If you’re visiting Porto, or Portugal in general, it only makes sense to indulge in fresh sardines. But have you ever considered taking a sardine tour?

Really?

Conservas Pinhais, known for its “NURI” brand, offers a unique and immersive experience that might just convert you into a sardine enthusiast.

Actually, I didn’t even know about this until leading up to my trip—and I don’t even eat sardines. So let me tell you why visiting Conservas Pinhais is well worth your time. And maybe, like me, you’ll come out the other end eating Portuguese sardines. Maybe even become a sardine snob.

Just kidding… well, maybe.

Why Sardines?

Ok so you might be thinking why do I want to eat sardines and what’s in it for me?

Well, for one, sardines offer a healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids that may help mitigate inflammation, support brain function, and improve mood. Additionally, it’s definitely more feasible to get these nutrients from the source rather than in capsule form.

The biochemistry behind fatty acid mechanisms is actually interesting, but I’ll stay on topic.

Aside from the health benefits, sardines play an integral role in Portuguese culture and cuisine. In fact, ForeignPolicy.com calls it “Sardine Capitalism.” Just looking at their coastline, which is mostly Atlantic-facing, it’s clear why a seafaring nation like Portugal takes advantage of this abundant resource.

What’s in My Pack?

Here’s look at some of my tried and test gear I used on the road (disclaimer: contains affiliate links).

The Conservas Pinhais Experience

If you’re curious about sardines or simply seeking a unique experience, the Conservas Pinhais tour is a must. Whether your introduction to sardines came from a quick Google search, a litany of sardine pop-ups, or browsing Reddit’s r/CannedSardines, Conservas Pinhais is, in my opinion, the best way to get your feet wet in the world of sardines.

On the Conservas Pinhais Tour, known for its “NURI” brand, you get whisked through the factory and see how sardines are canned—entirely by hand! I’ll refer to it as NURI for the rest of the article.

And let me tell you, the canning process is not automated. It’s all MANUAL.

I recommend going during the weekday since that allows you to see the workers in real time. We arrived on the weekend, which made for an empty space. However, it did allow us to have free rein and participate in an assembly-like experience.

Exploring the Factory

Pinhais Cannery & Co. (NURI Sardine Factory Tour)The tour involves giving a detailed history of the canning process and follows with a heartfelt video detailing the canning process and the significance of the ocean to the Portuguese people, culture, and economy.

The video alone left more than one person crying (it wasn’t me!)

You’ll then be guided through the factory floor, learning how the fish are purchased, cleaned, and prepared using their time-tested formula that remains unchanged after all these years.

The most exciting process is that as you get to assemble  your very own sardine cans to take home as a unique souvenir. Definitely makes for a cool experience.

Eating Some Sardines

The tour concludes with a tasting of the factory’s freshly canned sardines right at a table in the factory. You can choose your preferred type – I highly recommend the spicy version.

What I realized prior to this trip is that I’ve had a lot of bad sardines. They were either prepared poorly or they just lacked flavor, but the ones at Conservas Pinhais were a revelation. I’m now a sardine convert.

After your tasting, don’t miss the gift shop, where you can find souvenirs and, most importantly, more of these delicious canned sardines. Trust me, you’ll want to stock up!

I’ll repeat: make sure you get some gifts or even canned sardines to take home. And don’t say I didn’t tell you so!

Luckily, I brought some home because, even though you can buy them on Amazon, they are at an extreme markup.

A can in Portugal will run you a minimum of €2.50 to a maximum of €5 at a tourist shop in Portugal. That’s approximately $2.70 to $5.40 USD or $4.00 to $8.00 AUD.

Conservas Pinhais

Tips, Tricks, and Logistics

• Book your trip in advance: The Conservas Pinhais tour is popular, so secure your spot ahead of time.
• Chat with the staff: The friendly staff, like Miguel at the front desk, can offer valuable recommendations for other local experiences. He pointed us to several spots that shaped the rest of our trip in Porto from exploring the Super Bock Brewery to going across the street to Garage Wine to try select Green wine that are hard to find back in the States
• If you get Benjamin as a tour guide, say hi for me!

Trip Soundtrack

Because every adventure needs a soundtrack, each of my trips comes with a theme song. And for this trip's anthem? Well, it's...

My visit to Conservas Pinhais ignited a newfound appreciation for sardines. I continued to enjoy them throughout my travels in Portugal and even brought some home.

After my trip to Porto, I began consuming sardines left and right as we navigated Portugal from Porto to Lisbon to Lagos.

If you’re in Porto, don’t miss this opportunity to explore the world of Portuguese sardines—you might be surprised at how delicious they can be!