Starts in Portugal in a couple of weeks Eurovision 2018 . And, if you are the lucky one who will watch the competition live, we recommend visiting as many interesting places as possible during your stay in Portugal. One such place is Porto, the second largest city in Portugal. This is where the most high tower in Portugal, Clerigos - 76 meters, it is here that the best port wine is produced and it is here that they relax in the most beautiful bookstore in the world. And also Porto was the first city on the Iberian Peninsula, where tram traffic was organized. In a word, there is a lot of interesting things here!
Things to do in Porto - cross the bridge designed by Eiffel
Ponte de Dona Maria Pia - railroad bridge through Porto's main artery, the Douro River. It unites Porto and sister city Vila Nova de Gaia.
Interestingly, the project was developed by Gustave Eiffel himself, who in 1875 won a competition to build a bridge that could shorten the 12 kilometers between the two cities.
Eiffel offered the cheapest idea. Two years later, in November, the bridge was already standing over Dora. To date, the bridge is not used as a railway. But here you can walk and admire beautiful views both cities.
Things to do in Porto - stroll through the old town
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Back in 1921, in the very heart of the city, the luxurious and aristocratic Elite cafe opened its doors. Over time, it was renamed to Majestic.
This is not just a cafe, this is an institution that tells the history of Porto of the twentieth century, when writers, poets and public figures. Majestic has quickly become a favorite haunt of the creative and intellectual elite.
Majestic is located on Santa Catarina Street, open every day from 9:30 to 24:00.
Note that it was previously known that from Kyiv it will be possible to fly cheaply to European countries. You can find out about new directions and prices
And one more thing, when buying a ticket, tell me what you need to get to San Bento Station ( São Bento ) to get directly to the old part of the city, the historical center of Porto, recognized
UNESCO world heritage and under its protection.
So, we bought a ticket to San Bento, got on the train and drove off. For 3 hours you don’t have to think about anything, just look-look-look out the window. When you arrived in Porto - this is the final station, get off and change to another train to Sao Bento: look at the signs. There is no need to buy a ticket, you have already bought it in Lisbon.
When you exit Sao Bento Station, turn right, go up to the church on the corner on the left and walk along Santa Catarina Street ( Santa Catarina ). This is a street where commercial centers, cafes, restaurants and markets are located.
Pay attention to the cafe "Majestic" ( Majestic ). It is said that the author of Harry Potter sat in this cafe for hours, working on a book.
Mario Suares and Georges Sampaio have also been here. Here, together with the consul of Macau, a farewell dinner was arranged when Macau gained independence.
Take a look at the Bulyau market ( Bo lha o ), built in 1839 and intended for the sale of fresh products.
It is worth walking along the Military Square ( Praç a da Batalha ) and Naberezhnaya Square ( Praç a da Ribeira),
go to St. Francis Church Igreja de Sao Francisco - Playing da Sau Francisco.
If you turn left from the station, you will reach the mouth of the Douro River, cross the Don Luis Bridge and enter the village of Vila Nova de Gaia ( Vila Nova de Gaia ) - this is the center of winemaking.
The place where they are concentrated All cellars with
world reserves of Portuguese port wine - Porto. Each cellar has its own coat of arms and flag.
On the way back from Vila Nova da Gaia to the historic center of Porto, you can use the funicular to go up to the bridge (save some time and effort). The funicular is next to the bridge.
You can also get to Porto by the Rede Expressos bus from the Sete Rios bus station, st. metro Gardim Zoologico. Buses leave every hour, starting at 6 am, on the way 3.5 hours. The last bus from Porto is at 21:30. The fare is 19 euros one way. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online.
I will answer questions in the comments.
Thank you for visiting.
Be healthy and happy you and your loved ones.
Light, warmth and sun to your hearts, homes and souls.
Lyudmila Medvedeva was with you.
It is no coincidence that the city has already received the title of Best European Destination twice and was awarded the European Consumers Choice award - in 2012 and 2014.
