The best attractions of Porto with photos and descriptions. Where to live in Porto
© DepositphotosIn just a couple of weeks it starts in Portugal Eurovision 2018 . And, if you are the lucky one who will watch the competition live, we recommend visiting as many interesting places as possible during your stay in Portugal. One such place is Porto, the second largest city in Portugal. This is where the tallest tower in Portugal, Clérigos, is located - 76 meters, this is where the best port wine is produced and this is where you can relax in the most beautiful bookstore in the world. Porto was also the first city on the Iberian Peninsula where tram traffic was organized. In a word, there is a lot of interesting things here!
What to do in Porto - Cross the bridge designed by Eiffel
Ponte de Dona Maria Pia is a railway bridge over the main artery of Porto, the Douro River. It unites Porto and its sister city Vila Nova Di Gaia.
Interestingly, the project was developed by Gustave Eiffel himself, who in 1875 won a competition to build a bridge that could shorten 12 kilometers of the route between the two cities.
Eiffel offered the cheapest idea. Two years later, in November, the bridge was already standing over Dora. Today the bridge is not used as a railway bridge. But here you can walk and admire the beautiful views of both cities.
What to do in Porto - walk around the old town
A post shared by Alma H.(@halmasssa) on Sep 3, 2017 at 4:21am PDT
Back in 1921, the luxurious and aristocratic Elite cafe opened its doors in the very heart of the city. Over time it was renamed Majestic.
This is not just a cafe, it is an institution that tells the history of Porto of the twentieth century, when writers, poets and public figures gathered in such establishments. The Majestic quickly became a favorite destination for the creative and intellectual elite.
Majestic is located on Santa Catarina street, open every day from 9:30 to 24:00.
Note that it was previously known that from Kyiv it will be possible to fly cheaply to European countries. You can find out about new destinations and prices
Porto is not famous for its world-famous architectural masterpieces or outstanding museums, but a trip to Porto is still a must. For the sake of the atmosphere. Porto is like an old friend who will shelter you, pour a glass of wine and drive away sadness and melancholy. It turned out pretentious, but, honestly, that’s how it is. Perhaps, in this regard, Porto is a little similar to, 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, through Munich, London or Amsterdam.
Low-cost airlines are also an option. Wizzair flies to Porto from Budapest and Warsaw. Ryanair – from Eindhoven, Berlin, Copenhagen and many other European cities.
Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport is located approximately 11 kilometers from the center of Porto. The easiest way to get into the city is by metro. The airport is located on the Purple Line (E). You can buy a ticket at the bus stop directly at the airport. The cost depends on the specific route, but estimate around 2 euros plus 0.6 euros per card, which can be topped up and used on subsequent trips.
There are also buses - regular regular ones, private carriers, and even a special (and more expensive) shuttle departing 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 during the day in the center always went without problems, but early in the morning to the airport a malicious algorithm somehow tried to get us a car 20 minutes away from us with a double markup. 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 study the schedule 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 historical center called Ribeira.
Opposite, on the other side of the Duoro River, is Vila Nova di Gaia. Formally, it’s a different city. In fact, within walking distance from the heart of Porto. This is where all the port wine producers settled, dividing the city like mafia bosses.
To the west of Ribeira, on the ocean coast, is Matosinhos. There are beaches, surf schools and fish restaurants.
The main way for tourists to travel around Porto is on foot. Be prepared to have to climb up and down hills. Comfortable shoes are a must.
The metro in Porto is inexpensive and convenient. If you need to get to Matosinhos not in 2 hours, but in 30 minutes, we recommend it. The metro website has a convenient route planner for planning your route. We also recommend it.
We have already said that there is Uber in Porto. The cost of a trip around the city is around 10 euros.
Contacts of other taxi services (just in case):
Special attractions for tourists include a historical tram and a river taxi.
The tram is cool, it has been running in Porto since 1872. The most popular route is No. 1, which goes along the embankment to the ocean. Costs 3 euros.
A river taxi transports those who are too lazy to go to the bridge or just want to take a boat ride to the other side of the Duoro. The cost is still the same 3 euros.
What to see and do in Porto
Ribeira
You can leisurely walk around the historical center of Porto in a day, carefully looking at the beautiful houses and churches lined with the famous azulejo tiles, stopping for coffee and ice cream. If you are in a really, really hurry, you can run past the main attractions in half a day.
Either way, 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 brunch on the weekend. A cafe where it’s hard to resist ordering the entire menu. Highly recommended.
Rota do Cha is a great terrace where you can hang out for an afternoon with a pot of tea.
