Porto Car Rental  Porto Hotel Discounts  Porto Flight Discounts

Porto Tourist Attractions, Landmarks, Monuments and Porto Sightseeing
(Porto, Portugal, PT)



The majority of the most prominent tourist attractions, noteworthy landmarks and important monuments in Porto and sited within the compact city centre and are generally just a stone's throw from each other. However, do bear in mind that much of Porto is fairly hilly and tourists may find that reaching the attractions can involve walking up a series of steep inclines.

Various tours operate within the city, such as Porto Tours on the Calçade Pedro Pitoes, close to the cathedral and the towering Torre dos Clérigos. Hop-on hop-off bus tours are also available and operated by the local company Porto Vintage, while some tourists may prefer to take a leisurely cruise down the River Douro. Cruises take place on 'barcos rabelos' boats once used to transport port wine and depart from the Cais da Estiva or alternatively the Cais da Ribeira.




Porto Tourist Attractions: Ribeira - Porto, Portugal, PT
The vibrant riverfront Ribeira is where many of Porto's leading attractions reside, offering a particularly good insight into the city's history and past. The riverside promenade is well worth looking out for and is actually where the city's traditional boats (barcos rabelos) once ferried port wine along the River Douro. Although this district is often buzzing with visitors and prominent landmarks, it remains fairly relaxed and not overly touristy. Particular attractions in the Ribeira area of Porto include the renovated Caso do Infante, the Gothic church of Igreja de Sao Francisco, the magnificent Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) and the many interesting, winding streets, which connect the Praça da Ribeira and its many tiled houses. Close by is Porto Cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure, which overlooks this square from its hilltop setting.
Porto tourist attraction open: daily
Porto tourist attraction admission: free

Porto Tourist Attractions: Avenida dos Aliados, Praça da Batalha and Mercado do Bolhao - Porto, Portugal, PT
The Avenida dos Aliados is an important thoroughfare and definitely a little Parisian in its style and appearance. The avenue's central square is an important hub for local public transport, although the main tourist attractions are located uphill, such as the Igreja dos Clérigos church and the adjacent Torre dos Clérigos, a tall tower of more than 75 metres / 246 feet in height, offering superb views of the Porto cityscape for those prepared to climb its 225 steps to the top. Head to the east of the Avenida dos Aliados and you will encounter the Mercado do Bolhao, a buzzing market open from Monday to Saturday and a great place to buy local cheeses, meats and flowers. Nearby and still within this part of Porto, the Rua Santa Catarina is the place for shopping, while to the south, the Praça da Batalha is where you will find both the church of Igreja de Santo Ildefonso and the Teatro Nacional Sao Joao, an important national theatre-cum-opera house dating back to 1794.
Porto tourist attraction open: daily
Porto tourist attraction admission: free

Porto Tourist Attractions: Cordoaria - Porto, Portugal, PT
Head uphill from the Avenida dos Aliados and you will soon come upon the rather green and pleasant Jardim da Cordoaria, which is generally referred to by both locals and visitors alike as simply the 'Cordoaria'. There are numerous attractions and historical landmarks within the Cordoaria area of Porto and these include the Igreja do Carmo church on the Praça Gomes Teixeira, the palatial Hospital Geral de Santo António, and the former Jewish quarter (judiaria), next to the Portuguese Photography Centre.
Porto tourist attraction open: daily
Porto tourist attraction admission: free

Porto Tourist Attractions: Boavista and Western Porto - Porto, Portugal, PT
The enormous roundabout that is the Praça de Mousinho de Albuquerque is an especially notable landmark in Porto, since it separates both the 'new' and 'old' parts of the city. This is the place where the ever-popular Casa da Música is situated, the city's premier concert hall. Just 3 km / 2 miles to the west of the Casa da Música is the rather upmarket and affluent neighbourhood based around the Avenida Boavista, where many top attractions and contemporary buildings are sited. Those looking for a little respite will find the 45-acre / 18-hectare Parque de Sarralves and its many wonderful fountains nothing short of an oasis.
Porto tourist attraction open: daily
Porto tourist attraction admission: free

Porto Tourist Attractions: Palácio de Cristal to Foz do Douro - Porto, Portugal, PT
Once one of the most significant landmarks in Porto, the Palácio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) was a particularly impressive old building demolished some 50 years, to make way for the Sports Pavilion, named the Pavilion Rosa Mota. This vast stadium is hard to miss, with is imposing domed structure towering roughly 30 metres / 98 feet in height and capable of accommodating more than 4,500 spectators. Located within the gardens known as the Jardim do Palácio de Cristal, tourists will find that the Rosa Mota Sports Pavilion hosts an array of sporting attractions each year, along with concerts, theatrical events, conventions and various exhibitions.
Porto tourist attraction open: daily
Porto tourist attraction admission: free

Porto Tourist Attractions: Vila Nova de Gaia (Gaia) - Porto, Portugal, PT
Although Vila Nova de Gaia is really considered to be a Portuguese city and municipality in its own right, its proximity to Porto means that locals often consider it to be a suburb. Vila Nova de Gaia lies across the River Douro and is connected to Porto be a series of rather splendid bridges. Many of the historical port warehouses have been transformed into glitzy clubs and restaurants, and as night-time approaches, Vila Nova de Gaia becomes Portugal's somewhat understated version of Las Vegas, with plenty of eye-catching neon signs brightening up the streets.
Porto tourist attraction open: daily
Porto tourist attraction admission: free

 
PORTO TRAVEL GUIDE...