Porto has a rich history, majestic monuments and more than 30 museums, a cosmopolitan city center, a vibrant nightlife that attracts thousands of people, an amazing cultural dynamic, pleasant green spaces, cuisine, wines High Quality and flourishing fashion.
And the people here are as warm as the weather. The people of Porto are happy to welcome visitors to the Invincible City, and this hospitality will forever be remembered.
These arguments have been noted by the world's most prestigious publications about the choice of a tourist destination. As the Wall Street Journal wrote, Invincible City "has it all" and is "easy to love and hard to leave." For two days you can feel the whole spirit of Porto.
On the first day of your visit, head to the city center and downtown, wander the narrow streets of the listed historic center world heritage UNESCO in 1996, and raise a glass of port in one of the many wine cellars and bars, or in a cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the left bank of the Douro River.
City centre, Avenida dos Aliados ("living room of the city") and Liberty Square, Bolhao Market, Rua de Santa Catarina (here you can shop in traditional shops and have coffee in the famous Majestic -) and Batalha Square, train station São Bento, Lello Bookshop and Clerigos Tower are must-see places. IN historical center of the city, do not miss the churches of San Francisco and San Nicolau, the house of the Infante and the Exchange Palace. Take a break on one of the terraces of the Ribeira, with magnificent views of the Luis I Bridge and the wine cellars of Porto.
End the day next to the Clerigos Tower. This area is a zone nightlife or " Paris Galleries”, so named because of the street Geleria de Paris - where fashion houses, design studios and vintage furniture stores, thrift stores, gourmet shops, restaurants with author's cuisine, as well as traditional Portuguese dishes and bars, many bars are widely represented .
Culture and the sea
On the second day of your visit, visit the House of Music, get lost in Serralves, dine by the sea and relax in the City Park.
On Sunday mornings, entrance to Serralves is free. Visit the Museum of Modern Art, designed by the architect Alvaro Siza Vieira, and the Art Deco House, then stroll through the park and the romantic gardens of the Foundation. Sip tea in the cozy Tea House before heading to the House of Music.
On Sundays you can listen to classical music in a symbolic concert hall, opened in 2005 - the first building built in Portugal dedicated exclusively to music - for a very modest fee. Always at noon. Then dine at the restaurant located at the top of the building designed by Rem Koolhaas and/or take a tour of the site that has taken Porto's urban culture to the next level.
Stroll through the City Park, which, with an area of 83 hectares, and starting from the end of Avenida da Boavista, extends to the Atlantic Ocean. The scenery here is idyllic on the beach, so if you have time before leaving for Francisco Carneiro Airport, watch the sun set on one of the many terraces along the seafront.
I was in Porto one day, having arrived from Lisbon by plane, having reached the city center by metro, got off at the Sao Bento station, and started exploring the city from the Sao Bento railway station, the main advantage of the Sao Bento railway station is its hall, the walls are lined the famous Portuguese azulejos tile, which depicts fragments from the history of Portugal. After that, I moved towards the Livraria Lello bookstore, a visit to this store was one of the main reasons for a trip to. And this store is interesting primarily for fans of Harry Potter, as it turned out, there are quite a lot of them among adults. Although the store was built in the 19th century. unusual in and of itself. The wooden staircase attracts attention; it served as a prototype of the Hogwarts stairs from the movie about G. Poter
Well, if you are not interested in a bookstore, you can visit the Torre dos Clérigos tower without reaching it.
If you wish, you can go upstairs and see Porto from above. Well, then, after inspecting the tower, go down to the Porto waterfront, or rather, before reaching the waterfront, visit the Church of St. Francis (Monument Church Of St Francis). The church is included in the UNESCO list, an impressive building made in the Gothic style, both outside and inside. The richness of the interior decoration of the church is amazing, most of the interior space (ceiling, walls, columns) are decorated with gilded wooden panels made by Portuguese baroque carvers.
