Pedro DominguesPorto region is one of the most touristic in Portugal, so it is natural that it has museums for all tastes, beautiful parks and gardens ideal for fantastic walks, and some of the best churches and monuments in the country, as well as impressive palaces and viewpoints.
Of course, being in Porto requires some Port Wine tasting, while visiting the best Port Wine Cellars. After all, Port wine is the main wonder of Douro region, much more appealing than any of the city’s historical monuments, in my opinion. It is practically impossible not to be delighted with the sweet taste of this Portuguese nectar.
If you are planning to visit Porto, this huge list of things to do in Porto will certainly come in handy. I will divide it into several specific topics, namely:
- Visit Porto’s best 26 Churches and Cathedrals
- Visit Porto’s 6 bridges.
- Visit Porto’s 23 best parks and gardens.
- Visit Porto’s best 10 Viewpoints
- Visit Porto’s best Rooftops.
- Visit Porto’s best 22 museums.
- Visit the best 10 beaches in Porto and surroundings.
- Visit Porto’s best Port Wine Cellars.
- Other incredible things to do in Porto
If I missed something important, or if something really impressive comes up in town, please add it in the comments, so all my readers can get to know about it!
Where is Porto located in Portugal?
Porto is located in the North of Portugal, south of Minho region, but very close to its main cities, such as Braga, Viana do Castelo, or even Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal. It is the main urban center in the north of the country, being close to the last kilometers of Douro River before flowing into the ocean.
MORE ARTICLES FROM THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL: - Porto Itinerary - Best Museums in Porto - Best Churches and Cathedrals in Porto - Best Parks and Gardens in Porto - Best Port Wine Cellars in Porto - Best Beaches in Porto - Best Day Trips from Porto - Best Matosinhos Beaches - Things to do in Matosinhos - Things to do in Vila do Conde - Things to do in Póvoa de Varzim - Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia - Things to do in Espinho - Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary - Things to do in Viana do Castelo - Things to do in Ponte de Lima - Things to do in Monção - Things to do in Valença - Things to do in Caminha - Things to do in Braga - Things to do in Guimarães - Things to do in Barcelos - Things to do in Esposende - Things to do in Arcos de Valdevez - Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary - Best Hikes and Trails in Peneda Gerês National Park - Best Peneda Gerês National Park Waterfalls and Lagoons - Douro Valley Itinerary - Douro Valley Wineries - Best Douro Viewpoints - Things to do in Peso da Régua - Things to do in Lamego - Things to do in Pinhão - Best beaches in Northern Portugal - Trás-os-Montes Itinerary - Things to do in Bragança - Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary - Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
>>> Check possible flights to Porto with Skyscanner
When to visit Porto, in Portugal?
You can visit Porto at any time of the year, without exception. Being one of the main Portuguese cities, it is natural that there are always things to visit in Porto, at any time of the year. In summer you can enjoy the beaches, and when it rains you can dedicate yourself to the museums, which are many and extraordinary. 😉 I’ve visited Porto at various times of the year, and it’s always been a very positive experience!
Keep in mind, however, the main festivities in Porto:
- FantasPorto, Porto International Film Festival, in April.
- Queima das Fitas in Porto, the main student event of the year. It takes place in May.
- NOS Primavera Sound, which takes place every year in Porto City Park, in June.
- São João do Porto, June 24th. Don’t forget the Regata dos Rabelos that takes place during São João.
- MEO Marés Vivas Festival, at Cabedelo do Douro beach, in Vila Nova de Gaia. It takes place in July.
- Porto International Folklore Festival, also in July.
- As for gastronomy, there are events associated with francesinha and port wine, typical of the city.
Porto Card
Buying Porto Card may or may not be worth it. I wrote about all the advantages in my article related to a complete Porto Itinerary, so go read it to know more.
- Get the Porto Card with Get Your Guide.
- The card is only valid for one person, so if you are traveling as a family or as a couple, you will have to buy one card per person.
Tours to visit Porto + Tickets
Next I will give you some tips for visiting Porto on specific tours, with all the necessary links to buy tickets for them. They are advertised by Civitatis, Viator and Get Your Guide, which I often use on my own trips. For example, how about renting an electric bike for your stay in Porto?
