Portugal’s de facto “second city” and vibrant hub of the vast Norte region is a seamless blend of old and new, traditional and cosmopolitan. From the historic Ribeira district to the wine cellars across the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia, to the posh estates of Boavista and modern light rail system, Porto is a phenomenal study in contrasts.
To walk the narrow streets of the old city center and visit the myriad cathedrals and ancient landmarks is to step back in time. Yet dine and dance the night away in the Foz district, take in a concert at the superb Casa da Musica or scream your lungs out for F.C. Porto at the awesome Estadio do Dragao and it soon becomes claro : Porto is a thoroughly modern European city.
With so much to see in the city by the Douro, here are ten attractions to consider.
10. Port Wine Caves
Even if you have a disdain for Port wine, a wine cellar tour across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia is a must. The suburb city of Porto is home to all the familiar, iconic names of the quintessential spirit, from Sandeman and Taylor’s, to Croft and Offley. The tours are well worth the time and small price and often include more than a generous glass of the good stuff.
Batalha Square is a typical, historic plaza in Porto, with one wonderful feature in the Teatro Nacional Sao Joao. The beautiful national theater has roots that go back to the late 18th century and had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1908. It remains a vital cultural monument in all of Portugal.
Notable ecclesiastical architecture, as befits a great European city, is abundant in Porto. If you had to select one or two however, the main city cathedral would have to rank near the top of the list. For Gothic cloisters and superlative views of the old city, the cathedral is worth a visit and has stood in one way or another, for over 1,000 years.
The grand 19th century Stock Exchange Palace is one of several reasons why old Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage city. The best architects of the time were thrust upon the Bolsa and the palace interior in particular, is magnificent.
6. National Museum Soares dos Reis
The first national museum of Portugal, the Soares dos Reis is a premier cultural institution, with a beautiful gallery of works by sculptor Antonio Soares dos Reis. The museum’s permanent collection is a tribute to 19th and 20th century Portuguese art.
The Gothic Igreja de Sao Francisco grabs the eye as soon as you approach the old city near the Douro river. The 14th century cathedral is a rare gem indeed, with Baroque and Neoclassical additions. The Palacio da Bolsa is adjacent to the church and sits on the foundation of a former Gothic convent, razed by fire.
4. Serralves Foundation and Museum
A veritable oasis of calm and culture from the hilly madness of the old city, the Serralves Foundation and Museum is the result of a partnership between the public and private sector in Porto. Book a day to spend at the facility, home to a sleek, ultra-modern contemporary art museum, acres of gorgeous, landscaped gardens and woodlands, and the Art Deco estate of a former Count.
3. Foz do Douro
The affluent district of Foz is a mere 5 km outside of old Ribeira but feels a world away in many respects. In the summer, the beach at the mouth of the Douro and Atlantic Ocean is the place to be. Restaurants and nightclubs make Foz a fun and trendy escape from central Porto.
With a plethora of generic football stadiums across Europe, the Estadio do Dragao is architectural refreshment indeed. The superb facility is eye candy and the envy of many a club in Europe, let alone Portugal. Of course, it helps that the team on the field, F.C. Porto, remain perennial contenders for the league crown.
Porto’s splendid new concert hall, built in 2005, is already one of the indelible fixtures on the city’s skyline. If you need a good reason to visit, other than for great concerts of course, digest this quote from the architecture critic of The New York Times: ” (…) this is one of the most important concert halls built in the last 100 years.”
Discover the best hotel deals in Porto.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Responses to this Article
Leave a Reply