Porto is synonymous with friendliness, genuineness, good food, picturesque settings and breathtaking landscapes. The city that gave its name to Portugal is one of the oldest tourist destinations in Europe and a World Cultural Heritage Site since 1996.
Here you will find traces of the mediaeval origins of the city. Amble along the typical alleys and passageways of this city’s heart and, at every step, we see a monument of incontestable worth, the renowned hospitality of the city folk and a breathtaking panorama over the rooftops and the Douro river, make the historic centre a must.
If you want to get to know Porto, the Historical Centre of the city is the right starting point!
What not to miss
Clérigos Tower
The architectural complex of Clerics, considered a National Monument since 1910, is one of the main points of interest for its Tower, Museum and Church, and a must-see location for all those who visit the city of Porto.
The church and the tower are part of a baroque-inspired building from the 18th century, which marked the city’s urban configuration, located on an uneven street, but brilliantly used by Nicolau Nasoni, who managed to create a landmark building.
At more than 75m high, after climbing 225 steps and reaching the top of the tower, the view over the city is absolutely stunning. From a 360° perspective, visitors can enjoy a unique moment, whether day or night. When in special times, the tower opens its doors until 11 PM. The Tower of the Clerics is undeniably the ex-libris of the city, and an excellent viewpoint.
Rua de São Filipe de Nery, 4050-546 Porto
+351 220 145 489
info@torredosclerigos.pt
http://www.torredosclerigos.pt/en/
Lello Bookshop
One of the oldest Portuguese bookshops, Livraria Lello is an emblematic place of the city of Porto, a mandatory visit for those who pass by here. It has been named one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world by the world press (acclaimed by Time magazine, CNN, Lonely Planet, and The Guardian, among many others). The magic staircase, the stained glass window, the shelves from top to bottom and the leather-covered wooden benches tell a lot of stories of the great names that have passed by it. The interior of Livraria Lello remains faithful to the original, being a space that keeps the memory of the past, but which has always been able to adapt to the present.
Rua das Carmelitas, 144, 4050-161 Porto
+351 222002037
info@livrarialello.pt
https://www.livrarialello.pt/en-us/
São Bento Railway Station
Considered one of the eight most beautiful train stations in the world, São Bento Railway Station was built at the beginning of the twentieth century on the exact location of the former Convent of São Bento de Avé-Maria. The glass and iron structure was designed by the architect Marques da Silva. The vestibule is adorned with twenty thousand tiles painted by Jorge Colaço that illustrate the transport evolution and events of Portuguese history and life, such as King João I and Queen Filipa de Lencastre entering the city in 1387.
Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto
Cathedral
The Cathedral’s construction dates from the twelfth/thirteenth century, in Romanesque style, and has been enlarged and renewed over the years up to its final setting, in the twentieth century, resulting in an idealised reconstitution of the mediaeval cathedral.
Special mention goes to: the Gothic São João Evangelista Chapel and the cloister, from the fourteenth century; the enlargement of the main chapel, the Santíssimo Sacramento Chapel and its silver altar, from the eighteenth century (mannerist); the eighteenth century Baroque frescos in the main chapel and the sacristy, by Nicolau Nasoni, and the tiles in the cloister, by Vital Rifarto; the sculpture in the Baptism Chapel, by Teixeira Lopes (father) from the nineteenth century.
The Treasury of the Cathedral features 102 permanently displayed pieces, some of which are occasionally removed for some ceremonies. The very rich and varied treasury enables one to contemplate vestments, books, engravings, liturgical paraments and some reliquaries.
Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto
+351 222059028
catedraldoporto@gmail.com
Palácio da Bolsa / Stock Exchange Palace
Palácio da Bolsa or Stock Exchange Palace is the city and region’s crowning jewel with over 300,000 visitors every year. The building is designated a national monument. It was built in the second half of the 19th century.
Of neoclassical style, some of the biggest names in Portuguese architecture were involved in the different stages of its construction, including Marques da Silva and Tomas Soller.
Paintings and sculptures include figures such as Veloso Salgado, Henrique Medina, Teixeira Lopes and Soares dos Reis. Many famous personalities of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries have graced Palácio da Bolsa. Monarchs, Presidents of the Republic, and numerous world leaders have all walked its hallways.
Rua Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto
+351 223 399 013
turismo@cciporto.pt
https://palaciodabolsa.com/
Igreja Conventual São Francisco de Assis / St. Francis of Assisi Church
This is the city’s most important Gothic temple, whose construction began in the fourteenth century. It is one of the most important works of the Baroque era, evidenced by its gilded interior from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It was the exuberance of its gold carved wood work that led Count Raczinsky to describe it as the “Church of Gold.” And, overwhelmed, he added: “The gild of this church is so beautiful and rich that goes far beyond everything I have seen in Portugal and in the whole world.” It is worth noticing the Tree of Jesse, as well as the catacombs.
It has been a National Monument since 1910 and a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO since 1996.
Rua do Infante D. Henrique, 4050-297 Porto
+351 222062125
museu@ordemsaofrancisco.pt
http://ordemsaofrancisco.pt/igrejamuseu/
Luiz I Bridge
Designed by the engineer Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of Eiffel, the Luiz I Bridge was inaugurated in 1886. It is composed of two overlapping iron decks.
The bridge is 395 metres long and 8 metres wide. Its arch was considered, until 2017, the world’s biggest wrought iron arch.
Nowadays, the upper deck is used by Greater Porto’s Metro, connecting the Cathedral’s area in Porto to Jardim do Morro and to Avenida da República in Vila Nova de Gaia.
River Cruise
The Six Bridges Cruise is carried out by Rabelo Boats, which are the boats originally used to transport the Port Wine barrels from the Douro Region to Porto.
Nowadays, these boats have been totally adapted to the transport of passengers and in 50 minutes you can enjoy a visit from the Historic Centre of Porto up to Freixo upstream and to the mouth of Douro, downstream.
Take the opportunity to enjoy a rich and breathtaking landscape!
Tramway
Few become indifferent when a tram passes by. It’s not just because of the characteristic sound, the way it glides on the rails, or the long connection to Porto’s identity. This vehicle is much more than a means of transport, it’s a piece of history running through the city’s streets, a heritage object that can be touched, and that welcomes us inside.
Riding a tram is like travelling in time – it enables us to see in colour what we have seen in black and white photographs. September 2021 marked 126 years since the first tram ride in the streets of Porto, a relationship that has survived wars, regime changes, and other historical events.
Today you can travel aboard one of these historic trams, along nine kilometres of incredible sightseeing scenery.
The Tram takes you along the banks of the Douro River, on a journey between the Historic Centre, in front of St. Francis of Assisi Church, and the Passeio Alegre Garden.
Port Wine
A capricious and refined nectar, rich in aroma, colour and flavour is present in this city in a multitude of forms and sensations: whether in a wine or gourmet shop; in the company of a cheese board and dried fruit aperitifs; in a jam or in a chocolate filled with port wine; at a cookery and wine workshop; during a stay at a wine hotel; at a relaxing moment in a spa treatment that makes use of this delicious nectar; on a guided visit to the cellars, or at a meal at one of the many restaurants.
Whatever you choose to do, let yourself be carried away by your senses, for then you can be sure that your experience will be an unforgettable one!
With a glimpse of this passionate city, you will definitely have to come back to unveil much more surprises and live unique experiences!
For more information about the city, check this website:
https://visitporto.travel/en-GB/home
Content produced with the contribution from Porto Municipality Tourism and Commerce Department.