But for pasteis de nata (the best pastry in the world), it’s 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 as well.
Drink in the evening
The main party area in Porto is Rua da Galeria de Paris. Every door on this street is some kind of bar or club. Another cluster is the area around Rua das Oliveiras.
Pay attention to the following establishments:
Aduela is a simple bar where it’s good to drink wine on the street while listening to old rock music.
Maus Habitos is an art space where alternative bands play in the evenings and cool DJs at night.
Livraria da Baixa is a rare example of a bar in Porto that really knows how to make cocktails.
Candelabro is a small bar for locals with a great atmosphere.
Casa do Livro is a former bookstore with funk on the playlist.
Café Piolho is a budget student bar. Cheap and cheerful, but fun.
Breyner85 and Rua – jam sessions and concerts.
Gare – techno.
Where to live in Porto
Porto is one of those cities where the offer of AirBnB is 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, stay 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 rowdy bar.
What else to do in Porto
First of all, it’s good to walk in Porto, admire the city, and leisurely drink port or Portuguese wine somewhere by the ocean. But if you're tired, there are still options.
Surfing
For surfing, head to the beaches of Matosinhos. The journey from the city center (by metro and a short walk) will take no more than an hour. An excellent school, verified by the editors’ friends and their friends—
Porto is the second largest center of Portugal and the northern capital of the country. Porto is not at all like Lisbon: the only similarity can be seen in the fact that both of these cities are located on the coast. Porto offers a special atmosphere, unique historical 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 step. To make your task easier, we have compiled a selection of the most interesting sights in 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 sightseeing in Porto is the atmospheric Ribeira quarter. Many tourists fall in love with this distinctive area, and this is understandable: every house in it is interesting. This is where you can feel the spirit of real Portugal, walking along the embankment or 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 embankment, and their prices are not bad. Be sure to go to some establishment, and best of all, try the signature Portuguese Francezinha sandwich, which can be baked in an open oven right before 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 Dora or walk to the Don Luis Bridge, which offers beautiful views of the area.
2. Admire the view from the Don Luis Bridge
The Don Luis Bridge, designed by a student of Eiffel himself, is one of the main attractions of the city of Porto. We can say that this bridge is for Porto what the Eiffel Tower is for Paris. Its unusual silhouette is often depicted on the labels of Portuguese port wine. In the evening, when the lights come on, the bridge takes on a special charm. To visit Porto and not take a photo there is simply unforgivable.
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 from this building. Photos against the backdrop of such a magnificent panorama look like postcards. But the attraction is interesting in itself – for its unusual two-tier design: cars travel on the lower tier, and metro trains travel on the upper tier. There are sidewalks for pedestrians on both levels. Local daredevils jump into the water from the lower tier, 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 the historic winery. Therefore, the final point of the walk can be planned here. Be sure to walk across the bridge and look at the panorama that opens up - it will give you a special experience.
From the top level you can take the funicular which takes you down to Porto's waterfront. Those who buy a ticket for the funicular are sometimes given flyers for tasting wines produced in Portugal. Worth the trip 2.5 € one way.
The most convenient way to get to the attraction is by metro. You need to get off at Jardim do Morro or Sao Bento station, and then walk a little.
3. Attend a football match at the FC Porto stadium
Everyone knows that Portugal is a football country. Therefore, going to the home stadium of the legendary football club is worth it even for those who do not consider themselves fans of this sport. Who knows, maybe after visiting this stadium you will become an ardent fan too!
The grandiose Dragau stadium was built for the European Championship in 2004. During this time, five championship matches have already been held there. Here everyone can feel the sports and football atmosphere of the city. Many people consider it to be one of the main modern attractions of Porto and Portugal in general.
If you can’t buy a ticket for the match, you can simply look at the stadium outside and inside, visit the football museum and book a tour in English. Inside the attraction there is a brand store of the Porto club, 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 Estádio do Dragão station (yellow line).
- Location: Via do Futebol Clube do Porto, Porto 4350-415, Estádio do Dragão
- Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 – 19:00.
4. Visit the FC Porto Museum
The Porto Football Club Museum is located inside the Dragao stadium, which we wrote about above. Numerous reviews from tourists indicate that this museum will be of interest to everyone, and for football fans it will become a real holiday. Here you can also learn a lot of interesting things about sports in Portugal.
