Things to do in Porto
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Top 10 attractions in Porto
Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello has been a bookstore very much of its times ever since 1906, carrying within it over a century of history and stories, imbued into its architectural surroundings and also into the bookish knowledge that shape the experiences of those who visit and those who read. In our Milestones, we take a look back at the most defining moments, introduce some of the most influential personalities and witnesses to the many odd stories that have cropped up along the successful route journeyed by Livraria Lello!Porto · 1.3 km from downtown
Porto Cathedral
Porto Cathedral stands prominently on a hill in Porto, one of the city's ancient monuments. The facade is almost devoid of decoration, making it quite unique among church architecture: two square bell towers flank the sides, with a Romanesque rose window and a Baroque-era portico set against a plain facade, while the crenellated battlements above give the entire structure a fortress-like appearance. The Baroque loggia on the side facade, designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, adds a touch of splendor to the exterior. Porto Cathedral stands majestically on the high ground of the old town, one of the ancient buildings still existing in Porto and an important example of Romanesque architecture in Portugal. The cathedral was first built around 1110 and largely completed in the 13th century, with Gothic and Baroque elements added over the following centuries: the Romanesque nave, Gothic cloister, and Baroque loggia coexist within the same structure, making a visit akin to flipping through a three-dimensional architectural history book. As a city landmark that has existed for nearly a millennium, the church was built approx. in 1110, with construction spanning a century. Even today, many intricate architectural features remain fascinating. The square bell towers on either side of the church are quite unique due to their nearly bare facades, while the crenellated structures at the top incorporate castle-like elements. Additionally, the interior features many delightful blue-and-white tile murals, a hallmark of Portuguese architecture.Porto · 1.9 km from downtown
Douro River
The Douro River originates in the mountains of northern Spain, flowing westward through northern Portugal for nearly 900 km before finally merging into the Atlantic Ocean in Porto. Porto thrived because of this river, with its old town cascading along the northern slopes and the Gaia district on the opposite bank. The name "Port" wine comes from Porto, as it was historically shipped from the wine cellars across the river to destinations worldwide. The river's striking landmark is the Dom Luís I Bridge, completed in 1886: a double-deck iron arch structure designed by engineer Théophile Seyrig, who once partnered with the designer of the Eiffel Tower. The upper deck accommodates pedestrians and the subway, while the lower deck is for vehicles and pedestrians. The Ribeira Quay at the bridge's northern end is one of the oldest parts of the old town, where waterfront houses and narrow alleys belong to Porto's historic center, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Today, this riverside area is bustling with bars and restaurants, making it a lively spot in the city. On the southern bank, the Gaia riverside is home to numerous Port wine cellars, many of which offer tours and tastings. The river also features traditional flat-bottomed wooden boats called "rabelos," which for centuries transported Port wine from upstream vineyards to this location. For a different perspective of the city, take a river cruise from the Ribeira or Gaia docks. The round-trip boat ride takes approx. one hour, passing under several bridges and offering a unique view of the old town and wine cellars from the water. In the evening, the bridge and riverbanks provide open vistas perfect for sunset and night views. A westward stroll along the river leads to the estuary where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Ribeira area is crowded with travelers—vibrant but busy—so those seeking tranquility might prefer walking toward the estuary. With ample time, venture further inland along the river: the upstream Douro Valley, covered in terraced vineyards, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the origin of Port wine. During the late June Festa de São João, traditional wine boat races take place on the river, creating a festive atmosphere.Porto · 1.4 km from downtown
Clerigos Tower
This iconic building in Porto was built in 1732 and completed only 30 years ago. It is a typical Baroque tower. Standing on the commanding heights here, the roofs of the residential buildings in front of you are full of bright colors like autumn leaves, adding a jumping vitality to the old city. When the sun goes down, the forest-like scenery will make you feel like a dream.Porto · 1.5 km from downtown
Porto Cálem
Porto Cálem is located in a picturesque wine region, serving as a unique destination that combines wine production, tasting, and cultural experiences. The winery attracts wine enthusiasts and visitors with its premium wines and traditional winemaking techniques. The beautiful vineyard setting, along with ideal soil and climate conditions, provides the perfect foundation for crafting high-quality wines. Visit the winery and you'll have the opportunity to delve into the winemaking process, from grape cultivation to wine maturation. The winery offers professional guided tours that take you through the winemaking facilities and cellars, showcasing how vintners transform nature's bounty into exquisite wines. The tasting session lets you sample the winery's signature wines, experiencing the subtle differences between vintages and varieties. Additionally, the winery features a cozy tasting room and an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy wine and food pairings while admiring the surrounding natural beauty. It's not just a place to savor wine, but also a venue to experience winemaking culture and enjoy peaceful moments, perfect for all visitors looking to explore the world of wine.Vila Nova de Gaia · 2.3 km from Porto
Bolsa Palace
Bolsa Palace is an iconic building that combines architectural art, commercial culture, and public event functions, and it also serves as the headquarters of the Commercial Association of Porto. Construction began in 1842. The building is primarily Neoclassical in style, incorporating designs from various architects. Its facade is solemn and elegant, while the interior decoration showcases diverse artistic styles. One of its notable spaces is the Arab Room, which is famous for its interior decorations inspired by the Alhambra, exquisite woodwork, and intricate patterns, and is often used for formal ceremonies and musical events. The building also features several other spaces, such as the Assembly Hall, the Portrait Room, and the Golden Room, which display paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.Porto · 1.8 km from downtown
