New life has been given to this little Lumière mall. It was built in the 80s when it was the home of the Lumière cinema, but had been left to rot for the best part of a decade. The same band of people responsible for transforming the city with urban markets, decided to get together and breathe new life into Lumière. The 15 shops are now full of life and it’s difficult to decide which one to visit first: the croissant place, the ceramic store, the vintage outlet or the Brazilian stand. Galerias Lumière is always trying to find reasons to bring people inside. You may find a boozy brunch, DJ set, book talks or a pasta workshop – you name it.

You can’t visit Porto and not visit the Bolhão market. It’s no San Miguel market or a Boquería, but a place built in 1850 which has a decadent side. There is something fascinating about visiting a place which has stayed in tact for so many years and you tend to discover lots of little secrets from it, such as the very particular way francesinha is made. A good francesinha has to be made with steak, ham and two kinds of sausages. Most of the best places to eat francesinha in Porto buy their sausages from a butcher in Bolhão, called Leandro, who happens to be the king of sausages. Luisa, another butcher, maintains a tradition that is allowed only in Bolhão. She bases it on her homemade recipe of floured tripes – tripes filled with a mix of flour and spices and served fried as a snack. Stroll through the market for a little while, get to know the fishmongers yelling the daily price of sea bass, buy some flowers or some white bread and maybe have lunch at the charming little restaurant.

Fifty years ago, Foz was the French Riviera of Portugal. This place by the sea still has a beautiful cream-coloured pergolas to remind the inhabitants of its former glory days and remains a sunny, desirable place to be in Porto. Besides the sea, sand and promenades, you’ll find good restaurants, expensive shops and beautiful people. If you walk towards the river, the Foz reverts back to its ancient self. Similar to a village with alleys, people hang out their windows and jovially shout “good morning” to welcome you.

If you’re in Porto on a Tuesday afternoon, the place to go is Adega Rio Douro, a little tavern down by the river where from 4PM to 7PM locals sing visceral fado songs documenting painful stories in rumbled voices. It’s a touching moment mixed with some excellent food. The place is pretty small and crowded, but you can always ask for food and wine at the counter, where you’ll find steaming pans of chicken gizzards, pork stomach salad, fried codfish and salted liver with onions. If offal isn’t your thing, just grab a beer and listen to the music.

Serralves Contemporary Museum has two reasons to brag about its art: the well-curated exhibitions and the idyllic gardens. Take a whole morning to explore the facilities, preferably on a Sunday, when entry is free. Walk through the museum, step into the gardens, be amazed by the delightful lake, before sitting quietly to enjoy the cooling breeze at the Tea House.

This Porto suburb by the sea is a must-do. Here, you’ll find a street teeming with grilled fish shacks; while it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing place, you will forget the setting the moment you see all the fish grills assembled in the street. You can also eat the best pizza in town at a Neapolitan pizzeria near the docks called La Pulcinella, while you must try sweet, broiche-style croissants at Mix Pão. Last but not least, take a sneak peek at the local market, a stunning 50s building hosting fishmongers, florists, street food, sushi corners and flea markets.

This museum has been home to some of the most cutting-edge worldwide contemporary art. With landscaped gardens as beautiful as the building’s angular architecture, Serralves museum is a mandatory stop for anyone visiting Porto – and not just for an Instagram shot of the pink exterior.

Established in 1993, Galeria Fernando Santos has acted as a gateway for Portuguese collectors to meet international artists, while maintaining support for national favourites. Perfect examples of this mission are Bosco Sodi and Pedro Cabrita Reis.

Exhibiting artists such as Max Ruf and Secundino Henández, its one of the most well-known international galleries in Portugal, and for good reason.

Representing both established and emerging artists, national and international talent, there is only one mission at Kubik Gallery: to exhibit originality.

Since its opening in 1995, Galeria Presença has gained some heavyweight names amongst its roster. Excuse the name-dropping but with artists like Alexandre Farto aka Vhils, Pedro Calapez and Vasco Araújo, it’s worth mentioning. Not surprising if you recognise it from its occasional presence at art fairs like Arco Madrid and Est Art Fair.

An art collector during the 1960s Manuel Ulisses practically gave birth to this gallery, which was one of the first exhibition spaces in the city. Representing the growing interest for international modern art, the gallery has pieces by, and indeed for, both older and younger generations.

Wrong Weather is a high-end fashion boutique with a second space devoted to the visual arts. Its gallery has already showcased international artists like Bruce LaBruce and Patrick Church. Come rain or shine, it’s a must-see, whatever the weather.

Originally founded with the name Galeria Roma e Pavia, this gallery has never failed to present at Arco Madrid. Likewise, you shouldn’t fail to visit it when ambling Porto’s historic quarter.

Pass the entrance and aim for the glass-domed Pátio das Nações (Nations’ Courtyard), for an instant hit of regality. Impressed? Hang on. The rooms deeper inside are the real showstoppers – to view them, join one of the half-hour guided tours which run every 30 minutes.