10 Awesome Things to do in Porto, Portugal’s 2nd Largest City
Porto is not only Portugal’s 2nd largest city, it’s the origin of the country’s name too! Porto is a beautiful historic city with towering bridges, artistic blue tiles, and delicious Port wine. Only about a 3hr train ride from Lisbon, Porto is a great city with stunning medieval architecture right along the Douro River. Here’s the top 10 best things to do while visiting Porto.
10. View Azulejos at the São Bento Railway Station
In Porto’s bustling city center you’ll find one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world. The outside of São Bento has an ornate architecture, while the inside is adorned with the elegant artwork of 20,000 blue tiles. These azulejos are a collection of hand-painted tiles that took over 11 years to install. The best part is you get to enjoy it all for free!
9. Marvel at the Church of Santa Clara
The Church of Santa Clara is one of the most stunning examples of Portuguese Baroque architecture in the country. While the outside is easy to overlook, the ostentatious decorations of the interior is a golden masterpiece. Almost every square inch is coated in a Brazilian Gold leaf, totaling over 200 kilograms (over 440lbs). Apparently there’s a local tradition where brides and grooms offer eggs to Saint Clare in exchange for sunny weather on their wedding day. It’s worth the small entry fee.
8. Pose at the Chapel of Souls
Okay be warned there are a ton of church-like landmarks in Porto. The Chapel of Souls isn’t just one of the coolest names for a church, it also is an artistic canvas for Porto’s obsession with covering everything in blue tiles. The chapel’s façade is completely wrapped in almost 16,000 azulejo tiles. In contrast to the Church of Santa Clara, the outside is the main attraction while the inside is pretty basic.
7. Get Inspired at Livrario Lello
I haven’t been to enough to verify but Livrario Lello is regarded as the most beautiful bookstore in the world. With its spiraling red staircase and intricate wooden interior, the gravitational pull to tourists is quite strong. It is also said to have inspired the libraries of Hogwarts…It gets very crowded so we we recommend reserving tickets at least a couple weeks in advance to guarantee entry. Don’t worry, part of the entry fee goes toward the purchase of a book so it’s not completely wasted.
6. Walk through the Porto Cathedral
Also known as the Se do Porto, The Porto Cathedral is one of the oldest monuments in the city. Its original construction dates back to the year 1110, with its heavy granite exterior resembling more of a fortified castle rather than a cathedral. Inside you’ll find Gothic cloisters, Romanesque structures, Baroque décor, look out towers, ornate alter pieces, and more azulejo artworks. The outdoor terrace also offers great views over the colorful city.
5. Take a Tour of Palacio da Bolsa, a Historic Porto Stock Market
The Palacio da Bolsa is a neoclassical landmark that was designated a national monument in 1982. Despite being relatively new, it has that same historic charm the rest of Porto is famous for. Palacio da Bolsa was originally built as a stock exchange but now serves as the headquarters of the Porto Commercial Association. It also has the Arab Room, possibly one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever seen. The palace is only accessible by a guided tour, so be sure to book it beforehand.
4. Climb to the Summit of Torre Dos Clerigos for the Best Views of Porto
For some of the best views in Porto, head to the top 0f the Torre Dos Clerigos. This baroque bell tower is over 75 meters high, and offers amazing panoramic views. There’s roughly 240 steps to reach the top but it’s well worth it. Tickets are only 10 Euros and also include the museum below.
3. Eat Your Heart out at Mercado do Bolhão
Part historic landmark, part eclectic street food experience, Mercado do Bolhão is a traditional market that offers fresh produce, meats, cheeses, fish, and pastries. The open air market with neoclassical architecture has a vibrant atmosphere and is a must for any foodie. We tried a huge variety of the food stalls and everything was delicious! All I can recommend is to go hungry.
2. Taste Some Delicious Port Wine
No trip to Porto is complete without a thorough tasting of its signature beverage; Port Wine! Alcoholics rejoice as this is one of the most sophisticated places where it’s socially acceptable to get drunk before the sun sets. Sign up for a wine tasting cellar tour to learn the difference between a ruby and a tawny, plus way more information on wine you probably will instantly forget. Okay technically this is across the river in the town of Gaia but you get the idea. If you have a lot of time in the city, you can also opt for an enchanting tour of the Douro Valley to really immerse yourself in Porto’s unique wine culture.
1. Walk Across the Dom Luis 1 Bridge
Porto’s high-altitude adventure culminates on the top level of the Dom Luis 1 Bridge. This massive double-deck metal arch bridge was built by a student of Gustave Eiffel (yes the one from the famous tower) and rises over 560ft connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro River. Arrive at sunset time for the radiant glow of the light to shine upon the Ribeira District in the most magnificent way. Our recommendation is to ride the Gaia cable car from the Cais de Gaia station to the top level of the bridge, and then walk across the top for some vertigo inducing views after you watch the sunset. A+ way to end your trip in Porto.
Porto is a fantastic Portuguese city with scenic neighborhoods and delicious food to try. In contrast, it is smaller than Lisbon but has its own distinct vibe that will make you glad you visited. Three days here is probably enough to see the highlights. For more adventures through this amazing country check out our Portugal travel series where we visit other regions including Lisbon, Madeira, and Sintra. Thanks for reading and keep leveling up!
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