Strolling around town, stopping by markets and cultural getaways to inspire this weekend in Porto

This weekend take time to enjoy the city, strolling around the pedestrian areas, both in downtown Porto and in the Historic city centre, namely Cedofeita, Passeio das Virtudes, Passos Manuel and Avenida de Rodrigues de Freitas, which transform into pedestrian areas on weekends. 

One can reach shops, restaurants, esplanades in car-free neighbourhoods, while complying with the necessary pandemic control measures.

These temporary pedestrian areas display detachable street furniture, with specific colouring on the pavement, highlighting wellbeing areas as well as gardens and bike parking spots.

In addition, fairs and markets are back, namely the Arts and Craft Market at Praça Parada Leitão, next to the Rectory of the University of Porto. All craftspeople comply with the health preventive measures in place.

If you are taking Saturday to go stock your pantry with fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, know that Bolhão Temporary Market is back to running to the normal timetables on Saturdays and it is open till 6pm.

This nice weather also invites to stroll to the Gardens of Palácio de Cristal and visit Porto Municipal Gallery, where you can appreciate both exhibitions on display: "Masks", curated by João Laia and Valentinas Klimasauskas, which presents several historical, political, social, sexual and even transcendental identities, and the exhibit "Apesar de não estar, estou muito", curated by João and featuring a retrospective on popular culture, by artist Diogo Jesus.

Under the ongoing preventive measures due to the pandemic, the number of visits is limited and there are rules to comply with, as hand sanitation, masking up and 2 meters social distancing.

Nearby, in the evening the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto offers the "Noites no Pátio do Museu", an initiative that features free events; tonight, starting at 9.30pm, Martim Melo debates "The New Philosophical journey" (free translation).

And how about the going to the movies? The cine studio of Porto Municipal Theatre premiers "Martin Eden" by Pietro Marcello.

These are some of the picks for enjoying a vibrant and colourful weekend in Porto!