If Lisbon is Portugals Stockholm, Porto is Gothenburg. A bit cooler, a bit more boho, a bit more of a music and art vibe. A small metropolitan centre of just 232,000 people, another 1.4 million live in the wider area. Settlement in Porto has started as early as the 6-8th century, and Port wine has been exported from the area for centuries.

Sights & Culture

Igreja do Carmo

The stonework is also incredible in a twinned church with a famous hand-painted tiled exterior.

Ponte Luís I

A double-decked metal bridge across River Douro, trains run along the top track with cars and pedestrians using the ground level.

Administered by Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. Eiffel is often mistakenly given credit for the Luís I Bridge, as he put in the first design (which was not selected). Eiffel and Seyrig had worked together on Maria Pia Bridge, a kilometre east of the Luís I. Completed in 1886. Over the years, it has had many improvements to deal with the ever-changing traffic.

Fonte dos Leões

A 19th Century fountain featuring four lions in a square outside the History Museum.

Ponte da Arrábida

Another landmark bridge over the Douro River, the Arrábida, is much newer than the Luís I Bridge. Finished in 1963, the bridge has a perfect symmetry making it a favourite of photographers. With 76 supporting pillars, the largest have statues on the side.

Farolim de Felgueiras

A lighthouse constructed in the 19th century from Granite,

Forte de São João Baptista

Construction started in the 16th century and finished in the 17th.

It was a crucial location in defence of Porto during the siege in 1832-3. For a time in the 20th century, it was the home of the poet Florbela Espanca.

O Homem do Leme

A statue by Américo Gomes is on the edge of the beach on the promenade. It Pays homage to the fishermen who provided so much to Porto and Portugal.

Castelo do Queijo

In the 6th century, the rocky area where the castle was built was once sacred to the Celtic tribe, Draganes. Nine hundred years later, the castle was constructed by a French military engineer, Miguel de l'Ècole. It was later rebuilt during the Restoration Wars, and by 1771 was a drain on the coffers of the city as it was responsible for maintaining the fort in a ready state.

After briefly being used as a. museum in the early 20th century, by 1943, the building was back in military service for use in the Second World War as an anti-aircraft emplacement.

Pavilhão Rosa Mota

A domed sports arena surrounded by gardens.

O Rapto de Ganimedes

The bronze statue from 1898 is one of Fernandes de Sá’s most important works.

Associação Comercial do Porto

The commerce association building

Farol do Pontão

The pontoon lighthouse at the entrance to the Duora river.

Monumento aos Mortos da Grande Guerra

A small monument to the Portuguese casualties of World War One.

Torre dos Clérigos

A singular 75-meter tower forms the most famous part of the Clérigos church. Completed in 1750, the narrow church and its towns are amongst the most recognisable icons of Porto.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Bairro da Bouça

Architected by Siza Vieira in the '70s these concrete blocks of social housing are some of Porto's most famous architectural works.

Câmara Municipal do Porto

Porto's city hall.

Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados

An 18th century Baroque church close to Sao Bento train station.

Oratório de São Sebastião

A tiny chapen for Saint Sebastian.

Palácio da Bolsa

A 19th century palace with internal tours.

Pelourinho do Porto

The Pillory of Porto sits in the square outside of the cathedral. Despite its appearance it is only 70 years old.

Sao Bento station

Porto's main train station. Decorated inside and out with painted tiles in mosaics of Portugal's history.

Sé do Porto

A Romanesque cathedral, originating from the 12th century. Both religious building and defensive fortification due to its location. It offers commanding views over the city.

Tribunal Judicial da Comarca do Porto

A sizable statue, illuminated at night marks the courthouse.

Museums & Galleries

Casa da Música

Completed in 2005, this 12-floor concert hall was designed by Rem Koolhaas and is one of the most iconic buildings in Porto.

The World of Wine

Set on the southern side of the river. The World of Wine is the largest and most well-known wine venue in the area. Many other smaller ‘tasting’ locations are scattered through the streets, but the World of Wine is the only one to make a museum of it.

Billing itself as an entire district, the WoW claims to pay homage to the area and its long history of port caverns. Aside from its wine, the location also offers lovely views back over the river to the heart of Porto in the north.

Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves

A sizeable modern art museum in Porto’s suburbs, the museum is set in the large Parque de Serralves. There are no permanent exhibitions, unlike many museums, but rather five guest artists a year are featured.

Al Weiwei was a key reason for our visit to the museum. His exhibit of Pequi tree, Roots and Human Figures was well worth the visit, both inside and out.

