It’s almost impossible not to love the month of April, right? Especially since the days are longer with the time change. So, let’s find out what to do in Porto in April.
As usual, our suggestions are varied, covering both indoor and outdoor activities . Immersive experiences, concerts, culinary events, and more. There are plenty of tips… And all you have to do is, literally, choose.
The Florbela Espanca Municipal Library is hosting the 20th edition of the LeV – Literatura em Viagem festival. The event brings together major figures from the national and international literary scene, such as Mia Couto, Valter Hugo Mãe, Gonçalo M. Tavares, Jung Chang, and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir. The program features relaxed conversations, where authors share the stories behind their books and their personal experiences.
The festival features panel discussions, book presentations, and a special live broadcast of the “Convidado Extra” podcast, hosted by journalist João Paulo Sacadura. This session will feature writers such as José Eduardo Agualusa and Tatiana Salem Levy.
Young audiences have a space entirely dedicated to them: “LeVzinho.” This section offers story hours, creative workshops, and meet-and-greets with authors.
Have you ever imagined attending a classical music concert under the soft glow of hundreds of candles? In Porto, it’s possible; and the best part is that the Candlelight shows take place in iconic venues, such as the Pestana Palácio do Freixo and the Pestana Palácio do Freixo.
Beyond the magic of candlelight, the Candlelight concerts stand out for their focus on diverse musical repertoires, ranging from pop hits to rock classics, not to mention timeless classics and brilliant compositions.
The Alfândega do Porto Congress Center is hosting Europe’s largest exhibition of models built with LEGO® bricks. The exhibition spans over 2,000 m² and uses around 10 million bricks to bring colossal structures to life, including a 60-meter-long replica of the Great Wall of China and a five-meter-long Spinosaurus dinosaur.
The experience focuses on the visual impact of unique and interactive models. Highlights include pop culture icons such as a three-meter-tall Star Wars Tie Fighter and scenes from Harry Potter and Batman. The space also features a children’s area with characters like Peppa Pig and the Minions, as well as a 3D Gallery designed for creative photography
Discover trends at Expocosmética
From April 11 to 13, Exponor – Porto International Fair hosts the 29th edition of Expocosmética, which challenges exhibitors and visitors to explore the latest innovations in cosmetics, beauty, nails, and hair.
The initiative includes not only various exhibitors but also different workshops, demonstrations, and discussions on key themes in the sector.
Porto hosts a luminous reinterpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic that blends the rigorous technique of ballet with cutting-edge technology. In this production by Fever, the story of Princess Aurora takes on a new visual dimension through costumes equipped with fiber-optic lights, which trace brilliant paths across the dark stage with every pirouette and leap of the dancers.
The show features an immersive format accessible to all ages, focusing on a magical and sensory atmosphere rather than the traditional structure of long acts. Ideal for those seeking a unique cultural experience, the event transforms the Francisco de Assis Auditorium into an ethereal setting where classical choreography is accentuated by lighting effects that guide the narrative from the spell to the kiss of true love.
The city of Porto celebrates the 52nd anniversary of the Carnation Revolution with a program focused on music and civic events. On Friday, the stage on Avenida dos Aliados will host a concert by Carlão, followed by a performance by the University of Porto’s Faculty of Arts Choir, which will perform classics such as “Grândola, Vila Morena.” Immediately afterward, the evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display.
On Saturday, General Humberto Delgado Square will host traditional children’s activities and games. Later, the traditional Freedom Parade will proceed from Largo de Soares dos Reis toward Aliados, where concerts by the bands Labuta and Galandum Galundaina will close out the official program. The initiative brings together the Porto City Council and the Commission for the Promotion of Popular Celebrations in the civic commemoration of this historic date.
Fill your belly at the Francesinha Festival
Celebrating Porto’s most iconic dish is a plan that never gets old. So, if you’re a fan of the famous francesinhas, mark your calendar: on April 25 and 26, WOW (the cultural district of Vila Nova de Gaia) is hosting another edition of the Francesinha Festival.
