Porto is a city that proudly wears its history right out in the open. Situated along the Douro River, it’s one of the oldest cities in the country, with roots stretching back to the days of the Romans. Over the centuries, this northern Portuguese city grew into a powerful trading hub that became shaped by medieval walls, tiled façades, baroque churches, and a deep connection to the wine and sea trade. Today, there are a lot of unique things to see in Porto historic centre, making it the perfect UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore on foot for at least a few days.
What makes Porto one of the top cities in Europe to visit is that it can easily be enjoyed throughout the year. Its mild off-season temperatures mean planning a trip to Porto in the winter doesn’t necessarily mean you need to pack extra warm clothing. The historic centre is packed with hidden viewpoints, unique pieces of street art, and architectural details that really make the city stand out. Whether it’s your first time in Porto or you’ve been many times before, there’s always plenty of things to see in Porto to keep you busy.
10 unique things to see in Porto historic centre
1. Porto Cathedral
Porto Cathedral is one of Porto’s oldest and most important monuments, proudly perched at one of the highest points in the historic centre. The cathedral dates back to the 12th century, and over time it evolved into a striking mix of architectural styles. Inside the cathedral you’ll find beautifully decorated chapels and its famous cloister that’s adorned with blue and white azulejo tiles. It’s definitely one of the top things to see in Porto, and visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to experience the view from the terrace behind the cathedral. This is where you’ll find a panoramic view of the Ribeira and the Douro River.
As I’m sure you can imagine, Porto Cathedral and its terrace get very crowded during the day. I’d recommend arriving early in the morning, before the doors open, when you’re more likely to have the place all to yourself for photos.
2. Time Out Market Porto
If you’re a food enthusiast, you need to stop by the Time Out Market. It’s located inside the famous São Bento Station (which is also worth seeing), offering a lively and spacious spot for travellers and locals to grab a bite to eat. The stalls inside the market feature some of the best chefs in the city as well as local favourites. It’s the perfect place to visit if you want to experience Porto’s growing food scene while still immersing yourself in the historic bones of the city. There’s a reason that the Time Out Market is highly rated among the top things to see in Porto historic centre.
3. Chapel of Souls
The Chapel of Souls (Capela das Almas) is one of the most well-known attractions in Porto. It was built in the 18th century and now stands along one of the city’s busiest shopping streets. The exterior of the chapel is covered with over 15,000 azulejo tiles that depict scenes from the lives of Saint Catherine and Saint Francis of Assisi. They create an incredibly striking contrast among the more modern buildings and storefronts.
If the doors are open when you visit, you can enter the chapel for free. But what most people visit the Chapel of Souls for is to take photos of its tiles outside. It can be tricky taking photos here as it’s located along a busy road. However, you should be able to do so when the traffic lights turn red – you’ll just have to fight other people for a good spot. Many city walking tours will highlight the Chapel of Souls as one of the main things to see in Porto for first time visitors.
4. Mercado do Bolhão
There are numerous food markets around Porto, but one that’s the heart and soul of the city is Mercado do Bolhão. In terms of things to see in Porto, this historic market is near the top end of the list. It originally opened in 1914 and since then it’s been a place where locals shop for everything from fish to flowers and fresh produce. A few years ago the market underwent extensive restoration, but its original tiled walls and other features were preserved.
Today, you can stroll around the market at your leisure. If you want to learn more about its history and importance, you can also take a guided tour of Mercado do Bolhão. We went on a food tour with Taste Porto and one of the stops was the market, so we were able to sample local specialities and wine at one of the stalls.
5. Majestic Cafe
Not far from the Chapel of Souls sits the Majestic Cafe – one of the most beautiful cafes in Europe. It was designed in the Art Nouveau style, with carved wood, ornate mirrors, and impressive chandeliers that transport you back to the early 20th century. Over the decades, it became a key place for writers, artists, and intellectuals to meet.
Unfortunately today it’s quite touristy, so if you want to sit inside you’ll need to arrive early in the morning to avoid the queues. The prices are also quite high compared to other nearby cafes, but you pay for the experience of stepping into Porto’s elegant past. This is why, out of all of the cafes in the city, visiting Majestic Cafe is one of the most unique things to do in Porto.
6. Church of Saint Ildefonso
There are a lot of beautiful churches in Porto to admire. One that really stands out is the Church of Saint Ildefonso, located near Batalha Square. This stunning 18th century church is famous worldwide for its azulejo façade, featuring over 10,000 hand-painted tiles illustrating scenes from the Gospels and the life of Saint Ildefonso. While the outside is very impressive, the interior is quite simple, but it’s free to enter which is always a bonus.
The Church of Saint Ildelfonso is the perfect place to take photos early in the morning, just as the doors are opening and before the crowds appear. Despite it being so well known, a lot of visitors pass by this area as they’re rushing between other monuments in the city. It’s certainly a must-visit and one of the top things to see in Porto though.
7. Torre dos Clerigos
Viewpoints in Porto aren’t hard to come by, but for one of the best in the city you have to climb to the top of Torre dos Clerigos. This is a very recognizable landmark in Porto, designed by an Italian architect in the mid-18th century. The baroque tower stands at 75 metres tall and has long served as a navigation point for sailors on their approach to Porto. There are over 200 narrow steps to climb to be rewarded with the view from the top – but it’s worth it.
Your entry ticket to the tower also includes access to the small museum, where you can learn more about the history of the tower before making your ascent. On certain days of the year, you can purchase cheaper entry tickets to climb the tower at night as well.
