Porto
Porto Travel Guide to Top Tourist Attractions
Porto is an attractive tourist destination because of its outstanding cuisine, transportation, hotels are usually cheaper than the majority of other European cities, and most top-ranking tourist attractions and activities are more than reasonably priced to fit anyone's budget.
In Porto, you'll find its precious Douro River, many historic monuments, contemporary art galleries, beautiful Ribeira, and culture. To ensure you don't overlook anything important, use my Porto travel guide to find the 9 most famous must-see top tourist attractions in Porto. I have left the very best for last.
1. Ribeira
Several tourists to Porto choose to start their visit here in the Ribeira, the famous medieval historic district situated close to the Douro River. At the Ribeira Square, one of Portugal's oldest squares and UNESCO World Heritage-listed, narrow cobblestone streets reveal a scenic plaza where both visitors and locals relax under the sun and savor the lovely views like the estuary.
The Ribeira Pier, with its several taverns and seafood restaurants, is a popular meeting place as well. In addition, it's a great departure spot for cruises on the river and for boat trips to the port wine cellars located in Vila Nova de Gaia. If traveling by car or foot, the Cais da Ribeira gives you easy accessibility to Dom Luis Bridge, too.
2. Dom Luis Bridge
Dom Luis Bridge is the most renowned of many bridges spanning the Douro River. Erected in 1886, Teophile Seyrig, an engineer, who once cooperated with Gustave Eiffel, designed the bridge. The huge iron bridge comprises an upper and lower deck, both allowing road traffic till 2003: the upper level was transformed to accommodate a lightweight rail system. A pedestrian walkway along the top deck boasts amazing vistas and a direct walking path to the port wine lodges spread across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.
3. Porto Cathedral
Henry of Burgundy, Count of Portugal and Teresa of Leon commissioned the construction of the 12th century Se do Porto. However, the cathedral saw two reconstructions throughout the centuries, and from the changing architectural styles, provided its ultimate famous structural appeal that we see today. From its Gothic rose window, cloister to the Baroque chapel boasting an elaborate silver altarpiece, the cathedral makes an irresistible attraction rich in history, art, and architecture. A staircase decorated with painted ceramic tile work takes one to a second story where narrow windows provide stunning views.
4. Torre dos Clerigos
The rising Clerigos Tower accentuates Port's skyline beautifully like an astonishingly vast needle sticking out. At 75 meters high, the historic granite-carved rocket is Porto's most recognizable landmark that should rank very high on your must-do list.
Although you'll have to climb no less than 240 steps to reach the very top of the tower, all that effort shall be rewarded handsomely with an unbelievable vista of the coastline, river, and the remote Douro valley.
Financed by the Brotherhood of the Clergy and then designed by Nicolau Nasoni, the Baroque-style tower complements the adjacent Igreja dos Clérigos, another Nasoni's work. Constructed during the 1732 and 1750 time period, the church represents a remarkable sample of the architect's love with Baroque and displays an elliptic floor design.
5. Serralves Museum
Although Porto has always been a haven for outstanding architects and artists searching for work, it was not till the 20th century when the city carved out its own distinct architectural style. The nicknamed Porto School of the 1950s breathed inspiration to a new generation of architects such as Alvaro Siza Vieira, who designed the Contemporary Art Museum at the Serralves cultural institution.
The minimalist structure and the park surrounding it draws as many tourists as the shifting international exhibits displayed within its walls. Without even entering the museum itself, visitors can browse through the outdoor art installations that are scattered across the landscaped gardens and park.
The museum is home to cutting-edge art exhibitions and an exquisite permanent collection showing off artworks from the late 1960s onwards and drawing lovers of contemporary art since it threw open its doors in 1999.
6. Sao Francisco Church
The 14th century church is the most eminent sample of Porto's Gothic architecture. As the original part of Saint Francis Convent constructed in the 13th century, it's the only building which survived a disastrous 1842 fire. A steep climb starting from the riverside takes you to the huge stone facade, ornamented with a big rosette window.
The church interior received a Baroque makeover in the 18th century with nearly all of the pillars, aisles, and chapels being covered with lavishly decorated gilded carvings that feature animals, cherubs, and flowers.
A superb and enchanting artifact created through carving, the tree features beautiful detail observed in the expressions of exalted personalities such as Joseph, Mary, Jesus, King Solomon, leaving visitors speechless with awe.
A fun and eye-opening tour of the ancient catacombs hidden below the church reveal quite another side of this building.
7. Vila Nova de Gaia
The lengthy, wide promenade and riverfront features make Vila Nova de Gaia a difficult to ignore diversion. Quickly reached by going across the Dom Luis Bridge, Porto's landscaped quayside boasts stylish cafes and restaurants.
The fleet of traditional sailing ships moored alongside the esplanade that you observe, once were used for ferrying casks downriver from main starting points like the Douro port properties.
For enjoying a really dramatic view, take a trip on the Teleferico de Gaia (cable vehicle), which runs along the Gaia riverside and links to the upper station, close to the Monsteiro da Serra do Pilar.
8. Livraria Lello
Both the website Lonely Planet and The Guardian chose this as the third most beautiful bookstore in the world. Do you believe it? It's stunning! Over 100 years old and counting, Lello itself is an art nouveau gem with Gothic features, stained-glass, as well as a remarkable red staircase, rumored to have inspired the one found in Hogwarts, for JK Rowling used to reside in Porto.
In fact, there are a ton of visitors flowing in through its doors nowadays that today you must pay a fee just to enter, but which gets discounted with any purchase. A lot of private tours make their way to the Lello Bookstore.
9. Palacio da Bolsa
Situated near the Sao Francisco Church, the palace is a gigantic Neo Classical building erected on the site of the former Saint Francis Convent. Commissioned by the Porto's commercial association, it was originally constructed as a stock exchange as well as to impress European financial leaders.
Many architects worked on the palace throughout its almost 70-year construction period. Designed in an exotic Moorish style by architect Gustavo Adolfo Gonçalves e Sousa, the Arab Room is the obvious highlight for anyone touring through the palace. As one of Porto's most popular attractions, this particular striking space continued to be used today as a reception hall for dignitaries visiting.
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