Porto is a bohemian city with a unique beauty. Only those who have been lucky enough to enjoy a stroll along the Ribeira, in front of the Dom Luís I Bridge, with the Douro River as a backdrop and the Gaia wine cellars in the background, truly know what we mean.
You are about to discover every last detail of a city that enchants those who visit it, leaving a piece of their heart behind forever.
Porto sounds like Fado, tastes like Francesinha, sweet wine and cod, and is surrounded by an aura that is both magical and decadent, making it one of the most special cities on the planet.
It is a city with spectacular cuisine, whose crown jewel is its world-famous wine.
Did you know that the country of Portugal as we know it today was born in Porto?
You are about to discover the city that inspired J.K. Rowling to design many of the settings for her Harry Potter novels. A city that seems to be stuck in the past, but which has all the attractions necessary to make your holiday an unforgettable tourist experience. Considering that it is located in northern Portugal, just a few kilometres from the Spanish border, if you haven’t visited it yet, you should be booking your next trip now. It is one of the most special destinations in Europe.
Ribeira
It would be impossible to start anywhere else. The Ribeira, located in the historic centre of Porto, next to the Douro River, is the most beautiful street in the city.
It has everything you need for a wonderful postcard. The colourful façades of its houses, the imposing presence of the Dom Luís I Bridge always watching over it, the bustling life of the Douro in that area of the river, the view of the Gaia wine cellars on the opposite bank… As if all this were not enough, it is usually populated by street musicians who worship fado, creating a truly magical aura.
We can only find one fault with it, and that is that, although the bars and restaurants with terraces next to the river can be very appealing, they are not the best option in terms of value for money. However, enjoying the views and the atmosphere by the river is always a pleasure.
One of its most important curiosities can be found right at the base of the bridge, in the form of a metal plaque that is always covered with lit candles. It is a small tribute that the local people make in honour of the victims who lost their lives in the battle against Napoleon’s troops. At that time, the old Bridge of Boats was located there, which during the confrontation, unable to support the weight of the combatants, collapsed, killing many soldiers.
The Ribeira is, on its own merits, the most photographed street in Porto, and we are sure that from now on, it will also enjoy a privileged place on your Instagram wall.
Dom Luís I Bridge
We already mentioned it as one of the main features of Porto’s most famous postcard, the banks of the Douro as it passes through the city, near its mouth.
Although the Dom Luís I Bridge is not one of the oldest monuments in the city, it has become its main hallmark. The reason is that it is a very iconic bridge, unique in the world, which attracts attention for its grandeur and its forms, with outstanding mastery in the use of iron to build it.
Its construction dates back to the 19th century, motivated by commercial growth within the city and the need to create a more practical, safe and efficient alternative to the suspension bridge that at that time linked Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia.
Although popular belief links it to the architect Gustave Eiffel because of its clear resemblance to the famous Parisian tower, the truth is that this majestic bridge was designed by Théophile Seyrig. Although it is true that the architect of the Eiffel Tower submitted a design in the competition to see who would be in charge of its construction, it was ultimately his partner, the German engineer Théophle Seyrig, who ended up being in charge of the project.
There are several walkways that allow you to enjoy the views from this iconic location, and it is also one of the few iron bridges in the world with a metro line running through it. Therefore, if you take this mode of transport to get from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia, you can also admire the city from its highest point.
Avenida dos Aliados and Praça da Liberdade
We are in the heart of the city to discover its most important avenue and square in economic and institutional terms, and at the same time, one of the best places to visit in Porto.
We are talking about the nerve centre of the city and the place where some of its most important and beautiful buildings are located. A good example of this is Porto City Hall, several bank headquarters, the City Council and, most surprising of all, a McDonald’s. Yes, you read that right, on Avenida dos Aliados you can visit and eat at what is considered one of the most beautiful McDonald’s on the planet, located in what was formerly the historic building of the city’s famous Café Imperial.
However, since you are in one of the cities with the best food in Europe, we recommend that you don’t just admire its impressive façade, but choose one of the many restaurants serving local cuisine in the city. In fact, right there, you can take the opportunity to visit the Café Guarany, founded in 1933.
