Visiting Porto

I had high expectations of my visit to Porto and I wasn’t disappointed. The city offers an interesting cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes and a pleasant setting in which to stroll.

But plan your visits well: the streets are very steep and your buttocks will thank you if you plan a route that follows the slope and doesn’t have to keep going up and down.

You’ll find a summary of articles about this trip to Porto at the bottom of the page.

Sao Francisco Church

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São Francisco Church, located in Porto’s historic center, is a place that blends history, art and spirituality. Built in the XIVᵉ century in a Gothic style, it has gradually incorporated Baroque elements, particularly in the interior, making it an interesting example of architectural evolution.

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The exterior of the church is relatively sober, true to its Gothic origins, but the interior is in stark contrast. Gilded wooden ornaments, very characteristic of Portuguese Baroque art, cover a large part of the surfaces, creating an impressive visual richness. It is estimated that several hundred kilos of gold were used for these decorations.

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The adjoining museum is of less interest, apart from the catacombs in the basement.

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Church and Museum of Mercy

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Built in the 16th century, it was remodeled in the 18th century in the Baroque style by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, known for several works characteristic of Porto. Its sober, elegant facade contrasts with the more ornate interior, featuring elements typical of the religious art of the period.

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Right next door, the Musée de la Miséricorde, housed in the former services building of the Confrérie de la Miséricorde, traces the history of this charitable institution, which has played a central role in supporting the most disadvantaged through the centuries. The museum houses a wide range of collections, from religious objects to works of art, including paintings and sculptures.

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The Clerigos tower

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It’s one of the city’s most recognizable monuments. Designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 18th century, it is part of a complex comprising a Baroque church and ancillary buildings.

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At a height of 76 metres, it offers a panoramic view of Porto after climbing 225 steps. Its architecture is marked by Baroque details, including sculpted elements and a slender silhouette that stands out in the urban landscape.

The interior of the Clérigos church features a richly decorated altar and ornaments typical of Portuguese Baroque.

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Unfortunately, given the length of the queue, I won’t be visiting.

The Porto-São Bento station

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It’s famous for its main hall, decorated with over 20,000 azulejo tiles by artist Jorge Colaço. These frescoes depict scenes from Portuguese history, such as the Battle of Aljubarrota or rural traditions, making it a kind of historical gallery accessible to all.

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Los Aliados Avenue

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Avenida dos Aliados is one of Porto’s main thoroughfares, located in the heart of the city. It is often referred to as the nerve center, surrounded by imposing buildings that reflect Porto’s classic and modern architecture.

The avenue is lined with hotels, cafés and shops, making it a lively and busy place. It leads to the Praça da Liberdade, a central square that connects several parts of the city. At the top of the avenue stands the Hotel deville, a landmark building with a granite façade and tower.

It’s also a place for public events. Celebrations and gatherings often take place here.

Las almas chapel

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The Chapel of Souls, located in the center of Porto, is a religious building remarkable for its exterior cladding in azulejos. These blue and white tiles, typical of Portugal, cover the entire walls and depict scenes from the lives of saints such as Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine.

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The interior of the chapel is simpler, but remains true to its role as a place of prayer and meditation. It is a fine example of Portuguese religious art and a testimony to the importance of azulejos in the local heritage.

Carmelite church

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The Igreja do Carmo is an example of Baroque architecture in Porto. What sets it apart are the famous azulejos that cover one of its exterior facades, depicting religious scenes and adding a typically Portuguese artistic touch.

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The interior is richly decorated, with gilded wooden altarpieces and elements that exemplify the Baroque style of the period.

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It houses a small museum open to visitors. The museum focuses mainly on religious and historical objects related to the church and the Carmelite order. It includes liturgical vestments, sacred objects and documents tracing the history of the church and its activities.

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An interesting part of the visit is the opportunity to discover the narrow house located between the Igreja do Carmo and the Igreja dos Carmelitas. This space, known as the casa escondida (hidden house), was once inhabited and today serves to illustrate a unique aspect of the ecclesiastical architecture and rules of the time.

