Porto, located at the mouth of the Duoro, is widely known as one of Portugal’s most picturesque towns because of its wealth of historical sites and stunning old town. We will introduce you to the top things to do in Porto and provide a wealth of Porto recommendations for excursions, dining, and lodging options. The economic and cultural hub of Northern Portugal is located in the second-largest town in the entire country. The Duoro Valley is the world’s oldest wine-growing zone, and as such, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The famous ancient town is no different. Any vacation to Portugal must, without a doubt, include a stop in Porto in addition to the country’s capital, Lisbon.
You may maximize your time in Porto with the help of these Porto recommendations. To quickly go to the Porto attractions that most interest you, go through the list below:
10 Popular Porto Attractions and Activities to Do
Due to its long history, Porto offers a wide variety of sites in addition to various vineyards. Most of the Porto Recommendations listed here are pretty close to one another, making it simple to see the city on foot. Yet, taking public transportation also makes it very easy to roam around the city and its attractions cost-effectively.
Ancient Town of Portos, Ribeira
Take a pleasant stroll through the ancient town to gain a first impression. The “Centro Historico” is primarily located between Torre 2 Clerigos and the banks of the Duoro. It is advisable to begin in the higher portion of Ribeira and stroll (with one or two diversions) down the streets to the “Cais da Ribeira.” The narrow streets east of the cathedral will leave you in awe.
Ribeira Cais
The focal point of the old town is unquestionably the waterfront promenade Cais da Ribeira. It is a great place to see the sunset because of its famous colourful buildings, live street music, and abundance of eateries. Along with being in a stunning location with views of the Dom Luis Bridge and the Port Wine Cellars, the waterfront is the departure point for the well-liked Duoro riverboat trips. The eateries here are primarily standard tourist traps, so you should stick to drinking instead of dining.
Lello Livraria
Instagram is to credit for the bookshop being one of the top attractions in Porto. The Livraria Lello, which opened in 1906, is one of the most magnificent bookstores in the world for a cause. Thanks to its magical interior design and distinctively curving wooden staircase. Owing to the high volume of visitors, a $5 entrance fee was implemented in 2015. However, the fee may be waived with any in-store purchase. But this tiny library has become so popular that you will wait a while. To avoid waiting hours and the line at the ticket sales, we advise arriving as soon as the store opens and purchasing the ticket online.
Tower of the Clérigos
In the past, mariners used the 76m high bell tower of something like the cathedral with the same name, visible from all over the city. Undoubtedly, the Torre dos Clérigos is the ideal place to view Porto from above. Although ascending Portugal’s tallest church tower is a little of an exercise, the view is worth it. Due to the watching platform’s limited capacity, lines may become excessively long, much like at the Livraria Lello. I also advise purchasing an
Entrance ticket in advance in this scenario:
Station of San Bento
You might wonder why a train station topped this list of Porto recommendations. The explanation is not because of the train links but the attractively constructed entrance hall. The so-called “azulejos”—impressive tile works that depict events in Portuguese history—can be seen here. Artist Jorge Colaço created these works over 11 years. The Sao Bento train station is a great place to start exploring the city because of its convenient location. The Passenger Hostel provides various lodging options and activities so that you can stay here.
Cathedral
The Dom Luis I Bridge is very adjacent to Porto’s largest church, situated on a hill and can easily see from a distance. The stunning structure allows visitors to view the city from above. The view doesn’t seem as great as at the Torre dos Clerigos, but the entrance charge is less expensive at only €3.
Ponte Dom Luís I
Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are connected by one of the city’s most stunning bridges, adjacent to the old centre. The Ponte Dom Luis is among the most well-known attractions in Porto because of its impressive architecture and ideal position. Every visitor to Porto Portugal should take a stroll along the upper part.
Vineyards for port wine in Villa Nova Gaia
You can visit one of the several port vineyards on the opposite side of the river after walking across the bridge. You may remember Porto became synonymous with the world-famous wine, which itself is produced upstream in the Duoro valley. Villa Nova da Gaia exports and stores the actual wine. You can sample various port wines and discover more about this type of wine’s history by taking a tour of the nearby wineries. At Taylors, I took a self-guided audio tour that included a sampling. You can reserve in advance a ton of fantastic walking tours and combination packages at other well-known wineries, such as the following:
Cais de Gaia
You could possibly spend some time along the promenade after you’re across the river. Formerly used to carry the wine barrels, the many wooden Rabelo boats anchored here provide some stunning pictures. Along the promenade, you’ll discover dining establishments, bars, port wine sampling locations, and a few concerts during the summer.
Gaia Teleférico
Although travelling by cable car in Portugal is unheard of, the Teleferico de Gaia provides a few fresh viewpoints. While the train ride costs €6, you may get a fantastic view of the ancient town, the Douro Valley, and the wines.
