Discover Porto
What does Porto have to offer?
With the variety of resources available Porto conquers all its visitors, from
those who want it for its history and authenticity, to the ones who seek to
explore a new, more cosmopolitan and contemporary city. Discovering Porto means
discovering what makes it different:
- The famous Port Wine, available at the cellars, wine shops,
the museum and bars, to be tasted and to get to know its history
- An Historical Centre designated World Cultural Heritage, by
UNESCO, since December 1996, gathering a vast heritage to be
visited, known for its narrow streets, its granite buildings and
the unique setting of the colourful houses by the river
- Museums with varied themes, such as transports, history,
art, communication and sciences
- Churches with their interior covered by magnificent gilt
carving, classified monuments and beautiful tile panels
- Buildings designed by renowned national and international
contemporary architects
- A privileged location by the river and the sea, ideal for
nautical tourism, pleasant walks or bike rides along the
riverside and the seaside, and relaxing moments at delightful
terraces
- Enchanting parks and gardens, romantic and bucolic, perfect
for a break or for special family moments
- The possibility of getting to know the city on foot, by bus,
tram or any other classical or more innovative way
- Classical and timeless cafés, inviting you to a joyful
gathering, and modern and cosmopolitan bars, with music for all
tastes
- Traditional commerce, alternative shops, fashion boutiques
by national and international designers, and also modern
shopping centres
- Typical Portuguese cuisine restaurants, and restaurants
serving many other types of cuisine, along with the opportunity
to try the recipes of renowned chefs, served in excellent places
- A public transportation system that allows you to easily
move around the city
- A regular cultural and leisure events programme, both
national and international, taking place in prestigious
entertainment venues and on the grand stage – the city itself
- The annual and great City Festivities – Porto’s São João,
celebrated by all people
And, of course, accommodation offers for varied prices and meeting the
expectations of the most demanding clients, a vast set of quality services and
nice and welcoming people awaiting you.
Porto gives you a bit of everything. Give it a try!
I have little time to visit the city. What shouldn’t I miss?
If you have little time, walk through the city, departing from Avenida dos
Aliados.
Visit the Bolhão Market and Rua de Santa Catarina, the city’s main commercial
street.
Walk through the Historical Centre, admiring the tiles in the S. Bento
Railway Station, the Cathedral, and take a look at a book in the beautiful Lello
Bookshop.
Be amazed by the panoramic view from the Tower of Clérigos.
Admire the baroque gilt carving in the Church of S. Francisco and the fantastic Arabian Room, in the Stock Exchange Palace.
Explore the narrow streets of Ribeira, designated World Heritage and city’s
postcard.
End your day visiting a Port Wine Cellar, on the other side of the river, but
begin your night in one of the several available restaurants at Ribeira or in
the City Centre.
After dinner, you’ll find multiple entertainment offers, such as venues with
live music or different kinds of shows, namely in the City Centre or the
Historical Centre.
But if you have the time, prolong your stay and visit other attractions in
the city, as the Soares dos Reis National Museum, the Gardens of Palácio de
Cristal, Casa da Música, the Serralves Contemporary Art Museum, and the Sea
Life.
Don’t miss a tram ride along the riverside and an inspiring sunset, quietly
sitting at a terrace by the sea.
Discover Porto… we await you!
Where should I be staying?
A great part of the accommodation available is located in the areas of
Boavista and the City Centre. In the Boavista area, although not so close from
the city centre, you will find different kinds of accommodation, with special
mention to a set of high quality hotels. But if you wish to get to know the city
on foot, you should choose to stay in the City Centre, a few minutes away from
the main attractions.
For those looking for more typical and traditional scenarios, we recommend the
Historical Centre.
But if you enjoy staying by the sea, take a look at the Foz area.
However, from any other area in the city you’ll be able to get quickly and
easily to the city centre, thanks to an efficient transports system.
Porto presents a great variety of accommodation offers: 1 star to 5 star hotels,
some belonging to the most renowned international chains, a Pousada de Portugal,
guest houses, hostels, local accommodation facilities, tourism apartments and a
youth hostel.
Where can I go shopping?
Porto is known for its extensive shopping opportunities which bring shoppers
in from the suburbs and outlying regions.
In the City Centre you will find the busiest traditional commerce streets.
Along the Avenida da Boavista, and in Foz, you will find some of the best known
international brand stores, with their select and exclusive offer.
