What to see, what to do in Porto: our must-sees

As one of the oldest cities in Europe, Porto does not leave the traveler indifferent.

Second largest city in Portugal, this steep city rises on hills falling abruptly on the banks of the Douro, spanned by the majestic Dom-Luis bridge.

Its past, but also its present, can be discovered in the churches covered with azulejos, in the coolness of the wine cellars, in the contemporary art galleries and on the lively terraces of its welcoming neighborhoods where the clamor of the Estádio resounds. do Dragão on FC Porto game nights.

To discover

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See also48 hours in Porto, an epicurean stroll through the wine capital

Wine and gastronomy in Porto

Café Majestic is a real institution in Porto.

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Discovering the culinary traditions of northern Portugal

Since 1914, the Mercado do Bolhão (closed on Sundays) has been the beating heart of Porto's gastronomy.

Strolling between the stalls of this semi-covered market, we are intoxicated by the smell of fruits, flowers, freshly baked bread, cheese and fresh fish.

The top floor of the building houses a dozen restaurants where you can taste the

, a local specialty that has earned Portuans the nickname of

.

BOOK YOUR GASTRONOMIC TOUR

A true institution in Porto, the Café Majestic is the ideal place to sip a coffee in a remarkable Art Deco setting and savor a famous

, the little French, one of the typical dishes of the city.

Inspired by the croque-monsieur, this sandwich consists of two slices of toasted bread, stuffed with a thin slice of beef, sausage, spicy

and ham, covered with melted cheese and served with a very tasty sauce.

All served with fries and a fried egg.

A delight !

Read alsoWine tourism: trip to the Douro Valley, departing from Porto

Port wine, from the Douro Valley to the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia

The Douro Valley is one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world.

TMAX

From the Ribeira quays, just take the iconic Dom-Luis bridge on foot to reach Vila Nova de Gaia.

Taking the bridge from above, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city before arriving at the Jardim de Morro.

Passing from the bottom, you arrive directly on the quays of Gaia where the

have been established since the 18th century , the cellars where the famous wine to which the city gave its name matures.

Most cellars are open for visits, usually accompanied by tastings.

It is also possible to discover the subtleties of the precious nectar by sitting down on the terrace of a restaurant to enjoy a view of the shimmering colored facades of Porto, on the other side of the Douro, on which sailors once sailed.

, the traditional flat-bottomed boats that carried the barrels of sweet wine.

To go back to the sources of the divine beverage, the best thing is to take a cruise on the river, to discover the striking landscapes offered by the terraced vines sculpting the Upper Douro valley, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

BOOK YOUR CRUISE ON THE DOURO

Culture & religious heritage in Porto

The colorful Ribeiro district is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Ribeira, the soul of Porto

It is while strolling in the emblematic district of Ribeira, that one takes the pulse of Porto.

It seduces with its houses with colorful facades and its maze of steep alleys zigzagging to the Douro.

On the Cais da Ribeira, on the banks of the river, the arcades carved into the granite of the walls, where the fishermen once stored their nets, are now occupied by the tascas where you can sit at a table at sunset to appreciate the serenade of street musicians and admire the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other bank.

From the quays, stroll lightly towards the upper town through a maze of cobbled streets and medieval stairs, around which you will discover charming cafés.

The less athletic can save money by taking the

or the Dos Guindais funicular.

BOARDING THE FUNICULAR

Porto over the azulejos

In the center of Porto, the hall of São Bento station is decorated with more than 20,000 azujelos.

Tomasz Warszewski

In Porto, azulejos, traditional hand-painted earthenware tiles, are everywhere, including in monuments.

Made of dark stone, the Igreja do Carmo, one of the most beautiful churches in the city, stands out for its sublime azulejos covering its side facade.

Those adorning the exterior of the Capela das Almas, or Chapel of Souls, are equally beautiful.

Among the emblematic buildings of the city, the Palácio da Bolsa, the old stock exchange, is also worth a visit.

Don't be fooled by its neoclassical facade;

just cross the threshold, over a guided tour, to be transported to a series of majestic rooms, including the Sala Araba, built in a neo-Moorish style inspired by the Alhambra in Granada.

Another must-see is São Bento station, whose hall is decorated with more than 20,000 white and blue patterned tiles illustrating significant episodes in the country's history.

GUIDED TOUR OF THE PALACIO DA BOLSA

Trip to traditional stalls

Located in the historic center, the sublime Lello bookstore would have inspired JK Rowling to imagine certain passages from the Harry Potter saga.

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With its two or three-storey buildings with wrought iron balconies, Rua das Flores is imbued with a singular charm.

Once famous for its goldsmiths and jewellers, this pedestrian shopping street is now one of the trendiest streets in the city.

Higher up, Rua das Carmelitas is home to the unmissable Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, located in a neo-Gothic building from 1906. Its wood-panelled interior and grand red staircase would have inspired JK Rowling to imagine some passages from Harry Potter.

To enter this magical universe you have to pay an entrance fee which will be deducted from any purchases.

GUIDED TOUR IN THE HISTORIC CENTER

Contemporary art in Porto, from the streets to the museums

In the park of the same name, the Casa de Serralves hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions.

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Casa da Música & Serralves Foundation

One of the symbols of Porto, the Casa da Música brings life and dynamism to Mouzinho Square in Albuquerque.

If the building mainly attracts music lovers, design and architecture enthusiasts also come to admire its particular shapes and discover its labyrinthine corridors leading to the concert halls it houses.

Continuing on Avenida da Boavista, we discover the Serralves Foundation (closed on Mondays), a museum housed in a minimalist building bathed in light, where contemporary art and nature intertwine.

Here, visitors marvel at the remarkable architecture of the Casa de Serralves, an Art Deco villa with a pink facade, hosting temporary exhibitions.

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Cedofeita, art galleries and street art

Cedofeita is one of the neighborhoods that shapes downtown Porto.

You can find most of the city's art galleries here, especially in Rua de Miguel Bombarda, where you come face to face with various works of urban art created by local artists such as Costah, Hazul and Tina Siuda .

Strolling along Rua de Cedofeita, on each side of the street on the shutters of the lowered shops, we discover some of the many street-art works that dot the neighborhood.

After touring the concept stores of Rua do Rosário, we enjoy a walk in the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal for a return to nature.