Porto is the second largest city in Portugal (after Lisbon). It is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe right now and exclusively known for its production of Porto wine. Discover more of Porto’s heritage through its monuments and ancient churches.
Whilst in Porto, you will meet charismatic locals, try some delicious food and take in the most picturesque sites. It is a relaxing holiday destination for sure!
Get the most out of your upcoming trip with these 19 things to do…
MUST-DO
See Sé
Sé Cathedral is located in the historical centre of the city of Porto. The Roman Catholic church is the most important religious edifice in the city. It’s construction began in the 12th century, and since then has undergone numerous reconstructions over the centuries which have resulted in a combination of styles. The cathedral has a mixture of Romanesque, Baroque and Neoclassical features. The building is beautiful and fortress-like, it is also topped by a dome. Sé Cathedral is the city’s oldest and most visited monument, so make sure you don’t miss it whilst you’re in Porto!
Note: Admission to the Sé Cathedral is free, however there’s a small fee to get into the Sacred Art Museum and the magnificent Gothic cloisters which are attached to the church.
Cruise Down The Douro River
The famous Douro River is the ultimate backdrop for river cruises and long strolls. It is the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula, flowing for 897km from Duruelo de la Sierra in Spain to Porto on the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy a day on the River Douro swimming, jet-skiing or even picnicking – the choice is yours. A cruise is a lovely way to explore more of the gorgeous river. On this journey, you will cruise past terraced hillsides, old-fashioned villages and several acres of ripe vineyards. You can even choose to enjoy private tastings of Port.
A cruise down the Douro river will provide a richer insight into Porto’s most important landmarks.
Palácio da Bolsa
Palácio da Bolsa (Stock exchange palace) was constructed in the mid-nineteenth century and pays homage to the city’s rich merchants of yesterday and today. The building situated in the city centre is currently the headquarters of Porto’s Commercial Association. The national monument was built on the ruins of the cloisters of the St Francis Church of Porto next door. Visit the central courtyard called Pátio das Nações (Courtyard of the Nations), which is enclosed by a glass structure. You will be in awe with how much natural light is let into the whole Palace.
Tip: Join a 30-minute guided tour and learn more about the palace and Porto’s history.
Church of São Francisco
The Church of São Francisco is one of Porto ‘s most prominent monuments. Igreja de São Francisco is a fine example of Gothic architecture in the city. As you walk through the Church of São Francisco, admire its baroque splendour. It is believed that over 300 kilos of gold dust were used to decorate it’s interior. Inside the church, there are three naves coated in golden carvings. Take it all in and appreciate the intricacy of it all. You will also find the most famous altarpiece, “Tree of Jesse”. The wooden sculpture by Filipe da Silva is representative of all generations of Jesse and king David to Jesus Christ.
Tip: Outside the Church you can get on a tram to connect you to other parts of the city.
Luís I Bridge
Luís I Bridge is the bridge that spans the width of the River Douro. It is a double-decker metal arch bridge that has a total length of more than 300 meters. The bridge was completed by Téophile Seyrig (a student of Gustave Eiffel) in 1886. The most notable feature of the Luís I bridge is it’s two levels; one on top of the arch and the other suspended below it. Although it was originally meant for road traffic, the upper span now carries Line D of the Porto metro alongside a pedestrian walkway.
The Luís I bridge is an icon of the city of Porto and definitely should be at the top of your to-do list.
Follow Porto’s street art trail
Street art can be found all over the streets of Porto. It is flourishing and is very encouraged and celebrated. The street art is something out of a contemporary art gallery, so will leave you very impressed. The best streets where you will find the most interesting street art are Rua de Miguel Bombarda, Rua das Flores, Rue da Madeira and also Rua São Pedro de Miragaia.
As you explore Porto, keep your eyes peeled for works of some of the city’s most talented street artists. You can even make it a game with your friends and see who can find the most street art in a given time!
OTHER FUN THINGS TO DO
Go to the Beach
Porto has a great quantity of beaches which all have great qualities about them. Many (if not all) of the beaches are also very easily accessible by public transport. Although porto is mostly known for its wine, the beaches are also impressive. The golden sands and the glassy waters will provide a lovely contrast from the city’s bustling atmosphere. Beaches to explore are Praia do Homem do Leme, Praia de Matosinhos, Póvoa de Varzim and Praia do Senhor da Pedra.
Tan, surf or just sit back and relax under the scorching sun!
Explore Porto by Tram
Make sure to utilise the tram whilst in Porto. The trams are like a blast from the past with their polished wood interiors, brass controls and dials, and a clanging bell which you can use to inform the driver that you want to get off. Only three Tram lines remain (compared to the extensive number there one was (in the 60’s and 70’s) so they are not a part of Porto’s public transport network, but offer a more touristy adventure for those looking on one to embark on. The Linha 1 tram is a popular line, following the banks of the Douro River to the Foz district. The trams are really well kept considering how old they are!
Riding one of these historic trams is certainly one of the most enjoyable tourist activities in Porto.
Livraria Lello
Calling all book lovers! The Livraria Lello bookstore is located in Rua das Carmelita. The building goes all the way back to 1906, and is truly splendid. The high ceilings and never ending rows of books are sure to wow you. The grand curving staircase also adds to the building’s Neo-Gothic style.
