Portugal (PC) (AL 1 - 9) A 4 day self directed city break tour of Porto in Portugal. Our free travel blog
- Art_JustRetired50_Plus
- May 17, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Our experience and observations following four days visiting the tourist attractions that Porto, Northern Portugal has to offer.
Our free travel blog observations and suggestions.
Link to short 1 minute video image montage of our Porto, Portugal visit.
Porto, Northern Portugal 2023
In considering a four day trip to Porto in Northern Portugal, we decided to do a self directed tour, visiting the highlights that Porto has to offer.
Portugal’s second largest city makes a very pretty vista. Medieval townhouses are stacked above the Douro River, not too unlike the coastal towns of the Italian Cinque Terra. You’ll find a cavalcade of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neo-Classical architecture. Porto is full of Baroque churches. They wear their exquisite azulejo tiles, for which Porto is famous, both inside and outside.
A rich history of stately bridges, azulejo-covered churches, and an attractive riverfront provide travellers with lots of interesting things to do in Porto.
It is quite easy to come to like Porto. Porto does not have the big city vibe of Lisbon but it is full of character. Narrow meandering lanes, smiling people, a growing culinary scene, and the age-old wine culture, all make Porto a very attractive European city destination.
Clérigos Church is one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in Porto. Its bell tower called Torre dos Clérigos is the tallest in Portugal. This means you can get stunning views of the city and the Douro river from the top. Locals joke that its clock runs slightly slow which resembles a very Portuguese attitude to life.
The church and tower, both built in the 18th century, have a lot to offer to history lovers too. Built by an Italian architect, Nicolau Nasoni, the church has a heavily-decorated Baroque facade. The monumental tower is often considered the symbol of Porto.
Our recommendation of the order of importance by which you should visit the sights:-
Palacio da Bolsa
Palácio da Bolsa or the Stock Exchange Palace is an impressive neoclassical monument located in the historic centre of Porto. The exterior isn’t as spectacular as its interiors. So, make sure you take a tour.
You can only do a guided tour of Bolsa Palace. Self-guided tours are not allowed.
Build-in 1842, it has a fascinating history and is a beautiful example of Portuguese architecture at the time. Enjoy the 1 - 2 hour tour wandering through the luxurious rooms. Once inside, you can appreciate the beautiful glass-domed Hall of Nations (Pátio das Nações). Move onto the even more splendid Arabian Hall (Salão Árabe) inspired by Alhambra in Spain. Moorish designs and gilded gold embellishments are a joy to behold. The entrance door has a deliberate mistake, in line with the Arabic belief that only Allah can achieve perfection.
Cais da Ribeira
The stunning riverside area of Cais da Ribeira is the scene that most people think of when they imagine Porto. Coloured townhouses line the banks of the River Douro, with bustling restaurant terraces, and street musicians.
There’s no doubt that this is the beating heart of the city, lively at any time of the day or night. Enjoy a port wine while you overlook the river and the majestic Dom Luis bridge, before exploring the charming hillside streets.
Take the Cable Car Ride in Porto Gaia
A cable car ride in Porto is a great way to get a bird’s eye view of Porto. Known as Teleférico de Gaia, the cable car is a fairly recent addition to the Porto skyline. The ride takes you on an aerial trip of the Porto district. You can peek below for some stunning views of the river, the bridge, and the Ribeira district across the river.
Escada Guindais
Porto’s hilly scenery means there are plenty of steep climbs and amazing views to be found. Steep sets of steps are a common occurrence, and the Escada Guindais is the main stairway leading away from the Ribeira neighbourhood. Walk up the stairway and admire all the old-fashioned houses and watch the locals as they about their daily routines.
On your climb to the top, you can also see the old medieval walls. The climb will be rewarded with spectacular views over the Douro River and the Dom Luis bridge.
Alternatively, take the funicular across the road from the Dom Luís Bridge, which takes you to the top of the hill.
Porto Funicular Railway
Start your day with a trip on the Porto Funicular railway. The railway climbs the steep hill between the Ribeira and the Batalha neighbourhood, saving your legs from another steep hike upwards. Take the railway uphill and enjoy beautiful views of the city.
