The church was built over 18 years - from 1732 to 1750.
The Baroque church was built for the Brotherhood of Clerics by the Italian architect and artist Nicola Nasoni. Subsequently, Nicola Nasoni joined the Brotherhood of Clerics. And after his death, according to his last will, he was buried in the church crypt.
As for going upstairs? In Porto, I personally liked the views from natural sites, I liked more. But if you really want to, then you can :), especially not very difficult (225 steps).
We visit the church and move down.
2. We go down to the central square liberty Square (Praça da Liberdade), where you can see the Town Hall (center in the background), a monument to King Peter IV, who granted Portugal the constitution (1866).
3. Walking a little forward and turning left - we see the main station of Porto Sao Bento. It is worth going in, even if you don't need to go anywhere.
The walls of the main hall are decorated with blue and white mosaic canvases depicting scenes from the life of the brilliant monarch João I, under whose rule Portugal flourished.
4. We move on first down and then up along the Avenida Dom Afonso Henriques.
We see a pointer to the Cathedral of Se, but we pass by and go further.
Admiring how the abandoned houses are originally hidden
And after a couple of meters ...
Yes, yes, we are on the top tier of the most beautiful bridge in Porto - the Luis I.and the weather has slightly deteriorated.
The bridge is 385.25 m long and weighs 3045 tons, the length of the arched span is 172 m, and its height is 44.6 m.
In general, the bridge is multifunctional, it is both railway and automobile, and even pedestrian. Built in 1886 according to the project of the student and companion of Gustave Eiffel Theophile Seirig and named in honor of King Louis I.
On it you can go to the satellite city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On one side of the Porto Bridge, on the other, Vila Nova de Gaia.
5) When the bridge and the city from above are explored, you can return and see the Se Cathedral.
For those who liked the mosaic of the railway station, you can visit the Xie courtyard, also laid out with a tile - or according to the correct "azulej".
In general, many houses in Porto are decorated with azulejos. By the way, the word itself came from the Arabs - it was they who brought the tiles from the East to Spain and Portugal, and the oldest azulejos to Portugal were brought from Seville.
6) Now we go down (first along the stairs, in the previous photo) to the embankment. Any street leading down, you can go through the museum to Largo do Colégio.
And here we are at Praça Ribeira. Yellow, red, green azulejos and an overcast sky are nothing for us :)
7. After walking along the embankment, we continue along the Rua Reboleira and get off at Rua Infante Dom Henrique.
And in front of you will be probably the most beautiful church in Porto - São Francisco (about 1400), the interior of which is richly decorated with gilded wooden carvings. (i've managed not to photograph anything :()
8. We leave the church and take tram number 1 (a ticket can be bought from the driver) and go to the ocean. The old-style trams themselves are one of the main attractions of Porto.
If there is little time at all, then we skip 9.
9 Well hello ocean!
10. Now go back 1 to the stopMuseo do carro Electrico and we change to tram 18, which will take us to the Do Carmo church.
On the side wall, scenes of the founding of the Carmelite Order on the sacred Israeli Mount Carmel (azulejo) are depicted.
11 We pass the square DOS Leões and at Rua das Carmelitas we visit one of the most beautiful bookstores, where, unfortunately, you cannot take pictures.
Although there are those who can :) watch it herehttp://zyalt.livejournal.com/376565.html, although of course it's better live.
12. Now we cross the shopping center and we are again in front of the Clerigos Tower.
I tried to describe one of the ways to see the main sights of the city in a day. There are, of course, others, for example, take a ride on a tourist bus.
Now, regarding the port wine tasting - you need to do it in Vila Nova de Gaia
By the way, port is a fortified wine produced in the north-east of Portugal in the Douro Valley. According to international marketing law, only drinks produced in the designated region of the Douro Valley according to the established technology can wear the name "port". And it is produced inVila Nova de Gaia, andyou can get there in 2 ways:
1) Near Klerigos - at the end of tram 22, take the funicular (it rarely runs, because it waits for the trailer to fill up), you can go down the stairs - go down to the embankment, (well, or just go down to the embankment from any point)
Walk along the lower tier of the bridge and you are already on the Vila Nova de Gaia embankment. - a great end to the day, I think :)
2) Go along the upper tier of the bridge (or take the metro fromSao Bento) and go down the cable car (or again down the winding road).
