The banks of the River Douro are granite. Spanning the river in two different locations less than a mile apart are the bridges of Luis I, King of Portugal and his royal bride, D. Maria Pia. The bridge of Luis looks remarkably similar to that of Maria. Both bridges have enormous iron webs and arches supporting transit over the river.

The reason they look alike is simple. The D. Maria Pia bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, famous for his tower in Paris. The Dom Luis bridge was designed by Teophile Seyrig. Seyrig had partnered with Eiffel on the D. Maria Pia bridge and the Eiffel Tower. The span of the Luis Bridge is 564 feet and the height is 146 feet.

A novel feature of the Luis I bridge is its two levels. One passes over the the highest point of the arch and the other hangs beneath the arch. Originally, both levels were meant for road traffic. However, today the top level carries trains of the Metro alongside pedestrian walkways. Walking on the upper level is a thrill not to be missed.

From the upper level there are matchless views of Porto Cathedral and the Tower of the Clergymen dominating the skyline of old Porto.

Why You Should Visit:
Visit the upper level for the thrill, the view and bragging rights. It may not be the only bridge in town but it's the best.

The origins of the settlement along the Ribeira is not really known. A riverside settlement developed near the confluence of the Vila River and the Douro River. Some Roman mosaics from the fourth century have been found in the area. The Ribeira grew along with Porto in the 13th century. Especially by the river and Penaventosa hill.

Two settlements arose. One on the escarpment of Penaventosa by Porto Cathedral. The other appeared below in Ribiera on the banks of the Douro River. Until the last decade of the 14th century the settlements were connected by a web of narrow, constricting streets difficult to move around in. A new street was needed to pierce the labyrinth.

On the initiative of John I a new street was opened. In fact, it was called "New Street" (Rua Nova). It was a perfect contrast to the tangled web of passageways of Porto. It was straight, and wide for its time. It became a prestigious address for the bourgeoisie, clergy and business.

The Ribeira district lures the visitor on. It is a captivating place of medieval streets and alleys ending in a busy waterfront square, the Ribeira Square. The remains of the 14th century wall run next to the Ribeira Wharf. Beyond this point are the steep twisted ways of the Barredo.

In the evenings clubs on the Ribeira Wharf promise a stimulating nightlife to romantic strollers. In days gone by the district alongside the Douro River was a center of lively commerce and business.

The Ribeira Square has many shops and cafes. At the northern part of the square is a huge fountain. The Ribeira Wharf starts on the west side of the Luis I Bridge and it follows the riverside to Ribeira Square.

There is an upper walkway where there are more shops and cafes. The walkway is what is left of the old city walls, once patrolled by medieval soldiers on watch. Sit down, have a drink and watch the river with them. Time glides by like the river.

Prince Henry's House, also known as the Old Customshouse, is a historical landmark in Porto. Originally constructed in the 14th century, this building served as a customs house and mint, with most of its current form resulting from a significant 17th-century renovation. The name House of the Prince stems from a local tradition that claims it was the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator in 1394, making it a site of notable historical interest in Porto’s UNESCO-designated World Heritage Center.

The original customshouse was built in 1325 by royal decree on the remnants of a Roman villa and was operational by 1327. In 1354, during King D. Afonso IV's reign, the construction of a new medieval customshouse began as part of a conflict between the king and the Bishop of Porto over the taxation of goods on the Douro River. Located near the riverbank, this structure not only minted coins but also functioned as a warehouse and residential space for employees.

The architectural layout features four interconnected rectangular spaces with different ceiling tiles. The facade has four stories of canopy windows, a large arched doorway with the royal coat of arms, and a 1677 inscription. Inside, a framed patio with archways connects to the upper floors and eastern sections. The main interior space is divided into three naves by high arcades, with two stories accessible via a central staircase. The rear facade's high windows illuminate the pavement and patio, linking the eastern and northern buildings. Access to Rua Infante D. Henrique is via a ramp and tunnel leading to an archway with the royal coat of arms, near a stone bearing the Avis family shield.

Over the years, the building has been remodeled many times to fit the needs of new inhabitants, which in turn makes it an interesting mixture of architectural styles. More recently, it has been the focus of archaeological research which has revealed Roman foundations along with the incredible mosaics currently displayed at the museum, which features interactive displays in both Portuguese and English.

Why You Should Visit:
Compact but informative museum; gives a good insight into the building itself, which was used as a Customs House and coin mint, and also the growth and development of the city of Porto from Roman times onwards. A lot of the exhibits seem very new, with some audiovisual and interactive displays. The entry fee is very reasonable!

