Porto is a beautiful city filled with culture and heritage. It's the second largest city in Portugal and most widely recognised for port wine production.
Here are my top places to visit in Porto along with some tips and advice for first time travellers.
São Bento railway station
Located in the centre of Porto, the São Bento railway station was designed by José Marques da Silva in 1903. Inside the main concourse is over 20,000 blue and white tiles called azulejos depicting the history of Portugal. Created by Jorge Colaço, a master in tile painting, the multi-coloured panels show scenes of rural life in Portugal.
The Ribeira District
The most iconic scene of Porto is the Ribeira district known as the Old town. 18th century coloured townhouses line the riverbank of the Douro and you'll find bars and restaurants serving traditional Portuguese dishes including the Francesinha and Bolinhos de bacalhau.
Vila Nova de Gaia
Opposite the river is Gaia where the port wine houses are located. Since the 17th century port wine has been transported here to age.
Most of the port wine houses offer tours where you can learn about the history and manufacturing of port alongside tasting some samples.
I had visited the Taylor's port cellars which was a self-guided tour. You are given an audio guide with two free port tasters at the end. It was fascinating to learn how they make port and I can't believe the majority of the process is still done mostly by hand.
There are day trips to the Douro valley where you can visit the vineyards and try local port wine. I've listed some of the places further down in the post.
Even if you don't visit the port wine houses, walk along the promenade and enjoy the view of the Ribeira district and bridge here.
Dom Luís I Bridge
The bridge was completed in 1886 and connects Porto to Gaia. The double decker bridge has two levels where you can walk along the upper level. Get your camera ready, the views are spectacular!
Livraria Lello
Considered as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, Livraria Lello was established in 1906 and features the impressive 'Decus in Lahore' stained glass, wood panelling walls and a red staircase. Rumours are that J.K Rowling was inspired to write Harry Potter here. Across two floors, you will find a wide variety of books including the Little Prince and Harry Potter series. You can redeem your ticket for a discount of €5 when purchasing a book. It is a popular tourist attraction so make sure you buy tickets online in advance and expect a queue.
Igreja dos Clérigos (Clérgios Church and Tower)
Clérgios Church was the first oval church built in Portugal and has the highest bell tower standing at over 76 metres tall. Climb the 225 steps to the top of the tower and you will find a viewing platform which offers great views of the city and river. The steps are narrow in the tower and you will need to wait to let people pass.
Inside the Church, some of the notable features include the marble altar and sculptures of St Peter ad Vincula and St Philip Neri, two saints of the Brotherhood of the Clerics. There is also a museum with collections of art, sculptures, paintings and silverware showing the history and life of the House of the Brotherhood of Clerics.
Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas
Two churches side by side separated by a one metre wide hidden house, built to separate monks and nuns. The exterior of the baroque church is decorated with intricate stonework and sculptures. There is a beautiful tiled side facade showing scenes of founding Carmelite Order and Mount Carmel. Inside you can visit the church (Igreja do Carmo), the narrow house, the catacombs and several rooms containing important relics.
Porto Cathedral
Located on the top of a hill, Porto Cathedral is one of the oldest monuments in the city. The cathedral is built like a fortress and the gothic style cloisters are beautifully decorated with azulejos depicting scenes from the bible. Climb the tower for panoramic views of the city. An option is to purchase a combined ticket which includes admission to the bishop's palace and works out cheaper if you are planning to visit both attractions. Inside the cathedral, you can visit the treasury, housing a collection of Christian art and artefacts.
Bolhão Market
In the city centre is the Bolhão market where you can find local traders selling meat, fish, fruit, cheese, coffee and flowers amongst other fresh produce. They also have a stall selling the famous tinned sardines at more affordable prices. It's a great place to pick up some souvenirs and a perfect place to take a break from all that walking and perhaps grab a fresh fruit juice.
Popular day trips
If you are planning to stay longer in Porto, here are some day trips you can take from Porto; Douro Valley, Guimaraes and Braga.
Getting around Porto
You can walk to most attractions in the city, just make sure you wear some comfortable shoes. The roads can be steep and there can be lots of steps. Flashback to the journey from the harbour to Porto Cathedral on the hill.
Don't fancy walking? There are trams and buses that go around the city. The Gaia cable car will take you from the bottom of the Villa Nova de Gaia promenade to the top of the Dom Luís I Bridge. There is also a funicular that connects the Ribeira and Batalha which will save you from walking up a hill.
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