What are you going to do in Porto? The basics of 40 activities and visits-2
Admire l'Igreja do Carmo
Called the Two-Headed Church, Igreja do Carmo is interesting for its magnificent tiled facade and unusual construction. If you look closely, you will notice that the building is actually two adjoining churches. The one on the left is the Carmelite Church.
Due to a complicated law, two churches could not share the same wall, so a small house was built, wedged between the two churches. The house was occupied until about 20 years ago.
Enjoy a delicious coffee in Café Majestic
Opening its doors in 1921, Café Elite, as it was originally called, was the belle of the Belle Époque in Porto. The café enchanted Porto's upper echelon with its beautiful Art Nouveau design by architect João Queiroz.
Fallen into oblivion during the Second World War, coffee almost disappeared completely. In 1983 the café was declared a “building of public interest”, and finally, in 1992, 71 years after its opening, a massive two-year restoration began to make the Majestic Café the most elegant in Porto.
The Majestic Café, along with the Livraria Lello, have earned their status as Porto's hotspots, so expect prices to be much higher than the average café.
For example, an espresso coffee will cost €5, compared to less than a euro in a typical café.
If you wish to treat yourself to a charming experience at the Majestic Café, tea is served between 3pm and 7pm – Cost: €25 per person.
Visit the Church of Santa Clara
Classified as a national monument, the Igreja de Santa Clara was completed in 1457 to replace a medieval Franciscan convent.
Behind a very discreet facade hides an impressive Baroque interior of gilded woodwork representing angels, cherubim and saints.
The Igreja de Santa Clara belonged to the order of cloistered Franciscan nuns, the Order of Poor Clares, until the 19th century, when the last nun of the order died.
Inside the church you can still see the wooden revolving door used by the nuns to sell sweets to the public, as is still seen in the closed convents of Seville.
As the nuns were forbidden to have contact with people outside the order, the revolving door was used to carry out the transactions.
The church has just reopened after a meticulous restoration that will continue. It is forbidden to take pictures inside.
Getting to the traditional grocery store A Pérola do Bolhão
More than just an Art Nouveau façade, A Pérola do Bolhão is one of Porto's most beloved institutions and landmarks.
Founded in 1917, A Pérola do Bolhão is one of those charming shops where you will find the heart of culinary Porto. This traditional Portuguese grocery store is filled with typical Portuguese fresh and dry products.
Let yourself be tempted by the olives and fresh mountain cheeses of Serra de Estrela.
The friendly owners are happy to guide you through the products and are known to give some valuable tips for visiting their city.
The facade of the store is adorned with Portuguese tiles from the turn of the last century, with unique depictions of two women on either side of the door, one holding coffee (coffee) plants and the other chá (tea).
Watch the sunset from the Jardim de Morro
One of the best things to see in Porto is the sunset over the city. On the Gaia side of the Luís I Bridge, the Jardim do Morro offers live music performances, even in winter. The park is transformed into a mini concert stadium with Porto as a backdrop, at its most majestic.
Right next to the Jardim do Morro is the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, an impressive former monastery. From this slightly higher vantage point, you can enjoy other spectacular views of the city.
Cruise the 6 bridges
For a fun sightseeing activity in Porto, take a 50-minute boat cruise on the Douro River, passing under the six famous bridges, one of which was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who was responsible for the Eiffel Tower.
These cruises, complete with commentary, depart regularly from Ribeira do Porto, near the Luís I Bridge.
Visit Porto Cathedral
Visiting this 12th century cathedral is hands down one of the best things to do in Porto for historians and architecture lovers. The interior exudes a typical Porto atmosphere: the cloisters are adorned with blue tiles and, on the roof, you can see an impressive tapestry of tiles on the history of Portugal.
The highlight of the show is undoubtedly the ascent of the tower to admire the view of Porto. The views are just as impressive as those from the Clérigos tower. To kill two birds with one stone, pay €3 to visit Porto Cathedral.
Visit the Church of Sao Francisco
Although work on the Igreja de São Francisco began in 1245, it was destroyed by fire. The church we see today was built in the 1500s and was given a makeover in the 1700s when the interior was covered in 100kg of gold.
