Extensive series of Romanesque buildings, the glimmering Douro River, and delectable Port wine. Those are the things that make Porto famous and well-loved. This second-largest city in Portugal has been a star destination for the last few years. Many travelers are looking forward to exploring Porto’s impressive historical centers and gorgeous destinations. Then, what are the best things to do in Porto, Portugal to get the best out of the city? We have compiled a list of them, so let’s dive into it!
Best Things to Do in Porto, Portugal – Summary
- Get Lost in Ribeira
- Take Pictures from Miradouro da Vitoria
- See the Church of Sao Francisco
- Admire the Church of Santa Clara
- Visit the Artistic Serralves Foundation
- Discover Casa São Roque
- Stroll Around Praca da Liberdade
- Admire Palacio da Bolsa
- Explore Foz do Douro
- Stop by Livraria Lello Bookshop
- Spot the Secret Casa Escondida
- Grab Some Egg Tarts at Confeitaria do Bolhao
- Sample Local Food at Mercado Bom Successo
- Try Out Port Wine
Get Lost in Ribeira
At a glance, Ribeira looks like Cinque Terre’s twin. Vintage townhouses tinted in gaudy colors, sun-soaked promenades, and the eye-catching Douro River melt into Ribeira’s unforgettable landscape. The area dates back as old as the 18th century, offering a nostalgic and unique atmosphere for you to experience. Get ready to be captivated by the lovely neighborhoods, artistic murals, and elegant city squares. Additionally, you can hop on a boat and cruise through the Douro River. Find an enchanting scene of the reflection of Ribeira’s iconic storybook houses on the body of water. Therefore, Ribeira is one of the unmissable things to do in Porto, Portugal.
Take Pictures from Miradouro da Vitoria
Porto’s landscape of riverside promenades and gaudy buildings is unmissable. Then, get a bird-eye view of Porto from Miradouro da Vitoria. The centuries-old wall stands above the Ribeira neighborhood, offering a scene of Porto’s impressive old town. However, Miradouro da Vitoria looks like a hidden gem. You might think that the dull-colored walls and surrounding empty buildings lead to nowhere, but it actually takes you to a gorgeous viewpoint. From the walls, you can see some of Porto’s main attractions like Porto Cathedral and Dom Luis Bridge. Therefore, it is one of the best things to do in Porto, Portugal.
See the Church of Sao Francisco
Get ready to be charmed by Sao Francisco Church’s outstanding architecture. Lavish Gothic-styled pillars, statues, and rose windows adorn the 15th-century church’s facade. However, the real ‘wow factor’ is inside. The interior of Sao Francisco Church comprises sumptuous woodworks, dotting the ceilings, aisles, pillars, and chambers of the church. It combines Baroque and Manueline art styles, representing Portugal’s rich history. Beautiful and iconic – visiting Sao Francisco Church is one of the best things to do in Porto.
Admire the Church of Santa Clara
Porto never runs out of intricate structures and Santa Clara Church is the perfect example. Tucked in the historical center of Porto, Santa Clara is hard to miss. The 15th-century church displays an impressive Gothic-styled exterior, adorned with carvings and azulejos tiles. Furthermore, the church will charm you with its interior. Lavish woodwork, Baroque-styled architectural style, and gold-gilded ornaments harmonize into a jaw-dropping scene. With all it has to offer, visiting Santa Clara Church is one of the best things to do in Porto, Portugal.
Visit the Artistic Serralves Foundation
Walk through the manicured gardens of Serralves, which leads to a peachy-pink building. Barbie-esque building, peach-colored trail, and lush gardens – sounds like a great place for a day out! Serralves Foundation features an example of Portugal’s dynamic art scene. The area houses the Contemporary Art Museum, manicured gardens, and the Art Deco-styled Casa de Serralves. Moreover, you can find artworks from the Portuguese best artists such as Joan Miro and Liam Gillick. Whether you are an art enthusiast or a casual traveler, Serralves Foundation is one of the best activities in Porto for you.
Discover Casa São Roque
Tucked in the quaint eastern part of Porto, Casa São Roque is often overlooked. However, the 200-year-old house offers some exciting charms you can look forward to. Casa São Roque dates back to 1759. It was the residence and hunting lodge for the Portuguese noble families. In the 19th century, the family of António Ramos, Porto’s famous exporters, bought the house. You can now explore the lavish yet homey interior, manicured gardens, and lookout point of Casa São Roque.