Casa de Serralves

Also, on Parque de Serralves, the Serralves Villa is a beautiful art deco building in salmon pink. A chapel, period furniture and a small collection of paintings make this building a must-visit.

MASA - Museu de Arte Sacra e Arqueologia

A museum of sacred art objects. Closed for Corona during my visit.

Parks & Gardens

Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque

Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque is a perfectly circular roundabout and park in Porto with ten roads radiating out into Porto. The park’s centre is a 45-meter high statue honouring Joaquim Augusto Mouzinho de Albuquerque and the victory of the Portuguese and British against the French in 1814.

Parque das Virtudes

A small split level garden that gives views over Porto and the Douro River and is a popular spot for picnicking in the city.

Jardim do Roseiral

A curated garden close to Pavilhão Rosa Mota.

Jardim de João Chagas

A small park in Porto with a calm atmosphere and Porto’s giant sycamore trees.

Parque da Quinta da Macieirinha

A sizable park surrounding Pavilhão Rosa Mota, with sculpted gardens and beautiful views.

Parque de Serralves

An 18-hectare park containing the Casa and Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves and a series of large sculptures from various famous artists, such as Claes Oldenburg, Dan Graham, Fernanda Gomes, Richard Serra, and Veit Stratmann.

The park is lovely any time of the year and a wonderful place to walk.

Treetop Walk Serralves

Part of the Parque de Serralves is the famous Treetop Walk, running near to the tree line. The walk gives visitors the chance to observe the preserved biodiversity of Serralves park.

Praia do Carneiro

A small beach near to Forte de São João Baptista.

Praia do Castelo do Queijo

A beach with heavy rock leading out into the water. A popular spot for divers.

Miradouro da Praia do Homem do Leme

A viewpoint promenade walkway with beautiful views over the beach and water.

Praia Internacional

It is a stretch of beach with a series of restaurants and bars behind it and the Castelo do Queijo to the left. A popular spot for surfing.

Miradouro da Ponte da Arrábida

Near to Pavilhão Rosa Mota, the viewpoint gives beautiful views over the Douru river.

Miradouro da Rua das Aldas

A viewpoint in the Cathedrals square looking out over Porto.

Torreão do Jardim do Palácio

Close to Miradouro da Ponte da Arrábida, the Palace Garden Tower gives a slight altitude improvement and so even better views than the Miradouro.

Restaurants & Bars

Subenshi Porto

A fanstastic multi story sushi restaurant with views over Jardim de João Chagas

Musa das Virtudes

A small brewpub, who are doing a range of beers produced by their internal brewery. It also makes a mean bar snack or two.

Maus Hábitos

Cool retro vibe bar/restaurant a the top of a skyscraper.

Café do Cais

A restaurant and cocktail bar right on the riverfront. It gets hectic outside as the sun starts to set. It is worth getting there early to get a good seat.

Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau

Crudely translating to ‘codfish cake’, the pastel or bolinho is a uniquely Portuguese delicacy.

The charming interior is one part Barnham and Bailey, and one part Harry Potter, and behind the counters, the chefs are whipping up Pastels by the dozen. They are a delicious snack simply made with cod, potato, egg, parsley, and olive oil.

Rota Do Chá

An Asian tea house with an outdoor garden.

Encaixados

Fantastic Portuguese restaurant set in a brick-walled restaurant in Porto centre.

The Royal Cocktail Club

Multi-award-winning cocktail bar with a good range of non-alcoholic mocktail choices as well. A luxurious but unpretentious atmosphere makes you feel like you’re in a hipster’s private members club.

Café Vitória

Primarily vegetarian cuisine with a lovely outdoor space

Nicolau Porto

Excellent place for brunch, offering healthy but tasty meal choices and great coffee. Pastel colours dominate, as does a good bit of neon.

Majestic Café

Remarkably similar to Café Tortoni in Buenos Aires in Argentina, the Majestic Cafe is a Belle Epoque-era cafe in Porto with period mirrors, carved wood, beautiful chandeliers and a menu full of cakes, high teas and chocolates.

A perfect spot to indulge.

Sunse7

Right on the beachfront of Praia Internacional. Offering typical beachfront fair but at reasonable prices and good service.

Sports & Activities

Singers

From time to time, university students, dressed in matching black uniforms and capes perform music and dance for coins.

Street Art

Porto is famous for its varied street art, graffiti scatted around the city, making the whole place a giant art museum.

Porto