Sites of Interest

Porto offers the visitor a variety of interesting things to see and do. A great place to start is the Estação de São Bento. This station is well known for a stunning collection of azulejos which are used to decorate the building.

Not far from the station rises the City Hall (Belle Epoque Prefeitura) built during the 19th century. The pride of Porto can be found at the Sé Cathedral. Built in Romanesque style, it was constructed during the 12-13th centuries. In the 14the century a cloister was added. The interior of these buildings are fantastic.

A prominent structure in Porto is the Torre dos Clérigos (Tower of Clerics). The structure is attached to the Igreja dos Clérigos, and was constructed in the 18th century. It is possible to take the stairs to the top of this prominent monument. From the pinnacle one has great views of the rest of Porto and the Douro Valley.

An great example of 19th century architecture is the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange). The opulence of this structure is amazing. To get an idea of the time spent constructing the building one should note that craftsmen spent over 3 years carving one table, and spent another 18 to decorate the Sala Árabe (Arabic Room). Interestingly this room was modeled on parts of the Alhambra in Spain.

Around the corner of the Bolsa is the gothic Igreja de São Francisco. The interior is an example of some of the finest woodwork found anywhere in Portugal.

If you have time stop by a formal royal residence now converted into the Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis. This museum houses an excellent collection of 19th century Portuguese painting and sculptures. The name of the museum is named after one of Portugal's most talented and famous painters.

If you are interested in modern art, then a stop to the Fundação Casa de Serralves (Museu de Arte Modema). The museum has a permanent collection (plus temporary exhibits) of contemporary Portuguese art and architectural design. The gardens surrounding are also of interest.

If you want to see the beach, head out to the Foz district. It is an upper scale district that tends to be a popular destination. The beach is average but the views are great and there are a lot of great shops and restaurants in the area.