The town's history goes way back into the past. In the olden days, two towns stood opposite controlling the estuary: Portus (the Port) on the right bank of the Douro and Cale on the left. Today old Porto has small picturesque streets like the rua das..

This Gothic church, which has preserved its pretty rose window, is entered through a 17C doorway. The Baroque decoration is a veritable triumph. The altars, the walls, the vaults, disappear beneath a profusion of gilded and sculpted wood depicting ..

Occupying a magnificent 18-ha park , the Serralves Foundation is sited in a remarkable example of 1930s architecture; its Art Deco interior decoration was created by several great French architects and designers (note the the elegant wrought-iron w..

This church built in the Renaissance has preserved a granite doorway with figures in medallions from this era. The rather austere exterior contrasts with the interior decor where you will admire some sculpted and gilded wood panelling from the 17C.

This 18C house opens onto a very pleasant garden, a veritable haven of peace near to vibrant Porto. It belonged to the poet Guerra Junqueiro who, throughout his life, collected a very attractive collection of Portuguese furniture and gold and silvers..

This museum in the Carrancas palace has permanent collections of Portuguese painting and sculpture. Notice especially the sculptures by Soares dos Reis (1847-1889). Portuguese painting from 1850 to 1950 is represented by paintings by Silva Porto, Hen..

According to tradition, Henry the Navigator was born here. It was the customs office for the town of Porto from the 14C to the 19C. It has an attractive facade.

This garden symbolises the romantic ideal of oneness with nature. With its pretty planted avenues, grottoes, pool and fountains, it is an idyllic place for a stroll, picnic or nap. Below are views over Vila Nova da Gaia, the Douro and (on a clear day..

Located in the centre of the town these two squares form a vast open space dominated by the town hall. Around them are busy streets full of life like Santa Catarina street (pedestrianised), where the most elegant boutiques are found as well as the ..

Trains for Minho and the Douro have left from this station since 1896. Notice the walls of the waiting room plastered with painted azulejos from 1930 by Jorge Colaço. The scenes depicted recall the traditional life in the north of Portugal as well as..

This Baroque church built between 1735 and 1748 by the architect Nasoni, dominates the busy street of the same name. It is looked down on by the 75.50m high tower, the most well-known monument in Porto, which used to serve as a guide for the ships. F..

You must stop at number 144 in this busy street to study the neo-Gothic facade of the book-shop Lello & Irmão (1881) and its double flighted interior staircase. On the first floor is a small bar where you can sit comfortably amidst the books.

These two Baroque churches were built side by side. The church of do Carmo is decorated on the outside with a panel of azulejos depicting the taking of the veil by the Carmelites (1912).

This small street which goes up towards the São Bento station is flanked by traditional businesses and houses from the 18C with emblazoned facades. It was the old goldsmiths' and jewellers' street. The Santa Casa da Misericordia (beside the Baroque..

A fortress and a church from the 12C, the cathedral has undergone important alterations in the 17C and 18C. Notice its Romanesque rose window from the 13C and, inside, three marble fonts from the 17C, each supported by a statuette. The chapel of th..

This vast esplanade which looks down on the old town is occupied a neo-Pombaline pillory. It is bordered by the massive silhouette of the cathedral, by the former 18C Episcopal palace and a granite tower from the 14C.

The Exchange was erected in 1834 by the Tradesmen's Association of Porto who still occupy it. Having ascended the attractive granite and sculpted marble staircase you will visit the old trading court hall, the golden room and the Arab room , a pas..

This area in the historic centre, which formed part of the world heritage, has been the subject, over several years, of important restoration work. The quay, dominated by the high silhouette of the metal bridge of D. Luis I, is the most picturesque p..

The banks of the Douro are linked by several remarkable bridges. Among them one must mention the Maria Pia railway bridge , built by Gustave Eiffel, which is the most elegant with its single arch with a 350m span ; the D Luis I road bridge , built ..

This church, which dates from the 12C, is the oldest in the town. Its attractive example of early Romanesque style has been transformed over the centuries, especially in the 17C but it has preserved intact the Romanesque doorway decorated with an Agn..