Porto, Portugal Travel Guide

Porto is Portugal’s second largest city, and it is steeped in 2,000 years of history. This city offers a fascinating blend of architectural altitudes, styles, and eras. Many historic centers here are UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its wealth of treasures.

Douro River

A great way to see Porto is on a leisurely boat cruise. It will give you a great view of the city as its buildings are seemingly stacked in one another. You will also have time to sail beneath Porto’s elegant bridges including Dom Lewis designed by Gustav Eiffel’s assistant. It opened in 1886 and it is one of the longest iron arch bridges in the world. It carries road traffic and metro trains across its double decks.

Ribera

Ribera is an enchanting old quarter just below the Dom Lewis. It is a hilly warren of pavement cafes, narrow alleyways, and crumbling buildings. Walking through this neighborhood will give you a flavor of local life. The Ribera is a fascinating place to visit.

Stock Exchange Building

The Stock Exchange Building is a stone’s throw from the Ribera. It was built to impress European investors in the 29th century. Moorish decoration inspired by the Alhambra makes the interior dazzling.

Salle Bientôt Train Station

Another must see attraction in Porto is the Salle Bientôt Train Station. Ensure you step inside this iconic train station to gaze at the painted tiles. They are known as Azules and they depict events from Portugal’s history.

Romanesque Cathedral

The Romanesque Cathedral was originally built in the 12th century and it has been extensively rebuilt and renovated over the years. This has resulted in an eclectic mix of styles and the Gothic Rose window is the only remainder from the original building. You can get outstanding views of this city’s terra-cotta rooftops from here.

Bell Tower of Clary

This tower is visible from all part of Porto. It is 245ft high, and it is one of the tallest buildings in Portugal. When you are out and about exploring this beautiful city, the Bell Tower of Clary can be a great navigation tool.

Port Wine

No trip to Porto is complete without tasting some of its favorite port wine. It is produced in the Douro Valley, and it is blended and aged in the Gaia district. You can find out the importance of port wine to this region by taking a tour around the cellars.

Douro Valley

Douro Valley is the heart of port wine in Portugal. It is renowned for its charming little towns, rolling hills, and acres of vineyards.

So whether you want to glide down the Douro River, stroll centuries old streets, or discover the delicious port wine world, Porto is a beautiful and fascinating city waiting to be explored.