This is a very large and informative museum with many trophies, artifacts and interactive screens. Even if you don’t know anything about FC Porto, you will still understand and understand its importance. It is best to book a tour, 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. A combined tour of the museum and stadium will cost 15 € for an adult, 10 € for a child under 16 years old and free for children under 4 years old. A visit to one museum will cost 12 euros for an adult and 8 euros for a child. Pensioners over 65 years of age receive 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 Clérigos Church
The tallest bell tower in Portugal, Clérigos, should be a must on your list of what to see in Porto in 3 days. This tall tower (75 meters) can be seen from different parts of Porto, which is why it is considered one of the most recognizable buildings in the city. Previously, it served as a landmark for ships that entered the harbor.
The bell tower belongs to the Baroque church of the same name from 1732-1748. buildings, which are also very beautiful, interesting and worthy of a visit. In 1910, it was officially recognized as a national treasure of Portugal.
Climbing up the narrow stairs to the bell tower is not an easy task. The observation deck is also quite cramped, but it offers stunning views of the city. So it's definitely worth the climb.
- Address: Rua Sao Filipe Neri, Porto 4050-546
- Cost of visit: 4 € during the day (until 7 pm) and 5 € in the evening (from 7 to 11 pm). Children under 10 years old are free, students have a 50% discount. A day ticket includes admission 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 excursion
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 over 12 years old to overcome the 262 steps of the arch on the bridge structure, rising to a height of 65 meters. Prepare for the climb to be exciting, but completely safe and not extreme.
All groups (from one person) are accompanied by an experienced guide. You can book a ticket for the climb in advance, but it is better to come straight to the place: the lift schedule is posted here. Allow about an hour for the ascent and descent and wear comfortable sports 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 during sunset
- Location of the attraction: Ponte da Arrabida, Porto
- Prices: lift 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 Karma and Carmelite churches separated by the narrowest building in the world
One of the most beautiful churches in Portugal, the luxurious Rococo Church of Carmo, is located in Teixeira Square, in the historical center of Porto. Right next to it stands the Carmelite Temple. The churches are built so close that it seems as if they are 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 Carmo Church, built in the 18th century, delights tourists with the traditional tiles of Portugal - azulejo tiles, reminiscent of Gzhel in appearance. The walls of the church are decorated with large mosaic paintings with images of the Carmelites, which are 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 of Porto and the surrounding area.
It is worth noting that the luxurious beauty of the Karmu Church is emphasized by a chic fountain with sculptures of lions, 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 a beautiful historical bookshop from the 1890s, which features a unique wooden staircase - almost exactly like the one in Hogwarts in Harry Potter. According to some versions, it was this staircase that JK Rowling was inspired by 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 see it. That is why queues often form at the entrance, and the inside of the store becomes crowded due to the numerous visitors.
Entrance to the store costs 4 €: you can use this money to buy a book, but most of the books presented are in Portuguese, although you can also find copies 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 Porto City Hall
The famous Porto City Hall began to be built on the city square in 1920, although it appears much older. The building has six floors, not including the basement. The main decoration of the city municipality is its 70-meter tower with chimes, which can be reached by climbing 180 steps.
The Town Hall is considered one of the most photogenic buildings in Porto. It fits harmoniously into the overall appearance of the square and emphasizes its slightly pompous beauty. Take a closer look at this monumental building and you will see a huge number of decorations: sculptures, columns and arches. Please note that the windows of the town hall are made in a variety of shapes: rectangular, round, oval.
To take the best photos, come to the town hall early in the morning, when the square is not yet filled with tourists.
Location of attraction: Praça General Humberto Delgado, Porto 4000-172.
10. Try port wine at the Vinicola Ramos Pinto winery
While in Porto, you should try the famous local port wine. Be prepared for the fact that its taste will pleasantly surprise you, and you will take a bottle or two home with you.
It is best to taste this drink at a historical winery: for example, Casa Ramos Pinto, which was founded back in 1880 by the Ramos brothers. Here you can visit the winemaking museum and see how port wine is prepared and stored. Tasting of two budget port wines is included in the price of the excursion. For a fee you can taste young wines, vintage and elite ports.
You can get to the winery from the Don Luis Bridge by going down the funicular or stairs. You can combine a visit to it 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 silence and space of the Porto City Park
If you have already seen enough of architectural sights and are looking for what to see in Porto among the natural beauty, visit the city park Parque da Cidade do Porto. A walk through this spacious park can be combined with a beach holiday on the Atlantic coast, since on one side the park opens directly onto the embankment.
In this place you can relax in peace and quiet from the noisy city and enjoy the picturesque paths and lawns, inhaling the fresh breeze. Various birds (ducks, geese, etc.) swim in the ponds of the park and are not afraid of people. It’s 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 to it by metro or bus No. 500. Allow approximately half a day for the visit.