On the embankment, you can both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, you can get on a boat and go for a ride.
You can also go off in a park Jardins do Palácio de Cristal.
Or to the market
I want to tell you about the small ancient town of Porto, in which the oldest traditions of Portugal have been preserved to this day. It will appeal to everyone who wants to get acquainted with the medieval, its unique culinary traditions and not go broke, as well as lovers of narrow streets, interesting houses, temples and, of course, the best port in the world.
Attractions in the main districts of Porto
A special tourist map will help you navigate the city. On it you will find all the main attractions, metro lines and street names will also be indicated there. As a tourist you will need visit only 3 main areasto get into the spirit of Porto, Portugal and see all its attractions.
Ribeira district
This is one of the oldest and most picturesque areas... Its streets, only 1.5 meters wide, meander between the quarters of old houses, which are decorated with blue and white tiles. These colorful houses are built close to each other and look like a child's applique, but this is what gives the charisma to the entire area.
- Here it is Praça da Ribeira square, where in the old days there was a huge market, but now it is rather a gastronomic point.
- Near the square you will see fountain Cubu da Ribeira, which was built in 1780. To this day he is impressive statue of John the Baptist at its base and with the coat of arms decorating it.
- Further along the way you will meet house of Casa do Infanti, in which the heir to King João I was born back in 1394.
- Nearby is Igrejade Church of San Francisco and the majestic fortress wall of Fernandin, which was built in the XIV century.
In my opinion, this area is best explored by bike. Because it is a walk through the crooked streets without a special route that will show you how the locals live leisurely. Taste a port at Praça da Ribeira and get briefly transported to a medieval day in Porto.
Did you know? The inhabitants of the Ribeira district in Porto are called "tripeiros", which means "tripe".
- After that, be sure to stroll through the beautiful the promenade of Cais da Ribeira, which is located on the banks of the Douro River and pay attention to the yachts moored to its banks. Some of them used to transport port, and now they serve tourists.
- Being on the waterfront you won't pass by bridge Luis Iwhich was opened in 1886 year. This incredible two-level creation connects the Ribeira area with the Villa Nova di Gaia suburb and has pedestrian zones on each of the “floors”.
Vila Nova di Gaia
This area is not so much attractions for the "eyes" as for "soul and taste"... On this coast are the best port wine cellars from a variety of manufacturers, as well as warehouses and cork factories.
At the end of it, you will be expected wine degustation.
- In addition, you will find here feitoria Inglesa wine merchant club, which was built at the end of the 18th century, and the Museum of Port Wine.
- pay attention to churchdating back to the 16th century Serra do Pilar Monastery.
- They depart from the embankment cruise excursions with the program at 1 hour, but during this time you will see all the bridges of Porto.
- Still on this shore there is cable car, which connects the river bank with the small territory of the Serra do Pilar monastery, from which a wonderful view of the immediate vicinity of the city opens.
After such a walk, you will still feel the heady aroma of Portugal's finest wines and pleasant fatigue as a keepsake of this wonderful area.
Historic center of Porto
The historic city center was declared a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. And the most striking attraction here is rightfully considered Stock exchange palace, where in the XVIII century. there was a trading exchange.
Be sure to go to Porto Cathedral, which was built in the XII - XIII centuries and is visible from anywhere in the city. They say that it was around this cathedral that the city began to form.
It is open to the public from 9:00 to 19:00 and a ticket costs 3 EUR.
Among the main attractions are sao Bento train station.
Sao Bento train station
Porto Cathedral
When you get to the main pedestrian rua de Santa Catarina streetsthen it's time to choose a cozy cafe and get acquainted with the local cuisine. Take a look at the iconic cafe Majestic, which is located in a 1921 building, and there you will be offered a cup of coffee at any time of the day.
Also go through street Avenida dos Aliadoswhich will open for you a huge number of rich mansions period of the XIX - XX centuries. One of the most beautiful temples in the city is church of São Francisco 1233, made in the Gothic style with baroque elements.