It is a very famous bookstore to visit (even if you are not particularly into books) as it is said to have inspired JK Rowling’s penning of Hogwarts after she spent 2 years living in Porto as an English teacher. it is also considered to be the 3rd most beautiful bookstore in the world by Lonely Planet.
Festa de São João
Festa de São João or Festas Juninas as it is also known, is a one-night festival that occurs in Porto. The midsummer festival normally happens on the night of the 23rd of June, as a celebration in tribute to St. John the Baptist. This festival has been celebrated in Porto for about 700 years. Thousands of people come to the city centre and hit each other with garlic flowers or inflatable hammers.
There is traditional music playing, dancing, and eating grilled sardines. You will certainly have a great time at Festa de São João.
Praça da Liberdade
Praça da Liberdade is a square in the heart of the lower town area of Porto. The open space is a big contrast from the narrow streets of Rebeira, but it is welcomed all the more. The monument of King Peter IV dominates the square; he was remembered as a democratic reformer. The statue is almost 10 metres tall and made of bronze.
The Praça da Liberdade square is located very close to Torre dos Clérigos Tower, so it is worth visiting both on the same day.
Stroll through the square or sit and appreciate your surroundings whilst having your carpe diem moment.
Serralves Museum
Serralves Museum is a modern art collection. Located west of Porto, the museum is uniquely sited in the grounds of the Serralves Estate, which also encompasses a Park and a Villa. Several installations and sculptures can be found in the park area. The museum boasts of a minimalist interior, and consists of 14 exhibition rooms, distributed across three floors. It showcases high-profile temporary exhibitions.
The museum also provides opportunities to take part in workshops and activities.
Take a food tour
Porto’s food scene is one to discover whilst there. Taking a food tour will allow you to fully immerse yourself in Porto’s growing food scene. Work your way around the city’s cafes, wine bars, tascas (taverns) and petisco haunts. At every point, the guide will share more and more about the city’s culture and history. Try local delicacies like pastéis de nata (custard tarts), Queijo da Serra da Estrela and Francesinha.
The burst of new flavours is sure to leave you wanting more!
Climb the Clérigos Tower
Clérigos Tower is connected to The Clérigos church. The tower stands at 75 metres high and can be seen from many locations over Porto. For those scared of heights, you may want to only enter the church, which is fine as admission is free! If you’re up to the challenge, climbing the two hundred and forty steps to the top of the tower will provide you with a 360-degree view of the city.
As the tallest campanile in Portugal, the tower gets many eager tourists yearly trying to climb its narrow steps. Just make sure you have a bottle of water on hand as the journey to the top is not as easy at it seems. The walking is not in vain though, at the top of the tower you will be greeted with breathtaking view over the old town and River Douro.
Parque de Cidade
Parque de Cidade in Porto city’s park. it is the largest urban park in Portugal as a whole. At the park, there is a sports field, sand volleyball court and plenty of space for running and cycling. The park is well worth visiting, located in the coastal area, you can come here after a day at the beach. Come here to unplug or recharge, there are also many food options to explore.
The beautiful park is easy to get to by bus so why not go and get some fresh air and take in the gorgeous greenery surrounding you?
Discover Port Wine
Port wine is Porto’s most popular export. It is fortified by adding grape spirit, which acts to halt fermentation and helps the port keep the sweetness of its flavour. From then on it is stored in oak barrels – this can be for anything between two years and four decades (depending on the style). Fortified port wine is still stored in warehouses on the south bank of the Douro. Porto has many vintage cellars to explore such as Ramos Pinto, Graham’s or Taylor’s which have histories going back hundreds of years.
Discover more about Port and book a guided tour of a wine cellar which stores the wine – wine tasting is also included!
Soares dos Reis National Museum
Soares dos Reis National Museum was founded in 1833 as an exhibition of religious art which was confiscated from Portuguese convents. It is the most famous public museum in Porto, and the oldest in the whole of Portugal. The museum is housed at Carrancas Palace, which is very close to Praça da Liberdade. The building which is over 200 years old, is an architectural masterpiece. Soares dos Reis National Museum features some of the finest collections of Portuguese art in existence.
Throughout the museum, you will find pieces by Soares dos Reis and other Portuguese painters and sculptors such as Silva Porto and Domingos Sequeira.
Church of Santa Clara
Igreja de Santa Clara is another one of Porto ‘s churches. Construction of the church was completed in 1457, but it has since been extravagantly updated. The Barroco Joanino style of the Church is famous in Portugal and comes from the reign of John V. The outside of Igreja de Santa Clara is relatively simple, however its interior is filled with opulent decor, adorned with angels, saints and cherubs. Gold is everywhere you look!
The church is truly an impressive piece of architecture! Whilst in there, take your time whilst you admire the Baroque masterpiece.
Explore Ribeira
Ribeira is one of the most popular and oldest neighbourhoods in Porto. The riverside quarter is located on the River Duoro’s bank and consists of narrow, cobbled streets. Ribeira is a busy neighbourhood, but is nonetheless very scenic, with a colourful and lively atmosphere.The waterfront is great fun to explore with bars and restaurants around every corner.
It certainly comes alive at nighttime so explore nightlife options at Ribeira and savour some Portuguese dishes. It is the perfect place to spend your evenings.
