Porto, porturgal
Attractions Guide

Introduction

Porto is Portugal's second largest city and located in the northern part of the country, with most of the city's attractions huddled around the historic centre of Porto, which is a UNESCO world heritage site earned from its beauty.

The iconic fairytale-like staircase of Porto's Livrarie Lello Bookshop, which inspired settings for the Harry Potter books

Livraria Lello Bookshop Staircase
Photo by Enric Rubio Ros
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Historic buildings surrounding the impressive Carlos Alberto Plaaza of Porto, Portugal

Carlos Alberto Plaza
Photo by Barcex
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Striking exterior of Porto's Clerigos Church with its famous Clerigos Tower

Clerigos Church & Tower
Photo by Alberto D.V.
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Central Old Town of Porto and colorful buildings seen from across the Douro River in Porto, Portugal

Central Porto & Douro River
Photo by nathsegato
Edited

View looking up at the walls and extremely elegantly designed ceilings and carvings of the Livraria Lello Bookshop, whbich inspired Harry Potter, located in Porto, Porugal

Livraria Lello Bookshop
Photo by Nan Palmero
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Livraria Lello Bookshop Staircase
Photo by Enric Rubio Ros
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Carlos Alberto Plaza
Photo by Barcex
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Clerigos Church & Tower
Photo by Alberto D.V.
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Central Porto & Douro River
Photo by nathsegato
Edited

Livraria Lello Bookshop
Photo by Nan Palmero
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Livraria Lello Bookshop Staircase
Photo by Enric Rubio Ros
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Livraria Lello Bookstore

One of the city's most famous attractions is the highly intricate and gorgeous Livraria Lello, a bookstore which inspired settings for the Harry Potter movies. Nearby you can admire the lovely Square Carlos Alberto plaza, which is surrounded by colorful buildings.

Clerigos Church

Nearby the Livraria Lello are two of the city's finest churches, the beautiful baroque Clerigos Church with its grandiose interiors and iconic Clerigos Tower (one of the symbols of Porto).

Lovely little Chapel of Souls, whose exterior is almost entirely covered in finely detailed painted azulejo tiles, in Porto, Portugal

Chapel of Souls
Photo by Antonio Amen
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Beautiful azulejo tile walls seen inside Porto's Sao Bento Rail Station

Porto Sao Bento Rail Station
Photo by Alain Rouiller
CC BY-SA 2.0 | Edited

Elegant azulejo tile facade of Porto's Saint Anthony's Church Congregados

Saint Anthony's Church Congregados
Photo by HombreDHoljalata
CC BY-SA 4.0 | Edited

Stunning exterior of the Igreja do Carmo Convent in Porto, with its painted azulejo tile side

Igreja do Carmo Convent
Photo by domjisch
CC BY-SA 2.0 | Edited

Strikingly beautiful painted azulejo tile facade of Porto's Church of Saint Ildefonso

Church of Saint Ildefonso
Photo by Yellow.Cat
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Chapel of Souls
Photo by Antonio Amen
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Porto Sao Bento Rail Station
Photo by Alain Rouiller
CC BY-SA 2.0 | Edited

Saint Anthony's Church Congregados
Photo by HombreDHoljalata
CC BY-SA 4.0 | Edited

Igreja do Carmo Convent
Photo by domjisch
CC BY-SA 2.0 | Edited

Church of Saint Ildefonso
Photo by Yellow.Cat
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Chapel of Souls
Photo by Antonio Amen
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Azulejo Tiled Buildings

Nearby the Clerigos Church is Igreja do Carmo with its baroque facade and blue and white azulejo tiled exterior side, which creates a massive elegant art piece that's very complex.

Around Porto you'll find several similar tiled churches, including the Church of Saint Ildefonso with its tiled facade, and the Chapel of Souls with its exterior completely covered in blue and white azulejo tiles that make up elaborate designs.

Another amazing azulejo structure is the Porto Sao Bento rail station, inside of which you'll find incredible blue and white tiled murals. Adjacent to the train station you can admire the azulejo facade of the Saint Anthony's Church Congregados as well.

View of Central Porto seen from the river side below the Luis I Bridge

Luis I Bridge
Photo by Diego Delso
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Incredible Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar Monastery built into the hillside in Porto

Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar Monastery
Photo by Ronnie Macdonald
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Gorgeous view overlooking Central Porto and the Luis I Bridge from across the river, seen from atop the Serra do Pilar Monastery

Serra do Pilar Monastery Viewpoint
Photo by Diego Delso
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Castle-like Romanesque extrior of the Porto Cathedral paritally obscured by other buildings

Porto Cathedral
Photo by Pedro Paulo Palazzo
CC BY-SA 2.0 | Edited

Facade of the fine white and brick Paco Episcopal do Porto Palace

Paco Episcopal do Porto Palace
Photo by Manuel de Sousa
Edited

Medieval hilltop walls of the former Fernandina Castle in Porto, Portugal

Muralha Fernandina Castle Walls
Photo by Ruialbuquerque
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Luis I Bridge
Photo by Diego Delso
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar Monastery
Photo by Ronnie Macdonald
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Serra do Pilar Monastery Viewpoint
Photo by Diego Delso
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Porto Cathedral
Photo by Pedro Paulo Palazzo
CC BY-SA 2.0 | Edited

Paco Episcopal do Porto Palace
Photo by Manuel de Sousa
Edited

Muralha Fernandina Castle Walls
Photo by Ruialbuquerque
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Ribeira District

Porto's main church is the towering Porto Cathedral, which an imposing romanesque exterior and a remarkable gothic cloister.

Nearby the cathedral you can tour the grand Paco Episcopal do Porto palace with its historic interiors and see the remnants of Porto's medieval Muralha Fernandina city walls (and walk along them). The walls tower above the Douro River below, which is spanned by another Porto landmark, the Luis I Bridge. Be sure to take in scenic views from below the bridge along the river.

From across the bridge you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over Porto from the roof of the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar monastery. You can also take in excellent views looking up at Porto from the riverside below the bridge.

Extravagantly decorated room within Porto's Bolsa Palace

Bolsa Palace
Photo by Marcello Saponaro
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Highly embellished interiors inside Porto's Monument Church of St. Francis

Monument Church of St. Francis
Photo by Alegna13
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Lovely clifftop Gardens of the Crystal Palace with vistas overlooking the suburbs of Porto in the background

Gardens of the Crystal Palace
Photo by xlibber
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Bolsa Palace
Photo by Marcello Saponaro
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Monument Church of St. Francis
Photo by Alegna13
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Gardens of the Crystal Palace
Photo by xlibber
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Bolsa Palace
Photo by Marcello Saponaro
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

Monument Church of St. Francis
Photo by Alegna13
CC BY-SA 3.0 | Edited

Gardens of the Crystal Palace
Photo by xlibber
CC BY 2.0 | Edited

More Attractions

Bolsa Palace

The city's most famous palace is the 19th century Bolsa Palace, which showcases incredibly lavish ornate interiors that you can tour. The Bolsa Palace is definitely a must-see attraction.

Monument Church os St. Francis

Next door to the palace is the impressive baroque 14th century Monument Church of St. Francis, which features extravagant interiors covered in gold and underground catacombs.

Gardens of the Crystal Palace

One more attraction to consider is the 19th century Gardens of the Crystal Palace, which feature beautiful manicured gardens overlooking the river from high above, located to the west of Porto's historic centre. Another great place to take in views over the river is from the Parque das Virtudes park.