Porto is a city that dates back to the Middle Ages and is located along the curves of the Douro River. It is also a great place to eat and drink in northern Portugal.
There are maze-like neighborhoods that are a delight to get lost within and vertiginous viewpoints high above the terracotta rooftops. In Portugal, some of Porto's best experiences include walking Porto's famed cast-iron bridge above the river, or hunting down the latest street art carved into the walls of Mira.
Don't miss these 15 things to do in Porto if you come for a weekend or stay for a week.
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Porto's signature landmark is the Torre dos Clérigos, designed by Italian architectNicolau Nasoni in the 1700s. Visitors can climb to the top of the tower and see the city from there. The structure definitely wasn't built with large crowds in mind.
Drop into the adjoining church or simply kick back on the lawn after you've climbed the hill. The perfect spot for a drink after a climb is the chilled open-air bar Base.
Porto's Igreja de So Francisco is an extravagant feast of baroque splendor. The interior is made of gold leaf and lustrous woodwork. You can see sacred art and portraits of long-departed bishop in the museum if you look out for the polychrome Tree of Jesse altarpiece. The great and the good of Porto were once laid to rest in the catacombs.
Serralves brings together avant-garde architecture, contemporary art, a sculpture-strewn park, and a bijou Art Deco mansion in one harmonious place. The minimalist design of the Museu de Arte Contempornea was the brainchild of lvaro Siza, an award winning architect. The permanent collection features works from the 1960s to the present in rotating exhibitions.
Serralves has a wild side that can be explored after taking in the art. On a treetop walk you can see cows and other barnyard animals in the southeast end of the park.
When the sun is shining, all of Porto goes to the beach on Foz do Douro, followed by drinks at terrace cafes overlooking the ocean. You can cool off in the water when it's hot. You can join locals on runs, bike rides or strolls along the seaside promenade at other times of the year. The 19th-century Felgueiras Lighthouse has a dramatic view over the wave-battered shore. It's possible to arrive in old-fashioned style by bike or tram. If you're looking for fresh-off-the-boat seafood, consider lunch in Rua Heris de Frana, where the entire street is covered in smoke from outdoor grills.
The fortress-like Sé looks over Porto from its hilltop perch. The spot where Prince Henry the Navigator was christened in 1394 and where King John I wed in 1370 has a lot of historical clout. The 12th-century cathedral was renovated in the 18th-century. The cathedral courtyard has sweeping views over the sagging houses, terracotta rooftops, and crocheted alleys of Ribeira.
The best market in Porto can be found at the Praa Carlos Albert. There are stalls of records, vintage clothing, elegant stationery, antiques, crafts, handmade jewelry, old-fashioned toys and artwork. Seasonal fruits and jams are part of the food component. The market is a good place to support local designers and artisans.
Porto was founded as a sleepy fishing village on the bank of the Douro River, which is now the site of Ribeira. The district is buzzing with activity today. Travelers flock to Ribeira because it has a great view of the river. There are also back-to-back restaurants and bars. Casa do Infante was the birth place of Prince Henry the Navigator. Henry is honored by a statue outside the opulent Palcio da Bolsa, which is worth a gander.
The walls of colorful tiles known as azulejos are decorated with repetitive, intricate patterns or mural scenes in blue and white. The So Bento train station is home to some of the most amazing tile art in the world. The Igreja do Carmo, a church that drips with gold on the inside, and the walls of Rua de Santa Catarina are on the side of Capela dasAlmas. There are a lot of azulejos in the city and you can find them all.
You can explore an alternative side of Porto if you leave the main sights behind. Keep an eye out for Porto's ancillary population of vividly colorful murals, painted by the city's talented street artists. Start the street art trail with some of the big hitters like Daniel Eime's massive photo-realistic mural entitled Mira on the Largo de Artur Arcos or Vhils' powerful tribute to healthcare workers at the Hospital So Joo.
You can find street art on Rua da Madeira and on Rua das Flores in Ribeira. The Rua So Pedro de Miragaia is one of the top detours with works by MrDheo and Hazul Luzah.
There is an intersection of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Douro River on Porto's west coast. When the sun goes down, Porto dwellers grab a beatbox and a cold beer and head to the narrow park along Passeio das Virtudes, which is located on the hillside. Porto sunsets are serious business when you see how busy this place is. The beach at Foz do Douro is one of the best places to see the last rays of the sun.
Vila Nova de Gaia is Porto's cross-river sister city. The Ponte de Dom Lus I, which is also known as the Eiffel Tower, is easily reached via a stroll or metro ride. Tasting Porto's eponymous booze at vintage cellars such as Ramos Pinto, Graham's or Taylor's will give you a great view of the Douro River from its rooftop terrace.
The World of Wine has museums, a wine school, a dozen restaurants and bars, and a huge terrace with views over the Ponte Dom Lus I, the Douro and the city.
The most eye-catching bridge in Porto is a city icon. Most would agree that the curving arch adds a definite something to the cityscape. The views from the upper deck are amazing. There are people who jump from the lower level into the river.
The Casa da Msica is Porto's top concert hall and is designed by Rem Koolhaas. There is a wide variety of programming, featuring both grand symphony Orchestras as well as jazz groups and the occasional rock icon. During the summer months, the terrace of the cafe becomes an open-air stage for live concerts and DJ sessions.
The warm days of Porto are perfect for picnicking. Roll out a blanket in one of Porto's many inviting green spaces and eat Portuguese cheese and northern Portugal's refreshing vinho verde. The Parque da Cidade is Portugal's biggest urban park and you can watch the ducks and geese on the ponds. It's a good idea to visit for the late afternoon and watch the sunset.
You can find the heart of Porto's nightlife just west of Avenida dos Aliadas. The Casa do Livro, a former bookshop, is one of the city's most atmospheric bars. During the weekend, the laneways are filled with people at an impromptu street party that rages late into the night.
The article was last updated about 3 hours ago.
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