Did you know? One of the most important symbols of Porto is the 75-meter tower of Clérigos. Previously, it served as a guide for ships that entered the port. Today, from its observation deck, you can see the city for only 2 EUR.
Porto beaches
Porto is surrounded by a huge coastline, and if time permits, I advise you to sunbathe in the immediate vicinity of the city. This is a great opportunity to plunge into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and learn to surf if you wish.
What to see in Porto in 1 day
If you got to Porto in transit and are very limited in time, then here is an approximate route to the main places of the city:
- Get to the city center and have breakfast in one of the city's many coffee shops. Will you try coffeewelded by unique recipes.
- Climbing on clerigos tower and take in the panorama of the entire city.
- Buy a ticket for a tram in the direction ribeira... This way, you will drive through the historic city center and see the main attractions, including the tram itself.
- In the Ribeira area, walk several narrow streets and enjoy the flavor of the oldest part of the city.
- On praça da Ribeira square dine on authentic Portuguese cuisine.
- Descend to the banks of the Douro River and get to know waterfront.
- Cross the river over the Luís I bridge and enter vila Nova di Gaia area.
- Taste several of the finest port wines, and on this pleasant note, your day will come to an end.
Clerigos Tower
And be sure to bring from Porto not only a magnet, but also save all the sights you see in the photo.
Traveling around Porto with children
- Visit Crystal Palace park... It is equipped with everything necessary for children's leisure - playgrounds, recreation areas - and is decorated with many sculptures. Most of all, children will remember the peacocks that walk freely on the park's lawns, they can be fed, and they are not afraid of visitors.
- Oceanarium Sea Life Porto will become an unforgettable experience for children. The variety of the sea world that is around you while driving through the glass tunnel is simply mesmerizing. You will be able to watch how the local inhabitants are fed, and also look at the ocean from a special observation deck.
- Your kids will love it if you bring them to book storelocated at Rua das Carmelitas. It became the prototype of the library for the book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", and also some scenes of this movie saga were filmed here.
Oceanarium Sea Life Porto
Porto and city attractions (video)
Porto is one of the oldest cities, the former capital of the country and the current capital of port wine. You will learn more about the city of Porto in this video from Eagle and Tails with the hosts Petya and Regina. Happy viewing!
Transport within the city
- Underground - has 6 lines, one of which originates in. Stations open at 6:00 and end at 1:00. The price of one trip is EUR 1.85.
- Buses - there are daily flights and special night flights from 1:00 to 5:30 in the morning. A single ticket costs EUR 1.85, a day ticket - EUR 7, and a 3-day ticket - EUR 15.
- Trams Is not just transport, but also one of the attractions of Porto. Rare trams were launched back in 1872.
- Bicycles - can be rented for 2 hours (from 6 EUR) or for a day (from 15 EUR) depending on the selected model.
Important! Taxi prices rise by 20% at night.
In my opinion, the city of Porto is not just sights and port. It is a combination of the modern with the old whimsical traditions.
Perhaps I missed some places, but tried to tell you what I remember the most. If you found something more interesting, please tell us about it in the comments, and I will envy you a little.
Porto is not famous for its world-famous architectural masterpieces or outstanding museums, but you still need to go to Porto. For the atmosphere. Porto is like an old friend who will give shelter, pour a glass of wine and banish sadness and longing. It turned out pretentious, but, honestly, the way it is. Perhaps this is Porto a bit like, but, fortunately, there are fewer people on the streets here.
How to get to Porto
If you are traveling from Ukraine, you will have to fly with a transfer - for example, via Munich, London or Amsterdam.
Low-cost airlines are also an option. Wizzair flies to Porto from Budapest and Warsaw. Ryanair is from Eindhoven, Berlin, Copenhagen and many other European cities.
Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is approximately 11 kilometers from the center of Porto. The easiest way to get to the city is by metro. The airport is located on the purple line (E). The ticket can be bought at the bus stop directly at the airport. The cost depends on the specific route, but be guided by about 2 euros plus 0.6 euros per card, which can be replenished and used on subsequent trips.
There are also buses - regular regular buses, private carriers and even a special (and more expensive) shuttle that leaves every half hour. But the metro is more convenient.
