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Torre dos Clérigos: One of the most iconic of Porto’s historic buildings, the Tower of the Clerics was designed by the Italian master of Baroque architecture Nicolau Nasoni some 250 years ago, and is visible from various points around the city. You should definitely make the effort to climb the 240 steps and enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the top of the tower, 76m above the ground.
Address: Rua São Filipe Nery, 4050-546 Porto

Palácio da Bolsa: This monumental neoclassical palace (1842-1910) in the Old City was for years home to the Porto Stock Exchange. It has impressive interior decoration, and you should admire the huge gilded ballroom (Arabian Hall), an amazing example of the Mauritanian style.
Address: Rua Ferreira Borges 4050-253 Borges

Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves: The city’s Museum of Contemporary Art is housed in a white, minimalist masterpiece by the famous Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira, and a superb pink Art Deco villa, both set in a beautiful park with gardens and fountains. A fabulous backdrop for modern art exhibitions.
Address: Rua D João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto

Casa da Música: Since it opened its doors in 2005 this architectural gem designed by the famous Rem Koolhaas has established itself as a veritable temple of music, and is home to the cultural organization of the same name and to three orchestras. The monolithic concrete and glass building is a truly impressive structure and houses two state-of-the-art concert auditoriums and a restaurant.
Address: Avenida da Boavista 604-610, 4149-071 Porto

Sé: Built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style, Porto Cathedral has undergone many changes over the years, with extensive Baroque additions in the 18th century. But none of the alterations has diminished its appeal. Features of the original design to be admired today are the superb Gothic rose window in the façade and the Gothic cloister (14th century) in the interior of the cathedral, with its blue and white wall tiles.
Address: Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto

Cais de Ribeira:  The atmospheric and colourful Ribeira district next to the city waterfront is the heart of Porto and the most picturesque part of the historic centre. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can stroll along the narrow mediaeval streets and dilapidated alleyways, enjoy a coffee in the riverside main square (Praça da Ribeira), gaze at the coloured facades of the old houses, looking out over the wooden boats on the river, and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of old Porto.

Centro Português de Fotografia: The Porto Photography Museum is housed in an imposing building dating from 1792, which served for decades as a prison. What were once the prison cells now play host to contemporary photography exhibitions, with works by photographers from Portugal and all over the world.
Address: Edifício da Ex-Cadeia eTribunal da Relação do Porto, Largo Amor de Perdição 4050-008 Porto

São Bento Train Station: One of the world’s most beautiful railway stations, Sao Bento was officially opened in 1916 on the site of an old monastery. Travellers ever since have marvelled at its architecture. The most impressive features are the spectacular wall decorations consisting of 20,000 ajulejos (tiles) in the main hall, representing great battles in Portuguese history as well as scenes illustrating the history of transport in the country.
Address: Praça Almeida Garret

Foz do Douro: The former fishing village of Foz is now Porto’s most sophisticated coastal resort, a beautiful place to take a stroll beside the icy waters of the Atlantic. You can take a walk along the seafront by the elegant Jardim do Passeio Alegre gardens on Avenida D. Carlos I and relax with a coffee or a drink in the sunshine at one of the beautiful local cafes.

Igreja de São Francisco: One of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Porto, the Church of Saint Francis (14th-15th century) is an awe-inspiring spectacle, thanks to the unbelievably opulent Baroque decoration of the interior. It is said that more than 400 kilos of pure gold were used to cover every inch of the church, from the altar and ceiling to the columns and walls.
Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique, 4050-297 Porto.

Porto’s main shopping street is the Rua de Santa Catarina, a stylish and atmospheric pedestrian-only thoroughfare where you will find all the best-known international chains. There is also the Via Catarina shopping centre, a contemporary retail Mecca. You will also find the big international firms on Avenida de Boavista. Rua de Miguel Bombarda is famous for its art galleries, and for the Centro Comercial Bombarda (CCB), a different kind of mall specializing in design and art items. If you’re looking for classic Portuguese craft goods with a contemporary concept, you should visit the impressive A Vida Portugeusa in the Clérigos district. Porto is a little paradise for alternative shopping, from old Portuguese vinyl records and retro household goods to vintage clothes. There are innumerable shops to explore throughout the old city, on Rua do Almada and Feira de Vandoma, the most famous of the city’s flea markets, held every Saturday in Passeio das Fontainhas. Don’t leave Porto without strolling around the Mercado do Bolhao (every day except Sunday), the city’s iconic food market with its wonderful little restaurants and craft shops.

Porto is full of excellent gastronomic experiences, from the superb bakeries and patisseries to the wonderful fish tavernas. The best restaurants are to be found in the Matosinhos district, near the waterfront and the Porto de Leixoes. If you’re fond of tripe you should sample the Tripas a moda do Porto, the local people’s favourite dish, which has earned them the nickname Tripeiros. You should definitely try one of the innumerable versions of the salted cod dish Bacalhau, a famous speciality of the region. Also try the traditional Francheshina, toast with various layers of meat covered with cheese and a piquant sauce. This can only be found in Porto, and is regarded as one of the best ten sandwiches in the world. If you’re in Porto in July you should visit the Fish Festival at Matosinhos. The usual ritual is that the customer chooses a fresh fish (the dourada being the most popular) just caught in the nets, which is then grilled on the spot on a barbecue on the beach. People tend to go out late in the evening in Porto, usually heading to a bar or pub. Most of these are to be found in the Galerias de Paris area, or in the Cais de Gaia with its views of the river and city. In summertime the action moves out to the beach bars of Foz. Don’t forget that Porto is the birthplace of the famous Port wine, and a visit to one of the city’s historic wineries is an absolute must!

• São João Festival: This is the main festival in Porto, staged on 23 June in honour of Saint John the Baptist (patron saint of the city). People pour into town from all over the country and for 24 hours the city centre hosts a gigantic party, with street music, concerts, grilled sardines on open-air barbecues and all sorts of imaginative happenings and events. Don’t be surprised if you see the partygoers striking one another with garlic flowers or plastic hammers – it’s all part of the traditional fun! The events come to a climax at midnight on 23 June in the main square in Ribeira, by the river, with Chinese lanterns released into the night sky and a huge fireworks display over the River Douro.
• Serralves Festival: Porto’s biggest festival of contemporary arts is held in the beginning of June in Serralves Park and various other venues around the city. The programme lasts just a weekend and features concerts, avant-garde theatre, dance, cinema and special events for children.
• Fantasporto: An international festival of fantasy cinema and horror films, held in February/March each year at the Rivoli Teatro Municipal. The programme features everything from blockbusters to small independent art films.
• Grande Premio Histórico de Porto: Spectacular races of classic F1 cars held on the Boavista Circuit each June.

Transport from the airport

Aegean Airlines flights land at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, 11km north of the city. This is a state-of-the-art airport with duty free stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, banks, ATMs, bureaus de change, a post office, showers, children’s play areas, hotels, free internet stations and WiFi (free for the first 30 minutes). The easiest and most convenient way into the city centre is to use the E-Violet line on the Metro (Aeroporto – Estadio do Dragao) and get off at the Trindade or Bolhão stations. Trains leave every 20-30 minutes and the journey takes about 25 minutes. Trains run from 06.11 to 00.49. You can also catch a bus or shuttle bus, or take a taxi.