Porto
Portugal
Backpacking Porto
Information on Porto, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Porto is one of the main cities in Portugal, second only to Lisbon in size and significance. Situated on the Douro River, it was an outpost of the Roman Empire and is a wonderful city, full of charm, culture and fascinating history. It perfectly blends the romantic ideals of days-gone-by, while being authentic and providing a traditional Portuguese experience. Porto has many stunning miradouros (lookouts) including the Sé do Porto cathedral terrace and Jardim do Morro, Porto’s hilltop garden. As well there are many trendy roof terrace bars where you can drink its most famous export, port, which is a fortified wine named after the city. Being in the city is like a colorful dream filled with soaring bell towers, extravagant baroque churches and palm-fringed, fountain-speckled gardens. From the city center you can be by the ocean in Foz do Douro in under 20 minutes. Beyond Porto’s more obvious charms like the river, the port lodges, and the alley-woven historic center, it’s the city’s laid back vibes that makes it special and an easy city to love all while exploring by foot. Porto’s an ideal place to stop for a few days as you backpack Portugal to indulge in the amazing food, sip on the famous wine, and marvel at the inspiring architecture.
Must See
The Porto Cathedral - Located in the historical center of Porto, is one of the oldest and most well-known churches in the city. Its location on top of a hill serves as a good spot for a panoramic view of the city. With a Baroque exterior, stunning Romanesque facade and a little touch of Gothic style on the inside, the church is a must-visit to learn more about the history of the city.
The São Bento Train Station - The Porto Sao Bento train station is decorated with approximately 20,000 Portuguese azulejo tiles, dating back to 1905, all of which form beautiful murals on 3 sides of the building's walls. The murals allows you to take a peek at the Portuguese mastery of craftsmanship.
The Livraria Lello - Livraria Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal, and it is also the bookstore that inspired Harry Potter’s author JK Rowling to visualize and create the library in Hogwarts. The curvy interior of the store with skylight illuminating the wooden staircase and bookshelves make the place a sight to behold.
Clérigos Church - Built between 1754 and 1763, this Baroque-style tower was home to the Brotherhood of the Clerigos and declared a national monument in 1910. At 245ft tall and with 225 steps it offers some of the best views of the city including at night. The tower is open until 11pm so you can watch the sunset and take in the skyline of the city. The museum attached showcases the cultural and religious history of Porto during the 18th century. Miradouro da Vitoria is near by which is also one of the best lookout viewpoints in Porto. From here there is a view of the port below and all the Wine Cellar hill-side signs scattered around the other side of the river.
Must Do
Walk Along The River At Ribeira Square - Ribeira Square is the perfect walk along the side of the Douro river heading towards the Luis I bridge. The square gives you a great view of the Douro and its many bridges. There are also a variety of restaurants and cafes here for you to sit and take in the sights.
Explore the Jardim do Palácio de Cristal - This is a free 24-acre botanical garden in the center of Porto that’s one of the best places in the city to relax and people watch. The gardens include an avenue of lime trees, walking paths along the river, and a space for concerts and exhibitions.
Walk Across The Luís I Bridge - You can walk this bridge from either the top or bottom level but the top has of the best lookout points in Porto. You will enjoy a panoramic view of both sides of the river and the beautiful details of the city.
Nightlife
Thanks to a surge in popularity as a tourist destination, Porto’s nightlife is continuously expanding due to a growing list of options for enjoying the city after dark. As the city is relatively small and compact, the nightlife is largely concentrated in the old town known locally as Baixa, making it easy to pubcrawl or try a couple different spots. Many of Porto’s nightlife venue’s can be found inside historical buildings that have been re-imagined into a mix of modern, trendy, or cozy spaces. During the weekends and warmer months, the streets are usually packed with excited crowds of people, enjoying the fresh air or deciding on their next stop. Porto gets busy around midnight but expect to stay out late for a good time.
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