A taxi to the city will cost you 20-30 euros. Uber works in Portugal, but not always well. Our trips to the center during the day were always smooth, but early in the morning a malicious algorithm tried to drive us a car 20 minutes away from us to the airport with a double extra charge. So be careful - sometimes it's easier to negotiate with the nearest taxi driver on the street or call a car by phone.
If you are heading to Porto from Lisbon, the train takes 2.5-4 hours, you can check the timetable on the carrier's website.
How Porto is organized and how to get around the city
Porto is a fairly compact city. Almost all tourist attractions are concentrated in the historic center called Ribeira.
Opposite, on the other side of the Duoro River, is Vila Nova de Gaia. Formally, it is a different city. In fact - within walking distance from the heart of Porto. It was here that all port wine producers settled, dividing the city like mafia bosses.
To the west of Ribeira, on the ocean shore, is Matosinhos. Here are beaches, surf schools and fish restaurants.
The main way for tourists to travel around Porto is on foot. Be prepared for the fact that you will have to climb hills, then go down. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Metro in Porto is inexpensive and convenient. If you need to get to the same Matosinhos not in 2 hours, but in 30 minutes - we recommend. The metro website has a convenient constructor for route planning. We also recommend.
We have already mentioned that there is Uber in Porto. The cost of a trip around the city is within 10 euros.
Contacts of other taxi services (just in case):
Among the special attractions for tourists are the historic tram and river taxi.
The tram is cool, has been in Porto since 1872. The most popular route - number 1, goes along the embankment to the ocean. Costs 3 euros.
River taxi transports to the other side of the Duoro those who are too lazy to go to the bridge or just want to ride a boat. The cost is the same 3 euros.
What to see and do in Porto
Ribeira
The historic center of Porto can be slowly walked around in a day, carefully examining the beautiful houses and churches lined with the famous azulejo tiles, stopping for coffee and ice cream. If you are in a very, very hurry, you can run past the main attractions in half a day.
Anyway, don't miss the following places:
Good taverns with national cuisine where you can spend the evening: Taberna dos Mercadores, O Rapido, Casa Nanda, Restaurante Maria Rita, Sardines - the pride of Porto - an ideal place for a late breakfast on the weekend. A cafe in which it is difficult to restrain yourself and not order the entire menu. We highly recommend it.
Rota do Cha is a great terrace where you can hang out for a half day with a kettle of tea.
But for pasteis de nata (the best cake in the world) it is better to go to Lisbon. In Porto they are trying, but, in our opinion, they have not yet mastered the art of making this dessert just as well.
Drink in the evening
The main hangout area in Porto is Rua da Galeria de Paris. Every door on this street is a bar or club. Another cluster is the Rua das Oliveiras neighborhood.
Pay attention to the following establishments:
Aduela is a simple bar where it is good to drink wine on the street under the old rock.
Maus Habitos is an art space where alternative bands play in the evenings and cool DJs at night.
Livraria da Baixa is a rare Porto example of a bar where they really know how to make cocktails.
Candelabro is a small local bar with a great atmosphere.
Casa do Livro is a former bookstore with a funky playlist.
Café Piolho is a budget student bar. Cheap and cheerful, but fun.
Breyner85 and Rua - jam sessions and concerts.
Gare is techno.
Where to live in Porto
Porto is one of those cities where AirBnB offers better than hotels.
Since Porto is a small city with good transport infrastructure, the location, in our opinion, is not critical. If you want to surf every day - settle closer to the beach. Walk around the center and move from bar to bar in the evenings - closer to Ribeira.
The only thing is to carefully study the reviews of other tourists regarding the noise level when choosing accommodation, so as not to accidentally settle above a hostel or a violent bar.
More things to do in Porto
First of all, it is good to walk in Porto, admire the city, slowly drink port wine or Portuguese wine somewhere by the ocean. But if you are tired, there are still options.
Surfing
For surfing, head to the beaches of Matosinhos. The road from the city center (metro and a little walk) will take no more than an hour. Great school, proven by the editorial friends and their friends -
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and the country's northern capital. Porto is not at all like Lisbon: the only similarity can be seen in the fact that both of these cities are on the coast. Porto has a special atmosphere, unique historic architecture, football spirit and amazing views.
