Home Me Guide - Welcome to Porto
HM Guide
Our favourite spots in Porto.
Sticking out on Porto's skyline like a sore thumb – albeit a beautiful baroque one – this 76m-high tower was designed by Italian-born baroque master Nicolau Nasoni in the mid-1700s. Climb its 225-step spiral staircase for phenomenal views over Porto's tiled rooftops, spires and the curve of the Douro to the port-wine lodges in Gaia. It also harbours an exhibition that chronicles the history of the tower's architects and residents.
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Clérigos Tower
Rua de São Filipe de NerySticking out on Porto's skyline like a sore thumb – albeit a beautiful baroque one – this 76m-high tower was designed by Italian-born baroque master Nicolau Nasoni in the mid-1700s. Climb its 225-step spiral staircase for phenomenal views over Porto's tiled rooftops, spires and the curve of the Douro to the port-wine lodges in Gaia. It also harbours an exhibition that chronicles the history of the tower's architects and residents.
Igreja de São Francisco looks from the outside to be an austerely Gothic church, but inside it hides one of Portugal’s most dazzling displays of baroque finery. Hardly a centimetre escapes unsmothered, as otherworldly cherubs and sober monks are drowned by nearly 100kg of gold leaf. If you see only one church in Porto, make it this one.
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Monument Church Of St Francis
Rua do Infante Dom HenriqueIgreja de São Francisco looks from the outside to be an austerely Gothic church, but inside it hides one of Portugal’s most dazzling displays of baroque finery. Hardly a centimetre escapes unsmothered, as otherworldly cherubs and sober monks are drowned by nearly 100kg of gold leaf. If you see only one church in Porto, make it this one.
This garden is set out in a unique way because it is not flat but vertical. In other words it is comprised of terraces carved into the embankment, so that you have a fascinating view over Alfândega do Porto, the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia.
If you visit this garden, you'll find it to be a hidden gem in the middle of the city and a perfect location, as it is so close to the historic centre. It has lots of tall trees, so there's no lack of shady places!
Although it is not far from another garden, Jardim da Cordoaria, Jardim das Virtudes is known for having less people, perhaps because it is not so publicised and also because it is not easy to find the entrance or the exit! There is an entrance on Rua Azevedo de Albuqeurque and another behind Palácio da Justiça.
It has a lot of green areas and various modern statues, as well as a fountain.
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Park Cnoty
53-3 Passeio das VirtudesThis garden is set out in a unique way because it is not flat but vertical. In other words it is comprised of terraces carved into the embankment, so that you have a fascinating view over Alfândega do Porto, the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia.
If you visit this garden, you'll find it to be a hidden gem in the middle of the city and a perfect location, as it is so close to the historic centre. It has lots of tall trees, so there's no lack of shady places!
Although it is not far from another garden, Jardim da Cordoaria, Jardim das Virtudes is known for having less people, perhaps because it is not so publicised and also because it is not easy to find the entrance or the exit! There is an entrance on Rua Azevedo de Albuqeurque and another behind Palácio da Justiça.
It has a lot of green areas and various modern statues, as well as a fountain.
Sitting atop a bluff, this gorgeous botanical garden is one of Porto's best-loved escapes, with lawns interwoven with sun-dappled paths and dotted with fountains, sculptures, giant magnolias, camellias, cypress and olive trees. It's actually a mosaic of small gardens that open up little by little as you wander – as do the stunning views of the city and Rio Douro.
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Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
Rua de Dom Manuel IISitting atop a bluff, this gorgeous botanical garden is one of Porto's best-loved escapes, with lawns interwoven with sun-dappled paths and dotted with fountains, sculptures, giant magnolias, camellias, cypress and olive trees. It's actually a mosaic of small gardens that open up little by little as you wander – as do the stunning views of the city and Rio Douro.
