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Welcome to Porto
Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, sits on the banks of the River Douro. This second city enchants visitors with its atmospheric neighborhoods, distinctive fortified wine and a sense of soulfulness. Come along as we explore some of its highlights and local favorites.
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A river runs through it
The Douro River flows for 557 miles through the Iberian Peninsula from Soria Province all the way to Porto, where it empties into the sea.
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Scenic crossing
The Luís I Bridge, built in 1886 by Teófilo Seyrig (a student of Gustave Eiffel), has become an icon of Porto. Pedestrians can cross the Douro River on the top deck, while lower decks carry traffic and the city metro across the river. Cross the bridge on foot for some of the best views of downtown Porto.
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A green getaway
The shady Virtudes Garden tumbles down a hillside in a series of grassy ledges. The green space is a favorite picnic spot among locals, and an excellent place to escape the busy city and enjoy stellar views of the river below.
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Porto’s most charismatic neighborhood
The UNESCO World Heritage listed district of Ribeira ranks among Porto’s most beloved neighborhoods, thanks to its winding alleys, pastel-colored houses and collection of local shops and restaurants.
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Fortress by the sea
The Fort of São Francisco, also known as the Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle), stands atop a cheese-shaped wedge of rock jutting out into the sea. Come in the late afternoon to admire the 17th century fortress architecture, and stay for a magnificent sunset.
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The music of Portugal
The word “fado” comes from the Latin word for “fate,” and this mournful Portuguese music style typically includes songs about love, loss, longing and injustice. Fado has earned UNESCO status as a symbol of Portugal.
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A city of artists
You don’t need to step inside a museum to appreciate art in Porto. The city streets are dotted with bold works from the city’s growing network of street artists. Porto even has its own incognito street artist, known only by the pseudonym Hazul Luzah.
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Feeling blue
Spend some time walking the streets of Porto, and you can’t miss the distinctive blue and white tiles, known as azulejo. Look for them in churches, palaces, gardens and train stations or adorning fountain and staircases.
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A story of a nation
To learn more about the story of Portugal, step inside the São Bento Train Station. The interior walls of this French Beaux-Arts railway station are covered in some 20,000 ceramic tiles depicting scenes from the nation’s history.
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An architectural marvel
Porto has no shortage of impressive architecture, but it doesn’t get much better than the Palácio da Bolsa. This former 19th century stock exchange building features many Moorish details, like its grand ballroom gilded with nearly 40 pounds of gold leaf.
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Art meets nature
The 44-acre Serralves Park, just west of the city center, comprises formal gardens, a contemporary art museum (the most visited museum in Portugal), lily ponds, fountains and woodlands.
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Traditional covered market
Every great European city has an equally impressive market, and Porto is no exception. The neoclassical wrought-iron Bolhão Market dates back to 1914 and today houses vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, cheeses and other artisanal products.
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Beautiful bookshop
Book worms won’t want to miss a visit to Livraria Lello, a spectacular bookstore dating back to 1906. The shop, one of the oldest bookstores in the world, features a colorful stained glass roof, carved wooden balusters and a forked staircase.
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Historic transportation
One of the best ways to get around Porto is aboard the network of historic trams. Line 1 offers the most scenic ride, as the tracks follow the banks of the river toward the Foz district.
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A taste of Porto
No trip to Porto would be complete without stuffing yourself to the brim on a francesinha, a sandwich made with thick bread, cured ham, Portuguese sausage and roast beef, covered in melted cheese, smothered in a tomato and beer sauce and topped with a fried egg.
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Port tasting
Wine tasting is pretty much a mandatory activity in Porto, a city known for its fortified wines. Many of the city’s wine cellars offer guided tours and tastings, where you can learn about the history of Port wine while sipping different varieties.
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Swimming by the sea
The district of Porto is home to Leça da Palmeira, one of the largest beaches anywhere in the north of Portugal. The Piscina das Marés, a saltwater swimming pool, offers cooling relief from the Mediterranean sun.
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Home of the Dragons
The Estádio do Dragão seats more than 50,000 soccer fans, making it the third largest soccer stadium in Portugal. The facility is home to FC Porto (a.k.a. Dragões), one of the country’s top flight teams.
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Midsummer celebration
Each year, Porto celebrates the Midsummer with the Festa de São João do Porto. Thousands of revelers take to the streets to enjoy live music, dance parties, bonfires and barbecued sardines. Some celebrants also release paper lanterns over the city.
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Christmas in Porto
By the end of November, colorful, twinkling lights illuminate the streets of Porto and festive decorations deck the city’s halls and monuments. Winter visitors can go ice skating on one of two seasonal outdoor rinks, shop at craft markets and sample seasonal sweets, like Bolo Rei cakes.
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