Travel Guide to Oporto
Famous for its beautiful decorative tiles, delicious wines and unique sunsets, the city of Porto is an increasingly popular destination. This Portuguese town, with its cobblestone streets and hundreds of years of history, is the perfect place for intrepid travelers who want to discover its best-kept secrets and most secret corners. Read this travel guide to Porto and explore the most iconic sites and the best things to do in the city.
Enjoying Porto for free is possible! You can freely access many of the most symbolic places, so it is an ideal destination if you are traveling on a tight budget. Here we tell you which are the places you can't miss in the Portuguese city.
São Bento Station
One of the best things to do in Porto is to visit the São Bento train station. Built in 1916 on the former site of a Benedictine monastery, the station is one of the most picturesque places in the city. This is due to the more than 20,000 tiles that decorate its main hall, depicting some of the most important moments in Portugal's history, such as the Battle of Valdevez or the conquest of Ceuta. As one of the most popular places in the city, many of the most popular Free Tours in Porto you can't leave here without admiring these colorful mosaics!
I know Oporto
Although its construction began in the 12th century, the cathedral of Porto has undergone many reconstructions over the years. That is why it presents characteristics of different architectural styles, such as Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Located in the Batalha neighborhood in the historic center, it is the most important religious monument of the city. Entering the church is free, you only have to pay an entrance fee if you want to access the Gothic cloister, decorated with the famous white and blue tiles that decorate the most symbolic monuments of Porto.
Luís I Bridge
This magnificent steel structure was built between 1881 and 1886, and was named after Portugal's King Luís I. It was the largest arched bridge in the world. It was the largest arched bridge in the world at the time of its construction, and spans 385 meters over the Douro River. It consists of two levels: on the upper one the train passes, but there is also room for pedestrians. The views from there are breathtaking, so we recommend that you cross the bridge in this area.
Capela das Almas
This unmistakable building is one of the most photographed in Porto, and it's not hard to guess why. The facade of this church, decorated with white and blue tiles, stands out among the surrounding buildings, and the images show religious scenes. It is located on a corner of Rua Santa Catarina, the city's most commercial street, so it is easy to include it in your travel itinerary. It is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Porto!
Ribeira
The walk along the banks of the Douro is one of the most emblematic of the city. This promenade, especially busy at sunset, is the perfect place to enjoy the terraces and admire the rabelos, typical boats that once transported Port wine. You can't miss the sunset, which colors the sky and is reflected in the rippling waters of the river. It is a unique experience in the city.
Crystal Palace Gardens
Located on Rua Dom Manuel II, these botanical gardens are the best place to relax in Porto. There are different sections that include various types of trees and plants, as well as fountains and lakes. Of particular note are the beautiful views over the river and the city that you can enjoy from various parts of the park. This is where the locals come to rest, stroll and take photos, so don't forget to include them in your Porto route.
want to see even more of the city's landmarks? Here are some more things to do in Porto to plan an unforgettable getaway, you won't want to leave!
Clérigos Church and Tower
The Church of the Clérigos, built in the 18th century, is one of the most emblematic places in the city. This baroque building is famous for the tower that crowns it, as it is the tallest in Portugal. You can climb its more than 200 steps to reach the top and admire a panoramic view of the city that you will not forget.The price to go up to the viewpoint and visit the museum is 6€, and we recommend you check the opening hours on their official website.
Lello Bookstore
This emblematic bookstore was designed by the engineer Xavier Esteves. On the neo-Gothic facade you can see painted representations of art and science, and inside there are busts of Portuguese writers such as Eça de Queirós, Camilo Castelo Branco and Teófilo Braga. However, the most impressive feature is the monumental wooden staircase that connects the two floors of the bookstore. Thanks to it and the colorful glass that decorates its roof, it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world, and is visited daily by hundreds of travelers.The entrance fee is 5€, but if you buy a book you get a discount on the total cost. You can't ask for more!
Stock Exchange Palace
The Palacio de la Bolsa is a clear example of the neoclassical style in the city. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it was built as the headquarters of the Commercial Association of Oporto and today is the scene of events and activities. The individual ticket costs 10€, and since the visit is compulsory guided, it includes explanations about the history and construction of the building.
Thanks to its location and communication by public transport, Porto is a good starting point to other parts of the country. If you want to make a day trip we recommend a visit to Braga.
This beautiful city, located northwest of Porto, is one of the best day trips from the Portuguese city. You can catch a train that will take you there in just over an hour, and stroll through its center full of stores and cafes. However, the most impressive place in town is the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.
This unique pilgrimage site is known for its monumental baroque staircase, which zigzags up to the chapel, whose origins date back to 1373. The present church is a Portuguese neoclassical building, and to reach it you can walk up the stairs, take the elevator or drive up to the parking lot at the top. Don't leave your camera behind!