After visiting the church, we go down to the Ribeira embankment, where you can either just take a walk or sit in a cafe and admire the river and the local bustle created by tourists. From here, the Ponte Luís I bridge is perfectly visible, the architect of which was not just anyone, but the student and companion of Gustave Eiffel - Theophilus Sayrig. Walking along the Ribeira embankment towards the bridge, we reach the Ribeiro lift. You can use it, you can climb the stairs. to get into the area, and going upstairs, inspect the cathedral. And then, if you are interested in shopping, take a walk along Rua de Santa Catarina, this is a shopping street, walk to Praça da Liberdade square. I had enough impressions for one day, although of course it is impossible to get to know the city in one day.
The historic, lively and colorful city of Porto has many cultural attractions, pleasant and interesting entertainment, vibrant and exciting nightlife. Two days is enough to fully get to know the city, which makes it perfect place for a weekend visit or during a longer stay in Portugal.
In this article you will find the recommended itinerary for a 2 day tour in Porto with detailed description major tourist attractions, activities and entertainment.
Similar articles:Introduction to Porto – 1 week in Porto
Overview of the program of the two-day tour in Porto
When our friends or relatives go to Porto, we recommend this dating program to them beautiful city. Since they all find it very interesting, we are sure that you will like it too:
Day 1 Morning – Baixa District
Noon Day 1 – Sé and Ribeira districts and a short boat trip on the Douro River
Evening of Day 1 – Bars and restaurants of the Ribeira area
Morning 2 days - Vila Nova de Gaia and excursions to wine lodges
Noon 2 days – Foch area or Porto museums
Evening 2 days - Night party on the street Galeria de Paris ( main street nightlife in Porto)
Detailed description of the 2-day tour in Porto
Day 1 (morning) – Baixa District
It is recommended to start your acquaintance with Porto from the Baixa area, which contains many of the most famous and popular attractions. The area includes the grandiose Liberty Square, the bustling Santa Catarina shopping street and the noisy, fun and vibrant nightlife around the university.
The neo-gothic style of the Porto City Hall, built in the 1920s, gives it an older look
The Clérigos Tower, erected in 1750, is the most tall building in the historic center of Porto
Highlights of the Baixa area:
An amazing panorama that opens from the Clerigos tower (240 steps up!)
Neo-Gothic architecture of the City Hall of Porto
The amazing façade of the Church of Carmo, adorned with magnificent paintings created from the famous azulejo tiles
Bolau traditional market
The Livraria Lello bookstore, where the author of the Harry Potter books drew inspiration
Coffee in the cafe "Majestic" - one of the most beautiful cafes in the world
Train Station Sao Bento, which is decorated inside with amazing azulejo tile panels
Charming Flores Street full of shops, cafes and bookshops
Painting “Fons Vitae”, which is on display at the Mercy Museum of Porto
"Fons Vitae" is one of the most striking Portuguese paintings of the 16th century.
For refreshment before further sightseeing in Porto, stop by a café serving a traditional Francesinha dish. This very high-calorie and satisfying dish is a sandwich with meat, generously covered with melted cheese and richly flavored with amazing-tasting tomato-beer sauce!
Day 1 (noon) – Sé and Ribeira ( historical part Porto)
After lunch, you can go to the two oldest areas of Porto - Se and Ribeira.
The Xie District, centered around the ancient Xie Cathedral and Bishop's Palace, was once the religious center of the city. It stands on one of the highest hills, offering a magnificent view of the whole of Porto. Most interesting places Se District:
Cathedral Se in the gothic style
Luxurious interior of the Church of Santa Clara
Remains of the fortress walls
View of the majestic Luis I Bridge
Once the docks area and shopping mall Porto, Ribeira today is the most colorful and touristy quarter of the city. It stretches along the banks of the Douro River and is an intricate labyrinth of medieval streets and lanes. The main attractions of the Ribeira area:
Ribeira Square with many restaurants and bars
Labyrinth of streets and alleys laid in the Middle Ages
Church of San Francisco with its magnificent interior
Built in the 19th century in the neoclassical style, Bolsa Palace (as a stock exchange)
Many of the colorful, colorful houses of the Ribeira area were built in the 15th century.