This fabulous cultural institution combines a museum, a mansion and extensive gardens. Cutting-edge exhibitions, along with a fine permanent collection featuring works from the late 1960s to the present, are showcased in the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, an arrestingly minimalist, whitewashed space designed by the eminent Porto-based architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. The delightful, pink Casa de Serralves is a prime example of art deco, bearing the imprint of French architect Charles Siclis. One ticket gets you into both museums.
The museums sit within the marvellous 18-hectare Parque de Serralves. Lily ponds, rose gardens, formal fountains and whimsical touches – such as a bright-red sculpture of oversized pruning shears – make for a bucolic outing in the city. The estate is located 6km west of the city centre; take bus 201 from in front of Praça Dom João I, one block east of Avenida dos Aliados.
897 polecane przez mieszkańców
Muzeum Sztuki Współczesnej (Fundacja Serralves)
210 R. Dom João de CastroThis fabulous cultural institution combines a museum, a mansion and extensive gardens. Cutting-edge exhibitions, along with a fine permanent collection featuring works from the late 1960s to the present, are showcased in the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, an arrestingly minimalist, whitewashed space designed by the eminent Porto-based architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. The delightful, pink Casa de Serralves is a prime example of art deco, bearing the imprint of French architect Charles Siclis. One ticket gets you into both museums.
The museums sit within the marvellous 18-hectare Parque de Serralves. Lily ponds, rose gardens, formal fountains and whimsical touches – such as a bright-red sculpture of oversized pruning shears – make for a bucolic outing in the city. The estate is located 6km west of the city centre; take bus 201 from in front of Praça Dom João I, one block east of Avenida dos Aliados.
This splendid neoclassical monument (built from 1842 to 1910) honours Porto’s past and present money merchants. Just past the entrance is the glass-domed Pátio das Nações (Hall of Nations), where the exchange once operated. But this pales in comparison with rooms deeper inside; to visit these, join one of the half-hour guided tours, which set off every 30 minutes.
The highlight is a stupendous ballroom known as the Salão Árabe (Arabian Hall), with stucco walls that have been teased into complex Moorish designs, then gilded with some 18kg of gold.
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Palácio da Bolsa
Rua de Ferreira BorgesThis splendid neoclassical monument (built from 1842 to 1910) honours Porto’s past and present money merchants. Just past the entrance is the glass-domed Pátio das Nações (Hall of Nations), where the exchange once operated. But this pales in comparison with rooms deeper inside; to visit these, join one of the half-hour guided tours, which set off every 30 minutes.
The highlight is a stupendous ballroom known as the Salão Árabe (Arabian Hall), with stucco walls that have been teased into complex Moorish designs, then gilded with some 18kg of gold.
A joy for the aimless ambler, this 19th-century garden is flanked by graceful old buildings and dotted with willowy palms, sculptures, fountains and a bandstand that occasionally stages concerts in summer. Listen to the crash of the ocean as you wander its tree-canopied avenues. There's also crazy golf for the kids.
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Ogród Passeio Alegre
828 R. do Passeio AlegreA joy for the aimless ambler, this 19th-century garden is flanked by graceful old buildings and dotted with willowy palms, sculptures, fountains and a bandstand that occasionally stages concerts in summer. Listen to the crash of the ocean as you wander its tree-canopied avenues. There's also crazy golf for the kids.
The Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas, at the corner of Praça de Carlos Alberto and Rua do Carmo, are two churches in Porto that stand almost side by side.
The two churches are separated by a very narrow (1 meter wide) house that was inhabited until the 1980's. The house was built so that the two churches would not share a common wall and to prevent any relations between the nuns of Igreja dos Carmelitas and the monks of Igreja do Carmo.
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Igreja do Carmo
Rua do CarmoThe Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas, at the corner of Praça de Carlos Alberto and Rua do Carmo, are two churches in Porto that stand almost side by side.
The two churches are separated by a very narrow (1 meter wide) house that was inhabited until the 1980's. The house was built so that the two churches would not share a common wall and to prevent any relations between the nuns of Igreja dos Carmelitas and the monks of Igreja do Carmo.
