enjoy flicking through cookbooks/magazines - head to Manna to enjoy both. Serving speciality coffee and brunch, we loved hopping in here to escape the sun. The area also has lots of cool vintage shops and cheap bars!
There are plenty more reasons to visit porto as a creative but this should be enough to get any creative excited to visit such a beautiful (and affordable) city!
See ya! x