Porto Tours with Get Your Guide: 1 - Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 2 - Cockburn's Port Cellars Tour 3 - Poças Port Cellars Tour 4 - Burmester's Port Cellars Tour 5 - Graham's Port Lodge Tour 6 - Calém Port Cellars Tour with fado Show 7 - Porto Card + Public Transportation 8 - Douro River Six Bridges Cruise 9 - Palácio da Bolsa Guided Tour 10 - Porto pub crawl 11 - Buggy Off-Road Adventure 12 - Porto Tuk Tuk Tour - Historic Center 13 - Torre dos Clérigos Entrance Ticket 14 - Ticket to World of Discoveries 15 - Porto 3 hour walking tour + Livraria Lello 16 - FC Porto Stadium + Museum Tour 17 - SEA LIFE Porto Tickets 18 - Serralves Foundation Museum + Park Ticket
Porto Tours with Viator: 1 - Private boat tour in Douro River 2 - 3-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour 3 - Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour of Historic Porto 4 - 3-Hour Tour of Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike 5 - The Best of Porto: 3-Hour Guided Walking Tour 6 - Private Food Tour in Porto 7 - Douro Sunset Sailboat Experience in Porto 8 - Port Wine Tour | 3 Cellars | 7 Tastings 9 - Fado at Ideal Clube 10 - Fado by Casa da Guitarra 11 - Visit to Cockburn's Cellars 12 - Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto
Porto Tours with Civitatis: 1 - Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 2 - Guided Tour of Porto and Wine Cellars 3 - Porto Wine Tour + Fonseca Visit 4 - Cockburn's Port Lodge Tour 5 - Poças Winery Tour 6 - Burmester Winery Visit + Tastings 7 - Graham's Port Lodge Guided Visit 8 - Fado Show and Wine Tasting at Calém 9 - Porto Wine Tour + Touristic Train 10 - Casa da Guitarra Fado Show 11 - Fado Show at Ideal Club 12 - Complete Porto Tour with Tickets 13 - Porto Six Bridges Cruise 14 - Porto Tuk Tuk Tour + Six Bridges Cruise 15 - Porto Medieval Walking Tour 16 - Porto Jetboat experience 17 - Porto Buggy Adventure
What to eat in Porto and best restaurants
As far as Gastronomy is concerned, you will obviously find many delicious wonders when you visit Porto, but the main and most traditional ones are these two, in my opinion:
- Francesinha: typical dish from the city of Porto consisting of a sandwich with beef, chorizo, cheese and a spectacular sauce. The secret is in the sauce, and I loved the one from Restaurant Brasão!
- And Tripas à Moda do Porto: a dish with beans and rice, with various types of beef and pork, and even chorizo. The history of this dish dates back to the discoveries, when, as I mentioned in the historical introduction, the good meat was shipped to ships. The people of Porto had to improvise with what was left! 🙂 It’s really good, don’t worry.
My suggestion is that you focus on these two delights during your stay in Porto. But you will also find good fish from the Douro River and the ocean (sardines and lampreys, for example) and, of course, the traditional codfish or “Bacalhau”. Why not try the Minho gastronomy, tasting Rojões, Sarrabulho Rice (made with animal blood), etc?
As I mentioned, I enjoyed a francesinha at Restaurant Brasão and I loved it. For dessert I tried the cheese pudding, and I was equally enchanted! 😉 Other restaurant options would be:
- Abadia do Porto.
- Taberna dos Mercadores.
- Cozinha do Manel.
- Restaurante Bulha.
- Taberna de Santo António.
- And Casa Guedes.