From classic recipes to the most unusual ones, there’s a francesinha for everyone, including vegetarian options . So get ready to eat well while enjoying a spectacular view of Porto, accompanied by live music.
(Re)discover Miró at Serralves
There are many reasons to visit Serralves Park; and the exhibition “Elective Affinities: Joan Miró and Contemporary Art in the Serralves Museum Collection” is just one more.
In total, the exhibition features 24 works from the Miró Collection and 53 from the Serralves Collection, encompassing painting, drawing, sculpture, and more, as well as works by contemporary artists from around the world.
The BrickWorld exhibition is extending its run at the WOW cultural quarter due to its popularity. The Atkinson Museum is now presenting a second phase of the exhibition, which includes the opening of a new room dedicated exclusively to pop culture universes , such as The Simpsons, the works of Tim Burton, and the adventures of Indiana Jones.
The exhibition highlights the detailed work of adult LEGO fans (AFOLs), featuring everything from medieval castles and space battles to replicas of Porto’s iconic landmarks. For younger visitors, the space features the interactive “BrickPlay” area and offers a small building kit for children aged 4 to 12.
Minigolf Porto features an 18-hole indoor course designed for all ages. The venue stands out for its retro aesthetic and vibrant neon lighting , which guides players across three floors and a total area of 360m².
The experience goes beyond the game itself, featuring a cocktail bar and a games area with foosball, pool tables, and air hockey. The venue accepts reservations for team-building events and birthday parties, transforming into a versatile gathering spot that shifts from a family-friendly atmosphere in the afternoon to a social hangout as night falls.
If in April you feel like swapping the hustle and bustle of the city for a more peaceful stroll, the Porto Botanical Garden, spanning four hectares on Rua do Campo Alegre, is a green space filled with rare species and themed areas— entry to the garden is free, while the Biodiversity Gallery inside requires an admission fee.
The Porto Municipal Gallery renews its program with three distinct exhibitions spanning all floors of the building. The main highlight is “Colapso,” a large-scale installation by Silvestre Pestana that analyzes the impact of technology and its “rubble” on contemporary society. A pioneer of video art and performance in Portugal, the artist uses the first floor to expand his critical vision of the digital world.
On Level 0, the “Comissões #1” initiative debuts a new model for supporting national production, bringing together unpublished works by five artists connected to Porto’s cultural scene: Mauro Cerqueira, Joana Escoval, Sara Graça, Catarina Miranda, and Mariya Nesvyetaylo. The journey ends on Level -1 with “Pele do Mar” by Eunice Pais , which blends film and installation to explore memory and the coexistence of different geographies and species
Paiva Castle hides a river oasis where the Paiva and Douro rivers meet. Known for the legend of a forbidden and tragic love between a farmer and a noblewoman, Ilha dos Amores serves as a wild refuge where nature and history intersect.
The site preserves the remains of an ancient 12th-century defensive tower and the foundations of a small 15th-century chapel carved into the rock. To explore these medieval ruins, access is exclusively by river.
Living Tours offers exclusive experiences with private yacht tours departing from Porto, but you can also reach the island on your own. The most common route starts at Praia do Castelo, using local boats or kayaks to cross the short stretch of river that separates the shore from this “hidden gem” of the North.
Finally, how about a little getaway outside Porto for a fun experience? Prison Island Braga is much more than a traditional escape room, as it’s inspired by the format of TV game shows like “Fort Boyard.”
Participants explore an arena with 33 themed “open-world” style cells , with no linear routes or mandatory checkpoints. Each team uses an electronic chip to access the spaces, freely choosing the challenges they want to tackle based on their physical, tactical, or technical abilities.
The game focuses on accumulating as many points as possible within an hour and a half. Aleaderboard updated in real time allows teams to track their performance while deciding their next move: solving a complex mental puzzle, passing an agility test, or repeating the same challenge as many times as necessary to beat their own record.
The settings recreate a realistic prison environment that challenges players’ reflexes and dexterity. The activities require quick thinking and constant communication, putting families, groups of friends, or coworkers to the test as they work together to solve immersive challenges. So, that’s the excuse you needed to make a quick trip to the city of Braga, right?
