Attractions in Porto
At the mouth of the Douro River, with breath taking sunsets and incredible history lies the beautiful Porto, a place to fall in love. Get lost between the historical streets. Enjoy the wonderful markets and culture. Taste incredible foods, and all together enjoy your time at the different sites the city has to offer.
Torre dos Clérigos
When you are 75 meters up and on top of the hill, you get to see everything! Torre dos Clérigos tower in a beautiful site to visit. After walking up its 240 steps the view is like a dream. The building was built in the 18th century, this historic beacon stands visible from most parts of the city.
Address- Rua São Filipe de Neri
Palácio da Bolsa
Porto’s former stock exchange building stands here. There were centuries when Porto was a business center of the Iberian Peninsula, many businesspeople will come here, and Palácio da Bolsa was the place for them to go. This amazing building was built in the 19th century to wow the foreign merchants, and now it can wow you instead. It has many rooms with different inspirations, you shouldn’t miss it.
Address- Rua Ferreira Borges
Porto Bridge Climb
A strange and unusual yet popular activity in Porto is climbing the Porto Bridge. The climb is done with guides and safety hornists. When reaching the top, you’ll find yourself 65 meters above the Douro River with truly incredible panoramic views. After enjoying the view, you walk down 262 steps where you can really admire this 20th century engineering phenomenon.
Address- Cais do Bicalho, Porto
Igreja de São Francisco
This 18th century church really shows the riches of Porto from that period. Visitors are truly marveled by the intense interior. Gold and carvings, columns and pillars are decorating this magnificent church. When going to the north wall you can see St. Francis’s family tree. You can also join a tour of the ancient catacombs under the church and later enjoy the church’s treasures at the museum.
Address- Rua do Infante D. Henrique
Cais da Ribeira
The riverside quarter is a wonderful place just to stroll around and maybe even get a little lost (not too much). With the narrow and zig zag streets and colorful picturette alleys your adventure here will give you a true picture of the life in Porto. Visit the different cafes and restaurants with their young and friendly vibe. In this district you also have a commercial area with butchers and shoemakers. You can enjoy the scent coming from the bakeries while hearing the locals shouting between balconies the daily gossip to each other. In the neighborhood relics of different centuries were found and declared by UNESKO a World Heritage Site.
Ponte Dom Luís I
Built in the 19th century by one of Gustave Eiffel’s assistants, the Ponte Dom Luís I bridge is and Iconic structure in Porto. People use this bridge daily, and there are options for pedestrians to cross it and enjoy the views it has to offer. There is a fabulous view of the bridge from the south bank at Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, this is one of the best places in the city for taking memorial pictures.
Sé (Cathedral)
When planning your trip don’t forget to plan your visit to the city’s cathedral. Besides the fact that it has great views over the city, this Impressive 12th century building which looks like a fortress, will take you back in time and tell the story of the past centuries in the city. The changes done in the building will tell you what happened in each century. The gold and silver treasures in the treasury are mouth dropping.
World of Discoveries
The Age of Discoveries was a time in the 15th century when the Porto adventurists took to sea with their ships and discovered new, exotic and exciting places. These people were well respected in the city, it is even said that the best meat in the city was put on these ships for the sailors, and the rest of the meat was left in the city. This interactive museum\theme park reenacts the journeys of the Portuguese sea navigators. Join the adventures of Vasco de Gama mapping the sea from Portugal to India and Pedro Álvares Cabral, who reached Brazil in 1500.
Address- Rua de Miragaia 106.
Igreja do Carmo
This is one of the most famous places in Porto. A beautiful church covered with blue and white tiles(azulejos). The exterior of this building is extremely unique, the interior equally exquisite. It has superb, elegant golden brushed woodwork which is breathtaking.
Address- Rua do Carmo
Casa da Música (Music House)
If you’re in Porto for a few days, you should consider checking out which music will be playing in the Casa da Música. Not only does this building have an extremely interesting design, it also hosts a fantastic cultural program. Here you can find many different types of music weather it is Jazz, classical or hip hop, you can find anything to suite your taste.
Address- Avenida da Boavista 604.
Café Majestic
Its all in the name, Majestic and Café. Must we say anything else? Oh yes, the façade is magnificent, the interior design is captivating, it will take you back to the 20s when it was opened as Elite café. Here you eat in style wonderful Fusion of Portuguese and Mediterranean style foods. In this café J.K Rowling worked daily on her draft of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone while sipping coffee at a table near the entrance. We said its majestic, but maybe the word is magical.
Address- Rua Santa Catarina 112
Centro Português de Fotografia (Portuguese Center of Photography)
Only in Porto can a prison become a gallery. A place of corrections become a place to present art. This 18th century former penitentiary turned to sort of a Mecca to photography enthusiasts. After seeing all the wonderful collection of vintage photography equipment, you’ll have a new appreciation for the selfie process you take with your own phone.
Address- Largo Amor de Perdição, Cordoaria
Porto Tram City Tour
The riverfront is magnificent. The colors, the sounds, views and interesting people. You can admire it on a unique tour in a vintage tram. You can choose three different perspectives of the area on different trams. Line 1 is usually the people’s favorite in the summer since it takes you to Foz beaches. line 18 will take you on a shorter ride and end at the Tram Museum. Line 22 would be the best for sightseeing. This line will take you passed Torre dos Clérigos, Igreja do Carmo, and Café Majestic among other places.
Avenida dos Aliados
This is what you call the ‘city center’. This is where you start your excursion in Porto. It’s a broad double avenue filled with stores, restaurants and boutiques. Start your visit here at Estação de São Bento, Porto’s central railway station. Usually people at a railway station are either coming or going, but here they are admiring the art on the walls. The art is telling the history of Portugal. At the end of the avenue you can see the impressive Câmera Municipal, Porto’s city hall.