There are so many attractions in the city that it is simply impossible to visit them all in a few days. They are literally located at every turn. To simplify your task, we have compiled a selection of the most interesting sights of Porto with photos and descriptions.
So, what to do and see in Porto for the best experience?
1. Take a walk around the Ribeira quarter
The best place to start your sightseeing in Porto is the atmospheric Ribeira quarter. Many tourists fall in love with this distinctive area, and this is understandable: every house is interesting in it. It is here that you can feel the spirit of real Portugal, walking along the promenade or along the narrow streets and enjoying the authentic beauty of cozy houses with bright tiles on the roofs.
In the Ribeira quarter, there is a huge number of small cafes overlooking the waterfront, and the prices in them do not bite. Be sure to stop by, and best of all - try the signature Portuguese francesinha sandwich, which can be baked in an open oven right in front of your eyes.
In the evening, the Ribeira quarter turns into the most romantic place in the city, so if you are traveling to Porto with your loved one, then go here for dinner or an evening walk.
From the Ribeira promenade, you can take a river cruise along the Doré or walk to the Don Luis Bridge, which offers beautiful views of the quarter.
2. Admire the view from the Don Luis Bridge
The Don Luis Bridge, designed by a student of the Eiffel himself, is one of the main attractions of the city of Porto. We can say that this bridge is for Porto - it is like the Eiffel Tower for Paris. Its unusual silhouette is often depicted on the labels of Portuguese port. In the evening, when the lights come on, the bridge takes on a special charm. It is simply unforgivable to visit Porto and not take a picture.
Tourists unanimously say that the best views of the city of Porto, the Douro River and the Ribeira quarter with its red-orange roofs are opened from this structure. Photos against the background of such a magnificent panorama turn out like postcards. But the attraction is interesting in itself - for its unusual two-tier structure: cars drive along the lower tier, and metro trains run along the upper tier. There are sidewalks for pedestrians on both levels. Local daredevils jump from the lower tier into the water, collecting one euro from tourists for their exploits.
The Don Luis Bridge connects the city center with Villo Nova di Gaia, where port wine tastings are held at a historic winery. Therefore, the final point of the walk can be planned here. Be sure to walk across the bridge, look at the panorama that opens up - it will give you a special experience.
From the upper level, you can take a funicular that takes you down to the Porto promenade. People who buy a ticket for the funicular are sometimes given flyers for wine tastings made in Portugal. The trip is worth it 2.5 € one way.
The most convenient way to get to the attraction is by metro. Get off at Jardim do Morro or Sao Bento station and then walk a little.
3. Attend a football match at FC Porto stadium
Everyone knows that Portugal is a country of football. Therefore, even those who do not consider themselves to be fans of this sport should go to the home stadium of the legendary football club. Who knows, maybe after visiting this stadium you will also become a passionate fan!
The grandiose stadium "Dragau" was built for the European Championship in 2004. During this time, it has already played five championship matches. Here everyone can feel the sports and football atmosphere of the city. Many people consider this to be one of the main modern attractions in Porto and Portugal in general.
If you can't buy a ticket for the match, then you can just look at the stadium inside and outside, visit the football museum and book a tour in English. Inside the attraction there is a Porto club shop, where numerous souvenirs for football fans are sold at fairly high prices.
The most convenient way to get to the stadium is by metro. You need to get off at the Estádio do Dragão station (yellow line).
- Location: Via do Futebol Clube do Porto, Porto 4350-415, Estádio do Dragão Stadium
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 - 19:00.
4. Visit the FC Porto Museum
The Porto Football Club Museum is located inside the Dragau stadium, which we wrote about above. Numerous reviews of tourists indicate that this museum will be of interest to everyone, and for football fans it will become a real holiday. Also here you can learn a lot about sports in Portugal.
It is a very large and informative museum with many trophies, artifacts and interactive screens. Even if you do not know anything about FC Porto, you will still understand and feel its significance. It is best to book an excursion, which includes a visit to the stadium. They will tell you about the history of the Porto club, show you the interior and the football field itself.