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Soares dos Reis Museum

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The Soares dos Reis National Museum in Porto is one of Portugal’s oldest public museums. Founded in 1833, it bears the name of the sculptor António Soares dos Reis, a key figure in 19th-century Portuguese art.

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It features sculptures, paintings, decorative objects, ceramics and jewelry. Among the most remarkable works, sculptures by Soares dos Reis and paintings by Portuguese artists of the 19th and 20th centuries feature prominently.

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Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art

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The Serralves Foundation, which also includes a landscaped park and the Casa de Serralves, an Art Deco villa. This complex is one of Portugal’s leading artistic and cultural centers.

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Exhibitions change regularly, featuring contemporary Portuguese and international artists, as well as works from the permanent collection.

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During my visit there was a temporary Yayoi Kusama exhibition.

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The exhibition included some 160 works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, installations and archival documents, tracing Kusama’s career from her first drawings as a teenager during the Second World War to her most recent immersive creations.

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The Serralves Park, which surrounds the museum, offers a space for relaxation and discovery, with gardens, woods and sculptures.

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Porto Cathedral

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Porto Cathedral, or Sé do Porto, is one of the city’s oldest and most important monuments. Located on a hill in the Batalha district, it offers a panoramic view of Porto and the Douro River.

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Built from the 12th century onwards, it reflects a combination of architectural styles that reflect the different phases of its history. Its overall appearance remains marked by the Romanesque style, particularly evident in its massive structure and two towers. Over the centuries, Gothic and Baroque elements have been added, such as the Gothic cloister and Baroque decorative details inside.

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The cloister, decorated with azulejos depicting biblical scenes, is a calm space that contrasts with the austerity of the main building.

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Dom Luis Bridge

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This is one of Porto’s most emblematic landmarks. Built at the end of the 19th century, it links Porto’s historic center with neighbouring Vila Nova de Gaia, crossing the Douro River. Designed by a pupil of Gustave Eiffel, it is distinguished by its two-level metal structure.

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The lower level is used by pedestrians and vehicles, while the upper level houses a subway line and a pedestrian walkway.

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The Ribeira quarter

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Located along the Douro River, it is one of the city’s most representative landmarks. Its narrow, cobbled and often lively streets are lined with old buildings with colorful facades, testimony to the city’s trading past.

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The Stock Exchange Palace

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Porto’s Palais de la Bourse (Palácio da Bolsa) is an emblematic building in the heart of the city’s historic center. Built in the 19th century, it served as the headquarters of Porto’s Commercial Association, testifying to the city’s economic importance at the time.

The palace’s architecture blends neoclassical, neo-Gothic and Moorish styles, reflecting the varied influences of the period in which it was built.

I didn’t have time to visit it.

Bottom line

I could also have told you about the beaches of Costa Verde, which you can see, for example, by dining at Caféine or IN Différente.

All in all, Porto is a city that offers a rich combination of heritage, culture and tradition. Its human scale and welcoming atmosphere make it an accessible and enjoyable destination, whether you’re a history buff, curious about its culinary specialties or simply looking for a peaceful getaway.

The articles about this trip to Porto

#TypePost
1DiaryPreparing a trip to Porto
2HotelMoxy CDG
3LoungeAir France Roissy 2F lounge
4FlightParis-Amsterdam – Air France – Business Class – A220
5FlightAmsterdam-Porto – KLM – Business Class – Embraer 195
6HotelRenaissance Porto Lapa
7RestaurantGruta
8RestaurantCantinho do Avillez
9RestaurantCafeina
11RestaurantIn Diferente
12DiaryVisiting Porto
13LoungeANA Lounge Porto
14FlightPorto-Paris – Air France – Business Class – A319
15DiaryDebriefing my trip to Porto
Bertrand Duperrin
Bertrand Duperrinhttp://www.duperrin.com
Compulsive traveler, present in the French #avgeek community since the late 2000s and passionate about (long) travel since his youth, Bertrand Duperrin co-founded Travel Guys with Olivier Delestre in March 2015.
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