As an alternative to shopping outdoors, the city can also offer a number of
shopping centres, located in the city’s central area mentioned above, in
Boavista and in the city’s growth areas, such as the easternmost zone of the
famous Dragão Stadium.
In the outlying areas of the city there are a number of large-scale retail
centres where you can buy all sorts of products, find numerous brands and shop
to suit all budgets. There are also good transport links from the city centre.
Every day new shopping opportunities are born, from the second-hand store in
which the dedicated owner has breathed new life to a product, preserving it in
its original form or dressing it up in more modern clothes, to the one-off
products turned out by the new wave creative industries. In different parts of
the city, these new ventures have sprung up and then coalesced into a number of
areas that deserve special mention, such as the Miguel Bombarda quarter, the
area around Clérigos, Carmo and Rua do Almada, Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, Rua das
Flores and Rua do Infante D. Henrique.
These days, it is a good idea to look carefully where you are going as you are
likely to stumble across something curious and refreshingly new.
So you already know; everything you are looking for, Porto’s got it. If Porto
hasn’t got it ... it doesn’t exist!
What sightseeing tours can I do in Porto?
Come what may, whatever the weather and whoever you come with, there is
always a way to get to know the ins and outs of the city.
The pedestrian walks are the best way of getting to know the city’s more
traditional streets. They let you discover picturesque corners, capture details
and curiosities, admire great artistic and architectural symbols and experience
characteristic flavours, bringing you into contact with the people and their
generous welcome.
On a Segway or a bicycle, enjoy the pleasure of being close to the city on a
mode of transport that allows you to explore the historic centre or broaden your
trip out along the Porto riverside and seafront, from the Ribeira to the City
Park.
You can also trundle through a good part of the historical centre and the city
centre on a mini-train, comfortably taking in many of the more emblematic sights
in these important city areas.
Trams 1, 18 and 22 run throughout the city centre and the riverside, combining
the wealth of sights along the way with the opportunity to travel in such a
traditional vehicle.
A trip on the open-top buses allows you to get to know all the loveliest spots
in the city of Porto. You can hop off and visit something and then hop back on
again to enjoy the panorama of monuments, viewpoints, parks, beaches and the
riverside.
Seen from the river, the city of Porto rises in all its architectural glory. It
is a glittering backdrop, unique in the world; one that a Bridges cruise
effortlessly unveils. However, Douro cruises are not just confined to the city
limits, the river is there to be explored on various types of boats, on voyages
that last from half a day to eight days.
Luxury sail and motor yachts are another way to discover the secrets of this
city and its river.
For those who like to do something new, a trip up the Douro on a semi-inflatable
offers a different kind of experience, linking the Mouth of the Douro with the
Freixo Palace and allowing you to stop and enjoy the most fascinating spots
along the way.
There is also jet boating, offering not just the tourist experience but
adventure as well, with its spectacular emotions and moments for you to both
live and remember.
Finally, surrender to the beauty of the ‘unvanquished’ city and enjoy Porto from
the air on an unforgettable helicopter trip.
What can I do at night?
At night, we like to have a good time in good company, and Porto offers just
the right places for this.
From the small ‘tasca’ to the highly-refined restaurant, for traditional cooking
or signature cuisine, Porto serves up a huge platter of flavours and ambiences,
capable of satisfying the most demanding of tastes, from the more traditional to
the boldest offerings, for young people of all ages, afterhours included.
There are places which are welcoming and intimate, or more modern ones, with
innovative and open-minded concepts, spaces with spaces within, where an
assortment of cultures and arts live side-by-side, showing off the creativity
and irreverence of the city’s young creators. There are places with open-air
spaces, art galleries, shops, stages for theatre performances and presentations
and cool spaces, with alternative sound and retro ambience.
In the city centre, old warehouses, townhouses and historic buildings have been
restored and transformed into highly original settings featuring live music or
top DJs from the national and international music scene. Bars, cafés and
entertainment venues can be found mainly in the areas around Carmo, Clérigos and
Passos Manuel, but some discos are located in Porto’s industrial area.
In the historical centre Porto’s cultural life is now shaken up by the brand new
Hard Club, two steps away from the well-known Ribeira.
Along the city’s waterfronts, esplanades and other entertainment opportunities
are just inviting you to savour a delicious meal, stop for a relaxing drink or
enjoy a lively night looking out over the Douro and the Atlantic, with an
open-air stroll as a different kind of option.
