Things to do in Porto
A holiday to Porto usually consists of consuming a lot of what the city is best known for: port wine. However, the diverse city of Porto can offer far more than just drinking, as the city is equally famous for its architecture and intricate bridges.
Despite being principally an industrial centre, Porto also enjoys a great many historical and cultural attractions. An array of cathedrals and interesting museums are dotted around the city, including the exquisite Baroque church of St Frances which stands on the Porto waterfront. Another hugely popular sightseeing opportunity in Porto is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site in the form of the historic riverside Ribeira district, a must-see attraction when visiting the city.
Although there's plenty to do for the cultural enthusiast, when it comes down to it, a visit to Porto is never complete without savouring the legendary port wine. It's lovingly processed, mixed and matured in the Vila Nova da Gaia district across the river from the city. Once visitors have sampled the delicious beverage, an excellent way to explore the scenery is via a boat cruise on the River Douro, or a trip to one of the many neighbouring fishing villages.
Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis
The National Museum Soares dos Reis, located in the ancient Carrancas Palace in Porto, is one of the most renowned Portuguese museums. This extensive art museum opened in 1840 and …
Igreja de São Francisco
The Church of St Frances stands along the Porto waterfront and was built between 1383 and 1425. While not very imposing from the outside, it has a lavish Baroque interior that was …
Solar Vinho do Porto
Many travellers come to Porto for its foritified wines. The place to visit for samples of every port produced in the region, and also the rest of Portugal, is the Solar Vinho do Po…
Vila Nova de Gaia
This suburb of Porto lies along the south bank of the River Douro, on the site of an ancient fortified village. Today, Vila Nova de Gaia is home to more than 50 wine companies who …
Guimarães
The historic town of Guimarães is regarded as the birthplace of Portugal. Here, in 1128, Afonso Henriques became the first king of the country. Guimarães has many medieval buildi…
Bragança
In the remote northeast province of Tras-os-Montes, the small provincial capital Bragança lies close to the Spanish border and is slowly being discovered by tourists. This is most…
Vila do Conde
This charming coastal gem lies just north of Porto and is quickly becoming a must-visit destination. With its stunning sandy beaches, rocky reefs, historic architecture and charmin…
Serra de Estrela
The Serra de Estrela, mainland Portugal's highest mountain range, is fast becoming one of Europe's hottest new resorts for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. The ra…
Espinho
The resort town of Espinho lies just 16 miles (26km) south of Porto. It has a casino and a bullring, as well as a range of shops, restaurants, hotels and campsites. It possesses a …
