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A laid-back atmosphere, superb views and great hospitality make Porto an enchanting city. Porto also boasts a lively nightlife, exceptional cuisine, world-famous wine, grand historical monuments and trendy new buildings.
Discover the must-sees during your stay in this beautiful Portuguese city.
The beautiful cobbled avenue is located in the heart of the city, and leads to the City Hall of Porto. Nearby, don't miss the Sao Bento train station, which opened in 1896 and has a beautiful hall covered with historical tiles.
Sé, the cathedral of Porto, is the most important building in the city. From the Praça da Ribeira, a tangle of medieval alleys and stairways leads to this imposing fortified religious monument. Founded in the 12th century, it was largely rebuilt a century later and extensively remodelled in the 18th century. The Romanesque origins of the church can still be seen in the nave. A fourteenth-century rose window and a Gothic cloister also remain.
Ribeira is a beautiful historic district, listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its labyrinth of medieval streets, lined with beautiful pastel-coloured houses and tascas (taverns), zigzags all the way to the Douro River. Packed with landmarks, shops and restaurants, this historic district is a picture postcard of Porto. During your visit, discover Gustave Eiffel's iconic Dom-Luis Bridge.
In the historic centre, don't miss the baroque church of Sao Francisco, with its gold-covered interior walls - one of the most beautiful in Porto.
The Palacio de la Bolsa is a lavish Moorish building with dazzling details, reflecting Portugal's former trading power.
The Torre de Los Clérigos is visible from all four corners of the city. Built in 1750, this Italian baroque building is 76 metres high and offers a breathtaking view of the entire city. You will have to climb 225 steps to reach the top.
This cultural institution combines a museum, a mansion and extensive gardens. Cutting-edge exhibitions and a splendid permanent collection of works from the late 1960s to the present day are presented at the Museu de Arte Contemporânea. The museum is located in the beautiful Parque de Serralves with its water lily ponds, rose gardens and fountains, ideal for a pleasant bucolic outing in the city. The estate is located 6km west of the city centre; take bus 201 in front of Praça Dom João I, one block east of Avenida dos Aliados.
Legend has it that this library was the inspiration for J. K. Rowling's famous bookshop in the Harry Potter saga. You can browse through a range of books or simply visit this magnificent building built in 1869. It was voted the 3rd best library in the world by Lonely Planet.
The Casa da Música is the beating heart of Porto's cultural scene and the home of the Porto National Orchestra. It was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The building contains a concert hall renowned for its acoustics, which are said to be among the best in the world.
Renowned for its gastronomy and distinctive wine: Porto is a destination of choice for gourmets. During your stay, wine tasting is, of course, a must. You can visit the vineyards of Vila Nova de Gaia, which can be reached by crossing the Dom Luis Bridge and walking a little way out of the city.
