Are you planning a holiday or a weekend trip to Portugal and wondering about the most beautiful places to discover? Portugal, nestled between land and sea, bordering Spain and open to the Atlantic Ocean, offers an unexpected variety of landscapes and climates.
In this article, we invite you to discover the city of Porto in a few days during a long weekend, but also to show you all the riches of the North of Portugal region.
- A weekend in Porto.
- Visit the Sé de Porto
- Visit the Bolsa Palace
- Discover the Ribeira district
- Contemplate the Igreja do Carmo church
- Stop at São Bento station
- Climb to the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
- Stroll along the quays of Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Cross the Dom Luis bridge
- The fish restaurants of Matosinhos
- The Palacio do Freixo
- 10 days in Porto and its surroundings.
- The Douro Valley
- The Peneda-Gerês National Park
- The beaches of Northern Portugal
- Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal
- Braga, the Portuguese Rome
- Barcelos
Porto, a strategic location, including for tourism.
The city of Porto is located in the North of Portugal, at the mouth of the Rio Douro, near the Atlantic Ocean. The second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, considered the Capital of the North, Porto is very well served by an international airport, a very dense motorway network and a railway network that places it 3 hours from the official capital, Lisbon.
A historic city, Porto can be visited in a few days but also offers a good base, during an extended stay, to discover historic Portugal, natural Portugal and the vast Atlantic beaches.
A weekend in Porto.
The city's history is rooted in antiquity. The Phoenicians were the first to occupy the mouth of the Rio Douro in the 8th century BC. Later, the Romans built a port on the right bank and named it "Portus Cale". This port then became a major commercial center.
After centuries of invasions: Normans, Vikings, Moors... the city developed and found itself at the heart of the County of Portugal within the Kingdom of Castile. In the 11th century, Afonso I Henriques was the architect of the independence of the "Portucalense" County and, legitimized as King in 1143, he consolidated Portugal's independence.
In the 14th century, the great Portuguese discoveries enriched the Kingdom, and the ports of Porto and Lisbon became the centers of European maritime trade.
It was in the 18th century that Porto's economic power reached its peak, and the city acquired numerous Baroque and Neoclassical buildings that still characterize Porto's architecture today.
View of Porto from the Sé - Photo credit Luisa Paixão
1 - Visit the Sé de Porto
A fortress built in the 12th century, just like Porto's first wall, the church has preserved the remains of its origins, including its buttresses, its portal, and its magnificent rose window.
Having become a cathedral, the Sé de Porto was adorned in the 18th century with a Baroque-style loggia and an altar featuring sumptuous silverware.
Sé de Porto - Photo credit Luisa Paixão
The result is a heterogeneous building combining Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, which makes it unique.
If you visit the Sé, don't miss the "Casa do Cabildo" where the cathedral treasure, consisting of religious goldsmithery, is displayed. Even more unique, in the center of the square stands a column that was used to hang criminals.
Take the time to look back, as you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Rio Douro and a large part of the city.
2 - Visit the Bolsa Palace
The Porto Merchants' Association, originally created to settle commercial disputes, grew in importance thanks to royal patronage. With the development of trade with Brazil, then with England, and finally with the growth of Port wine, the manifestos published by the association were compiled into what would become one of the first commercial codes.
On the ruins of an ancient convent, strong in its influence, the Merchants' Association decided to build its headquarters in 1842.
The main feature of the building is its interior courtyard, originally open-air and then covered with a glass roof in 1880. This interior courtyard is decorated with the coats of arms of the 25 countries that trade with Portugal and is, of course, equipped with a clock, as well as a barometer whose measurements are useful for navigation on the Douro.
Please note that this palace is still the headquarters of the Porto Chamber of Commerce and therefore remains active. Consequently, the number of visitors is limited.
3 - Discover the Ribeira district
In the lower part of the city, along the river, is the Ribeira district. The ideal place to stroll and enjoy Porto's atmosphere.
We recommend spending an evening there. The quays are very lively, the choice of restaurants is very extensive, but above all, the lights, the presence of the Dom Luis I bridge, and the view of the Vila Nova de Gaia quays are magical.
Ribeira seen from Vila Nova de Gaia - Photo credit Destino Portugal
4 - Contemplate the Igreja do Carmo church
A famous church already mentioned in our article "Discover the history of Portuguese Azulejos" covered with nearly 16,000 azulejos depicting the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine.
In fact, if you look closely at the church's facade, it is composed of two juxtaposed churches separated by a narrow construction less than a meter wide. The Igreja do Carmo is the church on the right.
Take the time to sit in front of its facade; the abundant baroque style will reveal all its details one by one. Walk around it to discover the azulejo facade, which is more recent.
5 - Stop at São Bento station
São Bento station, "Estação de Porto São Bento" in Portuguese, is located right in the center of Porto and is a building, constructed in 1896, with no real architectural or historical interest.
However, its hall is decorated with majestic azulejo panels depicting historical Portuguese scenes such as the capture of Ceuta by Henry the Navigator.
São Bento Station Hall - Credit Noticias ao minuto
The azulejos at São Bento station are figurative 18th-century azulejos, faithful copies of which you can find in our azulejo collection.
6 - Climb to the Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
Probably the viewpoint that offers the most beautiful and widest panorama of the city of Porto. The Mirador de Serra do Pilar is located on the Vila Nova de Gaia side, on the left bank of the Rio Douro.