Where is: Avenida da Boavista, Porto 4100-121.
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12. Understand the city's metro system
If you want to change the way you think about the metro, take the Porto subway. However, the word subway is not entirely suitable here, because subway trains in Porto mostly run on the surface. With this transport you can comfortably reach the airport, train station, beach and many attractions.
But immediately note that paying for tickets in Porto is quite complicated. First you need buy a card for 60 cents and add several trips 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 move to another line, you need to apply your pass again.
The peculiarity of the metro in Porto is that trains of different lines can run on the same tracks. Therefore, check the direction indicated on the train itself so as not to travel all over the city looking for your station.
This is the program we offer for 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.
The video of Kasyo Hasanov from Porto is positive and educational.
Related posts:
I continue to prepare for my next trip, during which I plan to visit Portugal for the first time. There won’t be much time for the trip, so I’ll limit myself to the tourist minimum - Porto and Lisbon and, possibly, their surroundings. In this post I will collect information about what to see in Porto.
I would like to especially note all sorts of unusual places in Porto and try to devote time to them too.
Porto - second largest city in Portugal. What to see in Porto? Here is highest in Portugal The 76-meter Clérigos Tower, ancient churches, many areas with beautiful views and one of the most beautiful bookstores. And the satellite city Vila Nova de Gaia will offer delicious port wine for every taste.
Probably everyone has at least once seen a photograph from Porto with many colored houses. They are literally stuck on top of each other, and narrow cobbled streets so they encourage you to take a walk. This is the Ribeira district - one of the favorite attractions of tourists visiting Porto.
During daylight hours, the local population of Ribeira is quite friendly towards tourists, but, they say, It's better not to look there in the evening. It turns out that approximately a third of the houses in this area are abandoned, and after dark it doesn't get very crowded. In general, Porto is a very calm and peaceful city.
You can get to the Ribeira area by metro, the nearest stations Jardim do Morro And Sao Bento.
Rua Santa Catarina
On Santa Catarina Street there are many shops of famous brands and Portuguese brands, cafes and restaurants, street performers and other attributes tourist street. A sort of Moscow Arbat in Porto.
Among other things, on Santa Catarina Street there is beautiful church and famous Cafe Majestic.
Cafe Majestic(Majestic)
The Majestic Cafe is a famous and iconic place in the city. The cafe is famous unusual antique interior and magical atmosphere, which it has kept since its opening in 1921.
Prices Here not cheap, during the tourist season you may encounter queue at the entrance. Food is not praised, coffee is criticized(a cup of coffee costs about 4 euros). Go just for the atmosphere.
Lello Bookstore
The Livraria Lello & Irmao bookshop is located in the center of Porto. Open in 1869 year and since then has been repeatedly recognized among the most beautiful shops in the world various guidebooks, newspapers and other publications.
The store is famous wooden stairs, which allegedly served as a prototype magical staircase in the Hogwarts library, described by J. Rowling in Harry Potter. Apparently, based on this assumption, the store owners set an entrance fee!
Getting inside will cost 4 euros, but if you buy something, this money will be included as payment for the purchase. Judging by the reviews, buying something more expensive is not an easy task, since the books are here mostly in Portuguese.
In principle, the highlight of the store, the famous staircase that leads to the second floor, can be seen from the street. A queue to enter and crowd inside Personally, I don’t have a burning desire to pay for admission.
Ticket price: €4 (included in the purchase invoice).
Opening hours:
- on weekdays from 10:00 to 19:30;
- on Saturday - from 10:00 to 19:00;
- on Sunday - from 11:00 to 19:00.
This, of course, is not the famous Lisbon tram No. 28, but it is also a very colorful transport.
One of the things to do in Porto is to look at the Atlantic Ocean from the window tram No. 1 1930. Route begins against Church of St. Francis And ends at the coast Atlantic Ocean (tram terminus at Rua Passeio Alegre).
Having reached the final point, you can look at ancient lighthouse from the 16th century - San Miguel o Anjou(Torre, farol, capela ou Ermida de São Miguel-O-Anjo). After this you need to take a walk towards the coast, and in 10-15 minutes someone else will seem handsome lighthouse – Farol da Senhora da Luz. Opposite it will be located Castle of Sant Joan Baptista(Castelo de São João Batista).
Tram operating hours: from 08:00 to 20:55. Detailed schedules are available at the stops.
Fare price:
- single trip ticket €3 ;
- 2-day ticket €10 (for children from 4 to 12 years old - €5).
Tram number 1 departs from stops opposite the Church of St. Francis(Igreja de São Francisco) on the street Rua do Infante D. Henrique.
