Oporto Attractions

Oporto Pictures

The city’s compact historic quarter is where you’ll be tempted to spend most of your time. To help in orientating yourself climb the 240 steps of the Torre dos Clerigos, an 18th century tower, from which you will see the fortress-like Romanesque cathedral, called Se, which commands the Old Town. One of Portugal’s most lavishly decorated churches is the Igreja de Sao Francisco, its gothic exterior bellies its spectacularly rich interior covered in vast quantities of gilded foliage. However don’t limit yourself to the historic quarter. Oporto has several delightful parks amongst them the Jardim do Palacio de Cristal, which boasts stunning river views and the gardens of the Fundacao Serralves, which also houses the noteworthy Museu de Arte Contemporanea sometimes referred to as Museu Serralves. Another worthwhile visit is to the neo-classical Palacio de Bolsa (stock exchange) which boasts an Arab-influenced ballroom as well as a domed glass ceiling in its great hall. A visit to the various lodges of the Vila Nova da Gaia district across the Duoro where the legendary port wine is processed blended and aged is a must. Home to nearly 60 port houses many of which welcome guests offering tours and more importantly tastings! Make sure you cross the river via the spectacular two-tiered Dom Luis bridge, a heavy iron construction that echoes the Eiffel Tower it was, not surprisingly, built by the French architect Gustav Eiffel in 1886.