Magnificent bridges, churches, and cathedrals, tiled houses, and narrow streets. The mouth of the golden Douro River, where the world-famous wine is born. And last but not least, the Atlantic coast within reach. All this and much more awaits you in the second largest city in Portugal – Porto. Moreover, nearby you can discover the Portuguese “Venice” – the town of Aveiro, and the endless white beach – Costa Nova Beach with sand dunes, like on the Canary Islands.
What will you find in the article?
- Detailed map with attractions
- Practical tips so that nothing surprises you
- What not to miss in Porto
- As a bonus: Aveiro and Costa Nova Beach
Detailed map with attractions
Practical information
- Airport transportation – there is a direct metro line E running from the airport to the city center (or rather a train, as it mostly runs above ground). The most cost-effective option is the Andante Tour 3-day card for €15 or a 1-day card for €7, available for purchase at the airport tourist center (cash only). You need to validate the card at the ticket validator before each metro entry (including transfers to other metros), when boarding a bus, or before a train trip
- Trams – unfortunately, trams are not included in the Andante Tour card and require separate payment of €3.50 for 1 ride, €6 for 2 rides, or €10 for a 2-day pass
- Boats – a cruise on the “6 Bridges Cruise” from Ribeira typically costs €15 and lasts 50 minutes, but if you opt for it from the other side of the shore, it’s only €12
- Taxis – the city operates apps like Bolt, Uber, and Mytaxi – a ride to the airport using Bolt was around €12
- Port wine – a bottle of port wine is cheaper in local shops than in wine cellars (e.g., we found Cruz Tawny in a shop for €5.70 versus the official price of €8.90)
- Food – a must-try dish is codfish prepared in various ways and the hearty sandwich with sauce – francesinha. For beer enthusiasts, we recommend Super Bock and Bavaria Weiss
- Freelancing – We recommend the café Nicolau Porto with fast internet and delicious food.
- Aveiro – a more expensive train to Aveiro costs €14.70, while a cheaper one is available for just €3.55 (with only a 20-minute time difference), check the schedule on the CP transporter’s website
- Lisbon – there is also a high-speed train from Porto to Lisbon, taking you to the capital in 3.5 hours for only €31.20 (2nd class)
What we saw in Porto
1. Luís I. Bridge
Luís I. Bridge – in Slovak, most Ľudovíta I., is the biggest landmark in Porto. It was built in 1886 and was designed by Gustave Eiffel himself. The bridge stands 45m tall and has two levels – the lower one for cars and buses, while the upper one is used for the metro. When the metro is not running, the full width is available for pedestrians – isn’t that genius?
TIP: The best views of the bridge can be seen from the cable car’s terminus and at the top near the Serra do Pilar monastery
2. Cais de Ribeira
Cais de Ribeira – main waterfront by the Luís I Bridge with lots of colorful houses and restaurants. The central square is Ribeira Square, from where sightseeing boats also depart. The most common cruise, “6 Bridges Cruise,” runs every half hour and lasts 50 minutes. For €15, you also get a wine tasting at the Porto Cruz building on the other side of the river. The historic Ribeira district has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
3. Clérigos Tower
Clérigos Tower – church with a 76m tall tower, just a few minutes from São Bento metro station. The tower looms majestically over all the buildings and offers a breathtaking view of Porto after climbing 240 steps. The entrance fee is €5, but if you only want to visit the church, it’s free.
4. Port Wine Cellars
Port Wine Cellars – the legendary port wine cellars are located on the opposite bank of the Douro River in an area called Vila Nova de Gaia. The tour price starts from €10, and besides historical facts, you also get to taste 2-3 wines at the end. In general, there are 3 main types of port wines – the reddest and sweetest “Ruby,” the golden-brown “Tawny,” and the least sweet white variety. Our favorites were Cruz, Sandeman, and Calém in the Tawny style. The cellars have large bright signs, which especially illuminate the entire city of Vila Nova in the evening.
TIP: When buying a bottle of port wine, it’s better to purchase it at a local store as the price difference can be up to 3 euros (e.g. Cruz), whereas Sandeman maintains its price even in local stores.
TIP: Cruz is one of the few places with a 360° panoramic terrace overlooking the bridge and Ribeira.
5. Porto Beaches
Porto Beaches – Foz do Douro is the mouth of the Douro River, where beaches with brown sand and the untamed Atlantic begin. The water temperature in the summer months is around 19C at most, so you need a bit of courage to swim. The best way to reach the beaches is by bus number 500, which is double-decker, providing an even more beautiful view of the ocean.
TIP: We recommend an evening run at sunset – start at the lighthouse and finish at Castelo do Queijo Castle, the experience is perfect.
