This list of things to do in Porto is mandatory for anyone visiting the city, as it will allow you to get to know Invicta uniquely. So, here is what you should do.
Those who come to visit love it and always want to return: the impact that the city of Porto has on tourists is notorious and unique.
The charm and magic of Invicta and the originality of those who live there make it a destination that will not disappoint.
So, we are sharing some things to do in Porto, that will help you to get to know the city in a different way and to understand why it is so adored.
7 things to do in Porto
The best way to get to know a city is to walk around, discover the little corners that don’t appear in the guides and get lost in alleys and small streets that always bring an unforgettable adventure.
Regardless, there are some things to do in Porto, to understand the city and its background.
1. Ride in rabelo boat
Historically, Rabelo boats were used to transport the barrels of Port wine from the Douro, where it was produced, to the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, right next to the river. Currently, this so typical and traditional mean of transport is dedicated to the recreative transport of passengers.
And it is, in fact, one of the best ways to discover the city of Porto, in a trip that lasts about 50 minutes and passes through the bridges of Porto.
Several companies are doing this ride, which starts both on the bank of Porto, at Cais da Ribeira, as well as on the other side of the river, at Cais de Gaia, and prices are around 15€ per person.
2. Travel by train to the Douro
From the boat to the train: travelling on the Douro Historic Train is entering the pages of a history book and participate in a sort of time travel journey.
The route is always made along the side of the Douro River, in a steam locomotive, which travels the distance from Régua to Tua and which allows you to know a landscape of exceptional beauty, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage.
The ticket for the Douro Historic train costs 42,50€ per adult and 20€ per child from 4 to 12 years old and takes place on Saturdays. Since the starting point is in Régua, you can get there after taking a train in São Bento or Porto-Campanhã to Régua and take this superb route.
3. Ride on the Gaia Cable Car
The Gaia Cable Car was open on April 2011 and, besides being excellent equipment for tourist purposes, it is also seen as a sustainable mean of transport, which connects the upper deck of the Luís I Bridge to Cais de Gaia.
The trip lasts 5 minutes, and you should prepare yourself to feel completely overwhelmed by the serenity of the river, the iconographic beauty of the historical area of Porto, where the rustic roofs of both riverside banks stand out.
The Gaia Cable Car operates every day, from 10 am to 6 pm, and prices for adults start at 6€.
4. Take advantage of the Guindais Cable Railway
The Guindais Cable Railway allows you to travel between two different levels of the city of Porto in a very comfortable way, since it connects Ribeira, near the river, to Batalha, located in a higher area of Invicta.
The journey is short, but it will save you a lot of time and effort. You can choose to make the journey on foot or by bus it would take much longer. Also, it features a unique perspective of the Luís I Bridge, the medieval wall of Porto, as well as the riversides.
The ticket can be purchased on the spot and costs 2,50€. If you have the Andante card properly charged with trips – the same one you use for bus and metro transport – you can also use it.
5. Take a tram ride
A lot of people don’t know, but Porto tram is one of the oldest electrified transport systems in Europe.
It had its peak at the beginning of the 20th century, but it was gradually replaced by other faster and more accessible means of transport. As such, nowadays, the tram is more of a playful trip than a necessity.
Line 1, from Ribeira to Foz do the Douro, is the best known and the most sought after, for its beauty and the possibility of allowing you to discover two different points of the city quickly.
Ideally, you should make the trip early in the morning, as early as possible or at the end of the day, to enjoy the sunset.
The ticket can be purchased on the tram and costs 3,50€ per trip.
6. Get lost in the staircase of Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is one of the mandatory sites to visit when you are in Porto. Classified as “the most beautiful bookstore in the world”, this space has been an important showcase of Portuguese literature for more than a century, helping to boost it in foreign markets.
But if books fill the walls with stories for all tastes, the building itself plays an important cultural role for Invicta, being a century-old building that hosts many cultural events. Another thrilling aspect of Lello is the irreverent and unparalleled staircase that amazes anyone.
It is open every day, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 7 pm. To enter, you must purchase an access voucher that costs 5€ (plus a service charge for each voucher in the amount of 0,50€), which can be deductible when buying books.
7. Travel through history at World of Discoveries
World of Discoveries is both an interactive museum and a theme park that reconstructs the odyssey of Portuguese navigators, who crossed oceans to discover new worlds.
There you will find different cultures, achievements and inventions that are part of the History of Portugal and that catalogued the Portuguese as intrepid discoverers.
If you have children, this is an excellent place to visit, as it will be a fun way to combine a playful activity with an actual history lesson.
Invicta’s liveliest museum is open on weekdays from 10 am to 6 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 7 pm. The child ticket (from 4 to 12 years old) has a cost of 9€ if you buy on the spot and 7,65€ if you buy online; adults costs 15€ on-site and 12,75€ online.
