I would rather bring one thing home that I will use than a bag of objects with “Porto” printed across them. These are the stops I point people to, depending on who the gift is for.
For a little of everything: A Vida Portuguesa
A Vida Portuguesa is in the south wing of São Bento station, so it is easy to fold into a day downtown. The Porto shop carries Portuguese pantry goods, soaps, textiles, stationery and home items. I look for things that are genuinely useful: a small tin, a bar of soap, a notebook or a packet of sweets. The shop page has the address and hours.
For soap, and a bit of Porto brand history
Claus Porto at Rua das Flores 22 is worth visiting even if you are not buying fragrance: the middle floor of the three-storey shop has an exhibition about the brand’s history. The soaps are beautifully packaged, so it is an easy gift when you want something light and easy to pack. Check the official store page for current hours.
For people who cook: Casa Januário
Casa Januário on Rua do Bonjardim is a proper mercearia as well as a confectionery-supply shop. For a gift, look at its coffee, biscuits, tinned fish, olive oil, spices, honey and preserves rather than the baking equipment. Its current grocery catalogue is a good preview.
Port wine and fragile things
If you taste a Port you love at a Gaia cellar, write down the style and producer before buying a bottle. Ruby, tawny, white and vintage are not interchangeable, and a label is not a tasting note. For a flight, check your airline’s current baggage rules; if the bottle goes in checked luggage, wrap it properly. Food and alcohol import rules also depend on where you are going home to.
I would skip old azulejos unless the seller can document their origin. A newly made tile or a print by a local artist is a better souvenir than a piece removed from a building with a vague story. The same goes for bulky ceramics: buy only after you have worked out how to carry it.
My short list: a tin or sweets from A Vida Portuguesa, a bar of Claus Porto soap, or a few pantry things from Casa Januário. Pick one that suits the person, check the price before you get attached, and leave the generic magnet for someone who actually collects them.