Miradouro da Serra do Pilar - Credit Time off
7 - Stroll along the quays of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Vila Nova de Gaia is located opposite Porto, on the left bank of the Rio Douro, to which it is connected by the Dom Luis Bridge. It is the city of Port wine producers, and where the cellars of the greatest merchants are located.
It is probably from the banks of Vila Nova de Gaia and from the quays that one can admire the most beautiful views of Porto.
8 - Cross the Dom Luis Bridge
Porto is known for its medieval architecture and Baroque monuments, but one of its bridges is also an emblematic symbol of the city: the famous Dom-Luís bridge.
Built in 1886 by the engineer Théophile Seyrig, a student of Gustave Eiffel, and inaugurated by King Louis I of Portugal, the Dom-Luís bridge is an arched metal bridge supporting a beam. The lower level is accessible to cars and pedestrians (allowing you to easily reach Vila Nova de Gaia), while the upper level is reserved for the metro but also allows pedestrians to cross.
In Porto, here are also 2 very different places that we are particularly fond of.
The fish restaurants of Matosinhos
The streets of Porto are full of restaurants that will serve you typical regional dishes: Francesinha (see our article "The true recipe for the famous Francesinha"), tripe Porto style for enthusiasts... But what we prefer are dishes based on fresh fish.
For this, the ideal is to travel a few kilometers to Matosinhos, the fishing port. You will find all the fish restaurants there, behind the fishing port, with a particularity: In Rua Herois de Franca, fish barbecues are made in the street.
Matosinhos is also the main fishing port in Northern Portugal and where the main canneries are located, producing what many consider to be the best sardine cans in the world.
A magnificent hotel: The Palacio do Freixo
There are many hotels, allowing everyone to find accommodation according to their means and desires, but one hotel particularly surprised us: The Palacio do Freixo, one of the most significant examples of Portuguese Baroque architecture. Its facilities and location on the banks of the Douro make it a perfect destination.
When leaving Porto, you'll probably want to talk about it and convince your friends and family to also visit this fantastic city. Why not offer them a Portuguese gift box about the city of Porto?
10 days in Porto and its surroundings.
If you're planning to spend more time in Porto, why not spend your summer holidays there with your family and children? The region is full of extraordinary activities.
1 - The Douro Valley
The main attractions of this valley are its landscapes, its incredible hills and valleys where the vineyards are located. This valley can be discovered by car, train or boat.
By car, we advise you to reach the city of Régua via the A24 and then follow the N222 to Pinhão. This route runs along the river and offers magnificent views of the terraced vineyards. From this National Road, it is always possible to branch off onto one of the many small roads that will take you to the top of the hills.
By train, an original way to discover the landscapes, you must reach the city of Régua then take the historic train of the Douro Valley which leads to Tua passing through Pinhão. This journey is a real trip back in time because the few vintage carriages are pulled by an authentic steam locomotive.
By boat, the starting point is the same: the city of Régua is the departure point for numerous cruises lasting a few hours that allow you to discover the banks of the Douro from an exceptional vantage point. The cruise offer is very varied, from a few-hour excursion on a typical vessel to an exceptional cruise with a gastronomic lunch.
2 - The Peneda-Gerês National Park
Northwest of Porto, on the Spanish border, you have the opportunity to discover the wild hills of the Peneda-Gerês Park.
While strolling there, with a bit of luck, you might spot a deer or its predator, the Iberian wolf, but these are shy animals rarely observed. However, you are guaranteed to encounter "garranos," small wild horses that roam freely on the mountains, or wild "barrosã" cattle and Castro Laboreiro dogs that guard the herds.
This protected park is full of hiking trails for beginners and experienced hikers alike, allowing you to discover the 2000-year-old Roman road milestones, megaliths and dolmens, as well as medieval castles and monasteries.
3 - The beaches of Northern Portugal
Little known, the beaches around Porto are nevertheless among the most beautiful and natural in Europe.
Senhor da Pedra beach, south of Villa Nova de Gaia, a few kilometers from Porto, is renowned for its hexagonal chapel, but it is also a very beautiful natural beach easily accessible from Porto.
For those who prefer equipped beaches with leisure facilities, the long beaches of Matosinhos, all accessible by public transport, will do the trick.
4 - Guimarães, the cradle of Portugal
The birthplace of the Portuguese Nation, the city experienced a series of political and military events in 1128 that led to the recognition of Afonso Henriques as the 1st King of Portugal.
A medieval, historic city, it boasts a magnificent heavily fortified castle, a splendid Gothic monastery, and a city center consisting of a maze of cobbled streets and charming squares.
Guimarães is easily accessible from Porto by road or train, and a day will not be too much to visit it.
5 - Braga, the Portuguese Rome
Founded over 2000 years ago, the city of Braga is considered the Portuguese Rome due to its magnificent cathedral, its numerous churches, and its two sanctuaries, Bom Jesus and Sameiro.
Braga alone deserves a blog post, so numerous are its religious buildings. Gastronomy and nightlife are also very present and deserve an article... To be continued.
6 - Barcelos
In the heart of Minho, the city was the seat of the Dukes of Bragança and the County of Portugal before the official birth of the country. A historic city, it is also renowned for its still very vibrant craftsmanship. Discover the Minho region, the city of Barcelos, its craftsmanship, and its famous rooster in our blog article.
On this occasion, do not hesitate to discover our collection of ceramic Barcelos roosters: traditional, modern, large, small, in all colors