Take a peek inside for €8. The exterior is simple compared to the decadent interior.
You will find it near the Ribeira seafront, near the Bolsa Palace.
Find the famous street art bunny
The half-rabbit mural can be found at 42 Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, just behind Mercado Beira-Rio.
The artist, Bordalo II, is known for his murals that create animals from scrap materials. This work was made from garbage collected in the city, demonstrating the waste of our society.
Discover the Episcopal Palace (Bishop's Palace)
Once the residence of the Bishop of Porto, this impressive palace sits high up near the cathedral. Depending on where you come from, it may take a few steps to reach it, but it is worth exploring this baroque/rococo style building designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni.
Visit the Church of Santo Ildefonso
The Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is another popular spot in Porto for tile lovers. This 18th century church is covered in thousands of blue and white azulejos and contains an altarpiece by Nicolau Nasoni. Free entry.
Next, stroll through the nearby neighborhood of Jardim Marques de Oliveira, where you'll find many of Porto's well-known restaurants, like Café Santiago.
Stroll down Rua das Flores
Rua das Flores (in English, Street of Flowers) is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric streets in Porto. Traditionally, flowers were sold on the right side and jewelry on the left side, due to the direction the sun hits in the morning.
Many of the best things to do in Porto can be found near Rua das Flores, which has therefore become a hub for shopping, restaurants and live music.
The most beautiful McDonald's in the world
We bet you didn't expect a McDonald's to be among Porto's top attractions, did you? The McDonald's Imperial in Praça da Liberdade has been voted the most beautiful McDonald's in the world.
The doorway is flanked by an enormous stone eagle and the interior is no less decadent with its Art Deco chandeliers and stained glass windows. The mural behind the counter, depicting a man and a woman drinking coffee, was created by Portuguese artist Ricardo Leone.
This is where Café Imperial used to be, having been open since the 1930s. McDonald's took over the place in the 1990s but left the interior intact. Even the menu is improved: try the pastel de nata and the bolo de berlim (egg custard fritters).
Find a peacock in the Crystal Palace Gardens
The Crystal Palace Gardens are one of the best places in Porto to enjoy some peace and quiet. The architect, Émile David, named these gardens after a palace that once stood there. Spot the living peacocks, the true owners of the park.
Relax in the Parque da Quinta da Macieirinha
Behind the Superbock Arena and connected to the gardens of the Crystal Palace, this large park offers beautiful views of Porto and the Douro River.
Inside the park you will find the Almeida Garret Library, a café and the Romantic Museum. Bring a picnic to Parque da Quinta da Macieirinha at sunset.
Discover the Park of Serralves
The Parque da Fundação de Serralves is a hidden gem not far from the center of Porto. This cultural institution is home to a pink Art Deco mansion, two art galleries, a treetop walkway and even a farm.
Count Carlos Alberto Cabral commissioned French architect Jacques Grébe to design the gardens between 1932 and 1940, while other architects like José Marques da Silva (responsible for São Bento station) played a part in this marvelous property.
Enter through Rua Dom João de Castro and start at the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art. Then, explore the gardens and treetop promenade before ending at the pink Villa Serralves which houses art exhibitions.
Entry costs €20, making it one of the most expensive things to do in Porto.
Take bus 502, 207 or 201 from Porto.
Profiter de la vue depuis le Turret of the Palace Garden
In the Parque da Quinta da Macieirinha (behind the Superbock arena), this stone tower offers magnificent views at sunset and at any other time of the day. You will find the Torreão do Jardim do Palácio at the back of the park, overlooking the river.
The viewing platform at the top is tiny, so get there early on a clear sunny day when other people are looking the same.
Watch a fado show
Fado music, originating in the Alfama district of Lisbon, is about fate or fate. Although this melancholic music about the life of the poor (among other subjects) is not the most cheerful, it is a treasure of Portuguese culture.
The best places in Porto to watch fado are the Galerias de Paris and the Casa da Guitarra.