Stroll Around Praca da Liberdade
This city square, just a stone’s throw away from Cais da Ribeira, is an open-air museum. Series of Baroque-styled buildings line the streets, palm-fringed boulevards stretch through the area, and the statue of King Peter IV gleams under the sun. Laidback cafes, restaurants, fancy boutiques, and elegant shops blend into the vintage style of Praca da Liberdade. Also, you can find a unique McDonald’s with an elegant Modernist architectural style. So, spend a day strolling around Praca da Liberdade, stop by a cafe, or shop until you drop.
Admire Palacio da Bolsa
Entering Palacio da Bolsa is like entering a gold mine. Get ready to be stunned by the Neoclassical and Moorish-styled interior of the building. Palacio da Bolsa is nothing less than magnificent. The glass ceilings of the building allow sunlight to cast on the intricate pillars, elegant floorings, and beautiful ornaments of the main hall. Moreover, you can see the Arabian Hall, which will make your jaw drop. The Alhambra-inspired hall is adorned with gold-gilded ornaments and Moorish-styled decorations. With all it has to offer, admiring Palacio da Bolsa is one of the best things to do in Porto, Portugal.
Explore Foz do Douro
Head to the westernmost coast of Porto and find the laidback Foz do Douro. Seaside promenades, aesthetically pleasing pergolas, and quaint beaches are what you can find in the area. Foz do Douro calls you to experience a more serene side of Porto. It houses the city’s well-loved beaches such as Praia do Carneiro and Praia do Ingleses. So, if you are a beach lover, make sure to visit Foz do Douro during your vacation in Porto. Moreover, the district boasts Promenade Foz do Douro which connects the beaches and has trendy restaurants and boutiques. Therefore, Foz do Douro offers you a lot of activities in Porto.
Stop by Livraria Lello Bookshop
Have you ever think about going to the world’s most beautiful bookshop? Well, get ready to tick that off as you visit Livraria Lello. Located in the parish of Cedofeita, the bookshop attracts both locals and travelers from all around the world. The interior of the bookshop looks magical, with intricately-designed ceilings, lavish stairs, and enormous shelves. Moreover, Livraria Lello might remind you of Harry Potter’s setting. Well, it is not surprising that J.K. Rowling got the inspiration to create Hogwarts from the bookshop. For that reason, the Livraria Lello is always packed with long lines and you need reservation to enter. Nonetheless, it is one of the unmissable things to do in Porto, Portugal.
Spot the Secret Casa Escondida
This small ‘house’ fits the category ‘hidden gem in Portugal’ perfectly. Tucked between the Igreja dos Carmelitas and Igreja do Carmo, Casa Escondida is often overlooked. It was built 1768 as a barrier between the two major churches. Additionally, it served to separate the churches of the monks and nuns. Casa Escondida is incredibly small, stretching 1.5 metres wide. For that reason, it is considered the smallest house in Porto. Inside the house, you can find a few simple furnitures like a small bed, desk, and dining table. Unique and hidden – it is one of the best things to do in Porto.
Grab Some Egg Tarts at Confeitaria do Bolhao
No trip to Portugal will be complete without pasteis de nata or egg tarts. The runny and creamy tart has gained international recognition for its delectable taste. While visiting Porto, you can have the best ones at Confeitaria do Balhoa. The patisserie has been running for 120 years and specializes in Portuguese tarts. So, you can expect an authentic and delicious taste. Get ready to sink your teeth in the creamy and flaky tarts.
Sample Local Food at Mercado Bom Successo
Do you know how to find the best food in a new city? Follow the locals! Then, the locals of Porto usually flock to Mercado Bom Successo. This indoor market beckons that inner foodie inside you. Locals usually shop for fresh produce here, but the food stalls are remarkable. You can grab some pastel de nata, vegetarian Portuguese food, bacalhau, and many more. Moreover, you can also find some delicious Port wine sold at an affordable price.
Try Out Port Wine
When in Porto, try Port wine! This incredible, locally-produced wine will spoil your taste buds with its sweet and fruity taste. Then, going on a wine tour and trying Port wine are unmissable things to do in Porto. You can head to the south bank of Douro, where Porto’s best producers and cellars are. Some of the best places for wine-tasting are Caves Ferreira, Caves Sandeman, and Churchill’s Cellar.
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