Accommodation Tips and Hotels in Porto
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Porto View by Patio25 | 9.1 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| Vincii Ponte de Ferro | 9.3 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| The House of Sandeman | 9.4 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| 296 Heritage Apartments | 9.5 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| 7 Gaia Roaster Apartments | 9.2 | Vila Nova de Gaia |
| Gran Cruz House | 9.5 | Ribeira do Porto |
| Memoria Porto Hotel | 9.3 | Ribeira do Porto |
| Casa da Companhia | 9.6 | Rua das Flores |
| Porto Bay Flores | 9.4 | Rua das Flores |
| Vitoria Terrace Apartments | 9.9 | Vitória Viewpoint |
| Look at Me | 9.3 | Trindade |
| Santa Catarina Apartments | 9.4 | Bolhão |
| BessaHotel Baixa | 9.1 | Bolhão |
| Spot Family Apartments | 9.3 | Bolhão / Trindade |
| Almada 333 | 9.4 | Aliados |
| Maison Albar Hotels | 9.5 | Aliados |
| Oporto Local Studios | 9.2 | Aliados |
| Mercure Aliados | 9.1 | Aliados |
| Porto Central Flats | 9.2 | Rua Mouzinho da Silveira |
| The Passenger Hostel | 9.2 | São Bento |
| Clérigos Apartments | 9.1 | Clérigos |
| Oca Oriental Hotel | 9.1 | Heroísmo / Campanhã |
| Mouco Hotel | 9.0 | Heroísmo / Campanhã |
| Predicados do Douro | 9.2 | Crystal Palace Gardens |
| Pestana Douro | 9.0 | Valbom |
| Marquês Apartments | 9.1 | Marquês |
| Porto Deluxe Suites | 9.3 | Boavista |
Things to do in Porto | Portugal
This article on things to do in Porto will be divided into different sections, as I mentioned: monuments and churches, parks, bridges, viewpoints, port wine cellars, beaches, museums, etc. It’s a full list of places to visit in Porto, in no specific order, and that can work as a checklist for your trip.
Visit Porto’s 26 best Churches and Cathedrals
My favorite church in Porto is without a doubt Santa Clara Church, however there are many other extraordinary ones. If you are an admirer of sacred art, stained glass art or even tile art, it is in churches that you will find what you are looking for. Some have nice city museums included.
Here is the list of churches you might want to visit. 😉 I have an article completely dedicated to the best churches in Porto that you can consult to access a description of each one of them, and a huge photo gallery. 😉 You will find some extras there, also.
1. Church of Santa Clara
2. Porto Cathedral
3. Church of São Lourenço / Grilos
4. Church of São Nicolau
5. Church of São Francisco
6. Church of São João Novo
7. Church of São Pedro de Miragaia
8. Church of São José das Taipas
9. Church of Our Lady of Victory
10. Church of São Bento da Vitória
11. Church of Mercy
12. Carmo Church
13. Carmelitas Church
14. Clérigos Church and Tower
15. Church of Santo António dos Congregados
16. Holy Trinity Church
17. Chapel of Souls
18. Church of Santo Ildefonso
19. Church of Nossa Senhora do Terço
20. Church of Bonfim
21. Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição
22. Church of Lapa
23. Romanesque Church of São Martinho de Cedofeita
24. Church of the Convent of Corpus Christi (in Gaia)
25. Church of Santa Marinha (in Gaia)
26. Monastery of Serra do Pilar (in Gaia)
Visit Porto’s 6 Bridges
Clérigos Tower (and church) is undoubtedly one of the hallmarks of the city of Porto. But clearly so are its bridges, especially the metallic Luís I bridge. The best way to visit Porto’s 6 Bridges is undoubtedly on a cruise on the Douro River, namely the Cruise of the 6 Bridges. Go for it, that’s extremely mandatory!
- 6 Douro Bridges Cruise with Get Your Guide
- 6 Douro Bridges Cruise with Civitatis
1. Arrábida Bridge
Arrábida Bridge was built in 1963. At that time, it had the largest reinforced concrete arch of any bridge in the world. It was the 3rd bridge to be built in Porto, after Bridge Maria Pia and Bridge Luís I, and today it allows for a very alternative experience in the region, namely climbing its arch for impressive views from the top.
2. Luís I Bridge
Luís I Bridge is the best known in Porto, and is right next to the city. It is metallic and has two decks, having been built between 1881 and 1886. The upper deck is used by the Porto metro, and the lower one by cars.
CURIOSITY: D. Luís I was king of Portugal at the time of its construction, and is at the origin of the name of this Porto Bridge. However, the bridge doesn't have "Dom" in its name, did you know? According to legend, it was the population that decided to withdraw this designation because the king did not attend the inauguration of the bridge, which was considered disrespectful by the locals. It's just a legend, and that's proven, because before the bridge was inaugurated it already had the name of Luís I, not D. Luís I. In the same way, the Maria Pia Bridge is dedicated to Queen D. Maria Pia, but also doesn't have "Dona" in the name. If you see bridges named that way on this blog or anywhere else on the internet, it's a mistake. 😉 Nothing serious, but it's a mistake.