One of the world's most beautiful train stations, beaux arts São Bento wings you back to a more graceful age of rail travel. Completed in 1903, it seems to have been imported from 19th-century Paris, with its mansard roof. But the dramatic azulejo panels of historical scenes in the front hall are the real attraction. Designed by Jorge Colaço in 1930, some 20,000 tiles depict historic battles (including Henry the Navigator's conquest of Ceuta), as well as the history of transport.
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Stacja São Bento
Praça de Almeida GarrettOne of the world's most beautiful train stations, beaux arts São Bento wings you back to a more graceful age of rail travel. Completed in 1903, it seems to have been imported from 19th-century Paris, with its mansard roof. But the dramatic azulejo panels of historical scenes in the front hall are the real attraction. Designed by Jorge Colaço in 1930, some 20,000 tiles depict historic battles (including Henry the Navigator's conquest of Ceuta), as well as the history of transport.
Porto is reduced to postcard format at this viewpoint, perched high and mighty above a mosaic of terracotta rooftops that tumble down to the Douro. It's a highly atmospheric spot at dusk, when landmarks such as the Ponte Dom Luís I bridge are illuminated and the lights on Vila Nova de Gaia's wine lodges flick on one by one.
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Miradouro da Vitória
11 R. de São Bento da VitóriaPorto is reduced to postcard format at this viewpoint, perched high and mighty above a mosaic of terracotta rooftops that tumble down to the Douro. It's a highly atmospheric spot at dusk, when landmarks such as the Ponte Dom Luís I bridge are illuminated and the lights on Vila Nova de Gaia's wine lodges flick on one by one.
Arte
This fabulous cultural institution combines a museum, a mansion and extensive gardens. Cutting-edge exhibitions, along with a fine permanent collection featuring works from the late 1960s to the present, are showcased in the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, an arrestingly minimalist, whitewashed space designed by the eminent Porto-based architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. The delightful, pink Casa de Serralves is a prime example of art deco, bearing the imprint of French architect Charles Siclis. One ticket gets you into both museums.
The museums sit within the marvellous 18-hectare Parque de Serralves. Lily ponds, rose gardens, formal fountains and whimsical touches – such as a bright-red sculpture of oversized pruning shears – make for a bucolic outing in the city. The estate is 6km west of the city centre; take bus 201 from in front of Praça Dom João I, one block east of Avenida dos Aliados.
897 polecane przez mieszkańców
Muzeum Sztuki Współczesnej (Fundacja Serralves)
210 R. Dom João de CastroThis fabulous cultural institution combines a museum, a mansion and extensive gardens. Cutting-edge exhibitions, along with a fine permanent collection featuring works from the late 1960s to the present, are showcased in the Museu de Arte Contemporânea, an arrestingly minimalist, whitewashed space designed by the eminent Porto-based architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. The delightful, pink Casa de Serralves is a prime example of art deco, bearing the imprint of French architect Charles Siclis. One ticket gets you into both museums.
The museums sit within the marvellous 18-hectare Parque de Serralves. Lily ponds, rose gardens, formal fountains and whimsical touches – such as a bright-red sculpture of oversized pruning shears – make for a bucolic outing in the city. The estate is 6km west of the city centre; take bus 201 from in front of Praça Dom João I, one block east of Avenida dos Aliados.
Porto's best art museum presents a stellar collection ranging from Neolithic carvings to Portugal’s take on modernism, all housed in the formidable Palácio das Carrancas.
Requisitioned by Napoleonic invaders, the neoclassical palace was abandoned so rapidly that the future Duke of Wellington found an unfinished banquet in the dining hall. Transformed into a museum of fine and decorative arts in 1940, its best works date from the 19th century, and include sculptures by António Teixeira Lopes and António Soares dos Reis – seek out the latter's famous O Desterrado (The Exiled), and the naturalistic paintings of Henrique Pousão and António Silva Porto.
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National Museum Soares dos Reis
44 R. de Dom Manuel IIPorto's best art museum presents a stellar collection ranging from Neolithic carvings to Portugal’s take on modernism, all housed in the formidable Palácio das Carrancas.
Requisitioned by Napoleonic invaders, the neoclassical palace was abandoned so rapidly that the future Duke of Wellington found an unfinished banquet in the dining hall. Transformed into a museum of fine and decorative arts in 1940, its best works date from the 19th century, and include sculptures by António Teixeira Lopes and António Soares dos Reis – seek out the latter's famous O Desterrado (The Exiled), and the naturalistic paintings of Henrique Pousão and António Silva Porto.
This stately yet muscular building (1767) once served as a prison and now houses a photography museum. You actually walk through the thick iron gates and into the cells to see the work, which lends the intriguing exhibits even more gravitas. On the 3rd floor is a collection of cameras spanning every decade; particularly fascinating are the espionage ones, discreetly hidden in everything from Pepsi cans to Marlboro packets.
Immediately south of the museum are the narrow, atmospheric lanes that were once part of Porto’s judiaria (Jewish quarter).
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Portuguese Centre of Photography
Largo Amor de PerdiçãoThis stately yet muscular building (1767) once served as a prison and now houses a photography museum. You actually walk through the thick iron gates and into the cells to see the work, which lends the intriguing exhibits even more gravitas. On the 3rd floor is a collection of cameras spanning every decade; particularly fascinating are the espionage ones, discreetly hidden in everything from Pepsi cans to Marlboro packets.
Immediately south of the museum are the narrow, atmospheric lanes that were once part of Porto’s judiaria (Jewish quarter).
Cultura
At once minimalist, iconic and daringly imaginative, the Casa da Música is the beating heart of Porto's cultural scene and the home of the Porto National Orchestra. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas rocked the musical world with this crystalline creation – the jewel in the city's European Capital of Culture 2001 crown.
The wonky cuboid conceals a shoebox-style concert hall lauded for some of the world's best acoustics. If your curiosity has been piqued, join one of the daily guided tours.
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Casa da Música
604-610 Av. da BoavistaAt once minimalist, iconic and daringly imaginative, the Casa da Música is the beating heart of Porto's cultural scene and the home of the Porto National Orchestra. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas rocked the musical world with this crystalline creation – the jewel in the city's European Capital of Culture 2001 crown.
The wonky cuboid conceals a shoebox-style concert hall lauded for some of the world's best acoustics. If your curiosity has been piqued, join one of the daily guided tours.
Sidling up to the Cemitério de Agramonte, the Kadoorie Synagogue is the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and a visible reminder of the importance of the city's Jewish community. It was inaugurated in 1938. For a peek of the beautifully tiled interior and an insight into the workings of the synagogue, hook onto a guided visit of the museum.
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Synagoga Kadoorie Mekor Haim
340 R. de Guerra JunqueiroSidling up to the Cemitério de Agramonte, the Kadoorie Synagogue is the largest in the Iberian Peninsula and a visible reminder of the importance of the city's Jewish community. It was inaugurated in 1938. For a peek of the beautifully tiled interior and an insight into the workings of the synagogue, hook onto a guided visit of the museum.
Passeio turístico
This riverfront promenade is postcard Porto, taking in the whole spectacular sweep of the city, from Ribeira's pastel houses stacked like Lego bricks to the barcos rabelos (flat-bottomed boats) once used to transport port from the Douro. Early-evening buskers serenade crowds, and chefs fire up grills in the hole-in-the-wall fish restaurants and tascas (taverns) in the old arcades.
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Cais da Ribeira
Cais da RibeiraThis riverfront promenade is postcard Porto, taking in the whole spectacular sweep of the city, from Ribeira's pastel houses stacked like Lego bricks to the barcos rabelos (flat-bottomed boats) once used to transport port from the Douro. Early-evening buskers serenade crowds, and chefs fire up grills in the hole-in-the-wall fish restaurants and tascas (taverns) in the old arcades.
Completed in 1886 by a student of Gustave Eiffel, the bridge’s top deck is now reserved for pedestrians, as well as one of the city’s metro lines; the lower deck bears regular traffic, as well as narrow walkways for those on foot. The views of the river and old town are stunning, as are the daredevils who leap from the lower level.
The bridge's construction was significant, as the area’s foot traffic once navigated a bridge made from old port boats lashed together. To make matters worse, the river was wild back then, with no upstream dams. When Napoleon invaded in 1809, scores were crushed and drowned in the rushing river as a panicked stampede proved too much for the makeshift bridge.
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Most Luísa I
Ponte Luís ICompleted in 1886 by a student of Gustave Eiffel, the bridge’s top deck is now reserved for pedestrians, as well as one of the city’s metro lines; the lower deck bears regular traffic, as well as narrow walkways for those on foot. The views of the river and old town are stunning, as are the daredevils who leap from the lower level.
The bridge's construction was significant, as the area’s foot traffic once navigated a bridge made from old port boats lashed together. To make matters worse, the river was wild back then, with no upstream dams. When Napoleon invaded in 1809, scores were crushed and drowned in the rushing river as a panicked stampede proved too much for the makeshift bridge.
Bairros
O Bairro Residencial da Bouça, no centro da cidade do Porto, junto à Rua da Boavista, foi concluído quase trinta anos depois da construção da sua primeira fase.
O projecto foi encomendado pelo Fundo Fomento da Habitação em 1973. Após a Revolução de 25 de Abril de 1974, as populações organizaram-se em Comissões de Moradores, enquadradas pelo programa estatal – SAAL (Serviço de Apoio Ambulatório Local). A segunda fase da obra só foi retomada nos primeiros anos do século XXI.
No projecto da Bouça o arquitecto Siza Vieira manteve o desenho inicial, tendo recuperado coberturas e materiais dos dois blocos existentes. Foram construídos os seus remates e as duas bandas que faltavam, o café, a sede da cooperativa e o atelier de tempos livres, acrescentando o estacionamento subterrâneo.
Bouça Housing Complex
O Bairro Residencial da Bouça, no centro da cidade do Porto, junto à Rua da Boavista, foi concluído quase trinta anos depois da construção da sua primeira fase.
O projecto foi encomendado pelo Fundo Fomento da Habitação em 1973. Após a Revolução de 25 de Abril de 1974, as populações organizaram-se em Comissões de Moradores, enquadradas pelo programa estatal – SAAL (Serviço de Apoio Ambulatório Local). A segunda fase da obra só foi retomada nos primeiros anos do século XXI.
No projecto da Bouça o arquitecto Siza Vieira manteve o desenho inicial, tendo recuperado coberturas e materiais dos dois blocos existentes. Foram construídos os seus remates e as duas bandas que faltavam, o café, a sede da cooperativa e o atelier de tempos livres, acrescentando o estacionamento subterrâneo.
Esta zona da cidade, que inclui a Rua Miguel Bombarda e algumas das suas pequenas transversais transformou-se nos últimos anos no bairro das artes no Porto.
Encontrará dezenas de pequenas galerias – maioritariamente de arte contemporânea – lado a lado com novas lojas de designers portugueses, com propostas alternativas e cafés e restaurantes trendy. Visite o CCC (Centro Comercial Bombarda).
Rua de Miguel Bombarda, 4050 Porto, Portugalia
Esta zona da cidade, que inclui a Rua Miguel Bombarda e algumas das suas pequenas transversais transformou-se nos últimos anos no bairro das artes no Porto.
Encontrará dezenas de pequenas galerias – maioritariamente de arte contemporânea – lado a lado com novas lojas de designers portugueses, com propostas alternativas e cafés e restaurantes trendy. Visite o CCC (Centro Comercial Bombarda).
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Festa de São João
O São João é uma das maiores festas populares de Portugal e um dos eventos mais aguardados do ano pelos habitantes do Porto. A celebração tem lugar no dia 24 de junho, mas as festividades começam a partir do dia 23 e prolongam-se até ao amanhecer.