Historic centre
The region is best explored on foot, going up and down the slopes and closely observing the century-old architecture. São Bento Station, Torre dos Clérigos, Palácio da Bolsa and Capela das Almas are unmissable. The famous Lello bookshop is also in the historic centre.
Museums and cultural centres
There are more than 20 museums around the city. A good part of them tells about the history of Portugal and its traditions, such as the Soares dos Reis National Museum and the FC Porto museum. Also, be sure to visit the contemporary exhibitions of the Serralves Foundation and check the Casa de Música (Music Hall) schedule.
Street markets and fairs
No place is better to know Porto lifestyle than the popular markets and street fairs. The Bolhão Market is the most famous and traditional, but it is undergoing a renovation since 2018, for now, it is possible to visit the Temporary Market of Bolhão. There you will find flowers, fruits, meats, fish, bread… Now, to find antiques and trinkets, the right address is the Vandoma Fair, a flea market which takes place on Saturdays at Estádio do Dragão.
Boat trips along the Douro
Navigating the Douro River is one of the “mandatory” programs for everyone who goes to Porto. There are several tour options from the Ribeira marinas. The most traditional is the “River Douro 6 Bridges Cruise”, a more compact tour, so to speak. But there are also options for more robust tours, that include lunch, visits to wineries and wine tasting.
Viewpoints (Miradouros)
Porto is even more beautiful if seen from above. There are more than 20 viewpoints spread throughout the city. Knowing this, keep your camera ready to get different angles of the city. The best views are from the viewpoints of Sé Cathedral, Crystal Palace Gardens (Jardim do Palácio de Cristal) and Passeio das Virtudes.