A similar route can be taken by bus No. 500. The trip will be no less interesting, because... The buses on this route are double-decker! You climb to the second floor and admire the scenery, especially since 98% of the path lies along the embankment.
Douro Promenade and River CruiseThe Douro embankment is a very picturesque place. From here you can take a boat excursion, of which there are many offered here.
For example, a river excursion "5 Bridges"- one of the standard excursions around the Douro. This route is offered by several river companies (for example). Some excursions start from the Ribeira embankment, some from the opposite bank, from the satellite town of Vila Nova de Gaia. Mini cruise lasts about an hour and usually costs 10 15 euros.
Advice from experienced people - it’s better to take such a cruise take more warm clothes. The water can be very nasty and windy.
Also advise to buy tickets for such excursions in the city itself, away from the embankment and tourist trails. There will be prices 2-5€ lower.
Bridges
Bridge of Luis I (Ponte Luis I)
The creation of Théophile Cyrig, a student and companion of the famous Gustave Eiffel, was completed in 1886 and is now one of the hallmarks of the city. Many travelers note that Luis I Bridge is one of the best viewing platforms in Porto. This makes for some great photos with views of Ribeiro.
The second half of the day is the worst time to shoot from here due to the location of the sun. If you shoot towards Ribeira, then the second half of the day will do.
On the other side of the river, on the side of the bridge in Vila Nova Di Gaia, there is a small cozy Morru park. In addition, on this side there is observation deck of the monastery da Serra do Pilar, with which we get wonderful photos Porto.
Maria Pia Bridge (Ponte Maria Pia)
Railway bridge over the Douro River - the main artery of Porto. The railway bridge connected Porto and its sister city Vila Nova Di Gaia. The architect of this building is the famous Gustave Eiffel. The bridge was built in 1877, 12 years before the construction of the tower in Paris, which made his name famous.
The bridge has now been deactivated, and a new railway bridge has been built nearby. These bridges are located a little far away, just before the excursion boat sails to them.
By the way, it’s also located there river beach, which many locals prefer to the ocean coast (due to the water temperature, obviously).
Arrabida Bridge - how to climb the bridge
Unusual way spend time and admire the city from above - with the help of specially trained people and safety equipment, climb onto the road bridge in Porto.
Ticket price:
- Entrance to the cathedral and observation deck free.
- Ticket to courtyard and museum – €3 ( children under 10 years old - free).
Address: Terreiro da Se. You can get to the cathedral by metro (line D) and buses. Nearest station: Sao Bento. The cathedral is visible from almost anywhere in the city.
Opening hours:
- in summer from 09:00 to 12:15 and from 14:30 to 18:30
- in winter from 09:00 to 12:15 and from 14:30 to 17:30
- Mass from 11:00.
Clérigos Church(Igreja dos Clérigos)
Walk along the pedestrian street de Santa Catarina, admire the Porto City Hall (Camara Municipal do Porto), Liberty Square, as well as the Clerigos Catholic Church and its bell tower (Torre dos Clerigos).
The Clérigos Church, designed in Baroque style, has a very beautiful and magnificent façade. AT 12:00 you can listen there organ. Behind the church rises a bell tower, which is the tallest bell tower in the whole country.
For an additional fee you can climb to the same 76-meter bell tower, but you should be prepared for a long climb (225 steps) up a narrow and crowded staircase. And they say best view of the city opens from the site of the monastery da Serra do Pilar at the bridge on the banks of Vila Nova. And the views from natural sites are no worse.
Ticket price:
- tower + Clérigos museum €4 (under 10 years free);
- tour to the Clérigos Museum + church + tower €6.
Opening hours:
Every day from 9:00 to 19:00.
Besides, after 19:00 you can go up to the bell tower by purchasing an evening ticket for €5(from 19:00 to 23:00).
Church of St. Francis(
Sao Francisco)
The church was built at the beginning of the 15th century and is considered one of the most outstanding Gothic buildings in Porto. Its main façade is magnificent.
To the Church of St. Francis paid entrance and not very cheap. The interior decoration is famous for its wooden gilded carving, which decorates the walls from floor to ceiling, and the ceiling itself. For Baroque lovers a must visit. Photography is prohibited inside, but you can purchase postcards and booklets.
But from a small area near the Church of St. Francis you can admire a good city view so-so look.
Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique.
Ticket price: €5.
Opening hours:
- from November to February 9:00-18:00,
- from March to October 09:00-19:00 (July, August, September 09:00-20:00);
- closed: December 25th.
