Porto is a monumental city, inhabited since 300 B.C. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the land of Port Wine. From monuments and museums to modern architecture and contemporary art, you have plenty of things to discover and to admire.
Porto Cathedral
The Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto), located in the heart of Porto’s historic center, is one of Portugal’s oldest and most important monuments. The beginning of its construction dates from the first half of the 12th century, and lasted until the early 13th century.
This first Romanesque style building has undergone many changes over the centuries. The result is this jewel you must visit. An harmony of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles that will enchant you and you will never forget. And, like the priceless things, it is free.
Location: Terreiro da Se, Porto, 2000 mts far from the flats. GPS: 41.142861, -8.611173
Clérigos Tower
The Clérigos Church and Tower (18th century) is a remarkable architectural ensemble located in the city of Porto, and is considered the ex-libris of the city.
Designed by architect Nicolau Nasoni, which is buried here, this set is one of the most notable examples of late-baroque style in Portuguese territory. It is a must visit monumental complex for those coming to Porto.
Location: Rua de São Filipe de Nery, Porto, about 2500 meters from the flats. GPS: 41.145869, -8.613988
Serra do Pilar Monastery
The Serra do Pilar Monastery (16th – 17th century) is located on an elevation above the Douro River called Serra do Pilar, located in the parish of Santa Marinha in front of the city of Porto.
It is considered one of the most remarkable buildings of classical European architecture because of its exceptional architectural value and the unique character of its church and cloister, both circular and of the same size.
Location: Largo Aviz, Vila Nova de Gaia, 100 meters plus a cable car trip away from the flats. GPS: 41.138461, -8.607374
Saint Francis Church
The Saint Francis Church is a gothic church located in the parish of São Nicolau in the historic center of Porto. Construction began in the 14th century as part of a Franciscan convent. It is notable for its 18th century Baroque gilt carving set.
Throughout the centuries, several altarpieces and chapels were designed and built by important Iberian architects. If you appreciate opulent decoration in stone and in gold carving you must visit this Church and its complex of chapels, altars and catacombs.
Location: Rua Infante D. Henrique, Porto, 1400 mts from the flats. GPS: 41.141038, -8.615721
D. Luiz Bridge
The D. Luís I bridge is an ex-libris of Porto and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage area. Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, was the responsible for the construction, and built it by order of the king Luis I, starting in 1881 and ending in 1887.
This bridge connects Porto to its twin city of Gaia. All made of iron, it has about 395 meters of length and 8 meters of width and two floors that connect both lower and upper end of the city. Now the bridge is part of the metro system but is also a pedestrian cross of Douro river both on lower and upper floors.
Access: On Porto side, thru Av. D. Afonso Henriques. On Gaia side, thru Av. da República. GPS: 41.139049, -8.60939
Santa Marinha Church
For those who like religious architecture, Porto offers plenty of churches and chapels. But right in front of the flats is the Parish Church of Santa Marinha. It is a 16th century temple, completely repaired in 1745, under architect Nicolau Nazoni direction.
It has beautiful wooden images, the most notable being that of the Lord Jesus Crucified, made by an anonymous artisan. On the main altar, four canvases are displayed, with rich frames, showing the Annunciation, the Birth, the Escape to Egypt and the Adoration of the Magi, by Nazoni. Also, on the main altar there are two 19th century tile panels, which represent scenes from the life of Santa Marinha.
Location: Largo de Santa Marinha, Gaia. GPS: 41.136277, -8.614901
Casa da Música
Casa da Música (House of the Music) is Porto’s main concert hall. It was designed by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas as part of the Porto European Capital of Culture in 2001. However, construction was not completed until 2005 and immediately became an icon of the city.
This piece of contemporary architecture is one of the greatest symbol of Porto’s modern art scene, but not being the only. So, don’t forget to visit the House of Music; and after enjoy a quiet moment in its garden.
Location: Avenida da Boavista, 604-610 , Porto, about 5000 meters from the flats. GPS: 41.158939, -8.630698
São Bento Train Station
São Bento Train Station is located in Porto’s Historic Center. The french-influenced station building, a former Benedictine monastery, entered service on 1896. The station has established itself as one of the main monuments in the city, being famous for its tile panels.
Although the building is very beautiful from the outside, you should not miss the hall of the station, where episodes of portuguese history are depicted in tiles.
Location: Praça Almeida Garret, Porto, 2000 meters away from the flats. GPS: 41.145694, -8.610536
Stock Exchange Palace
The Stock Exchange Palace ( Palácio da Bolsa ) is in downtown Porto, near Saint Francis Church. It began its construction in 1842 and ended in 1862. It is the Commercial Association of Porto headquarters.
With a mix of architectural styles the building presents in all its splendor, traces of the nineteenth century neoclassic, Tuscan architecture, as well as English neo-Palladian. It is open for visits, being one of the most sought after heritage buildings in Porto.
Location: Rua Infante D. Henrique , Porto, 1400 mts far from the flats. GPS: 41.141425, -8.615665
Livraria Lello & Irmão
Due to its unique historical and artistic value, Lello & Irmão bookshop has been recognized as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world by many personalities and entities, such as The Guardian newspaper, Time magazine, CNN and the guidebook Lonely Planet.
Livraria Lello is one of the most emblematic buildings of the Porto neogothic, standing out strongly in the surrounding urban landscape. Go there and climb its monumental stairway to book lovers heaven.
Location: Rua das Carmelitas, 144, Porto, 2500 mts from the flats. GPS: 41.146919, -8.614775
Serralves Museum
Serralves Contemporary Art Museum, is the most important museum of contemporary art in Portugal and it is an international reference for contemporary art exhibitions. The building, designed by architect Siza Vieira, is surrounded by the wonderful Serralves Park, where works of various contemporary artists are also exhibited.
The museum’s permanent collection, where many prominent artists are referenced, is essentially made up of works from the late 60s to the present day. Really a must see museum.
Location: Rua D. João de Castro, 210, Porto, 8 kms from the flats.
Soares dos Reis Museum
Founded in 1833, Soares dos Reis National Museum was the first public art museum in Portugal. It began as a museum of fine arts but now also includes decorative arts and archaeology.
The museum’s collection has over 13,000 pieces, of which about 3,000 correspond to drawing and painting. The rest are distributed by collections of sculpture, engraving, decorative arts (furniture, porcelain, glass, jewelery, textiles) and archaeological collections. Most of this pieces are of Portuguese artists.
Location: Rua de Dom Manuel II, 44, Porto, 3300 mts from the flats.
Cellars and Vineyards
One of the most popular attractions in Porto is to visit its wineries and vineyards. Discover some of the most famous wineries in the world. Choose one and go for a glass of Port. It is really a marvelous wine.
You can visit numerous wine cellars in Santa Marinha, where a guide will help you explore the installations while explaining the wine-making process.
Location: Santa Marinha, Gaia, from 50 to 500 meters from the flats.