Livraria Lello
At the beginning of the guide, we mentioned that J.K. Rowling was inspired by several locations in the city of Porto, where she lived for several years, to create the magical and fantastical world of Harry Potter. We have no doubt that Livraria Lello was one of those places. It is no surprise that some of its current locations have become a tribute to the successful saga of the London wizard.
But beyond its resemblance to the Hogwarts library, the Livraria Lello stands out as one of the most beautiful and impressive in the world.
Its neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau design, with wood as the star of the show, the light streaming in through colourful stained-glass windows and its legendary crimson staircases, all combine to create a truly magical space.
Its shelves are filled with books for sale in various languages, so if you wish, you can take home a souvenir of your visit in your native language. In fact, the price of admission to the bookshop is deducted from your purchase if you decide to buy a book there.
It is located just a ten-minute walk from the Avenida dos Aliados metro stop and is open every day of the week from morning to evening without interruption.
We recommend that you book your ticket online to avoid queues at the ticket office and visit first thing in the morning, which is usually the least crowded time of day.
Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas
Not far from the Livraria Lello, you will find an architectural complex consisting of two churches, which are one of the best places to visit in Porto.
The most famous, largest and most important is the Igreja do Carmo, built in the mid-18th century, whose main and side facades are truly wonderful. The main façade stands out for its Rococo style and the ornate shapes and designs built in stone. The side façade is a tribute to traditional Portuguese tiles, with designs honouring the founding of the Carmelite order.
We also recommend visiting the interior, where the Rococo style dazzles once again in an 18th-century altarpiece in golden tones.
At the end of your visit, right in front of the church, in Praça Gómez Teixeira, you can relax on a bench, listening to the flow of water from the Lions’ Fountain.
As you can see, Porto is a city full of hidden wonders around every corner, in every square and on every street. Getting lost in the alleys of its historic centre is an incredible experience.
Clérigos Tower
Once again, we travel back in time to the 18th century to discover another of Porto’s must-see sights.
The Clérigos Tower, as well as being one of the most beautiful and oldest churches in the city, stands out as the best viewpoint from which to enjoy the skyline of its historic centre.
During your visit, you will have the opportunity to climb the 240 steps to reach the top of its bell tower, see the forty-nine bells that form a carillon at the top of the tower and enjoy the best panoramic view of Porto.
Although the climb to the viewpoint requires a little physical effort, we assure you that it is well worth it.
Even today, the Clérigos Tower remains one of the tallest buildings in the city and, for many years, it originally served as a lighthouse, helping sailors to navigate the Douro River and locate the city of Porto from a distance.
Bolhao Market
Bolhao Market is the largest and most important market in the city. Following its renovation in 2022, it has become one of the must-see places in Porto, both for its unique charm and for the different gastronomic attractions found at its stalls.
On its two floors, you will find different shops selling fresh produce, flowers, traditional Portuguese preserves and the occasional bar where you can enjoy some tapas and a soft drink.
Bolhao Market offers a good glimpse of life in Porto, with its stalls full of fruit and vegetables and crowds of passers-by sampling its products from early in the morning. Whether you plan to buy or have a drink, we recommend you don’t miss it.
Majestic Café
One of the main curiosities of the three most important Portuguese cities, Porto, Lisbon and Coimbra, is that all three have a classic café in their historic centre with hundreds of years of history and notable for its interior beauty. In Lisbon, we find A Brasileira, in Coimbra, Café Santa Cruz and, in Porto, the Majestic.
Of the three, our favourite is undoubtedly the latter, which, in addition to its spectacular interior, which retains 100% of its original essence, has a small courtyard that is also remarkably beautiful.
Café Majestic opened its doors in 1921 and was a meeting place for writers and other intellectuals of the time. It closed during the Second World War, but in the 1990s it reopened completely renovated, maintaining its original design and style.
Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful cafés in the world, offering a delicious menu with top-quality cuisine.
Even if it’s just to enjoy a good coffee in a unique building, we recommend that you include it in your itinerary as one of the things to do in Porto.