Excellent view of the Luis I bridge from the Ribeira area, where the port once was.
More things to do in 1 day - Walk along the Douro River
After a long and somewhat tedious sightseeing of Porto, you will surely enjoy a short boat trip on the Douro River, during which you will pass under the six bridges of Porto and admire its views from the river. The duration of this walk is about an hour.
In the evening, we recommend you enjoy a gourmet meal in one of the many restaurants in the Ribeira area, followed by a night out in one of its bars. If you want to listen to live music or go on a spree, head to the Hard Club, which is located in the building of the former Ferreira Borges market.
Day 2 in Porto (morning) - Vila Nova de Gaia and lodges with port wine
The city of Vila Nova de Gaia is located on southern shores Douro River and is the true birthplace of port wine. It is here in the huge wine cellars, which are called lodges, that the world-famous Portuguese port wine matures and is stored.
The lodges of all major port producers (Graham's, Sandeman, Taylor, Warre and Ferreira) are within walking distance of each other and are open for tours and tastings. The cost of excursions, which are held throughout the day in several languages, and tastings are surprisingly low ( places for popular excursions should be booked in advance).
The seafront of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a great place to spend time on a hot summer day, always has a pleasant and friendly atmosphere.
The original piece of street art “Half-Rabbit” is the most unique attraction of Vila Nova de Gaia
While in Vila Nova de Gaia, be sure to visit unique creation street art "Rabbit" (called Half-Rabbit and located at the front of the building, located near the church of Santa Marinha), and also visit the shipyard, where the traditional Portuguese boats "rabelos" are docked.
Stretched from the river bank cable car, along which you can get to the round Serra do Pilar Monastery and the same round church, from where you can enjoy an amazing panorama of the Douro River.
Day 2 in Porto (noon) - Foch area or Palacio de Cristal
The Foch region is located at the mouth of the Douro River near where it flows into Atlantic Ocean. This pretty area, which has a calm and pleasant atmosphere, is surprisingly little visited by visitors to Porto. Two characteristic places in the Foch region - the coastal zone of the river and the stretch along the coast - are of undoubted interest to tourists.
The coastal zone of the river is traditional fishing harbors, quiet and cozy parks, luxurious villas. Here you can take an interesting and exciting walk along the picturesque banks of the Douro River. The stretch of Foch along the coast overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is a string of small beaches and rocky promontories that extend to the town of Matosinhos.
The Foch area can be reached by tram number 1, which leaves from the church of São Francisco, or by bus number 500.
Pergola da Foz is the most romantic place in Porto to watch the sunset
For lovers of extreme entertainment: The organizers of the attraction "Porto Bridge Climb" (Climb the bridge) invite everyone to climb the arch of the Arrábida Bridge, which is located at a height of 65 m from the surface of the river.
If you are more interested cultural heritage Portugal, visit the Palacio de Cristal Park, as well as the museums of Suares dos Reis and Quinta da Macieirinha. At the Suares dos Reis Museum, which is located in beautiful palace Carrancas, exhibited part of the national collection of paintings and sculptures.
Quinta da Macieirinha was where the exiled King of Italy, Carlo Alberto, spent the last months of his life before he died in 1849. The Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha has been restored to the way it was during the life of the king. Both museums are close to the quiet and beautiful gardens of the Palacio de Cristal Park.
The Suares dos Reis Museum is housed in one of the most impressive buildings in Porto.
Only the bravest dare to climb to the top of the Arrábida Bridge
Day 2 in Porto – (evening and night)
For the final evening of your stay in Porto, we recommend spending the night in the bars and clubs located on Galeria de Paris, affectionately known as the “bar street”, which is close to the university.