3. Infante D. Henrique Bridge
The Infante Bridge emerged as a road connection between Porto and Gaia, already in the 21st century (2003). It is the newest of them all.
4. Maria Pia Bridge
Maria Pia Bridge is the oldest in Porto, also metallic like that of Luís I, and dates back to 1877, designed by Gustave Eiffel. It was a railway bridge that was closed in 1991 when it was replaced by São João Bridge. At the time of its construction, it was the bridge with the longest iron arch in the world, being classified as a national monument since 1982. Queen D. Maria Pia was the wife of King Luis I.
5. São João Bridge
As mentioned before, the São João Bridge appeared in 1991 to replace Maria Pia, which was already centenary at that time. It differs from the others by not having an arch, but a portico with pillars.
6. Freixo Bridge
Lastly, Freixo Bridge, which dates back to 1995. In fact, it consists of two bridges built side by side, just 10 cm apart. It was created to divert traffic from the Arrábida and Luís I bridges.
Visit Porto’s 23 best parks and gardens
Moving on to Porto’s parks and gardens, some of them are very famous, appearing on any itinerary around the city as a must-visit. For example, you will find a lot of information about the Crystal Palace Gardens or about Serralves park.
I have visited many others, and although the two mentioned are really fabulous, I have other favourites, for example the lesser known Park of São Roque. Did you know that there is a zoo not far from the city of Porto? Did you know that there is a kind of oceanarium to visit, just a stone’s throw from the city centre? And how about visiting an aromatic herb farm? 😉
In this website I have another article where I mention 30 parks and gardens in Porto to be visited. 😉 As in the churches of Porto, there you will find all the descriptions and personal opinion about each one of them, as well as a gigantic photo gallery. Below are listed 23 of those 30 places.
1. Porto City Park
2. Sea Life Porto
3. Passeio Alegre Garden
4. Serralves Park
5. Porto Botanical Garden
6. Gardens at Rotunda da Boavista
7. Crystal Palace Gardens
8. Tait House Gardens
9. Park of Virtues (and Passeio das Virtudes)
10. Cordoaria Gardens
11. Garden of Olives in Lisbon Square
12. Infante Dom Henrique Garden
13. Garden of Teófilo Braga in Praça da República
14. Garden of São Lázaro
15. Waters of Porto Park
16. São Roque Park
17. Quinta da Bonjóia
18. Cantinho das Aromáticas (in Gaia)
19. Quinta das Devesas (in Gaia)
20. Morro Garden (in Gaia)
21. Lavandeira Park (in Gaia)
22. Gaia Biological Park
23. Santo Inácio Zoo (in Gaia)
Visit Porto’s best 10 viewpoints
Regarding best viewpoints in Porto, some of them are achievable at the best churchs / monuments / parks and gardens around the city. There are many beautiful ones, and below I only identify my top 10. They provide the best pictures and the best sunsets.
1. Porto Cathedral Viewpoint
2. Porto Episcopal Palace Viewpoint
3. Church of São Lourenço Viewpoint
4. Vitória Viewpoint
5. Clérigos Tower Viewpoint
6. Serra do Pilar and Morro Garden Viewpoint
7. Crystal Palace Gardens Viewpoint
8. Infante Viewpoint
9. Passeio das Fontaínhas Viewpoint
10. Castelo de Gaia Viewpoint
Visit Porto’s best Rooftops
If you want to watch a sunset while enjoying a drink, I want you to know that there are excellent rooftops spread across the city where you can do so. 😉 Bear in mind that prices are not always friendly in these places, but they really can provide unforgettable and more exclusive moments than simply going to one of the mentioned viewpoints. Good examples below:
- The Terraço Lounge 360º at Espaço Porto Cruz.
- The Douro Sky Lounge, at Hotel Vincii.
- Rooftop Flores, located next to Vitória Viewpoint.
- Graça Rooftop Bar, not far from Avenida dos Aliados.
- Mirajazz, next to the Caminho Novo Staircase.
- The Rooftop of Santa Catarina, in the Bolhão area.
- And the 17th Restaurant & Bar.
Visit Porto’s best 22 Museums
Now comes the list of the best museums in Porto. As with the churches and gardens of the city, I mention that I have an article on this blog dedicated exclusively to them, with a lot of useful information, and also many more photographs in addition to the ones that I will leave below. I mention some extra museums there, not only 22.