The cloisters of Saint Francis Convent were burnt during the Liberal wars in 1832. In 1841 Queen Mary II donated the ruins to the merchants of Porto. They used the site to build the new Commercial Association. Architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Junior designed a Palladian neoclassical palace that harmonized with previous structures of the city.

The Palace was generally completed by 1850 but details which include the staircase and the Arab Room, courtyard dome, and Tribunal were later added.

The octagonal dome has glass panels and the coats-of-arms of Portugal and the countries trading with Portugal in the 19th century. In the rear of the courtyard is a sumptuous stairway, lined with busts by famous sculptors.

The star of the show however, is the Arab Room. Done in the Moorish Revival style, it is used primarily for receptions for visiting heads of state.

The Stock Exchange Palace is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the center of Porto.

Why You Should Visit:
The guided tour takes you through many of the exquisitely decorated rooms of this amazing building. Some are a little over-the-top but they are really something to see, each decorated in a completely unique way.

Tip:
The Palace can only be visited on a guided tour. Upon arrival, there's a computerized screen telling you which tours in which languages are available. The guided tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect and painter of the 18th century, did a lot of work throughout Portugal. His most memorable project is the Church and Tower of the Clergymen. His other works include the construction of the Misericordia Church, the Archbishop's Palace and the lateral loggia of Porto Cathedral.

Construction of the church was completed in 1750. The bell tower and divided staircase in front of the church were not finished until 1763. The facade is ornate with Baroque decorations such as garlands and shells and an indented pediment. The frieze above the windows has spiritual symbols. The sides show an elliptical nave.

The Church of the Clergymen (Clerigos) was among the first baroque style churches to have an elliptical floorplan. The polychromed marble altarpiece in the large chapel was done by Manuel dos Santos Porto.

The Tower is in a Roman Baroque style of Tuscan bell towers. It is 245 feet high and it takes 240 steps to reach the top for an incredible view of Porto. The tower is one of the recognizable symbols of Porto.

Nicolau entered the Clerigos Brotherhood and when he died he was buried in the crypt of his masterpiece, The Church and Tower of the Clergymen.

The Livraria Lello is considered to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It is located in the heart of Porto on the historic Rua dos Clerics. Full of Art Deco elements, visitors to the metropolis will want to spend time exploring this famous structure. The store has been managed by the same company, Lugan & Geneliousx Sucessores, throughout its history.

The Art Deco style is known for its linear and symmetrical elements which drew inspiration from ancient Egypt. The building was first opened in 1906 and contains a fabulous stained glass ceiling, vivid wooden staircase and lavish embellishments. Designed by architect and engineer, Xavier Esteves, the bookstore has been built to withstand the wear and tear of time. The façade of the construction is a combination of Art Nouveau elements and Gothic Revival features. The wooden features, including the shelves are well worth the time to examine.

The shelves reach from floor to ceiling and are covered in phenomenally carved wood. The wooden staircase is filled with the same beautifully carved details. The glass ceiling provides and interesting element and casts warm diffused lighting throughout the entire building.

One of the oldest buildings in the historic part of Porto, Igreja do Carmo is actually a combination of two buildings: one dating from the 1600s and the other from the 1700s. Originally, it was built for the Carmelite order of the Roman Catholic Church and was used as a convent. The Baroque style structure features golden woodwork in the interior along with neoclassical tiles. It has a classic façade with a bell tower. The oldest of the two parts of the church – built with a single nave – has seven altars created by Francisco Pereira Campanhã.

The exterior wall of the building is covered in tiles depicting the history of the Carmelite order. Connecting the right and the left side of the structure is a narrow building which measures only one meter in width and was meant originally to keep the monks separated from the nuns of the convent, thus preserving the nuns' chastity and helping the monks keep their vows of celibacy.

Why You Should Visit:
Stunning inside and out; a glorious example of Porto's traditional 'azulejos' (tiles), which are often blue and white and have been handpainted.
The organ is a piece of art and highly unusual, in that there are horizontal horns protruding from the pipe area.

Tip:
Be sure to visit the 1-meter wide house separating the two churches – one of the world's narrowest buildings.

In the lower town or Baixa district of Porto, on the south side of the Avenue of the Allies, lies Liberty Square. This is a largish area of more than three square miles. Originally called New Square, Liberty Square is a product of the 1718 urbanization movement of Porto.

In 1788 the religious order of Saint Eligius, Patron Saint of veterinarians, horses, goldsmiths and blacksmiths, built a convent on the south edge of the square. They demolished part of the medieval wall of the city, replacing it with the convent, an impressive neoclassical building, still standing as the Cardosas Palace.

In 1866 a monument honoring King Peter IV was erected in the square. Peter IV was not only King of Portugal as Peter IV, he was also Emperor of Brazil as Peter I.