Night seems to never end in Porto!
What kind of events does Porto offer?
Porto maintains a regular agenda of entertainment and events. Large concerts,
street music and entertainment, theatre, art, alternative and street markets,
major exhibitions and exciting sports events are some of this city’s many
attractions. These activities – which combine tradition and modernity with a
creative touch – make day-to-day life an intense and vivid feast to which
everyone is invited.
Some events, as the simultaneous Miguel Bombarda’s art galleries inaugurations,
outdoor concerts and some street markets happen regularly during the year and
complete an intense and varied agenda.
Within the regular annual programme, special mention goes to:
January
• New Year’s Eve on Avenida dos Aliados
February
• Fantasporto – Porto International Film Festival
March
• Camellia Exhibition
• Essência do Vinho (Wine Event)
• Carnival
• National Historical Centres Day
• Portugal Fashion
April
• Easter
May
• Queima das Fitas (University Students’ Festival)
• FITEI – International Festival of Iberian Expression Theatre
• Book Fair
• International Museum Day
• Porto Cartoon World Festival
• Serralves em Festa (Serralves Festival)
June
• Boavista Circuit (biannual event) –Porto Historical Grand Prix
• São João – City’s Festivities
July
• Boavista Circuit (biannual event) – WTCC – World Touring Car Championship
• Outdoor cinema
• Porto Bike Tour
• Summer on the City Centre
August
• Blue Jazz Nights
• Ritual Nights
• Jazz in the Park
• Traditional Festivals
• Outdoor cinema
September
• Essência do Gourmet (gastronomy event)
October
• FITU – International University Students Bands Festival
• Trama – Performative Arts Festival
• World Music Day
• Portugal Fashion
November
• Porto Marathon
December
• Christmas lighting
• Street entertainment
• Handicraft fair
• São Silvestre Run
Where can I see photos from Porto?
What are the usual opening hours for shops, restaurants and public services?
Usual opening hours for shops, restaurants and public services:
- Banks: Monday to Friday - 08:30/15:00
- Street commerce: Monday to Friday - 09:00 or 10:00/19:00.
Some shops open on Saturday all day.
- Shopping Centres: Daily - 10:00/24:00
- Restaurants: Lunch - 12:00/15:00, Dinner 19:00/22:00
- Pharmacies: Monday to Friday - 09:00/19:00; 09:00/13:00
Saturday. Rotas for 24 hour pharmacy service displayed at all
pharmacies.
- Most museums in the city are closed on Monday. If you want
to visit a museum on this day, make sure it is open.
Where in the city can I get tourism information about the city?
The Porto City Council provides three tourism information spots in the city
centre.
Here you will find a young and experienced team that will help you getting to
know the city. Besides the tourism information available, you can purchase
promotional material, the Porto Card and also, exclusively in the Tourism Office
– Centre, tickets for the municipal museums, for the Rivoli Municipal Theatre,
travel tickets (Andante – recharging monthly passes, Andante Tour (1 and 3
days), Andante 24H and occasional tickets) and the municipal youth ticket.
Tourism Office - Centre
• Address: Rua Clube dos Fenianos, 25 - 4000-172 Porto
• Tel. +351 223 393 472
• Website: visitporto.travel
• GPS: Lat 41.150175 Log -8.611200
• Opening hours: 21 Jun - 21 Sep Daily 09:00-20:00
22 Sep - 20 Jun Daily 09:00-19:00
Tourism Office - Ribeira
• Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique, 63 - 4050-297 Porto
• Tel. +351 222 060 412/ +351 222 060 413
• Website: visitporto.travel
• GPS: Lat 41.140990 Long -8.614693
• Opening hours: 21 Jun - 21 Sep Daily 09:00-20:00
22 Sep - 20 June Daily 09:00-19:00
Tourism Office - Sé (former City Hall)
• Address: Terreiro da Sé - 4050-573 Porto
• Tel. +351 223 325 174
• Website: visitporto.trave
• GPS: Lat 41.143047 Log -8.611185
• Opening hours: Daily 10:00-18:00
ipoint Serralves
• Local: Rua de D. João de Castro, 210 - 4150-417 Porto
• Tel. +351 220996519
• Website: visitporto.travel
• GPS: Lat 41.159697 Log -8.660039
• Opening hours: Apr-Sep Daily 10:00-18:00
Oct-Mar Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 Closed: Mon