In Porto there are museums of the most varied themes, and recently a cultural block was even created on Gaia side (Wow Porto), which has 7 different museums that can quickly teach you a good part of my country’s history. 😉
With Porto Card you can access discounts at some museums in the city. Check if it is worth it for your travel style. 😉
1. Infant’s House
2. Guerra Junqueiro House
3. Douro Extension Museum
4. Bank of Materials Museum
5. Museum of Romanticism
6. Marta Ortigão House-Museum
7. Porto Stained Glass Museum
8. Museum of Natural History and Science of the University of Porto
9. Biodiversity Gallery
10. Porto Hospital Centre Museum
11. Portuguese Center of Photography
12. Douro and Port Wine Institute Museum
13. World of Discoveries
14. Porto Transport and Communications Museum
15. Soares dos Reis National Museum
16. Tram Car Museum in Porto
17. Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art
18. Porto Military Museum
19. National Press Museum
20. Afurada Heritage Interpretive Center (in Gaia)
21. Teixeira Lopes House Museum (in Gaia)
22. Wow Porto – World of Wine (in Gaia)
Visit the best 10 Beaches in Porto
Porto has also many beaches to visit, especially if you add some that are part of Gaia and Matosinhos. My recommendation is that you rent an electric bike and discover the coast with it, at your own pace, stopping for a swim where the landscape really impresses you. 😉 There are bike paths on almost the entire coastline!
- While in Porto, you can rent an electric bike with Civitatis.
- In Gaia, you can get a free one from CEAR – Centro de Educação Ambiental das Ribeiras de Gaia. You need to schedule it with them.
- You can also use the electric scooters available along the coast, which have an associated cost.
Below you find all the best beaches in Porto, from north to south, but you can find more detailed information on my dedicated article.
1. Leça da Palmeira Beach
2. Matosinhos Beach
3. Porto International Beach
4. Homem do Leme Beach
5. Molhe Beach
6/7. Carneiro Beach and Shepherdesses Beach
8. Cabedelo do Douro Beach
9. Canide Beach
10. Miramar Beach
Visit Porto’s best Port Wine Cellars
Port Wine is certainly delicious, so you should go and taste it directly at the Cellars in Gaia, having the opportunity to admire the barrels where it is stored. My preference is on Ferreira Port Wine Cellars, but in my dedicated article I present you many more: 17 in total.
Port Wine Cellars Guided Tours: 1 - Cockburn's Port Cellars Tour 2 - Poças Port Cellars Tour 3 - Burmester's Port Cellars Tour 4 - Graham's Port Lodge Tour 5 - Calém Port Cellars Tour with fado Show 6 - Porto Wine Tour + Fonseca Visit 7 - Porto Wine Tour + Touristic Train
Other Incredible Things to do in Porto
There are still many places and activities to mention in this list of things to do in Porto, for example I’m still to write about locations such as Bolhão Market, Avenida dos Aliados or even the richest building in town: Bolsa Palace, with its brilliant Arab Hall.
1. Visit the Old City Walls of Porto – Fernandina Walls
Check the old city walls, also called Fernandina Walls. It is curious that they are so visible to everyone, but at the same time so little visited in this city. They appeared in the 14th century, when D. Fernando ordered the rebuilding of the old medieval walls, already too small for the development of the city. Of this wall, 2 sections still remain today, namely Guindais section and Caminho Novo section, the latter next to the staircase of the same name, which is located next to the Church of São João Novo, giving access to the Ribeira and old Customs House.
The old Romanesque wall had a perimeter of just 750 meters, with the Cathedral of Porto as its centre. It had 4 entrance doors, all already demolished, 3 of which in the 19th century. The Fernandina Wall, in turn, had a perimeter of 2600 meters and a height of 9 meters, being torn by 17 gates.
Access to the Guindais Section is next to the Church of Santa Clara, my favorite in Porto. A good walk is to go down to Ribeira do Porto on foot, using the stairs, and go back to the top using the Guindais railway, for example.
2. Visit the National Theater of São João
The National Theater of São João was built in 1910 on the ruins of the Royal Theater in Porto, which burned down in 1908. It is the main theater in the city, although there are other nuclei, such as Teatro Carlos Alberto, Teatro Sá da Bandeira, or the Monastery of São Bento da Vitória. It has an imposing facade and, if you want to see it from the inside, you can book a guided tour. You might even consider to attend an event or show by checking the schedule!