Allow at least an hour and a half to visit the museum. The combined tour of the museum and the stadium will cost € 15 for an adult, € 10 for a child under 16 and free for children under 4. A visit to one museum will cost 12 euros for an adult and 8 euros for a child. Pensioners over 65 are offered discounts on tickets.
- Address: Estádio do Dragão, Porto 4350-415.
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10: 00-19: 00.
- Ticket prices: from 12 €.
5. Climb the bell tower of the Clerigos Church
The tallest bell tower in Portugal, Clerigos, should be a must-see on the list of things to see in Porto in 3 days. This high tower (75 meters) can be seen from different points of Porto, therefore it is considered one of the most recognizable structures in the city. It used to serve as a reference point for ships that entered the harbor.
The bell tower belongs to the Baroque church of the same name from 1732-1748. a building that is also very beautiful, interesting and worth a visit. In 1910, it was officially recognized as a national treasure of Portugal.
Climbing a narrow staircase to the bell tower is not an easy task. The observation deck is also quite cramped, but it offers a stunning view of the city. Therefore, it is definitely worth overcoming the rise.
- Address: Rua Sao Filipe Neri, Porto 4050-546
- Visit cost: 4 € in the afternoon (until 7 pm) and 5 € in the evening (from 7 to 11 pm). Children under 10 years old - free, students get a 50% discount. The day ticket includes a visit to the museum.
- Working hours: 9: 00-19: 00 (tower + museum). The tower is open until 23:00.
6. Conquer the Arrábida Bridge on the Porto Bridge Climb Tour
If you have 3 days to see the sights of Porto and you like extreme entertainment, be sure to become a "rock climber" on the Arrábida Bridge. The organizers of the Porto Bridge Climb project invite everyone from 12 years old to climb 262 steps of the arch on the bridge structure, rising to a height of 65 meters. Prepare for an exciting climb, but completely safe and not extreme.
All groups (from one person) are accompanied by an experienced guide. You can book a ticket for the ascent in advance, but it is better to come immediately to the place: the schedule of ascents hangs here. Allow about an hour to climb and descend and wear comfortable athletic shoes.
From the height of the structure, you can look at the ocean and the city from an unusual angle. Also, everyone who went upstairs will have a pleasant surprise. For the most incredible experience, climb the bridge at sunset
- Attraction location: Ponte da Arrábida, Porto
- Prices: lifting in a group from 1 to 13 people - 12.5 €, in a group from 14 to 39 people - 11 €, in a group of more than 40 people - 10 €.
7. See the churches of Karma and Carmelites separated by the narrowest building in the world
One of the most beautiful churches in Portugal, the splendid Rococo Carmo Church, is located in Teixeira Square, in the historic center of Porto. The Carmelite temple rises right next to it. The churches are built so close that it seems as if it is one big temple. But in fact, they are separated by a house only 1 meter wide, which is considered the narrowest building in the world.
Most of all, the Church of Karmo, built in the 18th century, delights tourists with the traditional tiles of Portugal - the "azulejo" tiles, which in appearance resemble Gzhel. The walls of the church are decorated with the largest mosaic canvases depicting the Carmelites, which it is impossible not to admire. In addition, the temple is decorated with statues of evangelists and sculptures of prophets. Its interior decoration is no less rich. That is why the church is considered one of the most significant attractions in Porto and the surrounding area.
It is worth noting that the luxurious beauty of the Karmo Church is emphasized by the chic fountain with lion sculptures, which is located on the square in front of the temples.
Address: Rua Carmo, Porto, Portugal.
8. Visit the "Harry Potter library" Livraria Lello
In fact, Livraria Lello is the prettiest historical bookstore from the 1890s, featuring a unique wooden staircase - much like the one at Hogwarts in Harry Potter. According to some versions, it was with this staircase that J.K. Rowling was inspired when she described the Hogwarts library.
The Livraria Lello store in Porto is considered the third most beautiful bookstore in the world, so many travelers and Harry Potter fans want to look at it. That is why queues are often formed at the entrance, and inside the store it becomes crowded due to the many visitors.
Shop entrance costs 4 €: you can spend this money to buy a book, but most of the books presented are in Portuguese, although copies can be found in English.
- Address: Rua Carmelitas 144 | Vitória, Porto 4050-161.