We hope this travel guide to Porto will help you experience an unforgettable getaway to the Portuguese city. You will find more information about things to do in destinations around the world on our website, where you can also book activities and tours.
What to do for free in Porto
Enjoying Porto for free is possible! You can freely access many of the most symbolic places, so it is an ideal destination if you are traveling on a tight budget. Here we tell you which are the places you can't miss in the Portuguese city.
São Bento Station
One of the best things to do in Porto is to visit the São Bento train station. Built in 1916 on the former site of a Benedictine monastery, the station is one of the most picturesque places in the city. This is due to the more than 20,000 tiles that decorate its main hall, depicting some of the most important moments in Portugal's history, such as the Battle of Valdevez or the conquest of Ceuta. As one of the most popular places in the city, many of the most popular Free Tours in Porto you can't leave here without admiring these colorful mosaics!
I know Oporto
Although its construction began in the 12th century, the cathedral of Porto has undergone many reconstructions over the years. That is why it presents characteristics of different architectural styles, such as Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. Located in the Batalha neighborhood in the historic center, it is the most important religious monument of the city. Entering the church is free, you only have to pay an entrance fee if you want to access the Gothic cloister, decorated with the famous white and blue tiles that decorate the most symbolic monuments of Porto.
Luís I Bridge
This magnificent steel structure was built between 1881 and 1886, and was named after Portugal's King Luís I. It was the largest arched bridge in the world. It was the largest arched bridge in the world at the time of its construction, and spans 385 meters over the Douro River. It consists of two levels: on the upper one the train passes, but there is also room for pedestrians. The views from there are breathtaking, so we recommend that you cross the bridge in this area.
Capela das Almas
This unmistakable building is one of the most photographed in Porto, and it's not hard to guess why. The facade of this church, decorated with white and blue tiles, stands out among the surrounding buildings, and the images show religious scenes. It is located on a corner of Rua Santa Catarina, the city's most commercial street, so it is easy to include it in your travel itinerary. It is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Porto!
Ribeira
The walk along the banks of the Douro is one of the most emblematic of the city. This promenade, especially busy at sunset, is the perfect place to enjoy the terraces and admire the rabelos, typical boats that once transported Port wine. You can't miss the sunset, which colors the sky and is reflected in the rippling waters of the river. It is a unique experience in the city.
Crystal Palace Gardens
Located on Rua Dom Manuel II, these botanical gardens are the best place to relax in Porto. There are different sections that include various types of trees and plants, as well as fountains and lakes. Of particular note are the beautiful views over the river and the city that you can enjoy from various parts of the park. This is where the locals come to rest, stroll and take photos, so don't forget to include them in your Porto route.
What to see in Porto
want to see even more of the city's landmarks? Here are some more things to do in Porto to plan an unforgettable getaway, you won't want to leave!
Clérigos Church and Tower
The Church of the Clérigos, built in the 18th century, is one of the most emblematic places in the city. This baroque building is famous for the tower that crowns it, as it is the tallest in Portugal. You can climb its more than 200 steps to reach the top and admire a panoramic view of the city that you will not forget.The price to go up to the viewpoint and visit the museum is 6€, and we recommend you check the opening hours on their official website.
Lello Bookstore
This emblematic bookstore was designed by the engineer Xavier Esteves. On the neo-Gothic facade you can see painted representations of art and science, and inside there are busts of Portuguese writers such as Eça de Queirós, Camilo Castelo Branco and Teófilo Braga. However, the most impressive feature is the monumental wooden staircase that connects the two floors of the bookstore. Thanks to it and the colorful glass that decorates its roof, it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the world, and is visited daily by hundreds of travelers.The entrance fee is 5€, but if you buy a book you get a discount on the total cost. You can't ask for more!
Stock Exchange Palace
The Palacio de la Bolsa is a clear example of the neoclassical style in the city. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it was built as the headquarters of the Commercial Association of Oporto and today is the scene of events and activities. The individual ticket costs 10€, and since the visit is compulsory guided, it includes explanations about the history and construction of the building.
Escape from Oporto
Thanks to its location and communication by public transport, Porto is a good starting point to other parts of the country. If you want to make a day trip we recommend a visit to Braga.
This beautiful city, located northwest of Porto, is one of the best day trips from the Portuguese city. You can catch a train that will take you there in just over an hour, and stroll through its center full of stores and cafes. However, the most impressive place in town is the sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.
This unique pilgrimage site is known for its monumental baroque staircase, which zigzags up to the chapel, whose origins date back to 1373. The present church is a Portuguese neoclassical building, and to reach it you can walk up the stairs, take the elevator or drive up to the parking lot at the top. Don't leave your camera behind!
We hope this travel guide to Porto will help you experience an unforgettable getaway to the Portuguese city. You will find more information about things to do in destinations around the world on our website, where you can also book activities and tours.
09
November,
2020
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