Estádio do Dragão (Dragon Stadium), Porto
Dragon Stadium is a prominent all-seater football stadium in Porto, and the home of FC Porto since 2003. With a seating capacity of 50,033, it ranks as the third-largest football stadium in the country. Designed by renowned Portuguese architect Manuel Salgado, the stadium replaced Porto’s former ground, Antas Stadium (Estádio das Antas), and served as one of the venues for the UEFA Euro 2004 final tournament.
The stadium was inaugurated on November 16, 2003, with a friendly match against Barcelona, famously featuring the debut of a young Lionel Messi. Porto celebrated the occasion with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals by Derlei and Hugo Almeida. The inauguration set an attendance record of 52,000 spectators, surpassing its official seating capacity.
Dragon Stadium is a UEFA category four stadium, hosting several high-profile matches, including the 2019 UEFA Nations League Final and the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final. It stands out with its distinctive design, featuring 21,000 square meters of azulejos (tiles), a nod to Portugal's rich ceramic tradition. The stadium’s name and emblem—a dragon—symbolize strength, vitality, and the spirit of FC Porto, as well as the city’s historic coat of arms.
Construction of the stadium started in late 2001 but was delayed in early 2002 due to changes in estate distribution by Porto’s mayor, Rui Rio. Completed in November 2003, Dragon Stadium stands as a landmark of modern football architecture in Portugal and is a contender to host matches in the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Morocco and Spain.
The stadium was inaugurated on November 16, 2003, with a friendly match against Barcelona, famously featuring the debut of a young Lionel Messi. Porto celebrated the occasion with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals by Derlei and Hugo Almeida. The inauguration set an attendance record of 52,000 spectators, surpassing its official seating capacity.
Dragon Stadium is a UEFA category four stadium, hosting several high-profile matches, including the 2019 UEFA Nations League Final and the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final. It stands out with its distinctive design, featuring 21,000 square meters of azulejos (tiles), a nod to Portugal's rich ceramic tradition. The stadium’s name and emblem—a dragon—symbolize strength, vitality, and the spirit of FC Porto, as well as the city’s historic coat of arms.
Construction of the stadium started in late 2001 but was delayed in early 2002 due to changes in estate distribution by Porto’s mayor, Rui Rio. Completed in November 2003, Dragon Stadium stands as a landmark of modern football architecture in Portugal and is a contender to host matches in the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Morocco and Spain.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Porto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Estádio do Dragão (Dragon Stadium) on Map
Sight Name: Estádio do Dragão (Dragon Stadium)
Sight Location: Porto, Portugal (See walking tours in Porto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Porto, Portugal (See walking tours in Porto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Porto, Portugal
Create Your Own Walk in Porto
Creating your own self-guided walk in Porto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches
Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe and is deeply rooted in Christianity, notably Catholicism. The latter explains the abundance of historic chapels, churches, and monasteries in the country. Porto, a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage, boasts several old churches of its own. Remarkable architectural gems, they reflect the city's profound religious tradition.
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Porto's Monuments and Statues
In general, just like any other European nation, sunny Portugal is rich in history and matching love of monuments. This is more so evident in the country's second largest city of Porto, dotted with statues and sculptures of various sort, decorating the gardens, sidewalks, squares and various corners. Each of them has its own story; some are quite old, while others are not so much and rather... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Shopping and Food Tour
Renowned for its centuries-old culture and architecture, Porto also boasts a wealth of shopping and dining opportunities. With a mix of the modern and historical, the city represents a fertile ground for bargain hunters, foodies and luxury-seekers alike.
Those on the look-out for trendy clothing and accessories, or wanting to sample some delicious local cuisine, will certainly not be... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Those on the look-out for trendy clothing and accessories, or wanting to sample some delicious local cuisine, will certainly not be... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Porto Historic Center Walking Tour
The Historic Centre of Porto, dating back to the Medieval times, is the oldest part of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Despite all the changes over the years, it has maintained the unique urban characteristics, which are a world apart from other European cities, and preserved much of its legacy from the times gone by.
Firmly set on the hillsides overlooking the mouth of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Firmly set on the hillsides overlooking the mouth of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Porto Introduction Walking Tour
After 711 Porto fell to Moorish invaders. The Muslim control existed in the Iberian peninsula until 1491. However, the conquest was not total and in 868 things began to change for the people of Porto.
Vimara Peres, an Asturian count of Gallaecia, came to reconquer for the Christians. He secured the town of Portu Cale and the land of Vila Nova de Gaia. Vimara became the Count of Portucale. From... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Vimara Peres, an Asturian count of Gallaecia, came to reconquer for the Christians. He secured the town of Portu Cale and the land of Vila Nova de Gaia. Vimara became the Count of Portucale. From... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles