5 Must-see Tourist Destinations in Porto - Portugal

If you have never visited Porto, you’re in for a treat. Stroll through cobbled streets with tumbling flowers and decorative tiles, take in the city’s heritage sites and enjoy views of the River Douro as you tuck into petiscarias – the Portuguese answer to tapas – and a glass of local port or two.

A hit with foodies, lovers of history and anyone looking for a relaxed city break, this colourful city lies on the coast of Portugal, less than three hours’ drive north of Lisbon. Why not rent a car and visit both?

Read on to discover our favourite must-see tourist destinations in Porto:

Cais de Ribeira

The heart of Porto’s old town, the UNESCO-listed Cais de Ribeira quarter is an absolute must-see. Situated on the banks of the Douro, you’ll find narrow medieval streets, a towering jumble of faded candy-coloured houses and traditional flat-bottomed boats gliding along the water.

On the far banks of the river, you’ll see the city’s many port houses, where Porto’s most famous export (and favourite tipple) is stored and matured in large waterfront cellars. Simply drive across the Luís I bridge or join a river cruise to sample some port on the other side.

Cais de Ribeira comes alive in the evenings, with a great selection of cafes, restaurants and bars lining the riverfront. Head to Praça da Ribeira, the quarter’s picturesque main square to find the liveliest night spots. Or explore the steep maze of streets winding up the hill behind the square to get a real flavour of Cais de Ribeira history.

Luís I Bridge

Porto’s most iconic bridge is an enormous iron construction, spanning the River Douro. Also known as the Dom Luís bridge, it was built in 1886 and designed by the German engineering partner of the famed Gustave Eiffel, Téophile Seyrig. While perhaps not as well-known around the globe as the Eiffel Tower, it is no less striking and at the time of building was the longest bridge of its kind in the world.

The Luís I bridge spans 172 meters, showcasing an impressive double deck design that allows pedestrians spectacular views from the upper deck. Soak up the sights of Porto’s historic old town and watch the boats carrying their precious cargo of port barrels up and down the mighty river.

You can also cross the lower deck by car or on foot, where you might even see a daring thrill-seeker diving off the bridge into the river below.

Livraria Lello Bookshop

This amazing bookshop is a Porto institution, loved by for everyone from avid readers to world-renowned writers. Take J.K Rowling for example. The Harry Potter author taught English in Porto for a couple of years in the ‘90s and the Livraria Lello was said to have inspired her vision of the Hogwarts library.

Dating back to 1906, the shop displays an eclectic mix of architectural styles, with floor-to-ceiling bookcases, a soaring crimson spiral staircase and a vast stained-glass skylight. Outside you’ll find a gorgeous decorative façade with paintings by Bielman. It’s not hard to tell that the building’s engineer, Xavier Esteves, was a huge fan of books. A lot of love has gone into this shop!

You can find Livraria Lello on the Rua das Carmelitas to the north of Porto. Spend a few happy hours browsing its 60,000 books – you’ll find a fascinating collection of Portuguese and international literature – and relaxing with coffee and pastries in the cosy café on the second floor. Pure bliss.

Palácio da Bolsa

Built as Porto’s stock exchange, this grand 19th-century palace was built to wow the rest of Europe. While no longer used as a stock exchange, it is still one of Porto’s most impressive buildings and visiting dignitaries are often greeted within its ornate walls.

Palácio da Bolsa took almost 70 years to build and is a stunning example of neoclassical architecture, so much so that the palace has earned the coveted UNESCO status of World Heritage Site.

You’ll find many Moorish influences around the palace, including the dazzling Arabian Hall with its intricate stucco walls and lavish use of gilded gold. It’s said to be inspired by the grand Palace of Alhambra in Granada. We recommend also popping next door to the Sao Francisco Church if you love your bling, the interior there is draped in almost 100 kg of gold leaf.

Serralves Museum and Gardens

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets with a stroll through the beautiful gardens of Serralves. Spread over 18 hectares, you’ll come across everything from grand fountains and formal rose gardens to modern sculptures and art installations. During the summer months, you could even take in a live jazz concert during their ‘Jazz in the Park’ events.

You could easily spend a glorious day in the sun just exploring the gardens, but this cultural institution also houses the striking pink Casa de Serralves villa and the Porto Museum of Contemporary Art – both of which are well worth a look.

The museum displays a huge permanent collection dating from the 1960's to present day, as well as showcasing up-and-coming artists in its ever-evolving programme of exhibitions. And of course, the Serralves terraced café is on hand serving up delicious refreshments in true Porto style.

Feeling inspired to plan a holiday in Porto?

Whether you’re a couple on a romantic getaway, a group looking for a city with great food and drink and plenty of atmosphere, or a family in search of some interesting attractions to balance out your beach time, this fascinating city has something to charm all ages.

It may be Portugal’s second largest city, but Porto has a fantastic laid-back vibe that will put you right in the holiday mood.