May is perhaps the most beautiful month to be in Porto. The city has fully entered spring, the days have grown longer, the terraces are full, the jacarandas begin to colour Avenida dos Aliados, and there is a very particular energy in the air. Queima das Fitas is approaching, festivals are returning to the parks, and the Douro invites you to leave the city behind on a sunny day. Here are some of the highlights of the month for those already in Porto or planning to arrive soon.

Queima das Fitas: when Porto dresses for celebration

It is the major event of May. Every year, at the beginning of the month, Porto’s academic community takes to the streets to celebrate the end of the academic year with the country’s biggest student festival. The week begins with the Serenata Monumental on the steps of the Cathedral, where thousands gather in silence to hear the choir sing Coimbra fado. This is followed by the Cortejo da Queima, a colourful parade through the central avenues, and concert nights at the Queimódromo, in Parque da Cidade.

Even if you are not a student, both the Serenata and the Cortejo are well worth seeing: each offers a genuine portrait of the city’s identity.

Mother’s Day: celebrating the one who is always at the table

The first Sunday of May marks Mother’s Day in Portugal, and Porto fills with family lunches, hotel brunches and tables booked weeks in advance. For those visiting the city with their mother, or hoping to surprise their own, it is worth booking a table at one of the downtown restaurants with a balcony or terrace.

As an alternative, a leisurely breakfast in an Almada234 apartment, overlooking the city’s rooftops, may be the most intimate and memorable gift of all.

Culture: a strong programme across stages and galleries

May brings one of the richest cultural calendars of the year. At Casa da Música, the dates to note begin on 13 May with the return of GoGo Penguin. The Manchester trio – Chris Illingworth on piano, Nick Blacka on double bass and Jon Scott on drums – presents its new album Necessary Fictions, a faithful portrait of what they describe as their most complete and authentic qualities at this moment in time.

On 14 May, the same stage hosts the Grande Gala de Baile e Cante Flamenco, Do Marquês do Flamenco à Rainha do Fado, a tribute to Porrina de Badajoz, one of the most emblematic flamenco singers of the 20th century, born into a Romani family and known for his unmistakable timbre and singular way of interpreting fandangos, seguiriyas and soleás.

On 23 May, there are two performances that deserve special attention. In recital, the Echo Rising Stars cycle presents Icelandic soprano Álfheiður Erla Guðmundsdóttir, accompanied by pianist Kunal Lahiry. With a captivating and ethereal voice, already recorded for Deutsche Grammophon, she promises a concert that will linger in the memory. On the same evening, Mexican singer-songwriter Silvana Estrada, brings to Casa da Música the striking beauty of her soft voice and a repertoire of delicate, introspective songs.

At Coliseu Porto Ageas, on 8 May, the spotlight falls on Non Talkers. The Portuguese-Belgian indie folk duo performs in Porto for the first time as part of its European Weight of Doubt tour. Known for the combination of two contrasting voices, carefully crafted arrangements and a strong emotional charge, they promise an intense and immersive concert, the kind where the music takes centre stage and the audience is invited to listen closely.

For galleries and exhibitions, it is also worth visiting Serralves, just a short taxi ride from the centre, and Galeria Municipal do Porto, at Palácio de Cristal.

Flavours of May: what to eat and drink now

May is a month of transition in Portuguese cooking. The first sweet, ripe strawberries begin to appear, cherries make their way into the markets, especially Bolhão, wild asparagus starts appearing on the menus of restaurants that pay close attention to seasonality, and sável, the fish of the Douro River, is living through the last days of its high season.

In pastry shops, you can still find pão de ló and Easter folar; in taverns, sardines begin to hint at the arrival of São João. For a seasonal aperitif, order a well-served chilled vinho verde – one of the choices the city starts returning to at this time of year.

A suggested escape: the Douro in bloom

If you are staying in Porto for more than a few days, May is the ideal time to visit the Douro Demarcated Region. The vineyards are green, the fields are full of colour, the estates are quieter, and the roads are less busy than in summer.

In just over an hour, you can reach Peso da Régua by train on one of the most beautiful railway journeys in Europe. You can combine a visit to a wine estate with a tasting and a regional lunch — a morning, or even a full day, that is sure to stay with you.