3. Visit Bolhão Market and surrounding area
Bolhão Market is a must-visit in Porto, mainly because it recently opened to the public after being closed for several years for restoration of the building. It is a fascinating place for contact with the people of Porto, through the traders who are there selling their various products, from meat to fish, fruit, flowers, among many others. Bolhão Market has been in operation since 1914, making it centenary.
In the surrounding area you will find the Chapel of Souls, covered in tiles, as well as the busy Rua de Santa Catarina and Café Majestic.
4. Visit Porto City Hall and Avenida dos Aliados
Porto City Hall building is undoubtedly dominant on Avenida dos Aliados. Construction began in 1920, but was only inaugurated in 1957. It is built in marble and granite, and has a central tower 70 meters high.
I did not visit the interior of the building, but I know that it contains very beautiful rooms. It is necessary to go on a guided tour, and for that you have the contacts in this page.
Other interesting “details” in Avenida dos Aliados are:
- The Monument to Almeida Garrett.
- The Monument to D. Pedro IV.
- The Statue of Ardina, the famous Porto newsboy.
- The letters “Porto”, ideal for a photograph.
- Aliados Fountain or Lagoon.
5. Visit São Bento Station
São Bento Station is right in the center of the city, and is one of the most beautiful in the country. The exterior is already impressive, but its main attraction is found inside, namely the fabulous tile panels, with representations of events in the history of Portugal. It dates from the beginning of the 20th century and was built on the site of the former Convent of S. Bento de Avé-Maria, in Porto.
From São Bento Station you can take direct trains to other important cities in Portugal, such as Viana do Castelo, Braga, Guimarães, Aveiro, Coimbra or even Lisbon!
6. Visit the Episcopal Palace of Porto
Next is the Episcopal Palace, which is undoubtedly one of my favorite monuments in Porto. Many people don’t visit it because they have no idea of its beauty inside. The building originally dates from the 12th or 13th century, but was later completely rebuilt by the architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century at the request of bishop D. João Rafael de Mendonça. Between 1916 and 1956, it was the seat of Porto City Council.
The room that stands out the most is clearly the one at the entrance, on the stairs leading to the upper floor. Another is the red room, or throne room, and don’t forget the green room, used for audiences.
There is a combined ticket with Porto Cathedral, allowing a small discount. With Porto Card you have a 35% discount, instead.
7. Visit Palácio da Bolsa
Palácio da Bolsa is considered by many to be the most beautiful place in Porto, and is actually one of the most visited, enchanting everyone with its extremely rich spaces, such as Pátio das Nações, the Noble Staircase, the Court, the President’s Room, the Golden Room, the Portrait Room or the Arab Hall.
Construction began in 1842, but was only considered fully completed, in terms of interior decoration, in 1909, on the occasion of the visit of King Manuel II, shortly before the proclamation of the Republic.
As a curiosity, one of the palace paintings was vandalized with two pistol shots, at the end of the monarchy in Portugal, namely that of King D. Carlos I.
- Learn more about the Guided Tour to Palácio da Bolsa.
8. Visit Lello Bookstore
I consider Lello Bookstore as one of the main monuments in Porto, because it has an extraordinarily decorated interior with an emblematic staircase and even a gigantic stained glass on the ceiling. However, I confess that I didn’t like visiting it at all, because in the summer there was barely room to circulate inside, such was the absurd amount of visitors.
The visit works with a Ticket-Voucher, so you have to pay €5 to enter the bookstore, but you will have the same discount when buying 1 book. The times with the fewest people inside are lunch and the end of the afternoon, according to the bookstore’s employees. Be prepared for queues if you don’t have a ticket purchased in advance.
This bookstore dates back to 1906, having been one of the main exporters and importers of literature in Portugal between 1920 and 1950. On its centenary, in 2006, it was referred to as the “most beautiful bookstore in the world” by the Spanish writer Enrique Vila-Mata.
9. Visit Casa da Música
Casa da Música is one of the main venues for events and shows in Porto, with a building as unique as Rosa Mota Pavilion, located in Crystal Palace Gardens. It emerged at the beginning of this century after the election of Porto as the European Capital of Culture. It is possible to take a guided tour inside the building, even if you don’t want to go to any of the scheduled events. Its main concert hall, Sala Suggia, has capacity for around 1200 spectators.
