Top Rated Attractions in Porto

This avenue is undoubtedly considered the heart of the city. To the north of the avenue, one can find the Praça do General Humberto Delgado, on which the Town Hall stands, and to the south, one will find the Praça da Liberdade and the statue of D.Pedro V on horseback. The Avenida dos Aliados was shortened at the start of the 20th Century to accommodate the Praça de Liberdade and it is famous for its Art Noveau architecture, which can be found on both sides of the avenue, as well as the gardens which can be found in the center.

The Clérigos Church was considered as one of the biggest architectural projects in Porto during the 18th Century. A wonderful example of baroque architecture, it was built by Nicolau Nasoni, a renowned Italian architect and painter. Nasoni was Italian by birth, but he adopted Porto as his second home. His tomb can be found in the interior of the church. One of the main highlights of this church is the altarpiece of the chapel which was executed by Manuel dos Santos Porto and is made of polychrome marbles. A monumental tower, Torre dos Clerigos, which was built between 1754 and 1763, stands behind the church and is also a prominent landmark. It offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and is a favorite among tourists. While the entrance to the cathedral is free, visiting the tower requires a ticket.

The magnificent Palácio da Bolsa is a splendorous triumph of Neopalladian design. At the end of the Portuguese Civil War, the site of the old monastery of San Francisco was granted to Porto's merchants for the construction of a grand palace that would serve as the seat of the Commercial Association. Joaquim da Costa Lima Júnior was commissioned to undertake the task and construction began in 1842. While much of the neoclassical facade was completed by 1850, the lavish interior decor would take another six decades to achieve. The grandest of the Palácio da Bolsa's many ornate rooms is the Arabian Hall, an elaborate chamber replete with intricate stucco and gilded embellishments pertaining to Moorish influences. The Pátio das Nações is no less astounding with its gleaming octagonal dome and the painted Coat of Arms of Portugal's 19th-century, commercial allies. Guided tours of the Palácio da Bolsa are also offered.

A unique way to travel around Porto and take in all the sights in a single sitting, Funicular dos Guindais is a must-do activity when you are in the city. This funicular connects the Ribeira and Batalha regions of the city and travels up a hill. Sitting in the semi-transparent box cars, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city, and since this is an experience unique to Porto at such a nominal price, Funicular dos Guindais is well worth your time.

Open to traffic since 1886, the Dom Luís I Bridge is a testament to ingenious European architecture. The bridge has a large arch with two roadways. Some of the techniques used on the steel work on the bridge were adopted some years before by Gustave Eiffel when he was responsible for another iron bridge in Oporto, the Dom Maria Pia. Thousands of cars cross the bridge daily, however you can take a relaxed walk over the bridge and enjoy the views of the Douro river.