As each of the two Peters, he fought to preserve the liberal constitution in Portugal and liberty in Brazil. His monument, designed by sculptor Anatole Calmels, is a statue of Peter IV mounted and holding the constitution he had fought for in the Liberal Wars.

The square underwent a change in 1916 when the modern Avenue of the Allies was pushed through to the north of the square. The buildings around the square today are banks, hotels, offices and restaurants. The monument to Peter IV dominates the huge square. Other notable sights would include the Bank of Portugal and the Cardosas Palace.

São Bento Railway Station, a 20th-century railway terminal located in the parish of Cedofeita, Porto, stands as a prominent example of Beaux-Arts architecture within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Porto. Named after Saint Benedict, the station occupies the site of the former Benedictine Convent of São Bento da Avé Maria, which was demolished in 1892 to make way for this grand transportation hub.

The idea for a central station in Porto began in 1864, but formal plans by José Maria Ferreira and António Júlio Machado, with designs by Hippolyte de Bare, emerged in 1887. Construction started in 1890, with a tunnel finished by 1893, and the first train arrived in 1896. A landslide in 1897 caused delays, but architect José Marques da Silva, inspired by French Beaux-Arts, was hired in 1899. The construction began in 1904, and the station was completed over 13 years.

The station's design is marked by a symmetrical, U-shaped, three-story granite structure with its principal facade facing southwest. The central body, flanked by two volumes, features strong architrave cornices and repetitive geometric patterns. Its robust frame and decorative elements maintain a harmonious balance of form and function, consistent with the Beaux-Arts style.

São Bento is renowned for its extensive azulejo tiles by artist Jorge Colaço, covering 551 square meters with around twenty thousand tiles that depict key moments in Portugal's history and regional traditions. The tiles are framed by pilasters and granite, with friezes illustrating transportation evolution, adding to the station's grandeur. Declared a national monument in 1988, São Bento has been restored since 1992 to preserve its architecture, and part of it now serves as "The Passenger Hostel," blending historic charm with modern use.

It was 1921. Aviator Gago Coutinho had just flown in from the island of Madeira. He dropped in for a drink at the new Art Nouveau Cafe "Elite." He found himself in a chic crowd of artists and celebrities. They were observing the grand opening of the cafe. He became enchanted at the lavish splendor of the decor.

Later, the name of the cafe was changed to "Majestic." Everyone approved. The Majestic became a haunt for students and teachers from the Porto School of Fine Arts. Gago was impressed by gatherings that included the sculptor Jose Rodrigues, the philosopher Leonardo Coimbra, the painters Armando Alves, Angelo de Sousa and Jorge Pinheiro.

More recently, the Majestic book of honor has been signed by others, among them Mario Soares, Jorge Sampaio, Jaques Chirac and Cavaco Silva. Today the cafe continues on with poetry readings, concerts, exhibitions and performances. It is said author J.K. Rowling spent afternoons at the Majestic writing Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Outside, the marble facade, decked out with twisting floral shapes and three graceful columns, invites travelers to enter. Inside, curved wooden frames and decorations capture attention. Stucco faces and nude figures emphasize sensuality.

The Bolhão Market in Porto is a beloved and emblematic marketplace that stands as a hallmark of the city’s traditional commerce. This iconic market is situated in the parish of Santo Ildefonso in downtown Porto. It serves as a bustling hub primarily for fresh products, featuring specialized sections for fishmongers, butchers, vegetable vendors, and florists, alongside a variety of shops offering everything from clothing to cafes and perfumeries.

The market’s roots date back to 1839 when the Porto city council transformed a meadow with a stream, which formed a bubble or "bolhão" in Portuguese, into a bustling square with wooden stalls. The current Neoclassical market building, designed by architect Correia da Silva, was constructed in 1914, featuring a robust blend of reinforced concrete, metal structures, wooden roofs, and granite stonework. Over the years, it underwent several modifications, including notable changes in the 1940s.

Recognized for its architectural and cultural significance, Bolhão Market was declared a Property of Public Interest in 2006 and a monument of public interest in 2013. After a significant four-year renovation, the market reopened on September 15, 2022, with modern enhancements such as direct metro access and improved logistics with a newly built basement to handle deliveries efficiently and eliminate street congestion. The renovation preserved the market’s original charm, including the restoration of original tiles and thoughtful touches inspired by the vendors’ preferences.

Today, Bolhão Market spans an impressive façade of over eight thousand square meters and a roof area exceeding five thousand square meters. It boasts 81 stalls, 38 street-facing shops, and 10 restaurants that proudly source their ingredients from the market itself. This blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes Bolhão Market not just a shopping destination but a living monument to Porto’s vibrant culture and heritage.