Top things to do in Porto
Perched on the hill overlooking River Douro, Porto is Portugal’s second major city, situated in the north of the country. It is divided between an upper and a lower city, and the alleys that make it up are so narrow and steep that it is often advisable to use lifts and public transports to overcome the height difference between one part and the other.
Porto is a concentrate of excellent wine & food, beautiful architecture and pristine nature, all firmly based on centuries of historical pride which has granted the city the designation as the Cidade Invicta,”the Unconquered City”, referring to the fact that Porto has never succumbed to the attack of the Moors or Napoleon’s imperial army, and never it has been militarily defeated since its creation during the Roman Empire.
Walking through the picturesque narrow streets that go up the hill and admiring its buildings, enjoying the spectacle of the ray path of light from the setting sun reflected on the waters of the Douro and the houses perched along the green spaces of the Portuguese countryside, learning about customs and traditions also through the direct contact with locals, amiable and friendly people that will make your vacation even more pleasurable.
Oporto is all this, and much more. We want to offer you a quick overview of the places you should definitely not miss if you visit the city, and the things you must do before you get back home from your trip, leaving our main advice to the end!
There’s only one beginning to this story. Porto is primarily known for its delicious Porto wine, and if you plan a visit to the wine cellars of the town to try its delicious wines, you’ll definitely end up going back two or three times in a row! Those who love guided tours can rest assured that almost all of those available in Porto also include a wine tasting at a wine cellar. With this regard, one could be the Porto Half Day Tour with Wine Tasting, which offers a guided tour of the Bairro da Sé, the historical centre of the city, plus a visit to Vila Nova de Gaia, where Port wine is produced and aged. (32 Euros per person.)
One of the most beautiful and fascinating places in Porto is undoubtedly its historical centre, the oldest and most picturesque part of the city. Here you will find beautiful architecture such as the Se Cathedral, the church of Santa Clara, the Museum of Sacred Art, or the Baroque style Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. The heart of the old town is enclosed within the Bairro da Sé and the harbor area known as Ribeira (declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco) a lively tangle of quaint medieval streets full of typical restaurants where you can enjoy delicious meals, bars and small tavernas.
The historical centre is located right on the banks of River Douro. From Avenida Henriquez, you just cross the Luis I Bridge to enjoy a romantic walk on the riverside with terrific views over the city. If you want to completely immerse yourself in the charm of the beautiful Douro region, you can get an online Douro Full Day Tour (starting at 94.99 Euros) and discover all the traditions, landscapes and places of worship of the charming towns along the banks of the river including Amarante, Lamego and Pinhão.
However, this beautiful city has much more to offer to its tourists. Designated as European Capital of Culture in 2001, Porto has been working hard to keep up with this title, so many monuments and places of tourist interest have been restored and modernized, while others have been built from scratch, such as the impressive Casa da Música, a 1300-seat auditorium overlooking a garden on the Boavista roundabout, near the historical centre. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and opened in 2005, this huge reinforced concrete irregular polyhedron on 11 floors becomes spectacular especially at sunset, when the sun’s rays reflect the irregularity of its faceted walls.
A not to be missed stop will be at the Livraria Lello & Irmão, considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. In addition to the precious shelves and art deco carved armchairs, you will be literally enchanted by the staircase leading to the upper floors. It is considered the most extravagant staircase in Portugal, in the shape of an “8” with double convolution, and resembles the shape of a ship, or even a violoncello.
Photography enthusiasts can visit the free exhibition at the Centre Português de Fotografia, located on the premises of a former prison (Cadeia da Relação,) while those who love museums will surely appreciate the Museum of Contemporary Art by Serralves Fundazione complete with its thrilling gardens. Free admission on Sunday mornings.
And how not to spend even a few hours going shopping! In Porto you can do so in the traditional shops of Rua de Santa Catarina, with characteristic craft stands, bars and restaurants, amid entertaining shows performed by talented street artists.
This is our way to give you a little taste of the wonders that you will enjoy in Porto, one of the most fascinating cities in Europe, so ancient-styled but underground at the same time. However, our main advice is this: the secret to discover A capital do norte is penetrating aimlessly in Porto’s urban network of roads and trails to explore the life of normal people in this special city.
And finally if your are thinking about a holiday in this marvellous city take a look at the flights to Porto and at the best Porto hotels deals.
About the Author
Francy Hi! My name is Francesca I love travelling, getting in touch with new lifestyles, new ways of thinking and most of all always discovering news places around the world! I like reading travel books and magazines, art and food. These are my passions that I try to share with you.
