Porto Travel Guide

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City Introduction

Porto is a beautiful city located on the Douro River in northern Portugal. On the hills north and south of the river you can see one beautiful neighborhood after another and there are many sights in several different architectural styles everywhere.

The Praça da Liberdade square forms together with the street Avenida dos Aliados the living center of the city, where many locals and tourists enjoy strolls in beautiful surroundings. In the side streets you can see Porto’s beautiful railway station, the Bolhão market and several other exciting places.

In Porto, there are also many worth seeing churches, where you can see distinguished works of art and interiors using gilding, etc. The late Gothic Manueline style for which Portugal is so famous is, of course, possible to experience; just like several places with the famous tiles, azulejos.

You can also take many lovely walks in the region around Porto. You can drive for the country’s famous drink, port wine, or vinho verde. Both are produced around Porto, where there are also several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nature with the Atlantic Ocean, river valleys and mountains is also popular for hiking.

Top Attractions

Porto Cathedral

  • Porto Cathedral/Sé do Porto: This is Porto’s Romanesque cathedral, which was founded in 1110, however, the cathedral was built until the 18th century. It was a time of baroque architecture, which can also be seen in the church today. The cathedral is worth seeing and some of the highlights are the large altar, the Gothic monastery courtyard and fine tiled mosaics.
  • Church and Tower of the Clergymen/Igreja e Torre dos Clérigos: This church is not least known for its bell tower, which with a height of 75 meters/246 feet is a clear profile in the city skyline. The church was built in 1732-1750, while the tower was completed in 1763. The interior of the church is elliptical and decorated with multicolored marble.

Majestic Café, Porto

  • Majestic Café: If you want a cup of coffee in Porto, Majestic Café is the best choice if you want beautiful settings. The café opened in 1921 with exuberant art nouveau details and the best from the so-called belle époque period.

Dom Luis I Bridge, Porto

  • Dom Luís I Bridge/Ponte de Dom Luís I: This bridge stands as one of Porto’s landmarks. It spans the Douro River with a lower and an upper deck. The bridge opened in 1886 with a length of 172 meters/564 feet for the lower lanes and 395 meters/1,295 feet for the upper ones.
  • Ribeira Wharf/Cais da Ribeira: This is the name of the river promenade located in central Porto along the Douro River. Here you can see houses in many colors, cafes, restaurants and a beautiful view of the river and parts of the city.

Livraria Lello, Porto

  • Lello Bookstore/Livraria Lello: Livraria Lello is definitely one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. The store opened in 1881 in a house with a beautiful facade in front of a stunning interior with curved stairs and other decoration.
  • Serra do Pilar Monastery/Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar: Situated on top of a hill south of the Douro River, this monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other parts of Porto’s city center. The place was built through the 17th century and is i.a. characterized by a circular church and a monastery courtyard of the same shape and diameter.

Other Attractions

Palacio da Bolsa, Porto

  • Exchange Palace/Palácio da Bolsa: The stock exchange palace in Porto was built in neoclassical style in the years 1842-1850. In the palace there are many fine halls, where the Arabian Hall is the highlight with a distinguished Moorish-inspired style. In front of the palace you can enjoy the Jardin do Infante Dom Henrique park.
  • Church of Saint Francis/Igreja de São Francisco: This is in one of the finest Gothic buildings in Porto. Behind the Gothic exterior, you can see a church interior in beautiful baroque architecture. The Franciscan order came to the city in 1223, and in the years 1383-1425 the church was built. In the following centuries, chapels were built in i.a. the late Gothic, Manueline style, and the rest of the decor are also particularly noteworthy.

Praca da Liberdade, Porto

  • Liberty Square/Praça da Liberdade: The Liberty Square is the central square in Porto and it continues into the famous Avenida dos Aliados. There are fine buildings around the square, where you can also see an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
  • Porto City Hall/Câmara Municipal do Porto: Porto City Hall stands beautifully as the northern focal point of Avenida dos Aliados. It was built 1920-1955 with the characteristic, 70 meter / 229 foot high town hall tower.