10. Visit Freixo Palace
Freixo Palace is a good place to stay while visiting Porto. Although the exterior is already extraordinary, with a beautiful garden, the interior of the palace stands out, mainly for its beautiful frescoes and stucco ceilings. It has been a national monument since 1910.
It dates from the mid-18th century and was designed by Nasoni, the architect responsible for other monuments in the region, such as the Clérigos Tower itself.
11. Visit Castelo do Queijo (“Cheese Castle”)
Finally, two main fortresses on the coast of Porto, the first being Castelo do Queijo, also known as São Francisco Xavier Fort. It was built in the 17th century, and its name (“cheese”) comes from the shape of the granite rock on which it was built. It was very important during the Restoration Wars and the Liberal Wars.
12. Visit Fort of São João in Foz do Douro
The Fort of São João da Foz do Douro played an equal role in these wars, dating from the 16th century. It is close to the mouth of the Douro River, hence the name, and had the function of protecting it. As a curiosity, it was the residence of Florbela Espanca in the past, a well-known Portuguese poet, as she was the wife of one of the garrison officers.
13. Explore every corner of Ribeira do Porto
Ribeira do Porto is the heart of the city, and you should explore it well, not only the main square but also the small alleys nearby and the several shops. For example, I mention the handicraft shop Naná Barcos, where Rabelo Boat miniatures are made out of wood. 😉 An excellent place to buy some souvenirs, and you’ll even be helping a local business.
14. Visit Ribeira de Gaia
In Ribeira de Gaia itself, the essential thing will be to admire the view to the other side of the river and, of course, the Rabelo boats that are anchored there. Also check out the following locations not yet mentioned in this article.
- Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau, where you can taste this Portuguese delicacy (fried codfish cake) while watching a musical show.
- The Urban Art Mural by Bordallo II, Half Rabbit.
- And the Beira Rio Market, full of commercial shops that sell a little of everything, from food to handicrafts and souvenirs.
15. Take a cable car ride in Gaia
It is pleasant and offers excellent views over the city of Porto. The most important thing, however, is that it allows you to overcome the enormous difference in level from Ribeira de Gaia to Jardim do Morro, next to the upper deck of Bridge Luís I.
Things to do in Porto | Map
Day trips from Porto
You can also opt for day trips to various points of interest in the north and center of Portugal, and even Galicia, always departing from the city of Porto. Other possibility is to just rent a car with Discover Cars and do it by yourself.
Day trips from Porto with Get Your Guide: 1 - Douro Valley Tour from Porto 2 - Vineyards Tour from Porto with Lunch 3 - Braga and Guimarães day trip 4 - Surf Experience 5 - Santiago de Compostela Day trip from Porto 6 - Paiva Walkways day trip from Porto 7 - Peneda-Gerês National Park Day trip from Porto 8 - Aveiro Day trip from Porto 9 - Fátima and Coimbra Day Trip from Porto
Day trips from Porto with Viator: 1 - Douro Valley Small-Group Tour 2 - Authentic Douro Wine Tour with River Cruise 3 - Best of Braga and Guimaraes Day Trip 4 - Aveiro & Costa Nova Half Day Tour 5 - Full-Day Tour to Santiago de Compostela and Valença do Minho 6 - Peneda Geres National Park Tour from Porto 7 - Arouca Suspension Bridge and Paiva Walkway Day Tour from Porto 8 - 4x4 Porto Mountain Excursion 9 - Fátima and Coimbra Full Day Tour
Day trips from Porto with Civitatis: 1 - Guimarães and Braga Day Trip 2 - Douro Valley Wine Tasting and Tour 3 - Douro Region Full day Tour 4 - Fátima and Coimbra Day Trip 5 - Day trip to Santiago de Compostela 6 - Paiva Walkways + 516 Bridge Tour 7 - Peneda-Gerês National Park Day Tour 8 - Aveiro and Costa Nova day trip 9 - Matosinhos Surf Class 10 - Régua Day Cruise from Porto 11 - 1 Day Cruise to Pinhão
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope you enjoyed this article and huge list of things to do in Porto. Have a nice stay in my country! 😉
