What to See in Porto

Overview

UNESCO World Heritage

Centre historique de Porto, Porto, Portugal

Historic Centre of Porto (1996)
A blend of architectural styles from Gothic to Baroque and modern, encapsulating the city's history. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Districts and Tourist Areas

Historic Centre of Porto
A blend of architectural styles from Gothic to Baroque and modern, encapsulating the city's history. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Foz do Douro
On the western outskirts of the city, this rather upscale district is known for its beaches, beautiful homes, small fort on the estuary, and restaurants.

Ribeira District
This is the lower part of the old town, with its quays along the Douro lined with typical houses. It’s one of the liveliest spots in Porto.

Vila Nova de Gaia
This is no longer strictly Porto but its suburb on the other side of the Douro. It’s here, in Vila Nova, that the port wine cellars and the biggest brands are concentrated—brands you can visit, along with this rather pleasant part of the metropolitan area.

Shopping Areas

Bolhão Market
This old market in the city center, spread across several floors around a large inner courtyard, remains a lively spot.

Norte Shopping
It's the largest shopping centre in northern Portugal (72,000 m²) and one of the most modern in Europe.

Monuments and Architectural Ensembles

São Bento Station
The station is famous for its grand hall decorated with vast azulejo murals depicting life and history in Portugal between the 12th and 15th centuries.

Palacio da Bolsa
This is the stock exchange building constructed in 1834 in the neoclassical style. Part of its interior, featuring richly decorated rooms, is open to visitors.

Liberty Square
Or Praça da Liberdade in Portuguese. This is Porto's most important square. It connects the old town to the newer part of the city. Around it are lively shopping streets and Avenida dos Aliados with the City Hall and beautiful early 20th-century buildings.

Religious Buildings

Porto Cathedral
Originally a 12th-century fortress-church. Next to the bishop’s palace, it is one of the city’s oldest buildings, blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles.

Église et tour dos Clérigos, Porto, Portugal

Clérigos Church and Tower
This is an 18th-century Baroque church linked to a 75-metre-high tower (the tallest in Portugal and the city’s architectural symbol), offering a lovely panoramic view over Porto.

Santa Clara Church
This is a fine example of Portuguese Baroque, with a beautiful interior featuring numerous carved woodworks.

São Francisco Church
This building, dating from the mid-15th century, blends Gothic architecture with Baroque interior decoration, making it one of the city’s most beautiful churches.

Museums

Casa de Serralves
Nestled in a beautiful park, this house is a prime example of Art Deco style from the 1930s. It hosts a contemporary art museum, various temporary exhibitions, and numerous events.

Port Wine Museum
Fittingly, the city of Porto had to have a museum dedicated to its namesake wine. Housed in a 17th-century warehouse, it explores the history of port wine and its local significance over the centuries.

Soares dos Reis Museum
Housed in a former palace, this museum is primarily dedicated to Portuguese painting and sculpture.

Parks, Gardens, and Natural Spaces

Jardins du palais de Cristal, Porto, Portugal

Crystal Palace Gardens
Located in the upper part of Porto with a superb view of the city and the river, these landscaped gardens, designed in the 19th century with fountains and paths, are a favorite among walkers.

also...

Douro
This river flowing through northern Portugal empties into the sea at Porto. In recent years, boat excursions from the city have become a tourist "classic", as have its valley and park with their landscapes, castles, churches, and the wine-producing region (a UNESCO World Heritage site) of the Upper Douro.