Porto Cathedral
Set in the middle of a huge open square, the Porto Cathedral dominates the city. Although its stone facade is impressive, its beauty really happens on the inside.
Inside, you can discover impressive hallways, arches, and the token blue and white detailed Porto azulejos tiling. It is also built at the city’s highest point, so afterward, make sure to wander around the Batalha district and discover the best views in the whole of Porto.
Dom Luis Bridge
For the best views of Porto, walk over the iconic Dom Luis bridge. This huge steel structure was once the largest bridge in the world and is unique for its two levels. The top level for pedestrians and the metro, and the lower level for cars and pedestrians. Wander down the hill to the bridge around sunset to see the sky burst into colour.
Sao Bento Station
Sao Bento Station is located in the historic centre of Porto, now a UNESCO world heritage site. The building is not only a functioning station, but it celebrates the history of Porto and the stunning ‘Azulejos’ blue tiles that the city is famous for.
Built-in 1900, the Sao Bento station showcases beautiful ceramic azulejo tiles (added between 1905 – 1916). They depict the history of Portugal’s Kings, Queens, wars, and the country’s transportation legacy.
Livraria Lello Bookstore
If you are a Harry Potter fan then this is exactly where JK Rowling spent a good bit of her time when she was writing her first book. This is becoming one of the most popular activities for bookworms to do in Porto.
A sense of Porto, Northern Portugal 2023
Established by the Celts on the mouth of the Douro River, it was occupied by the Romans followed by a Moorish Muslim invasion. It was ruled by a Portuguese King and subsequently invaded and ruled by the Spanish and then the French. Following the end of the rule of the dictator Salazar in 1974, Porto’s infrastructure was greatly improved and that construction continues to the present day. All of these very different cultures have left their mark on the Porto that exists today.
The topology of Tuscany is mainly hilly.
Porto has its own airport, with international flights arriving from many destinations. However, more flights go into the capital city of Lisbon. From Lisbon there is a direct train to Porto. It takes around 3 hours.
The historic centre of Porto was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.
Leixões, principal port serving the city of Porto and northern Portugal. It is an artificial harbour on the Atlantic Ocean, within the town of Matosinhos, 9 km northwest of central Porto. Porto is prevented by a sandbar from having a deepwater harbour of its own.
Porto has a high population density, and overcrowding is common. Large-scale planning and residential development improved conditions beginning in the latter part of the 20th century.
Now, nearly half of the Portuguese population live in Porto and the surrounding north west. The region produces consequently nearly 50% of all Portugals exports. Tourism income is a very large contributor to the city of Porto.
In recent years, Porto and NW Portugal have seen an economic revival, driven mainly by growth in tourism and foreign investment.
Once you’re in Porto, the city is small, and all the sights can be walked. The city is very hilly, so wear good shoes, and buy a pass for the trams and funicular railway if you get tired. Alternatively, you can use Uber to get around quickly and easily. Remember when using trains, that you must validate your ticket before boarding the train. You can do this by inserting you're ticket into one of the green and red machines on the platform or in the station. Failure to validate your ticket could result in a fine.
The best time to visit Porto is between May – September. Weather is pleasant and the city is home to several festivals. June is probably the month with the highest number of festivals. For the price sensitive, the least expensive months to visit are May and September.
During our time in Porto we did both the Hop On Hop Off tour bus and the Tuc Tuc tour of the old city. Based on our experience, we would recommend the Tuc Tuc tour ahead of the bus tour.
Our must see recommendation for a trip to Porto, Northern Portugal 2023:-
(1) Take a two hour Tuc Tuc tour around this UNESCO heritage old city, to initially get your bearings.
(2) Our second choice would be a Douro river cruise, to get a great perspective from the river.
(3) Our third would be strolling around the narrow city streets just soaking up the very Portuguese atmosphere.
“You should travel away from home, to really appreciate the value of what you have at home, on your return.”
“Happiness is found in the journey and rarely in the destination, alone.”
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