- Working hours: Mon-Fri 10: 00-19: 40, Sat-Sun 10: 00-19: 00.
9. Take a photo of the Porto City Hall building
The famous Porto City Hall began to be built on the town square in 1920, although it looks much older. The building has six floors, excluding the basement. The main decoration of the city municipality is its 70-meter tower with chimes, to which you can climb by overcoming 180 steps.
The Town Hall is considered one of the most photogenic buildings in Porto. It harmoniously fits into the overall look of the square and emphasizes its slightly pompous beauty. Take a closer look at this monumental building, and you will see a huge amount of decoration: sculptures, columns and arches. Pay attention to the fact that the windows of the town hall are made in various shapes: rectangular, round, oval.
For the best photographs, come to the town hall in the early morning when the square is not yet crowded with tourists.
Attraction location: Praça General Humberto Delgado, Porto 4000-172.
10. Taste port at Vinicola Ramos Pinto winery
While in Porto, it is worth trying the famous local port. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by its taste and take a bottle or two home with you.
It is best to taste this drink at a historic winery: for example, Casa Ramos Pinto, which was founded back in 1880 by the Ramos brothers. Here you can visit the winemaking museum, see how port is prepared and stored. Tasting of two budget ports is included in the tour price. For a fee, you can taste young wines, vintage and luxury ports.
You can get to the winery from the Don Luis Bridge, taking a cable car or stairs. You can combine her visit with a walk around the Ribeira quarter.
- Address: Avenida Ramos Pinto 380, Porto 4400-266.
- Price: from 6 € - depending on the choice of drinks.
- Working hours: 10:00-18:00.
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11. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Porto City Park
If you have already seen enough of the architectural sights and are looking for what to see in Porto among the natural beauty, visit the Parque da Cidade do Porto city park. A walk in this spacious park can be combined with a beach holiday on the Atlantic coast, since from one side the park goes directly to the embankment.
In this place, you can relax in peace and quiet from the noisy city and enjoy the picturesque paths and lawns, breathing in the fresh breeze. Various birds (ducks, geese, etc.) swim in the park's ponds, which are not afraid of people. It is not for nothing that visitors call this park the green oasis of Porto.
The park is located quite far from the center, so it is better to get there by metro or bus number 500. Allocate about half a day to visit.
Where is: Avenida da Boavista, Porto 4100-121.
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12. Understand the city metro system
If you want to change the way you think about the metro, go down to the Porto Metro. However, the word “subway” does not quite fit here, because the metro trains in Porto mostly travel on the surface. With this transport, you can comfortably reach the airport, train station, beach and many attractions.
But please note right away that paying for tickets in Porto is quite complicated. First you need buy a card for 60 cents and add some rides to it ( cost of one trip will be 1.4 or 1.5 €). The entire metro system is divided into zones: as soon as you switch to another line, you need to reapply the pass.
The peculiarity of the metro in Porto is that trains of different lines can go along the same tracks. Therefore, check the direction indicated on the train itself, so as not to drive around the city in search of your station.
We offer this program to those who want to see the sights of Porto in 3 days. But of course, you can create a completely different route, focusing on your interests, in the northern capital of Portugal there are interesting places for every taste.
All the sights of Porto described in the article are marked on the map in Russian.
Kasho Hasanov's video from Porto is positive and informative.
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Perhaps the first thing to see in Porto is the famous Eiffel Bridge. In fact, it was not built by Eiffel himself, but by his disciple, but named after King Luis I. The Don Luis Bridge or Dom Luis was built in 1886 according to the design of Theophilus Seyriga and is still simultaneously a railway, road and pedestrian bridge across the Douro River connecting the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
Unlike Lisbon, the houses in Porto look poorer. I cannot say that this is very annoying, but still it is felt that the city does not have enough funds for improvement.
The upper level of the Eiffel Bridge offers excellent views of the city.
Sometimes it seems that in 10-20 years Porto will be completely overgrown with greenery. Alas, some buildings are still unfinished. Moreover, in the very center of the city ...
You should definitely take a walk to the other side of the Douro River. Previously, Vila Nova Di Geya was a separate city, but now it is just the Porto area. From here, again, gorgeous views of the city and the Eiffel Bridge open up.