Church of Santa Clara(Igreja de Santa Clara)
Few people know about this church! Inside, it is not inferior to the Church of St. Francis, but unlike the latter, here the entrance is free. Everything inside is wooden gilded carving, Very beautiful!
The church itself is located near the Se Cathedral. Photo and video shooting inside is prohibited.
Address: Largo 1º de Dezembro.
Church of Santa Catarina(Capela de Santa Catarina)
The Church of Santa Catarina, located on the street of the same name, was built in the 18th century. According to tradition, the church is decorated with Azulejo ceramic tiles. It is noteworthy that this finish can only be used in the absence of negative temperatures.
Church of Do Carmo
Built in XVIII century. It is an excellent example of architecture, built in the spirit of classicism and baroque. Right next door to Do Carmo is Carmelite Church. Many tourists mistake them for one building, but in fact the buildings are in no way connected with each other.
Church of Saint Ildefonso
Located near the square Batalha. The building was built in the style baroque.
The façade of the building is entirely made of tiles Azulejos sky blue color. The mosaic panel depicts scenes from the life of Saint Ildefonso, as well as images from the Gospel. It took more than 11000 tiles, the drawing was worked on by the Portuguese artist Georges Colas.
The interior of the church is decorated eight stained glass windows. In the center of the hall, on the side walls hang two paintings from 1785 and 1792 (Domingos Teixeira Barreto), framed in a Portuguese Baroque style.
Capela do Senhor da Pedra
If the center of Porto has already been explored, you can go to the shores of Vila Nova de Gaia, where another interesting attraction is located - a small chapel. It's located right on the beach, which can be reached on foot from Miramar train station (30 minutes drive from Porto).
I think what is remarkable here is not so much the chapel itself as the place where it is located and incredible landscapes.
Observation deck at the Igreja Paroquial da Vitória churchIt is better to mark this place on the map in advance, since the path here is not trivial. The first thing you will see when you get here is old abandoned building. But that's right, you're almost there - the best free viewing platform in Port.
It's small churches Igreja Paroquial da Vitória, which is located at the intersection of streets Rua da Vitória And Rua de São Bento da Vitória, there is one of the best and absolutely free viewing platforms available any time of the day or night. This is a great place to admire sunrises and sunsets, from here the city and the river are at a glance. In addition, this observation deck is not yet as popular and famous as others, so here there shouldn't be crowds of tourists.
Address:
Rua de São Bento da Vitória 11. The nearest metro station is São Bento.
If you get tired of the noisy streets and squares of Porto, you can relax for free in the local botanical garden or in the park of the Crystal Palace. And if you have enough free time and have 5 extra euros, feel free to go to Serralves Park.
Botanical Garden
The botanical garden is considered part of the local university's science department. The garden is small but very beautiful. This landmark of Porto is conventionally divided into three zones - the first is presented a large number of ponds, second - luxurious flower beds, third - heat-loving plants in greenhouses.
Address: Rua do Campo Alegre, 1191. There are stations near the garden metro Casa de musica And Francos, you can get there by bus No. 1 or No. 200.
Free admission.
Opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays, on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00.
Landscape Park of the Crystal Palace
Another place where you can relax from the hustle and bustle is the Landscape Park of the Crystal Palace. Open from the park territory excellent panoramas of the Douro River. The Crystal Palace Park consists of three thematic zones, it is made up of “Garden of Roses”, “Garden of Senses”, “Garden of Smells”.
The park has many alleys, flowers, lawns, benches and even pond. Among other things, here you can meet peacocks and even feed them their.
Entrance to the Crystal Palace Park is free.
Address: Rua de Manuel II. You can get there by buses No. 3, 20, 35, 37. Stop Rua de Julio Dinis.
Museum of Contemporary Art and Serralves Park
The museum will not leave you indifferent contemporary art lovers. This is one of the largest museums in Porto. It was opened relatively recently - in 1999.
The collection mainly consists of paintings second half of the 20th century. Various cultural events are also held here.
The Museum of Modern Art was included in the parks and gardens section not by chance. Next to the museum there is a huge Serralves Park. Serralves Park occupies 18 hectares and consists of many magnificent, harmoniously interconnected spaces: gardens, forests and traditional farm with adorable animals.
In the park many routes of various durations. It grows here about 200 species various plants. In general, according to reviews, the park is worthy of a visit, even more than the museum. Park map.
Bolsa Palace(Palácio da Bolsa)Bolsa Palace or stock exchange building is located Plaza Infante Henriques(Henry the Navigator). Despite the fact that most of the building was built in 1850, internal finishing was just completed by 1910. During all this time, many artists and architects worked on the building, thanks to whose efforts this building turned into a real palace.
