Clustered like jewels on the steep slopes above the Douro River’s mighty estuary, Porto has a long and exciting history whose key role in the world’s business and trade goes back hundreds of years. The centre of town is a World Heritage site, testament to its uniquely rich and varied heritage.
There’s everything from beautiful medieval city walls to vast churches, winding streets, wonderful restaurants and vibrant bars. Head for the south bank of the river to sample the region’s famous fortified port wine, then head ocean-wards for splendid beaches and endless awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic.
There’s so much to see here, it’s hard to know where to begin. To help you kick off your Portugal city experience, here are eight of the best destinations in Porto. Book a Porto Tour or two, leave your responsibilities behind and soak it all in. This place is magical.
Dramatic Luís I Bridge – A breathtaking sight
One of seven stunning bridges in the city, the famous Luis 1 Bridge is a massive double-deck metal arch bridge spanning the Douro between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
The span measures a whopping 172m, the longest of its sort in the world at the time it was opened in 1886. It looks a lot like the nearby Maria Pia railway bridge, constructed nine years before, and it’s know and loved as a symbol of the city’s industrial power. Wherever you are in Porto, you can see the bridge. Lit up at night with sparkling lights, it’s a beautiful sight.
Designed by the German engineer Théophile Seyrig, co-founder of the Eiffel Company that built the famous Parisian tower, it towers 45m above the river to deliver views to die for, an Instagramable treat you won’t want to miss.
From the top of the arch there are gorgeous views of the Cais da Ribeira, and the upper level is where the city’s light railway runs. Take the Funicular dos Guindais back down to river level and if you fancy a dizzyingly thrilling experience, walk across the entire bridge on the route set aside for pedestrians and road traffic. This is just one of seven bridges in Porto: Arrabida, D. Antonio Francisco dos Santos, Freixo, Infante Dom Henrique, Maria Pia, and Ponte de Sao Joao.
Posh, green and deliciously pretty – Meet Foz do Douro
Foz do Douro, to the west, is pretty posh, one of the most exclusive districts in Porto. There’s a lovely long esplanade to walk along beside the river to the sea, where the Douro meets the Atlantic. This is also a very trendy district, great for exploring on foot to see how the city’s wealthiest residents live. There are fabulous views of Gaia’s marina and distant hills scattered with rows of vivid yellow houses, seeming to tumble down the hill to the water’s edge. The route is lined with parks and green spaces to chill, snack, take photos and relax.
The promenade is dotted with palms and pines, some dating back to the 1930s when the pretty Pergola da Foz was built, inspired by the mayor’s wife. The Farol Molhe do Douro lighthouse has kept vessels safe for 120 years, leading ships and boats safely into the harbour. Decommissioned in 2009, it’s another lovely sight. The place is also stuffed with great modern restaurants and the sunsets are brilliant, making it a wonderfully romantic experience.
Enjoy riverside fun at Cais da Ribeira
Bustling and lively, packed with visitors and locals, Porto’s riverside piazza is another picturesque destination. It’s packed with excellent bars and restaurants, which also line the pretty riverside walk, and you get superb views of the iconic Luís I Bridge and the many different boats chugging along the river.
You’ll enjoy exploring the many narrow, steep streets and stairways that form a wonderfully confusing maze, and the attractive pastel-painted houses. Even the tatty ones look beautiful in the clear Porto light, the ultimate in romantic places to live. This entire area is getting smarter by the year, including information boards for visitors so you can check out the history and background of this fascinating area. Buskers, bars and a buzzy vibe await you.
The magnificent 1300s Muralha Fernandina
We’ll let you into a little secret. Not many people bother with Porto’s 14th century wall, a bit of which still exists near the Luís I Bridge, running more or less parallel to the funicular. It’s part of the World Heritage Site but attracts fewer tourists than other places, which is a shame. Touch this wall and you’re touching history.
The walls began life in 1336 in the reign of King D. Alfonso the Fourth, built on the foundations of an earlier wall surrounding a smaller area and marking the way the city grew all those centuries ago. There were originally more than 2500m of battlements at a dizzying average height of 10m, topped with huge bastions, turrets and watchtowers. To get the best views of the remaining wall, head for Trecho do Caminho Novo in downtown Porto, the gate Postigo do Carvão in Ribeira, and Trecho dos Guindais in Batalha. The Trecho dos Guindais segment, restored in 1920, is open for you to walk along. Stay a while to admire the monster views you get of the river from up here.
75m up with awesome views – The Clérigos Church tower
You can’t say you know Porto without clambering your way to the top of the 75.6-metre-high tower of the Baroque Clerigos church, visible from more or less everywhere in the city and a handy landmark when you’re exploring on foot.
When first built in 1763 it was the tallest building in Portugal, a gorgeous structure smothered in carvings with a clock at the top. The design was inspired by the bell towers of Tuscany and as with so many Porto attractions, the views are awesome from the top. All you need to do is climb the 240 steps for unforgettable panoramas.
A complete contrast – The super-modern Casa da Música
If you love it when hyper-modern architecture and ancient buildings meet, you’ll adore the extraordinary Casa da Musica, or Music House, a stunning new addition to Porto’s landscape. Opened in 2005 and designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, it’s a masterpiece in high-tech stage craft and acoustics. It is so cool it’s worth going inside even when there’s nothing on, and that’s why there’s an official tour to enjoy.
This 1300 seat venue has two auditorium walls made entirely of glass and the bizarre geometric shape from the outside blows your mind. Sometimes you’ll walk by and hear musicians practising. This is home to the Porto Symphony orchestra as well as national and international musicians, perfect for dressing up in your best gear for a posh concert.
Don’t forget Porto’s splendid beaches
If all that culture has worn you out, spend time on the beach to rest and recuperate. The Atlantic is chilly and fresh, perfect to clear the senses even if all you do is paddle. There are ten beaches to choose from, many blue flagged as beautifully clean. The closest and easiest to get to is probably Matosinhos, near the Parque de Cidade, a huge stretch of bay with enough room to find a secluded spot if you want one. The little town of Miramar is also a treat for beach lovers, with a sweet 1600s chapel balanced on the craggy rocky outcrop and enormous golden sands.
Get out there on the Douro River and see the city from the water
The Douro is almost 560 miles long with a source in distant Castile and León, and it hits the Atlantic at Porto. The river is the beating heart of the city and the urban views from it are exceptional, another great way to enjoy Porto’s considerable eye-candy. You can pick up a cruise tour from the Ribeira, an hour’s worth of magic complete with a guide to reveal the history and background of the things you’ll see, from the gracious old port warehouses on the south bank to the dramatic bridges and steep building-lined hills, including the elegant Maria Pia Bridge built by Gustave Eiffel.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. This city is endlessly fascinating, always interesting, very beautiful and seriously lively. So put it top of your Portugal holidays list and sample Porto’s delights for yourself.
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