Invicta is a city of a thousand charms, with strong pronunciation and landscapes worthy of a postcard. If you want to know more, find out which are the incredible places in Porto.
The river, the historical centre, the small and narrow streets that seem to hold many stories are unmissable features of Porto. Still, the best-kept secret is the soul of the city, that can be seen in the eyes of each inhabitant, and that holds us in each visit.
Unlike large European cities, Porto is perfect for exploring on foot, as it is relatively small. It is precisely this detail that allows us to discover a restaurant that does not appear in the guides, that shows us any typical store that looks like a comic strip or that presents us with street entertainment that makes us dazzled by the talent we witness.
Each corner is breathtaking, and many of them still allow us to take a glimpse towards the Douro River, which gently waves as if it was packing a city that is vibrating with life and animation.
Travelling tips: 10 incredible places in Porto
Whether for first-time visitors or for those who already know the city a little better, these must-see places in Porto are always worth a visit. Not only because every day they present something new, but also because each time you go there, the energy is different. After all, it seems that the city adapts to those who want to be embraced by its delights.
Aliados Avenue (Avenida dos Aliados)
Known as the city’s window, Aliados Avenue is an open-air museum. It is entirely unobscured, allowing you to view it completely, regardless of where you are.
At the top, looking like an attentive watchman, we find the imposing City Hall building. And, in the background, at Praça da Liberdade, a place of vital character in Porto life, due to its strategic position in geographic terms, you will see a monument in honour to one of the most important kings in the history of Portugal: D. Pedro IV sitting on his horse. The king remained in the memory of the people of Porto as a symbol of freedom, patriotism and willpower, in such a way that, after his death, his heart was offered to the city – nowadays it is deposited in the Church of Lapa.
Avenida dos Aliados is also an excellent starting point to get to know the city better, as it has access, either on foot or by transport, to other interesting locations.
Porto Cathedral (Catedral da Sé do Porto)
In a higher part of the city, and close to Praça da Batalha, we find the Cathedral of Sé do Porto, whose church is the most important religious building in the city. It has a privileged location, a factor confirmed by the existing walls that protected the city in ancient times and that perfectly fulfilled its function – in such a way that the city also known as Invicta (never defeated) for its tenacious spirit.
Whatever your religion, the Cathedral deserves a visit for its historical importance, but also its beauty.
The construction of the building began in the XII century, and it is a representation of the Baroque style. The facade and body of the church are in Romanesque style, while, in turn, the cloister and chapel of São João Evangelista represent the Gothic style.
São Bento Station (Estação de São Bento)
The São Bento train station was built at the beginning of the IX century on the remains of an old nunnery, and that is why the place is covered by some melancholy and ancient atmosphere that is still common in the city.
Get ready to open your mouth as soon as you come across the station: the stately and striking facade looks very impressive, but it is not the most important factor: inside, the hall is decorated with more than 20 thousand tiles, whose images reflect the history of Portugal and episodes in the life of the Portuguese people.
Serralves Foundation (Fundação de Serralves)
Culture lovers will love the Serralves Foundation, which houses the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Serralves Garden, a real green lung in the heart of the city.
Visiting this place is a complete program: you can visit the museum, the art deco house, stroll through the park, as well as enjoy the restaurant and the tea house.
Morro Garden (Jardim do Morro)
It is not in Porto, but on the other side of the river, in Vila Nova de Gaia and is only a few minutes away, either on foot or by subway.
Although it has a garden in its name, it is, first, a privileged viewpoint over the Douro River and the city of Porto. It is an extremely popular place to relax at the end of the day and to watch the sunset while enjoying the landscape calmly.
The garden was inaugurated in 1927, but some improvement works have been done, which upgraded the conditions of this green space, where nothing is missing – just your visit.
Gardens of the Crystal Palace (Jardins do Palácio de Cristal)
In the heart of Porto, we find these romantic gardens, a place full of secret corners, ideal for a break, to have a picnic and to let yourself be amazed by the magnificent view over the river and the Arrábida Bridge.
The gardens were created to embellish the place where a large International Exhibition was held in the middle of the XIX century, at the Crystal Palace – so named for the amount of glass used in its original construction.
Bolhão Market (Mercado do Bolhão)
The Bolhão Market has been the target of rehabilitation works, to provide all the necessary conditions for life to continue going on inside.
It is one of the most soulful places in the city, where each sound, each smell, each colour and flavour represents Porto in its purest, most beautiful and picturesque state – yes because the people of Porto are as warm and friendly as they are lively.
The market was built in 1914, and its name (big bubble, in Portuguese) is due to the existence of a water bubble formed by the river that passed through there.
Bolsa Palace (Palácio da Bolsa)
The building of the Bolsa Palace is the headquarters of the Porto Commercial Association and is in the heart of the historic centre of the city, in a privileged location overlooking the Douro.
The Palace was built on the ruins of a Franciscan convent, which was destroyed after a fire. Is has a Neoclassical style and it was classified as a National Monument, due to its historical importance and beauty.
One of the main attractive factors is the broad central courtyard, the Pátio das Nações, covered by a glass structure that lets in natural light. There, you will find a granite and marble staircase, which will take you to the second floor, where you can visit the Golden Room, the General Assembly Room and the Arab Room – this one from Moorish style and the place where official receptions and events take place.
Ribeira and Luíz I Brigde (Ribeira e Ponte Luíz I)
When you leave Bolsa Palace, you can take a short jump to Ribeira – one of the most important areas in the historic centre of Porto and one of the most sought after by visitors for various reasons. Since it is located on the side of the Douro River, it is there that you will find the famous colourful houses, with decorated facades, but also the famous terraces, where you can relax at the end of the day.
Going down to the river, more precisely on the left side, you will find the Luíz I Bridge, one of the most beautiful bridges in Europe and included in an area classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, since 1996.
Many say that the bridge looks like the Eiffel Tower, due to its raw iron structure, and there are reasons for that: it was designed in 1881 by Théophile Seyrig, a student of Gustave Eiffel.
Santa Catarina Street (Rua de Santa Catarina)
If you are a shopper, then this street is the place to visit, as it is the most commercial artery of Porto’s downtown.
The most significant part of the street is closed to car traffic and reserved only for pedestrians so that you can walk around freely. You will find the street shelters clothing stores, shoe stores, a shopping centre and countless street vendors, who are giving the space its grace.
Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos)
A tour that is a tour in Porto is only complete with a visit to this incredible monument. The Tower was designed by architect Nicolau Nasoni in 1753, to be a baroque bell tower.
It has two interesting details: the fact that it was built on an uneven street, which gives it a very particular characteristic; but above all for providing one of the best views of the city. To do this, get your breath back, as you will need to climb 225 steps to reach the top, which is 75 meters high. It is worth it.