Visit the Soares dos Reis National Museum
The National Museum of Porto is a must for anyone with even a vague interest in the history of Portuguese art.
The museum's extensive collection spans from the 16th to the 20th century and includes paintings, porcelains and even furniture. To name just a few.
If you find Porto raining during your visit, this is the perfect place to pass the time while waiting for the rain to stop. You see, there are even things to see in Porto when these downpours happen.
Discover Casa São Roque
This sunny yellow mansion, located east of Porto, was once owned by a wealthy family. When Maria Virginia de Castro, a member of this family, married António Ramos Pinto (a famous port wine producer), he asked José Marques da Silva to redevelop the house.
With the architect from São Bento on the construction site, everything went well of course!
Casa São Roque was eventually taken over by the Porto council, and in 2019 it was opened to the public as a contemporary art gallery.
Walk along Pérgola da Foz
The attractive Pérgola da Foz runs along part of the Foz promenade. It's a nice place to stroll around at sunset, enjoying the westerly views of the sun sinking behind the waves.
Surfing on Matashinos Beach
Matashinos is renowned for being one of the best surfing beaches near Porto. Hiring a board at Onda Pura costs €15 for two hours and you can opt for lessons if you're a beginner.
Visit the Praia do Castelo de Queijo (the Castle of Cheese)
If there is a place with an anti-climactic name, it is the “Château du fromage” in Matashinos.
It is said that the Praia do Castelo de Queijo got its name because the rock on which it is built looks like a piece of cheese.
Either way, admission is only 50 cents. Climb to the top for sea views and period details, including cannons used for defense.
Activities to do around Porto
Aveiro
Just over an hour from Porto by train or bus, the small town of Aveiro is known as the “Venice of Portugal”. Colorful moliceiro boats ply the rivers and take tourists on rides at a cost of €5-10.
Other things to do include tasting fresh seafood, visiting museums and religious buildings, and tasting ovos moles, a typical sweet egg yolk dessert.
guimaraes
One hour from Porto by train is another of the most remarkable cities in northern Portugal. Guimaraes is known for its medieval architecture and its 10th century castle.
A fun option on a day trip from Porto is to climb to the top of the mountain by Penha cable car to enjoy spectacular views of the city and countryside.
?How to get around in Porto
The best way to get around Porto is to take the metro, bus or walk. Porto has an extensive public transport system run by the Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (which includes metro, buses and trams) which helps visitors reach the main attractions in and around the city. Subway lines are identified by different colors and letters, and many lines travel above ground and offer splendid views of the city. Porto's extensive bus network can be a bit confusing, and the metro provides access to most major attractions, but the bus is a great alternative for getting to some harder-to-reach places, including Foz, Serralves Museum and Vila Nova de Gaia. Once you are in the city center,
Walk
Most of Porto's roads are narrow, cobbled and winding, so they're best explored on foot. Organize your schedule in advance and plan to see the main attractions that are close together if you plan to use your two feet for transport – there are a few groups where you can see many of the main sites of the city without straining your legs too much.
By Metro
The Porto Metro has six lines that operate every day from 6 a.m. to around 1 a.m. and are marked with letters and colors: lines A (blue), B (red), C (green), D ( yellow), E (purple) and F (orange). Over 80 metro stations are spread across the city and are marked with signs bearing a wavy blue “M”. The majority of lines serve Porto's best sights, and traveling by metro is an affordable option when visiting the city. Purchasing a Porto card allows you to enjoy unlimited transport on the metro, buses and funiculars for a specific period of time, as well as free access to certain museums and discounts on other museums and restaurants. Porto cards cost 13, 20, 25 or 33 euros (about $13.50, $22,
If you do not buy a Porto card, you must buy a rechargeable blue Andante card to use the metro. Cards cost 0.60 euros (about 70 cents) and one-way fares start at 1.20 euros (about $1.35) and vary depending on the number of zones crossed. You must 'validate' your card when entering a station or changing lines by tapping your card on the validation machine and waiting for it to illuminate green. Keep your card for the duration of your stay and continue to top it up as you travel; cards can be recharged at any metro station.