Church of Saint Ildefonso
Church of Saint Ildefonso is a Catholic church renowned for its Baroque architectural style and blue-and-white tiled exterior walls. The main structure, built in the 18th century, is constructed entirely of granite and features two bell towers on the front, topped with stone pinnacles and crosses. The facade is symmetrical, with a triangular pediment above the central entrance. A striking feature of the exterior walls is the approx. 11,000 traditional blue-and-white Portuguese tiles. These tiles were completed in 1932 and depict themes related to the Eucharist. The interior features a single nave, side altars, and a main altar, with an elongated octagonal layout and decorative details on the walls and ceiling. Visitors can admire the details of the tile paintings outside the building or enter to view the religious art and architectural decorations.Porto · 1.9 km from downtown
Ribeira
Ribeira is located in the historic center of Porto and is one of the city's iconic riverside districts. Built along the hillside, narrow cobblestone streets extend toward the riverbank, lined with colorful traditional buildings. Red-tiled roofs, balconies, arches, and street-side shops create a distinct urban landscape. Ribeira Square, located along the river, is an important public space in the district, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, bars, and souvenir shops. Visitors can relax at outdoor seating areas and enjoy the view of the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank. Sightseeing boats are moored at the riverbank docks. Taking a boat allows you to admire the architecture along the Douro River and the bridges connecting the two banks, among which the Luís I Bridge is particularly striking.Porto · 1.9 km from downtown
Luís I Bridge
The Luís I Bridge is located in Porto, Portugal, and is an important bridge spanning the Douro River, connecting Porto's historic center with Vila Nova de Gaia. It is also a highly representative city landmark. The structure features a large iron arch and a two-level deck design, with a total length of approximately 395m. The bridge is composed of dark metal components, and its massive curved arch spans the valley, showcasing the characteristics of 19th-century industrial architecture. The upper deck connects the area near Porto Cathedral with the Jardim do Morro in Vila Nova de Gaia and is currently used by Porto's subway trains and pedestrians; the lower deck is closer to the riverbank, connecting the Ribeira district of Porto with the riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia, and also features a pedestrian walkway.Porto · 2.2 km from downtown
Sandeman
Sandeman is located on the banks of the Douro River, facing the historic center of Porto across the water, and is a representative site for visiting port wine in the area. The granite building it occupies was built in 1811, featuring a simple and solid exterior, and houses wine storage spaces, exhibition areas, and a tasting room inside. It primarily showcases Sandeman port wine, along with its production, aging, and tasting methods. During the tour, visitors can learn about the wine culture of the Douro River region, see the barrels used for aging wine, and understand the flavor profiles of different types of port wine. The exhibition area also displays paintings, photos, pottery, and historical items related to the brand, including collectible antique wine bottles.Vila Nova de Gaia · 2.3 km from Porto
Experiences you can't miss in Porto
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More things to do
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Free things to do in Porto
Ribeira
Porto · 1.9 km from downtownLuís I Bridge
Porto · 2.2 km from downtown
Chapel of Souls
Porto · 1.7 km from downtown
Cais da Ribeira
Porto · 2.1 km from downtown
Crystal Palace
Porto · 945m from downtown
Liberty Square
Porto · 1.5 km from downtown
Mercado do Bolhao
Porto · 1.6 km from downtown
Ribeira Square
Porto · 2 km from downtown
What travelers say about Porto
Paulo LastimosaJanuary 2, 2026
5.0
The most beautiful bookstore in the world! What can I say. Magnificent. It’s just that there’s just so many people. But what do you expect? People also wanna see the most beautiful bookstore in the world.
Livraria Lello
A&BeeAugust 20, 2026
5.0
Worth to visit this place , Expecial when u walk up to the tower and have a look around the Porto , it’s located besides the famous historic bridge . U can over look the historic side of the old city and another side of the river .
Porto Cathedral
ポルトに留学中April 14, 2023
5.0
The view from here is amazing!
You can view it from both under and above the bridge, and both offer different views so I recommend it.
I especially recommend taking the metro to the top to enjoy the view!
Douro River
Anonymous userSeptember 28, 2025
5.0
Clérigos Tower is one of Porto’s must-sees. climb to the top for amazing 360° city views. The stairs are a bit narrow but totally worth it!
Clerigos Tower
Anonymous userDecember 17, 2024
5.0
This is one of the century-old wineries on the Douro River. There are countless wineries along the river. The winery runs its own restaurant across the street and sells its wines to tourists passing by. You can taste them. This winery provides one-stop service, from the lobby to the exhibition hall, and there are all kinds of introductions inside. Finally, we go to the second floor to taste three glasses of wine. It's too sweet for me...
Porto Cálem
赵在大道上z16December 31, 2025
5.0
Advance booking is required. Tickets can be purchased on-site, but there will be a waiting time. A guide will lead the tour. Note: The entire introduction focuses on historical figures and has nothing to do with securities.
Bolsa Palace
mellow888October 27, 2024
5.0
Mesmerising piece of history and design. There’s a lot to see for €1 - the church is gorgeous but the museum section is quite small. It has a calming and healing energy. ✨
Church of Saint Ildefonso
痴痴的饿货April 15, 2020
5.0
There are old towns along the Douro River. Although they look a bit shabby at first glance, I really like the atmosphere of history that is a bit dilapidated. The old town is also colorful and well-arranged, and it looks even more lovely under the sunshine. There are many small shops in the old street where you can stroll around and buy some local specialties. There are also many scenic restaurants along the river where you can spend a very relaxing afternoon.
Ribeira
Maple1113December 17, 2024
5.0
There are so many people. The bridge has two floors. The lower floor is mainly for traffic, and the upper floor has a large number of hikers and trams. You can stop to admire the Douro River and the buildings on both sides. The scenery is very good. There are railways and trams on the bridge, so you must pay attention to safety and be careful about your finances.
Luís I Bridge
孔垂信001January 18, 2020
4.0
This winery is also a very famous winery in the local area, where you can taste authentic wine.
Sandeman
