Location: Leca da Palmeira
Top Things to do in Leca da Palmeira
10 Things to Do in Leca da Palmeira That You Shouldn't Miss
Leça da Palmeira (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈlɛsɐ dɐ paɫˈmɐjɾɐ]) is a former civil parish in the municipality of Matosinhos in the Greater Porto area, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the new parish Matosinhos e Leça da Palmeira. It has 5.97 km² and had 17.215 inhabitants in the 2001 census.
Restaurants in Leca da Palmeira
1. Bom Jesus de Matosinhos Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By mipita - Ponteareas, Spain
This church is also known as Igreja do Bom Jesus de Matosinhos. The inside gold leafed carvings are most impressive. The church and surrounding grounds were reconstructed in the early 18th century with resources from offers promised by immigrants who made a fortune in Brazil.
The church closes from noon until 2:30 (Mon-Sat) and from noon to 5 pm on Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly.
2. Piscina das Mares
Overall Ratings
4 based on 162 reviews
Reviewed By WillP793 - Strassen, Luxembourg
This place comes up as one of the top attractions around Porto, and although the design is nice, there's really little point in going. It is basically a fenced off part of the beach, with one adult and one kids pool (looking badly in need of renovation). They are full of freezing cold salt water, which even in late Summer was too cold.
Furthermore, like a lot of places in Portugal, they don't accept cards, and so you have to walk / drive to the nearest gas station to get some. Me and my daughter lost a lot of time being messed around with this, as the nearest machine refused my card. In the end we just had an ice cream and left after 30 mins. This place doesn't deserve the status it has.
3. Ponte de Dom Luis I
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Built in 1886, this bridge links Porto and Gaia.
Reviewed By Gary S - Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Well we picked the wettest Easter on record to visit Porto.
We did the lower part of the bridge on the pouring rain and the return from the Dark Side by the upper bridge in what can only be described as crazy windswept outward bound type adventure. People were blown sideways. Umbrellas broken beyond repair.
What a day.
It's just a bridge...looks the bees knees. It was built back in 1792...so with those winds it has stood the test of time.
We were shot blasted but survived.
4. Hudi Surf Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By CARLA V
Great variety of cocktails, gins and the best Caipirinha only 10 min away from Porto!
They create a good vibe with a Live DJ, that invites you to dance inside or relax under a beautiful enormous tree!
I really enjoyed the surf atmosphere and visited Hudi various times this summer!
Will come back for sure, made good friends there!
5. Matosinhos Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 784 reviews
Reviewed By Dorrith Z - Helvoirt, The Netherlands
Matosinhos is part of the region of Porto. It used to be famous for its sardines industry and harbour, now it's an upcoming village for young trendy people. Some parts are not yet developed and you still see dilapidated houses and old factories, but I assume very soon it will be a very nice place to live near to the overcrowded city of Porto. It has a nice beach (surfing- showers to spoil the sand and seewater off on the beach- and sunbathing).
6. Quinta Da Conceicao
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Mike Arran - Manchester England
Rating this municipal park as very good is probably giving it a little more than it deserves. But it's better than average. It's very close to Exponor and the Holiday Inn Express with the main access on the dockside road in Leca. Local buses between the airport and Porto stop outside.
This was originally a Franciscan Friary dating from the 15th century. Little evidence of their occupation remains and, after a long period in private ownership, the site became a municipal park in the 20th century. Apparently it was extensively renovated in 2009 although this is far from obvious. There are pleasant enough pathways, the odd statue and relic, non-operational Fountains and even a swimming pool and tennis courts.
It's worth 20 minutes to escape from the sun but I wouldn't make a special visit.
7. Farol de Leca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Ema P - Braga, Portugal
No final de uma imensa avenida, onde de facto pode sentir a liberdade para correr, conversar, andar de bicicleta ou de skate. Apareça vai ver que não se arrepende.
8. Forte De Nossa Senhora Das Neves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Mike Arran - Manchester England
This very visible edifice sits on the Promenade at Leca. Unfortunately you can only view it externally as it's used as offices for the nearby port. As the pirate extravaganza takes place in July you may find it open publicly then. They don't seem to have caught on to the money making opportunities of their historic buildings!
This is a 17th century fortress, built to maintain the recently won independence from Spain. It's one of several dotted along the Atlantic coastline here. A small military garrison maintained a presence for many years. Now it's a guy cutting the grass and keeping the weeds down.
I wouldn't make a special visit but if you're in Leca you should spend ten minutes having a look. There are several nearby restaurants and a couple of nice beach bars once you've done the cultural bit!
9. Escultura De Rede De Janet Echelman
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Reviewed By Violeta H - Serra, Spain
It is an unusual sculpture but bearing in mind that Matosinhos is famous for fish restaurants and fish industry is huge, the sculpture is like a symbol of the area.
10. Posto de Turismo de Leca da Palmeira
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Heldergoncalves - Leca da Palmeira, Portugal
Localizado no início da Marginal de Leça da Palmeira, o posto de turismo possibilita o recolher de informações para uma visita mais completa às 3 obras do arquitecto Siza Vieira, que ficam a curta distância! Na Marginal de Leça, para além da marginal em si, podemos observar a piscina das marés e a mundialmente conhecida Casa de Chá da Boa Nova.
Recomendo o passeio ao longo de toda a marginal, bem como o aproveitamento dos passadiços da orla costeira que começam logo a seguir ao farol!
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