6. Lada Ribeira Elevator
Lada Ribeira Elevator – the elevator is located between Ribeira Square and Luís I Bridge. It may not be as grand as the Santa Justa Lift in Lisbon, but it also offers a nice view of the bridge and the other side of the coast. Plus, it’s free.
7. Sao Bento Station
Sao Bento Station – a historic train station that is integrated into the city center. From here, we took a train to Aveiro, for example. The train disappears into a long tunnel right after departure and emerges along the Douro River. It continues to Campanha station, where it turns 180° and crosses the Ponte de São João bridge, from where you can see more of Porto’s bridges.
8. Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
“`html
Jardins do Palácio de Cristal – a romantic garden designed by a German landscape architect as part of the Crystal Palace. Besides peacocks, visitors could enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Arrábida Bridge from the stone tower.
9. Ponte da Arrábida
Ponte da Arrábida – the Arrábida Bridge is another photogenic bridge over the Douro River. Most photographed at sunset, when the sun disk gets directly under its center. Just take the 500 double-decker bus to the beaches for the sunset (included in the Andante Tour).
10. Livraria Lello
“`Livraria Lello – a bookstore that became famous thanks to J.K. Rowling, who used it as a model for the Hogwarts library. The Harry Potter author spent several years in Portugal. The bookstore has two floors and after waiting in line outside, prepare for quite a crowd inside. Admission works as a €5 discount voucher for 1 book, with book prices starting from €10-15. The discount can only be used on a book, cannot be combined, and cannot be used on the additional merchandise they sell.
TIP: Tickets to the library are purchased in the shop above the library on the right and you must store your backpacks there.
11. Palácio da Bolsa and Igreja de São Francisco
Palácio da Bolsa and Igreja de São Francisco – these two landmarks are right next to each other, so I mention them together. Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) is a grand neoclassical building from the 19th century, which served as a stock exchange until 1934. Next to the palace is the Church of St. Francis, where you can visit the historical catacombs and one of the most decorated chapels in Portugal. Admission to the palace is €10 and to the church and catacombs is €7.
Aveiro – Portuguese Venice
If you have already explored Porto thoroughly, we recommend a day trip south to the town of Aveiro. The train journey from Sao Bento to Aveiro takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Check the schedule on the CP website as the more expensive train costs €14.70 and the cheaper one only €3.55 (with a time difference of just 20 minutes). The train departs from the historic Sao Bento station, goes through a tunnel to Campanhã station, where you change directions. It then crosses the Ponte de São João bridge, so be sure to sit on the right side for views of other bridges.
Ponte D. Maria Pia was the original railway bridge designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1877 before the construction of the Eiffel Tower. When compared to the Luís I Bridge, they bear a striking resemblance. Following Maria Pia is the newest arched bridge from 2003, Ponte do Infante, which is entirely made of concrete. The train stops at General Torres station, where you can also transfer to the metro and board directly here, but you would miss the views of the bridges. Along the way, you will pass by the beach town of Espinho. The train even stops underground here. Before reaching Aveiro, there is a paper mill, reminiscent of the smell in Ružomberok. Fortunately, it is far enough from the city.
City center of Aveiro is about 15 minutes walk from the train station. You will recognize it quickly by the canal with floating gondolas. It is often referred to as the Portuguese Venice. Other points of interest include Monastery of Jesus (home to the city museum), Infante D. Pedro park, University of Aveiro, and the Forum Aveiro shopping center. Visiting Aveiro without tasting ovos moles is a sin. This is a typical pastry in the region and originates from ancient convents in Aveiro.
Costa Nova Beach – endless white beach with dunes
Bus Transdev to Costa Nova Beach costs 2.60€ from Aveiro bus station (located about 2 minutes past the train station) or 2.40€ from the center of Aveiro. The bus runs approximately once an hour, so make sure to check the schedule in advance.
During the trip, there are some interesting stops:
- Reserva Natural das Dunas de São Jacinto – a natural reserve with sand dunes that you can reach by boat. The bus stops at the Aveiro Ferry Port.
- Barra Aveiro Beach – an endless white beach with sand dunes and a lighthouse at the end, located above Costa Nova Beach, but without the beautiful colorful houses
The final stop is a roundabout in the center of Costa Nova. On the right side, you will pass by picturesque houses bursting with all possible colors. The houses resemble the Norwegian city of Bergen and can also be found on Booking.com, with prices in the season starting from 30 €/night. Costa Nova is essentially a narrow peninsula, with a lagoon on one side and Costa Nova Beach on the other.
Costa Nova Beach is a beautiful white beach with sand dunes, like those on the Canary Islands. Along the coast runs a wooden path, so you can stroll among the dunes and breathe in the ocean air. If you have a picnic and take a dip in the Atlantic waves, you can easily spend a whole day here. It requires some resilience though, as the water in the summer months barely reaches 18-19°C.