The palace has many halls, each of which has its own name and architectural features. Central courtyard, or the Courtyard of the Nation, covered octagonal glass dome with national emblems - trading partners of Portugal in the 19th century. Leads to the upper floors chic staircase, which is decorated with sculpted busts created by outstanding sculptors Antonio Soares Dos Reis and Antonio Teixeira Lopez.
Golden Hall and Assembly Hall, Tribunal Hall and many others offer visitors amazing interiors, they are decorated with paintings, sculptures and other works of art. The most impressive hall is the Arabic, dazzling with the golden shine of arabesques, and designed to receive especially important guests - heads of state, dignitaries and famous figures.
For lovers of interiors - mastvisit! You can get here only with excursion.
Ticket price:
- adult €8.5 (or combined ticket with Serravilla for €14.8!);
- children under 18 years old - €5.5 .
Opening hours:
- from November to March - 9:00 - 12:30 / 14:00 - 17:30;
- from April to October - 9:00 - 6:30.
The excursion lasts 30-40 minutes. The following languages are available: Portuguese, Spanish, French, English.
Wine cellars and excursions
Porto is the birthplace of port wine. In general, port wine is fortified wine, produced using special technology and only in the Douro Valley .
Therefore it is worth forget “port” 777 and other “port”, produced in the vast expanses of the former USSR and CIS countries. And under no circumstances should they be associated with port wine produced in Porto. Personally, thanks to these “drinks,” port wine is more associated with “mumble,” a cheap drink. But this is not at all true, because real port is an art.
In a satellite city Vila Nova de Gaia there are many wine cellars, both large and well-known brands and small manufacturers. You can get here by buses 900, 901, 906, or take the cable car, or just walk across the bridge.
Gorodishko offers many excursions and tastings, prices also vary, but on average cellar visit and simple tasting(2-3 inexpensive flavors) will cost 10-15 euros. Additional tasting sets can be purchased. It's best to go with a group, then you can order different sets and try some port wine, and it’s just more fun together. 🙂
There are also cellars where a tour will not cost not a penny given that, if you purchase any products(everyone knows which one :)). For example, Porto Augusto’s, their address is Alameda do Senhor da Pedra (there is no information about excursions on the website, prices are port wine begin from 16-19 euros, found from reviews).
More information about tasting rooms and more can be found on the City of Porto website.
Here is a collection of information found on the Internet about where it is best to buy port wine:
- Port wine is cheaper at local stores like Pinga Dose or Mini Preso.
- Mini Preso contains one type of port (Calem Tawny). There are no bagaseiras or other pleasant strong drinks.
- Jumbo (Arrabida shopping center) has a large selection of port wine, prices are normal.
- In regular grocery stores, the selection is small, but the prices are lower.
- In Cais do Ribeiro (in Porto) you can taste it in shops (free, with a bonus view of the Luis I Bridge) and buy it. There are both large bottles and small souvenir bottles of various varieties.
A good port wine (according to people’s reviews), the first word in the name is the type of wine, the second is the manufacturer:
- Ruby Cockburn;
- LBV Cocburn and LBV Offley,
- Vintage Taylor and Vintage Ferreira;
- white Lagrima Sandeman.
If you like to ride cable cars or want to enjoy the views of Porto from an unusual angle, you can easily do this.
Funicular dos Guindais
This funicular was launched in 1891, but after working for only 2 years, it broke down and was closed. Only after more than 100 years, in 2001, they decided to restore its work.
The funicular connects the upper part of the city (Batalha district) and the lower part (Ribeira district). The length of the line is about 300 meters, the height is 61 meters. Time travel time 3 minutes.
Ticket price: One way ride on the cable car will cost you 2.50 €.
Opening hours:
- from November to March - Sun-Thu from 08:00 to 20:00, Fri-Sat from 08:00 to 22:00;
- from April to October - Sun-Thu from 08:00 to 22:00, Fri-Sat from 08:00 to 24:00.
Upper station of the Batalha funicular is on the street Rua Augusto Rosa, A lower station "Ribeira" located directly under the Luis I bridge on the street Av. Gustavo Eiffel.
Funicular Teleferico de Gaia
On the southern bank of the Douro River there is a cable car leading to the aforementioned Serra do Pilar monastery ( da Serra do Pilar), offering stunning views of the Douro River and the Ribeira quarter.
The funicular is located on the banks of the Douro River from Vila Nova de Gaia. His path runs along the embankment to the upper level of the Luis I Bridge, allowing you to enjoy views of Porto and the Ribeira promenade.
