Porto

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A metro train crosses the Dom Luiz bridge with the historic city of Porto beyond.

©Mapics/Shutterstock

Overview

Opening up like a pop-up book from the banks of the Rio Douro, edgy-yet-opulent Porto entices with its historic center and sumptuous food and wine.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Decorated interior of church museum of Saint Francis (Igreja de Sao Francisco) in Porto, Portugal. architecture, art, baroque, belief, catholic, church, construction, convent, decoration, destination, district, europe, famous, former, francis, franciscan, francisco, gothic, heritage, historic, historical, igreja, interior, landmark, leading, lines, monument, old, ornamental, orthodox, pattern, porto, portugal, portuguese, religion, ribeira, rich, romantic, saint, sao, site, symmetrical, symmetry, tourism, traditional, travel, urban, view, vintage, wealth, wealthy, world

    Igreja de São Francisco

    Ribeira

    Igreja de São Francisco looks from the outside to be an austerely Gothic church, but inside it hides one of Portugal’s most dazzling displays of baroque…

  • PORTO, PORTUGAL - AUGUST 22, 2013: Art deco villa in Serralves Gardens in the city of Porto, Portugal; Shutterstock ID 335447633; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

    Serralves

    Foz do Douro

    This fabulous cultural institution combines a museum, a mansion and extensive gardens. Cutting-edge exhibitions, along with a fine permanent collection…

  • Se Cathedral in Porto, Portugal

    Sé

    Ribeira

    From Praça da Ribeira rises a tangle of medieval alleys and stairways that eventually reach the hulking, hilltop fortress of the cathedral. Founded in the…

  • Dom Luis I bridge, Porto, Portugal.

    Ponte de Dom Luís I

    Ribeira

    Completed in 1886 by a student of Gustave Eiffel, the bridge’s top deck is now reserved for pedestrians, as well as one of the city’s metro lines; the…

  • National Museum Soares dos Reis located in the ancient Carrancas Palace, in Porto, Portugal; Shutterstock ID 233117197; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

    Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis

    Miragaia

    Porto's best art museum presents a stellar collection ranging from Neolithic carvings to Portugal’s take on modernism, all housed in the formidable…

  • Porto, Portugal - August 25, 2020: Nations Courtyard at Stock Exchange Palace in Porto, Portugal. 1439431854 attraction, building, central, commercial, culture, dome, exchange, historic, historical, indoor, inner, interior, landmark, nations, octagonal, palacio da bolsa, patio das nacoes, porto, portuguese, stock, stock exchange

    Palácio da Bolsa

    Ribeira

    This splendid neoclassical monument (built from 1842 to 1910) honours Porto’s past and present money merchants. Just past the entrance is the glass-domed…

  • Detail of Sao Bento Train station in Oporto. The first train arrived here in 1896, but the building (designed with a French Renaissance touch) opened in 1903.; Shutterstock ID 7016608; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 56530; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: Digital Content/Sights

    São Bento Train Station

    Aliados & Bolhão

    One of the world's most beautiful train stations, beaux arts São Bento wings you back to a more graceful age of rail travel. Completed in 1903, it seems…

  • APRIL 19, 2017: Customers browse books inside the famous bookshop, Lello e Irmao (1906). 785980567 architecture, art, art-nouveau, attraction, neo-gothic, book, bookshop, bookstore, building, century, capital, culture, commerce, design, detail, decorated, europe, european, eu, famous, historic, historical, irmao, landmark, location, lello, livraria, nouveau, old, oporto, ornate, picturesque, porto, portugal, portuguese, shop, sight, sightseeing, store, travel, trip, tourism, inside, indoor, interior, bookshelf, shelf, wooden

    Livraria Lello

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Ostensibly a bookshop, but even if you’re not after books, don’t miss this exquisite 1906 neo-Gothic confection, with its lavishly carved plaster…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Things to Know

Porto’s history, hills and hipster allure always fascinate. Here are a few things to know before you arrive in this sensational city.

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Best Neighborhoods

From sightseeing to places to stay, get to know the vibrant city of Porto with this neighborhood guide.

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Day Trips

Porto is an ideal launch pad to visit other towns, cities and regions in northern Portugal. Here are five great day trips from Porto.

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Money and Costs

The top 13 ways to save money on a trip to Portugal's captivating northern city. Here's how to visit Porto on a budget.

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Transportation

The bus and metro are the easiest ways to get around this big city – though slower transport options offer a way to get in more picture-perfect views.

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Free Things to Do

From exploring street art to enjoying wonderful panoramic views at sunset, here are the best free things to do in Porto.

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5 Shops

Porto's best independent shops pull shoppers in some unexpected, quirky directions

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Spending Diaries

How to eat well, go sightseeing, get around and even take a day trip for under 300 euros.

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Plan with a local

Articles

Latest stories from Porto

Lisbon Vs. Porto Porto: https://lonelyplanet.canto.com/library?keyword=Porto&viewIndex=0&display=fitView&referenceTo=&from=fitView&auth=sso&column=image&id=paad19q8nh659e53cevkq5bn6n Lisbon: https://lonelyplanet.canto.com/library?keyword=Lisbon&viewIndex=0&display=fitView&referenceTo=&from=fitView&auth=sso&column=image&id=4b2vpqc4gp25355j55cu1nme2d

Tips & Advice

Lisbon vs Porto: which riverside city is right for you?

Mar 12, 2025 • 7 min read

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