Best of Porto

This ancient church was constructed in the XII century and its original architectural style was Roman. The cathedral is located at south east the main square, along "Vimara Peres" avenue. This religious monument suffered many changes since its founding; therefore it is now a monument with several architectural tastes. As most churches in Portugal, the cathedral of Porto is decorated with beautiful tiles, which depict events of the Song of Solomon and other religious stories.

With its squat towers, it looks a bit like a fortress. It highlights the silver altar of the sacrament. The main chapel is another nice structure in the cathedra; it was designed in the XVII century by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni. This church witnessed one of the most important events of the Portugal history, the wedding of the King Joao I and Philipa Landcaster in 1387. This marriage followed a treaty of alliance between Portugal and England signed a year before. Joao I ruled for 50 years and he is considered one of the most powerful kings in the history of Portugal. The cathedral offer also great views over the roof-tops of the city. You can visit this church every day from 9:00 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 18:00. Admission to the church is free and admission to the cloister costs around 2 euros.

Cathedral of Porto

Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace)

It is probably the most visited attraction in Porto; since more than 200 000 visitors arrive to this building every year. The "Stock Exchange Palace" is a pompous building that dates from the XIX century. One of its main features is its wonderful neoclassical façade, which was constructed to attract to European investors. This beautiful building is a great testimonial of the economic power of the north of Portugal during the late industrial revolution. Inside, it can find some of the most luxury interiors in Porto; it highlights the impressive Arabian Room, a marvel salon inspired by the Moorish style that is used to receive the foreign dignitaries that visit Porto. It highlights also the amazing Hall of Nations, whose roof is a glass and metal dome and whose floor is decorated with beautiful tiles inspired by the tiles of the Roman city of Pompeii. The rest of rooms of the building have exquisite wooden parquetry made with exotic wood imported mainly from Brazil. The palace is the headquarters of Porto's merchants guild. It is located at Praça do Infante in the Ribeira neighborhood at "Rua de Ferreiara Borges". Guide tours are included with the admission cost.

Palacio da Bolsa

Serralves Museum (National Modern Art Museum)

This is one of the best museums of modern art in the world; it is supported by the "Fundaçao de Serralves" (Serralves Foundation) and is the most visited museum in the country. The museum works inside a new building constructed over a 18 hectare park near the sherbet-pink art deco "Casa Serralves", the former site of the museum. The actual building of minimalist style was designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alvaro Siza Vieira. Like the Guggenheim museum; the collection of "Serralves" is not permanent. Here, there are temporary exhibitions taking up the entire space.

The museum holds a wide selection of paints and sculptures created by acclaimed artists from Portugal and the whole world; amongst them Dan Graham, Mario Merz, Richard Tuttle, Gerhard Richter, and many others.

The museum is surrounded by some of the most exquisite rose gardens in Portugal. The park opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. The "Serralves" museum is situated at 210 "Rua Dom Joan de Castro". Admission costs around 5 euros.

Serralves Museum

Ponte Dom Luis I (Louis I Bridge)

This iron bridge is 60 meters high and is one of the symbols of the city. It was designed by Teofilo Seyring, one of the engineers that worked with Gustave Eiffel in the famous tower in Paris. This amazing bridge was constructed in 1886 and is the umbilical cord between Porto and "Vila Nova da Gaia", connecting the two cities at two different levels. The lower level is for motor vehicles and the upper level is for pedestrian and metro. This bridge over the "Douro" river is absolutely spectacular from any angle at any hour. The bridge has also a monument that commemorates a event occurred in 1809, when French troops invaded Porto and the population escaped to "Vila Nova de Gaia using a pontoon bridge, which was built with linked barges.

Ponte (Bridge) Luis I

Igreja de Sao Francisco (Saint Francis Church)

This beautiful medieval building is located at south of the "Palacio da Bolsa" in the former convent of Saint Francis. The gothic church was constructed between XIV and XV centuries. It is one of the few medieval remaining monuments in the city. During the XVII and XVIII centuries, Saint Francis was decorated with many baroque elements like gilt wood carvings in the vault pillars and columns, these carvings represent cherubs, animals and plants. It highlights the "Tree of Jesse", which dates from 1718 and is carved in wood and gilded, this piece shows the genealogy of Jesus. Another attraction in the church is the Renaissance tomb of the merchant "Francisco Brandao Pereira", which dates from 1528 and is decorated with gilded vines, birds and angels. This church is one of the few opulent temples in the world that belongs to the austere Franciscan priests. 

The church hosts also a museum in the catacombs. The museum's collection is composed by many artifacts belonged to the former monastery. It can visit the "Igraja de Sao Francisco" every day from 9:00 to 18:00. it is located at "Praca do Infante Dom Henrique". Admission costs around 3 euros.

Torre dos Clerigos

This is one of the main landmarks of Porto city. The tower behind of the Clerigos church is the tallest structure in Portugal; it is 76 meters approximately. The tower was constructed in the second half of the XVII century and there are around 225 steps to the top. Both the tower and the church are of baroque style and they were designed by the Italian architect Nasoni. The church also owns a marvel polychromatic baroque-rococo marble retable. The tower offers the best view of the city. At the other side of the tower is "Cordoaria Gardens" a neoclassical building that served as prison. Torre dos Clerigos is located at "Rua San Felipe de Nery". You can visit it every day for around 1.5 euros.

Port Wine Lodges

Across the Douro" River in "Vila Nova de Gaia" is the region of port wine caves. There is an endless number of caves, each a bit different than the others. This is natural; since Porto is the capital of the port wine industry. The famous port or Porto wine is produced only in the world's oldest demarcated wine region of "Douro" valley, under supervision of "Port Wine Institute". The wine is produced using special grapes, which are grown, harvested, crushed and fermented on wine estates upriver. Then, the best brands of port wine are transported to "Vila Nova de Gaia by the Douro" River. There, the port wine is bottled and distributed by wine lodges like Calem or Macierinha. Most Porto wine lodges are open to tourists. For a little price (from 2 to 15 euros), you can visit the cellars and enjoy a delicious glass of wine.

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