This tourist attraction is working since April 2011. The length of the route is about 600 meters, the height is 63 meters. Time 5 minutes on the way.
Ticket price:
- adult €6 (round trip €9);
- children from 5 to 12 years old €3 (€4.5).
Opening hours:
- from April 26 to September 24 from 10:00 to 20:00;
- from March 24 to April 25 and from September 25 to October 24 from 10:00 to 19:00;
- from October 25 to March 23 from 10:00 to 18:00.
Upper station of the funicular located at the exit from the upper level of the Luís I Bridge. Lower station the funicular is located directly on the promenade in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Food in Porto
Be sure to try Porto's signature dish, called Francesinha.
- Essentially, Francesinha is a sandwich for gluttons that can saturate the body with huge amounts of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in one sitting. What can I say, it’s better to eat it once. 🙂 And it’s not bad to eat it in the company of a glass of fino beer.
- Try the dish "Tripash a fashion do Porto"(Tripas à moda do Porto) from various types of meat, offal (beef tripe), smoked meats and white beans.
- Salted cod dish "Bacalhau".
Set lunch Usually served from 12 to 14-15 hours, after which most cafes close for siesta.
Cafe "Marina"
- quite nice interior and views from the window;
- the price is lower because is located a little further from the center of Ribeira (almost right next to the Bridge).
Where to eat inexpensively in Porto
Âncora d'Ouro(Golden anchor).
Located between Cordoaria Park and Praça dos Leões.
Casa Adao(Casa Adão) Avenida Ramos Pinto, 252, Vila Nova de Gaia
- inexpensive restaurant;
- large portions.
Ta-se Ben(Tà-se Bem) Largo Sampaio Bruno 25, Vila Nova de Gaia
- popular with locals;
- authentic atmosphere.
Transport in Porto
Complex payment system between zones. You need to charge your rides onto your Andante card (price 0.5 euros).
If you plan to use public transport, then you can take a travel card and not worry. Travel card Andante tour card for 24 hours(includes buses, metro, funicular, commuter trains, does not include trams!) — 7 euros; for 72 hours – 15 euros. Need to validate before each trip!
And when you register on airbnb using this link https://www.airbnb.ru/c/tgorokhova2?currency=RUB you will find discount of 1500 rubles!
And one more thing, when buying a ticket, tell me that you need to get to Sao Bento station ( Sã o Bento ) to immediately get to the old part of the city, the historical center of Porto, recognized
UNESCO World Heritage Site and under its protection.
So, we bought a ticket to Sao Bento, got on the train and went. For 3 hours you don’t have to think about anything, just look, look, look out the window. When you arrive in Porto - this is the final station, get off and change to another train to Sao Bento: look at the signs. There is no need to buy a ticket, you have already bought it in Lisbon.
When you leave Sao Bento Station, turn right, walk up to the church on the corner on the left and walk along Calle Santa Catarina ( Santa Catarina ). This is a street where commercial centers, cafes, restaurants and markets are located.
Pay attention to the Majestic cafe ( Majestic ). It is said that the author of Harry Potter sat for hours in this cafe while working on her book.
Mario Soares and Georges Sampaio were also here. Here, together with the Macau consul, a farewell dinner was held when Macau gained independence.
Check out the Bulyau market ( Bo lhã o ), built in 1839 and dedicated to the sale of fresh produce.
It's worth a walk along Military Square ( Praç a da Batalha ) and Embankment Square ( Praç a da Ribeira),
go to the Church of St. Francis ( Igreja de Sao Francisco – Igreja dy Sau Francisco.
If you turn left from the station, you will reach the mouth of the Douro River, cross the Don Luis Bridge and enter the village of Vila Nova de Gaia ( Vila Nova de Gaia ) – this is the center of winemaking.
The place where they are concentrated All cellars with
world reserves of Portuguese port wine - Porto. Each cellar has its own coat of arms and flag.
On the way back from Vila Nova de Gaia to the historical center of Porto, you can take the funicular to go up to the bridge (saving some time and effort). You will find the funicular next to the bridge.
You can also get to Porto by Rede Expressos bus from Sete Rios bus station, station. metro Gardim Zoologico. Buses depart every hour starting at 6 am, the journey takes 3.5 hours. From Porto the last bus is at 21-30. The fare is 19 euros one way. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online
I will answer questions in the comments.
Thank you for visiting.
May you and your loved ones be healthy and happy.
Light, warmth and sunshine into your hearts, homes and souls.
Lyudmila Medvedeva was with you.