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Porto Guide

9 Sights & Attractions

1. Sé Cathedral

Built in the 12th century, entirely rebuilt toward the end of the 13th century and largely remodelled during the 18th century, this fortified cathedral unsurprisingly features a weird but intriguing mixture of architectural styles, among which Romanesque and Gothic are most prominent. The interior is equally eye-catching, with beautiful marble baptismal fonts and a main altar abundantly decorated with saints and golden angels. The striking 17th century retable (decorative screen) above the altar in the Holy Sacrament chapel was created by several local silversmiths and hidden by the clergy to avoid pillage by Napoleonic troops. Also worth seeing is the austere 14th century cloister. Its walls are covered with gorgeous 18th century azulejos depicting Biblical scenes. Azulejos are small ceramic tiles found in buildings everywhere in Portugal. Although of Muslim origin, they were originally imported here from Spain. Then, in the 16th century, ceramists in Lisbon began to paint pictures on them, in a shift away from the Moorish style. Many other buildings in Porto feature striking, cobalt blue azulejos on their exteriors.

2. Torre dos Clérigos

Behind the roccoco-style baroque Ingrja dos Clérigos (Clerics’ Church), the Torre dos Clérigos, standing 75 metres high, is to this day the tallest clock tower in Portugal. Climbing the 225 steps, you will discover an incomparable panorama over Porto, the Doura and, across the river, the Vila Nove de Gaia, where the Port Wine houses are located. For a long time, the tower served as a reference point for the many boats entering the port.

3. Lello & Irmão Bookshop

At number 144 on the Rue Carmleitas, this 19th century bookshop has a superb neo-Gothic façade. The interior is even more impressive, with superb, neo-Gothic wooden sculptures and a lovely, ornately carved staircase. This staircase leads to a small, book-lined café on the 1st floor. Make sure you also venture up to the 2nd floor, however, where two figures painted on either side of the windows represent art and science respectively. This is a lovely, relaxing place to stop at while walking around the Old City.

4. Museu Nacional de Arte Moderna

Also known as the Museu Sarralves, this contemporary art gallery is the most successful of the Porto’s new attractions. It is located in the beautifully landscaped Serralves Park, which is dotted with sculptures, including a Richard Serra and a Cales Oldenburg, and lies nearly 2 kilometres from the city centre. Housed in an immaculate, ultra-modern white building, the gallery is probably the most influential modern art museum in Portugal. Temporary exhibitions have included Francis Bacon and Steve McQueen. There is also a café, bar, restaurant and shop.

5. Igreja de São Francisco

Perched next to the former board of trade, the Igreja de São Francisco is one of the most elaborately decorated churches in Portugal, with a stunning interior. It is also the only Gothic church in Porto. It was part of a Franciscan convent and its construction lasted from the late 14th century until the early 15th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries the interior of the church was completely covered with baroque, gilt wood carvings. When you enter it, the overwhelming impression is of stepping inside a golden box. While wandering around, you will notice the numerous wooden hatches on the ground, beneath which lie the remains of monks who lived at the monastery.
There is also a small museum of religious art, where several statues and other items are showcased.

6. Palacio da Bolsa

A national monument, the Stock-Exchange Palace is the headquarters of the Porto Commercial Association and was built in neo-classical style in the second half of the 19th century. Located in the centre of the city, it features a beautiful marble and granite stairway and elegant interior decoration in the listening room. Its most visited attraction is the Arab Salon, whose rich Moorish decoration is inspired by the Alhambra in Granada.

7. Mercado do Bolhão

Though not an historical monument as such, the Mercado do Bolhão is a delightful place to visit. It boasts a delightfully Portuguese atmosphere and will stimulate all your senses with its flowers, vegetables, fruit, fish and meats. There are also a few dishes you can sample on the spot.

The main market of the city, and an experience not to miss, where screeching cheerful ladies offer everything from seafood to herbs and honey. It is situated east of Avenida dos Aliados and is open weekdays until 5pm and Saturday to 1pm, but mornings are best.

8. Port Wine Houses

The port houses can be found in Vila Nova de Gaia, an ancient city – formerly known as Cale – which stretches along the bank of the Douro opposite Porto. The port used to be transported down river from the quintas inland. Today it is brought by road to mature in Madeira casks in the long, low, red-roofed houses, many of which, rather surreally, display the names of familiar English brands such as Taylors and Cockburns. Almost all the houses offer free tours. The guides are generally well informed and offer tours in various languages, which describe the history of port. You can also try a couple of glasses, though the houses will only serve the most basic stuff to visitors. If you wish to buy a bottle you might consider white port. With a taste reminiscent of tropical fruit and honey, it is best drunk chilled and extra dry as an aperitif – a refreshing alternative to more traditional ruby port and hard to track down in Britain. The bottles for sale in the lodges range from 7 to 2,500 euros, though you can buy them more cheaply back in the Old City. The Solar do Vinho do Porto, set in the Palacio de Cristal gardens and run by the Instituto do Vinho do Porto, sells a wide range of superior varieties by the glass.

9. Convento y Igreja de Santa Clara

Situated just behind the Instituto Nacional de Saúde, at the end of a charming little tree-shaded square, the Convento y Igreja de Santa Clara has one of the city’s most intensely embellished church interiors. The church and the adjoining convent date from the 15th century, but underwent substantial modifications in the 17th and 18th centuries. Before entering the church you will pass through a superb portal with a harmonious mixture of Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance styles. Inside, an incredible profusion of woodwork seems to brighten the semi-darkness of the place thanks solely to the shine of its gilding. The overabundance of sculptures makes the decor here seem almost grotesque. The only rest for the eyes is the simplicity of the big grill that separates the nave and the exquisite portal leading to the convent. On display in the convent are several paintings and sculptures, mostly from the 18th century.