And also to the central part of the city of Porto.
Walking across the Eiffel Bridge is a must-see for every tourist visiting the city of Porto!
Clerigos Tower
In Porto, the best place to live is the Ribeira area, the oldest in the city. Highly recommend, the price-performance ratio is beyond praise!
The Clerigos Tower is located in the very center of the district and if you like observation decks, then this is the place for you! The bell tower of Torre dos Clerigos is visible from almost everywhere. Here, for example, a classic view of the Ribeira district and the Clérigos tower.
The tower itself is located slightly behind the Clerigos Church. The rise to the bell tower is paid, but it is quite inexpensive, only 3 euros. The top offers gorgeous views of the city, and even in cloudy weather, the city looks great from a bird's eye view!
view of Porto from the Clerigos tower
The observation deck goes in a circle, i.e. the view opens up to 360 degrees. There is a similar observation deck on, here the truth is probably still more picturesque!
The Se Cathedral is clearly visible. By the way, there are also quite nice views of the city near it!
On the opposite bank you can see the famous Porto wineries, where, if you wish, you can taste the local port wine.
By the way, I forgot to mention, the climb to the Clérigos tower is on foot, and not by elevator. For some, this may be a problem, after all, the tower's height is slightly less than 80 meters! If this does not confuse you, then I definitely recommend going up! The views of Porto will not disappoint you!
Ribeira district
Be sure to stroll through the streets of the old town. The most central square of Porto is the Praça da Liberdade Square. In the center of the square rises a monument to King Pedro IV, and opposite the building of the Porto City Hall.
Freedom Square is perhaps the most well-groomed place in Porto. While on it, you may even think for a moment that you are not in Porto, but in Lisbon. There are many more such areas, but I have already spoken about this. Porto is just a port town, but at the same time with its own charisma 😉 Be sure to walk along Avenida dos Aliados boulevard, a very pleasant place.
In Portugal, they also dry things right on the street. Moreover, in Porto there are a lot of such houses and streets.
Walking through the old town of Porto to the Eiffel Bridge can take 2 to 3 hours, depending on your desire to photograph everything around.
Se Cathedral
I will separately note the central cathedral of Porto. Se do Porto was built in the XII century and then it was also a fortress. The cathedral has preserved its severe and slightly brutal appearance to this day.
I repeat that next to the cathedral there is also an observation deck, from which it is true that some kind of neglect of the city of Porto is even more clearly visible.
Se Cathedral is located between Liberty Square and the Eiffel Bridge, so it can be easily visited by walking along the old streets of the city.
Porto Sao Bento train station
In Europe, very often, railway stations, in addition to their main duty, are also the city's attractions. I already wrote about one such railway station when we drove from Amsterdam to Bruges and stopped to inspect it on the way. São Bento railway station, which, by the way, turns 100 this year, is also very beautiful!
Inside the station, the walls are very picturesquely painted with azulejo tiles.
It is very convenient to visit the station upon arrival or departure from the city. For example, we did this when we arrived by train from Lisbon. Although the station itself is located just 5 minutes walk from Freedom Square, and I think you can plan your visit on purpose.
The tour of the station will take no more than 30 minutes. So, do not spend a lot of time, but get 100% pleasure!
Cable car Teleferico de Gaia on the Duro river
In fact, this is not really an attraction, but it is quite possible to ride! Especially on a rainy day. Cabins leave from the Cais de Gaia station on the Vila Nova de Gaia shore.
The final stop is not far from the Eiffel Bridge. The walk along the road will take about 5 minutes.
A one-way ticket costs 5 euros, and a round-trip ticket will cost 8 euros.
Port wine tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia
Do not miss the boutiques and, if you wish, visit one of the wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia. Port wine is sold right on the waterfront. Only with tasting more accurate, yet 20 degrees is not a joke.
We liked Graham's port the most. By the way, the picture above shows the winery of this port. We were not there, but I think it is quite possible to visit, especially if you like this drink.
Or you can just buy a small bytylochka and just relax in the hotel room, after walking around the city and visiting the sights of Porto.
Porto attractions on the map
By tradition, for convenience, I add a map with attractions.
All great parties and vivid impressions of the city of Porto.