By bus
More than 75 STCP bus lines are available throughout Porto and its surrounding areas, including Vila Nova de Gaia and Vila do Conde. Buses run regularly from 6 a.m. to around 9 p.m., with limited service from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Porto Cards and Andante Cards both work on buses, with one-way journeys starting at 1.20 euros for Andante Card holders and varying depending on the number of zones you pass through. You can also buy a single paper ticket on board the bus for 0.60 euros plus the necessary fare for your trip.
By tram and funicular
The STCP also operates three tram lines in Porto: Line 1, Line 18 and Line 22. Porto's trams (or cable cars) are a historical part of the city, dating back to 1872. Line 1 runs along the west coast and the river Douro from Matosinhos to Lóios. Lines 18 and 22 run circular routes near Hospital Geral de Santo António in southern Porto and near São Bento Station and Avenida dos Aliados in central Porto, respectively. Andante cards are accepted on the trams (Porto cards are not); individual tickets on board cost 3.50 euros (about 4 dollars).
The single-track funicular rides up and down the hill from Porto's Ribeira district to the higher Batalha Square. Tickets cost 2.50 euros (about $3) each way and times vary depending on the season.
By car
Since Porto is a small city, congested roads are not ideal for driving, renting a car is not your best option for getting around the city. Forget the car, unless you plan to travel a lot to other parts of Portugal or Spain. If you need to rent a vehicle, you can do so at the agencies at the airport or in town, which include Europcar, Avis and Sixt, among others.
In taxi
Porto taxis are relatively cheap compared to other European cities, but they are not cheap. Fares usually start around 2.50 euros (about $3) and increase for each mile traveled (just over half a mile). In most cases taxi drivers are helpful and speak English, but you can write down the address of your destination to avoid confusion. Uber also operates in Porto.
?When to go to Porto
The best time to visit Porto will largely depend on what you want to get out of your vacation. The main factors to consider are the climate, the events, the crowds and, of course, the weather.
Porto, like many European coastal cities, enjoys moderate temperatures. This makes it a top destination to visit all year round.
Whether you want to enjoy the busy streets in high season or have a magical experience in winter, a trip to Porto is always a winner.
Although Porto can experience some amount of rain in winter, the cost of visiting the city is significantly less during this time.
Overall, the weather in Porto in September is the best, allowing you to enjoy all that the city has to offer.
?How much time do you need to visit Porto
We think 3 days is perfect to see Porto's main attractions on your first visit. Many tourists choose to spend only one night there and leave the next day for other cities, but they end up regretting it and vow to book a longer stay next time.
Don't make the same mistake because Porto has a lot to offer. And no matter how long you spend here, you're sure to find fun around every corner.
Heart stroke
We assure you that it is impossible not to love Porto, city of the sea, an inexhaustible source of energy, serenity and freedom. These are the supposed therapeutic properties of these waters, the mansions of the bourgeois families who began to settle there in the 19th century, the fishing tradition that remains in the "Foz Velha", the unique charm of the Foz district ( Mouth of the river), which is a real treasure of the city and more.
FAQ What to do in Porto
?Best way to travel from Lisbon to Porto
The best way to get from Lisbon to Porto is to train, which takes 2h 46m and costs €23 - €35. You can also take the bus, which costs €14 - €22 and takes 3h 30m, or the plane, which costs €30 - €130 and takes 2h 56m.
?Is there a beach in Porto
The city of Porto is close to many beautiful beaches. Portugal's second largest city is best known for the Douro River which runs through its pretty old town, but there are also plenty of beaches in the area, both in the city and nearby.
?Is Porto a city that can be visited by walking
Yes ! The best way to explore the historic center of Porto is to walk through the narrow streets and alleys, which you will discover on our tours but which even sidecars cannot take. Most of the historic center is within a 4 km / 2 mile radius.
?Is Porto worth visiting in winter
Maybe you're looking for a cheap winter break or you've decided to go somewhere you've never been. Either way, here's why we think Porto is, in fact, one of the best European cities for a winter vacation!
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