Church of Saint Nicholas, Porto

  • Church of Saint Nicholas/Igreja de São Nicolau: Portos Church of Saint Nicholas is a small church with a very beautiful altar in gilded Rococo carving. The church was built in the late 17th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1762. The style is a mixture of neoclassicism and baroque.

Epopiscal Palace, Porto

  • The Episcopal Palace/Paço Episcopal: The Episcopal Palace is a beautiful building in a mix of late Baroque and Rococo architecture. The house was built in the 1100-1200s and both rebuilt and extended up to the 1700s.
  • Church of Santa Clara/Igreja Santa Clara: This church was built 1416-1457 as a convent church. It is a church famous for a stunning interior with rich use of gilding and polychrome. It is one of the best examples in Portugal in this style.

Sao Bento Railway Station, Porto

  • São Bento Railway Station/Estação ferroviária de São Bento: São Bento Railway Station is a beautiful station building from the beginning of the 20th century. Inside, you can e.g. see Jorge Colaç’s tiled paintings depicting the country’s people and history.

Day Trips

Douro Valley, Portugal

  • Douro Valley/Vale do Douro: Along the Douro River, the vineyards are beautifully situated in the area east of Porto. The landscape is lovely in the hilly terrain and this is where the country’s famous port wine originates. You can visit a number of wineries and taste the delicious wines. You can, for example, go to Pinhão, from where there is easy access to several wineries.
  • Braga: The city of Braga is one of the largest in northern Portugal and here are many sights. You can e.g. see Portugal’s oldest cathedral and take a walk in the Jardim de Santa Bárbara park. At Braga you can also see the famous place of pilgrimage, Bom Jesus do Monte.

Vila Real, Portugal

  • Vila Real: Vila Real is a city located inland from Porto. The city is much smaller than Porto and good for walks in the beautiful center, where you can see several churches and the stately house, Casa de Mateus, which has a beautiful garden.
  • Guimarães: This is a beautiful and exciting city whose center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You can go for many pleasant walks in the center and i.a. see Largo do Toural Square, the Dukes of Braganza Castle and the Church of Nossa Senhora da Consolação e dos Santos Passos.

Shopping

With Kids

  • Zoological Garden: Zoo Santa Inácio, Rua 5 de Outubro 4503, zoosantoinacio.com
  • Trams: Museu do Carro Eléctrico, Alameda de Basílio Teles 51, museudocarroelectrico.pt
  • Park: Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, Rúa Don Manuel II
  • Discoveries: World of Discoveries, Rua de Miragaia, worldofdiscoveries.com
  • Football: Museu Futebol Clube do Porto, Via Futebol Clube do Porto, fcporto.pt
  • Svimming pool: Piscina das Marés, Leça da Palmeira

Practical Links

City History

Geolocation

In short

Overview of Porto

Porto is a beautiful city located on the Douro River in northern Portugal. On the hills north and south of the river you can see one beautiful neighborhood after another and there are many sights in several different architectural styles everywhere.

The Praça da Liberdade square forms together with the street Avenida dos Aliados the living center of the city, where many locals and tourists enjoy strolls in beautiful surroundings. In the side streets you can see Porto’s beautiful railway station, the Bolhão market and several other exciting places.

In Porto, there are also many worth seeing churches, where you can see distinguished works of art and interiors using gilding, etc. The late Gothic Manueline style for which Portugal is so famous is, of course, possible to experience; just like several places with the famous tiles, azulejos.

You can also take many lovely walks in the region around Porto. You can drive for the country’s famous drink, port wine, or vinho verde. Both are produced around Porto, where there are also several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nature with the Atlantic Ocean, river valleys and mountains is also popular for hiking.