Chapel of Souls
Right at the intersection of Fernando Tomás Street and Santa Catalina Street, you will find one of the most picturesque and special temples in all of Portugal.
The Chapel of Souls is a tribute to the artistic technique of tile work, representative of the country and more prevalent in Porto than anywhere else.
This small church dates back to the 18th century and is particularly notable for its front and side façades, which are decorated with more than 16,000 tiles depicting scenes in white and blue. On its walls, you will find several scenes from the lives of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine, whose images you can also see inside the chapel. Next to them is the image of the Virgin of Souls, after whom the temple is named, represented in a figure that is more than two centuries old.
Sao Bento Station
We are not exaggerating when we say that Sao Bento Station is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
The main reason is its spectacular hall, where once again, the Portuguese tile technique becomes a gigantic work of art, narrating part of Portugal’s history through various drawings. The composition consists of more than 20,000 tiles that take on a special glow at sunset, creating a truly magical scene. It is not surprising that the entrance to the station is almost always full of tourists, even though many of them have no interest in taking a train.
From Sao Bento Station, you have the opportunity to board the Douro Railway, a train route that runs along the banks of the river, taking in the landscapes and towns along its banks. This is undoubtedly one of the main attractions to see near Porto and a highly recommended excursion if you feel like extending your stay in Portugal for a few days.
Nova de Gaia Wine Cellars
The Nova de Gaia Wine Cellars, along with the impressive views of the city, are the main reason to cross the Dom Luís I Bridge.
No visit to Porto is complete without a visit to one of its wine cellars, including a tasting.
Port wine is famous all over the world and exports from the cellars on this side of the Douro River reach hundreds of countries.
If we had to recommend two cellars to visit, we would choose Cálem and Graham’s, two of the most representative in the city. The Sandeman Cellar is also one of the best known, with its legendary icon of the character with a hat and black cape.
Convent of Santa Clara
At this point in our list of recommendations, you may be surprised not to have seen Porto Cathedral. Although it is worth visiting, especially from a historical point of view, the truth is that there are other religious buildings in the city that are much more interesting and beautiful.
A good example of this is our last stop, the Convent of Santa Clara. As soon as you step inside, you will understand why we couldn’t leave it off our list.
This convent of the Franciscan order has a sober Gothic façade, which contrasts sharply with its spectacular interior, decorated in an especially ornate Baroque style.
As soon as you cross the threshold, you will be amazed by the impressive gold-toned woodwork covering both the ceiling and walls.
It is undoubtedly one of the most amazing religious temples in all of Portugal and a must-see to put the finishing touch, never better said in this case, to our suggestions for the essentials of Porto.
Frequently Asked Questions Porto
What places should you not miss in Porto?
Although this city offers countless reasons to visit, the must-sees in Porto are undoubtedly the Ribeira promenade, with the Dom Luís I Bridge, the Nova de Gaia wine cellars, the Majestic Café, the Livraria Lello and the Convent of Santa Clara.
Where to eat in Porto?
The area around the historic city centre offers a wide variety of options for enjoying delicious Portuguese cuisine. The most typical dish in Porto is the Francesinha, and the most famous place to try it is undoubtedly the Cafeteria San Francisco.
But in truth, the local cuisine includes many other delicacies that are not to be missed.
What food is typical of Porto?
Although the Francesinha is possibly the most typical food in Porto, there are many other local recipes that are worth trying. Some examples are octopus in green sauce, Bacalhau à Brás, grilled sardines, cachorrinhos, Sarrabulho potatoes and cod fritters.
How much time do you need to see Porto?
Although it is not a particularly large city, we recommend that you spend at least three days in Porto. And if you can extend your stay to five days so as not to miss anything, even better, as it has a huge number of places of interest to visit in a small area.
How to travel to Porto?
Its proximity to many cities in our country makes travelling to Porto by car a great option. In addition, the city has its own international airport, located half an hour from its historic centre, and you can also visit it by train, with its beautiful Sao Bento Station offering an unrivalled welcome.
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