Location: Porto
Top Things to do in Porto
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What to do and see in Porto, Northern Portugal: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present. The old town, centered at Ribeira, was built on the hills overlooking the Douro River, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 14th-century São Francisco church is a main attraction, as are the local port wine cellars, mostly located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia.
Restaurants in Porto
1. Church of Santa Clara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
Reviewed By culturedportugal
The interior decoration of this church is incredible - gold, gold and more gold. An architectural beauty.
2. Igreja de Sao Francisco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,460 reviews
Reviewed By JanesLondon - Surbiton, United Kingdom
This chuch has stunning golden Baroque interior and a wonderful carved altarpiece: the Tree of Jesse. There is also a small museum attached. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip.
3. Ponte de Dom Luis I
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,398 reviews
Built in 1886, this bridge links Porto and Gaia.
Reviewed By 364anac - Porto, Portugal
This Eiffel style bridge is the perfect spot to see the Rebelo boats where the Oporto wine barrels were carried down the river from the Douro valley, the historic Porto town center and a perfect background for the trip picture from the Gaia cable car (teleférico de Gaia)
4. Torre dos Clerigos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,585 reviews
Clérigos Tower is the foremost undisputed landmark of Porto and a reference in the city's history. Clérigos Tower opened its doors in 1763, becoming the highest bell tower of Portugal, with over 75 metres. In 1753 the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni was invited to design and build this magnificent Heritage, considered National Monument since 1910. The famous church was built in the eighteenth century, between 1732 and 1749 and this was the most emblematic work of the architect Nicolau Nasoni. Is one of the most beautiful temples of baroque feature, and a reference in the history of Porto. The Exhibitions allow to discover the history of the Brotherhood of Clérigos, admire pieces from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century, in painting, furniture, jewellery and vestment collections. Christus collection, on the 3 floor, is a trip through time and space where art and religion complement each other.
Reviewed By NickofSurrey - Surrey, United Kingdom
We debated whether to bother but on this our last morning decided at go as we were passing. 5 euros for admission to the church, exhibition areas and the tower. Church is very nice and ornate. Tower is not for the infirm. Step and very narrow steps reward you with some of the best views of the city (though fhe Dom Luis 1 bridge is hidden from view). We went in at 09 50 and had only been at the top for 5 minutes when a lot of people arrived. I guess they believed it opened at 1000 by the suddenly influx. It was then difficult to get past each other. Opens at 0900.
5. Douro River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,397 reviews
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, United States
A Mighty River of Commerce In November, we were once more on the Douro River, or above it, watching it flow. We spent hours on the patio of our room at the Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia, observing the life blood of northern Portugal, the Douro River. Unlike our previous visit, we did not have time to take a cruise on the Douro, higher above Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, but we actually had more time to just watch the river flow - the water taxis, the tourist cruise vessels, and then the flow of commerce. Looking out at the replicas of the rabelos, the boats used to bring the Port wines down from the vineyards, far upstream, to the Port Houses of Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto, I could almost imagine those earlier journeys. Though the River has been tamed somewhat, by a series of dams and locks, it is still a powerful current, heading toward the Atlantic, just a few miles away. In some ways, the Douro reminded me of the Mississippi River, in the USA, with the various types of vessels plying it hourly. Just watching commerce, in various forms, became a pastime with us, and with a bottle of wine, we could have spent the entire trip, just watching this river.
6. Palacio da Bolsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,347 reviews
National Monument, located in the historical centre of the city, classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Palacio da Bolsa, built by the Porto Commercial Association on the ruins of the Saint Francis Convent, has become by excellence the Porto city’s drawing room, welcoming the most illustrious visitors, amongst which are monarchs, presidents and ministers from almost every country, transforming this building into the most visited monument in northern Portugal.
Reviewed By JimRiesterer - Edina, United States
Formerly the HQ for the rich merchants of Porto and today the center of the chamber of commerce, you will want to take one of the short guided tours of this place next to the famous golden church. Tickets cost €10 and you will be guided through some historic and breathtaking rooms in the Stock exchange palace. Tours are offered in different languages throughout the day and you just need to pop into the ticket office to find out the day's schedule as it varies (apparently). We arrived 9:40 and we able to book the 10:15 English tour. Each group has around 50 people which can be a bit tedious. The tours follow a consistent plan beginning in the lofty hall of nations and ending in the amazing Arabic room. You also see the business court room and several others of note. We were done in a little under an hour.
7. Estadio do Dragao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,947 reviews
Have you ever thought of taking a seat on the 22nd chair of the Dragao Stadium's Presidential Box? By visiting the Dragao Stadium, you will be able to experience the President's Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa place and enjoy an inside and privileged look over this worldwide referenced work designed by architect Manuel Salgado. You will have the opportunity to see the pitch from the access tunnel's point of view, to feel the scent of the dressing rooms, to take the coach's seat on the press conference room just like you are making the match analysis... On this path you will appreciate an engineering project that delivers all of the requirements that make it environmentally friendly, you can witness on the stands the 29 kilometres of rows that can fill up to 52 thousand spectators and amaze yourself with the artistic legacy of Master Julio Resende and Alberto Carneiro. All of this in one tour only!
Reviewed By Prenton2
A fantastic place to visit tour of ground and museum €15 per person well worth the money as a trip. Tour guide very knowledgeable and after the tour of the stadium finished you are able to go around the museum unguided and at your own pace you can easily spend over 2 hours here the museum is never-ending ! Interesting day out if you like football. There is also a competitively priced cafe .
8. Capela das Almas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,087 reviews
Reviewed By naila_al - Baku, Azerbaijan
Located in the middle of the pedestrian Santa Catarina street this beautiful church has an amazing exterior design. Take a minute (may be with coffee, as I did), sit on the bench and just observe the scenes reflected on the walls.
9. Cais da Ribeira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,851 reviews
Reviewed By rhmclapham - Swansea, United Kingdom
The beating heart of an incredible city, just sitting in one of the myriad cafes and restaurants and watching the world bustle past....one of life's must do moments that will linger for a lifetime. Ships ploughing their way up the river, ferries making their way between banks, couples laughing, glorious food, wine and vistas to die for... Did I mention it was a nice place to visit?
10. Igreja do Carmo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,033 reviews
The catholic Church of Our Lady of Carmo, national heritage, is of the baroque-rococo style, belonging to carmelite laymen: the third religious order of Our Lady of Carmo (or Carmel, in english, after Our Lady of Carmel, the patroness of the Order). The Third Religious Order of Our lady of Carmo in Oporto was founded in 1736 and opened for worship on July 24 ,1768. Masses everyday by 9:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and Sunday another mass by 12:30. Rosary: 2:30 p.m. everyday. One may visit the Touristic circuit by a small fee that helps to rebuild and restore its heritage: by 3,5 euros one may visit the Hidden House (narrowest house of Oporto), church, catacombs, sacristy and three other rooms with ancient paintings and vestments, available everytime there isn't an event. To visit only the hidden house, there's a ticket which costs 2 euros. Whenever wishing just to only see the church (with no entry fee), we ask you to be a bit earlier than the time of mass, so not to interrupt the masses.
Reviewed By JenSingap0re - Singapore, null
Blue tiled external walls and narrowest house in Porto. Just a short walk from the famed Livraria Lello bookshop where Rowling was rumoured to write the 1st 2 Harry Potter books. A must visit and for fellow Catholics, the beautiful church is of the Third Order of the Carmelites as well.
