How to spend your treatment downtime – The IVF Porto guide
Cost. Wait times. Access to particular treatments or donors. All of these are really valid reasons to travel abroad for fertility treatment. And there are plenty more.
Here at TRB, we’re committed to bringing you the 101 on a range of destinations. Recently, Portugal tops our list again and again for its super appealing combination of established fertility care, progressive legislation and easy travel from the UK.
And whilst exactly where your clinic is situated might not matter to you (personal preference plays a huge role when you’re making this important choice) the city of Porto is a real favourite stop right now for those who are looking for a slower-paced visit.
Our go-to Porto fertility clinic? It’s Procriar, for their totally patient-centered approach and top-notch treatment expertise. They welcome international patients all the way up to the age of 49 years and 364 days, blending innovation with understanding and compassion for your unique journey to date.
For the out-of-clinic perspective, we asked their local team for their best picks for seeing, eating and unwinding in Porto, Portugal while keeping things comfortable during an IVF trip.
Here’s their mini-guide.
First off, what is it about Porto?
While your clinic appointments will be firmly at the centre of your trip, Porto has plenty going for it as a destination for fertility treatment. It’s a relatively easy city to get around, has a more relaxed pace than some of Europe’s bigger capitals.
For UK patients, getting there is also relatively straightforward, with direct flights available from a number of UK airports. Once you arrive, Porto’s relatively compact size makes it easy to explore different parts of the city, with many key sights and attractions within a manageable distance of one another.
There’s also the setting. With the Douro River, historic architecture, leafy gardens and plenty of places to stop for a leisurely lunch or a (really good) coffee, Porto lends itself nicely to a fertility trip where you might want to alternate appointments with rest and gentle sightseeing.
How much free time will I have during IVF in Porto?
The amount of free time you have during an IVF Porto trip will depend on your individual treatment plan and how long you are able to stay.
For international patients, Procriar generally recommends arriving the day before treatment. Staying in the city for around three days (the day before, the treatment day and the day after) gives you the opportunity to experience some of Porto alongside your clinic appointments.
That makes it possible to build in some sightseeing without turning your trip into a packed itinerary. You could spend your arrival day getting your bearings, enjoy a relaxed activity or meal after treatment, and leave plenty of time for rest before travelling home.
Your own treatment schedule and how you feel should always take priority, so it’s worth keeping plans flexible.
5 things to see in Porto during an IVF treatment visit
If you’re researching an IVF clinic in Porto, you may already have started looking at what the city has to offer. Rather than attempting to tick off every major attraction, the Procriar team recommends choosing a handful of places and taking your time.
Here are some of their favourite recommendations.
1. Jardim do Morro
For one of the best views across Porto, you’ll want to head to Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia. The garden sits across the Douro from the historic centre and offers a panoramic view of the city.
It’s a lovely place to sit and take in the scenery without needing to plan a whole day around sightseeing. If you’re feeling well, it can also be incorporated into a gentle walk.
2. Palácio da Bolsa
For a dose of Porto’s history and architecture, Palácio da Bolsa is one of the cultural spots the Procriar team recommends.
It’s a good option if you want to see more of the city while keeping your plans focused around a relatively small number of cultural experiences.
3. Livraria Lello
Book lover? You may want to make time for Livraria Lello, one of Porto’s best-known cultural landmarks. Its distinctive interior makes it an interesting stop for anyone who enjoys architecture, literature and beautiful spaces.
4. Dom Luís Bridge
The Dom Luís Bridge is another Porto landmark worth seeing. Its position over the Douro makes it a particularly scenic part of the city, and it can form part of a gentle wander rather than requiring a full day of sightseeing.
5. Jardim da Fundação Serralves
For something quieter, the Procriar team particularly recommends the Jardim da Fundação Serralves.
Conveniently located close to the clinic, the gardens provide a peaceful setting for a leisurely walk surrounded by nature and modern art.
A fab choice, we think, for when you want to get outside without committing to a busy sightseeing schedule.
The best bites in Porto
Food is another easy way to experience Porto between appointments.
The Procriar team recommends trying Francesinha, one of the city’s signature dishes, at a restaurant specialising in this Porto classic. Seafood lovers can also look out for marisqueiras, restaurants specialising in fresh seafood.
If you’re planning meals around treatment, keep things comfortable and choose somewhere where you can sit down and take your time.
Sometimes a quiet dinner is exactly what you need after a busy day.
Unwinding off the beaten track
When you’re undergoing fertility treatment, it’s actually a good idea not to plan every aspect of your itinerary.
The Procriar team recommends choosing relaxing activities that allow you to enjoy Porto without placing unnecessary demands on your body.
Adding to their hotlist above, the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal are another good option for a relaxed stroll, with gardens overlooking the Douro. Speaking of which, you could take a gentle river cruise along the Douro and see the city from the water.
The team advises avoiding physically demanding sightseeing that involves lots of climbing or steep walking. They also recommend avoiding wine-drinking activities during treatment, perhaps unsurprisingly!
In a nutshell – Pick the things that appeal to you, and leave plenty of space around them.
How to balance sightseeing with fertility treatment
The easiest way to combine treatment and sightseeing is to keep your schedule flexible. The Procriar team recommends:
- Rest on the day of embryo transfer – A light walk or quiet dinner is fine if you feel comfortable, but avoid strenuous activities immediately afterwards.
- Keep plans flexible – You may feel perfectly comfortable, but having fewer fixed plans gives you the freedom to rest if you need to.
- Listen to your body – If you experience bloating or fatigue during treatment, take it as a cue to slow down and give yourself more time to rest.
- Keep sightseeing relaxed – Gentle walks, peaceful gardens and cultural experiences can be a good way to enjoy Porto without overdoing it.
- Don’t try to fit everything in – A relaxed pace can work well alongside treatment, so focus on enjoying your time rather than making every hour count.
Planning your IVF Porto trip? Start here
If you’re considering IVF in Porto, Portugal, it can be reassuring to know that your time away doesn’t have to revolve entirely around appointments.
But ultimately, you’re there for treatment, and to get you one step closer to starting or growing your family, so your choice of clinic really matters too.
Procriar’s standout offering includes:
- Cutting-edge technology
- Personalised treatment plans tailored to your needs
- One of Portugal’s largest open-ID donor banks
- A dynamic team of specialists and exceptional care that maximises your chances of success
And in your downtime, the team can also help you understand what your individual treatment schedule may look like, allowing you to plan your time in the city around the care you need.
Book an initial consultation to chat through your options, and find tailored treatments with no wait time.
Want to hear more from team Procriar? Read this next: How to deal with IVF anxiety abroad – here are 5 psychologist-approved tips to cope