About the upcoming Porto travel guide

  • Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
  • Published: Released soon
  • Author: Stig Albeck
  • Publisher: Vamados.com
  • Language: English

About the travel guide

The Porto travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Portuguese city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Porto is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Porto and Portugal

Buy the travel guide

Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Porto you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Churches • Monasteries • Great Views • Douro • Vinho Verde • Port Wine

Overview of Porto

Porto is a beautiful city located on the Douro River in northern Portugal. On the hills north and south of the river you can see one beautiful neighborhood after another and there are many sights in several different architectural styles everywhere.

The Praça da Liberdade square forms together with the street Avenida dos Aliados the living center of the city, where many locals and tourists enjoy strolls in beautiful surroundings. In the side streets you can see Porto’s beautiful railway station, the Bolhão market and several other exciting places.

In Porto, there are also many worth seeing churches, where you can see distinguished works of art and interiors using gilding, etc. The late Gothic Manueline style for which Portugal is so famous is, of course, possible to experience; just like several places with the famous tiles, azulejos.

You can also take many lovely walks in the region around Porto. You can drive for the country’s famous drink, port wine, or vinho verde. Both are produced around Porto, where there are also several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The nature with the Atlantic Ocean, river valleys and mountains is also popular for hiking.

About the upcoming Porto travel guide

  • Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
  • Published: Released soon
  • Author: Stig Albeck
  • Publisher: Vamados.com
  • Language: English

About the travel guide

The Porto travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Portuguese city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.

Porto is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.

Read more about Porto and Portugal

Buy the travel guide

Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.

Use the travel guide

When you buy the travel guide to Porto you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.

Other Attractions

Palacio da Bolsa, Porto

  • Exchange Palace/Palácio da Bolsa: The stock exchange palace in Porto was built in neoclassical style in the years 1842-1850. In the palace there are many fine halls, where the Arabian Hall is the highlight with a distinguished Moorish-inspired style. In front of the palace you can enjoy the Jardin do Infante Dom Henrique park.
  • Church of Saint Francis/Igreja de São Francisco: This is in one of the finest Gothic buildings in Porto. Behind the Gothic exterior, you can see a church interior in beautiful baroque architecture. The Franciscan order came to the city in 1223, and in the years 1383-1425 the church was built. In the following centuries, chapels were built in i.a. the late Gothic, Manueline style, and the rest of the decor are also particularly noteworthy.

Praca da Liberdade, Porto

  • Liberty Square/Praça da Liberdade: The Liberty Square is the central square in Porto and it continues into the famous Avenida dos Aliados. There are fine buildings around the square, where you can also see an equestrian statue of King Pedro IV.
  • Porto City Hall/Câmara Municipal do Porto: Porto City Hall stands beautifully as the northern focal point of Avenida dos Aliados. It was built 1920-1955 with the characteristic, 70 meter / 229 foot high town hall tower.

Church of Saint Nicholas, Porto

  • Church of Saint Nicholas/Igreja de São Nicolau: Portos Church of Saint Nicholas is a small church with a very beautiful altar in gilded Rococo carving. The church was built in the late 17th century and rebuilt after a fire in 1762. The style is a mixture of neoclassicism and baroque.

Epopiscal Palace, Porto

  • The Episcopal Palace/Paço Episcopal: The Episcopal Palace is a beautiful building in a mix of late Baroque and Rococo architecture. The house was built in the 1100-1200s and both rebuilt and extended up to the 1700s.
  • Church of Santa Clara/Igreja Santa Clara: This church was built 1416-1457 as a convent church. It is a church famous for a stunning interior with rich use of gilding and polychrome. It is one of the best examples in Portugal in this style.

Sao Bento Railway Station, Porto

  • São Bento Railway Station/Estação ferroviária de São Bento: São Bento Railway Station is a beautiful station building from the beginning of the 20th century. Inside, you can e.g. see Jorge Colaç’s tiled paintings depicting the country’s people and history.

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