8. Escadas dos Guindais
If you’re looking for free things to do in Porto, you won’t be disappointed. You’ll find that Porto is a very budget-friendly city to visit, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Just a short walk from Porto Cathedral are the Escadas dos Guindais – historic steps connecting the upper city to the riverside. From the top of these steps you’ll be met with an incredible, elevated view over Porto with the Douro River and the Dom Luis I Bridge in the distance.
Although this is a quieter part of the city, it’s still very popular with photographers. This means you may have to wait a while for the steps to clear before you can get the best photo. The Escadas dos Guindais offer a unique viewpoint for everyone, making this spot one of the best things to see in Porto.
9. Ribeira do Porto
Porto’s most iconic neighbourhood is Ribeira. It’s known for its rows of colourful houses that are stacked along the Douro River. This was once a very busy port area in the medieval period. It played an important role in trade and commerce throughout the city’s history – especially during the height of the wine industry. While it can get very crowded at times, this UNESCO-protected area is a highlight of any trip to Porto. It’s a must-see either early in the morning or at sunset too, when the streets are quieter and you can soak up the beauty of Porto’s historic streets in a quieter atmosphere.
Ribeira is where you can hop on a scenic Douro River cruise which will take you under several of the city’s bridges. Along the route you’ll be provided with a miniature history lesson too.
10. Livraria Lello
One of the most unique things to see in Porto is Livraria Lello, considered by many to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world. The doors to Livraria Lello opened in 1906, and its interior still features a dramatic red staircase, a stained glass ceiling, and intricate woodwork. There’s also a rumour that this bookstore has a connection to Harry Potter.
Due to its popularity, you need to purchase a ticket to enter. With the Gold Voucher you’ll be able to skip the queue at your designated entry time. You’ll also take home a small book as a souvenir. Even in the winter, Livraria Lello is popular, so expect it to be busy at any time of the day.
Bonus: Ride a historic tram
Just like Lisbon, Porto also has its own historic trams to enjoy. These trams date back to the late 19th century when they were the main form of public transportation in the city. Today, there are only a few lines in operation though. Line 1 is the most famous as it passes through the Ribeira neighbourhood and along the Douro River. Tickets can be purchased onboard, but try to go in the quieter hours as the trams can get extremely busy with tourists.
Hopping on a historic tram in Porto is a great way to enjoy the historic centre and experience the city in a slow, nostalgic way. It’s much better than hopping on a TukTuk tour of Porto.
Places to eat in Porto historic centre
Do Norte Cafe by Hungry Biker
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat brunch, Do Norte Cafe by Hungry Biker is a great option. This family-owned restaurant in Porto is known for its elevated comfort food, and it’s ideally located just a short walk down the hill from Torre dos Clerigos. When we visited midweek, it wasn’t too busy at lunchtime so our food was served quickly. We tried a delicious breakfast sandwich as well as a plate of French toast topped with a wide variety of fresh fruits. The prices at Do Norte Cafe are reasonable too, considering the portion sizes.
Casa Guedes
One place you have to eat at in Porto is Casa Guedes. This restaurant is famous for its slow-roasted traditional meat sandwiches, the Francesinha, which is topped with a generous portion of cheese and a slightly spicy tomato sauce. There are plenty of other traditional Portuguese dishes available on the menu, making it a go-to place to eat in Porto for both locals and tourists. If no-frills meals are your thing, Casa Guedes might just be the perfect spot to try for lunch.
Frangos
When you visit Porto, one thing that everyone recommends trying is rotisserie chicken. There are numerous places you can go to eat this, but one of the best (and where locals eat) is Frangos. They marinate and flame-grill their chicken until it’s perfectly juicy and smokey. You can order a whole rotisserie chicken with a huge order of fries for under €10 per person, making it the perfect budget-friendly place to eat in Porto. You won’t find many tourists here, but the menu is available in English, so don’t be afraid to step through the doors.
Cafe Guarany
Many cafes in Porto have played important roles in the development of the city, as places where intellectuals and artists would meet as well as points of contact for members of the resistance groups. Cafe Guarany is the perfect example of a classic Portuguese cafe with an interesting history and a diverse menu. It’s also one of the oldest cafes in Porto.
This is where many people come for a hot drink and a snack in the afternoon, so it’s a good spot to come to slow down and soak in Porto’s atmosphere. This was another place we stopped at during our food tour with Taste Porto, and I’d highly recommend it.
Where to stay in Porto
Moov Apartments Boavista
If you’re planning a trip to Porto and you want the comfort of home while exploring the city, Moov Apartments Boavista is a great option. This modern aparthotel offers different room sizes, and each one is spacious and includes a living room, bedroom, and kitchenette. Our one-bedroom apartment even had a balcony, and we added a breakfast box to our booking which is delivered right to your door early in the morning. Although it’s not located in the historic centre, Moov Apartments Boavista is close to public transportation outlets and places like Casa da Musica.
For staying in the heart of Porto’s historic centre, hotels such as Pestana Vintage Porto, InterContinental Porto, and PortoBay Flores are all excellent options.
How long to stay in Porto, Portugal
There are a lot of incredible things to see in Porto, so a minimum of three days will give you a good amount of time to explore the main attractions as well as some hidden gems. A lot of travellers only give themselves one day to visit Porto, which isn’t nearly enough time. If you want to add the Douro Valley in as a day trip, I’d recommend spending an extra night in Porto so you aren’t rushing. Porto is the kind of city that rewards lingering, so make sure you give yourself enough days to fully explore the city at your leisure.
If you have any questions about things to see in Porto, where to stay, or places to eat in Porto historic centre, please feel free to reach out. You can get in touch via email or through the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to follow along with my travels on Instagram and TikTok as well, where you’ll be able to find more helpful travel tips.
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