What to See in Porto
Portugal has cities with great tourist potential and plenty of history. Here we present an itinerary of what to see in Porto.
This is one of the most touristy cities, even more than its neighbour Lisbon, and it stands out for its extraordinary bridges, wine production and stunning architecture that sets it apart from any coastal city.
This city is also a fishing one, which strongly marks the identity of the city and its citizens.
Places you have to see in Porto
As it is a tourist city, there are many places to see in Porto, but these are the most outstanding, and in just a weekend you can visit them all.
Historic centre of Porto
The historic centre of Porto is built on the hills of the Douro river. The sea, thanks to its greatness and beauty, allowed the development of this area.
UNESCO declared it a Cultural World Heritage Site, which is why it is one of the first places to see in Porto. It is bordered by small streets, just like a colonial space full of merchants' houses and cafés where you can enjoy a lovely afternoon and walk through the old quarter.
Porto Cathedral
They say that when you visit a city for the first time you should visit its square and its church, so the Cathedral is a place to see in Porto, as well as being the main and oldest monument in the city.
It was built in an architectural style that varies between Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque, and its structure dates from the 12th and 13th centuries and is one of the oldest.
The main altar is a work of art, as are all the paintings inside the cathedral, by great artists and painters. This cathedral keeps its sobriety and was declared a National Monument of Portugal.
São Bento Station
Although it may sound strange, a railway station is one of the places you have to see in Porto.
This station is rated as one of the most beautiful in Europe and the world, and it is also one of the most important works of the 20th century, by the architect José Marques da Silva.
The atrium is covered with tile panels, 20,000 to be exact, and that is one of the features that make São Bento Station recognisable, and you should see it at sunset when the sun makes them shine — it is quite a spectacle.
During your visit to the station, you should see the gallery by the painter Jorge Colaço, which depicts historical scenes from northern Portugal.
Clérigos Tower
The Clérigos Tower is one of the must-see sights in Porto, one of the most emblematic landmarks of the city and the country, as it is one of the tallest in Portugal. From any point in the city you can see this tower, which stands 78 metres high and dates from the 18th century.
Any visitor or tourist can climb to the very top of the tower, and for that we recommend you bring a camera so you can capture the wonderful views this city tower offers.
For many years this tower was a reference point for boats, when Porto was a thoroughly fishing city; that is why, some years ago, the country issued a coin in honour of this architectural work.
Ribeira do Douro
Among the things to see in Porto, you must visit the Ribeira do Douro. The sunsets and dusks there are a spectacle you should not miss.
Around it you can see little houses with lovely façades and very colourful tones, where you can walk, enjoy a good cod fish and a good port — the wine.
Dom Luís Bridge
You can take the chance to visit the Dom Luís Bridge, an icon of Porto built by a partner of the famous Gustave Eiffel, which connects to the town of Vila Nova de Gaia.
This bridge has two levels and we recommend crossing it at sunset to watch the sun go down — it is one of the wonders to see in Porto.
Cruise
One of the things to see in Porto is everything related to its river, and for that you can take the six-bridge cruise, where you set off from the wine cellar area on the Vila Nova de Gaia bank, pass under all the wonderful bridges of the city, and reach the mouth of the river.
There are also night-time options; it is one of the most romantic, with unrivalled views of Porto at night.
Wine cellars
One of the icons of this city is wine, and so you must visit the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia — it is one of the essential places to see in Porto.
In the city there are various cellars where you can learn the whole wine-making process and end with a wine tasting.
If you have a little more time and want to know more, you can visit the vineyards from which the wine is harvested.
On the river, during the tour, you can see the typical boats that used to carry the wine.
Lello Bookshop
The Lello Bookshop is one of the most beautiful, so much so that it was a source of inspiration for the famous British writer J.K. Rowling, and some scenes of her Harry Potter novels were set in this place.
It is one of the most beautiful places to see in Porto; it has been around for 100 years and was built by the Lello brothers.
They created a two-storey space full of vast quantities of books, and visitors highlight its lovely staircases, carved ceilings, and Modernist and neo-Gothic details that make it one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. Even if you are not an avid reader, you should visit this great architectural space.
