Location: Porto
Top Things to do in Porto
What to do and see in Porto, Northern Portugal: The Best Nature & Parks
The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present. The old town, centered at Ribeira, was built on the hills overlooking the Douro River, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 14th-century São Francisco church is a main attraction, as are the local port wine cellars, mostly located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia.
Restaurants in Porto
1. Douro River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,397 reviews
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, United States
A Mighty River of Commerce In November, we were once more on the Douro River, or above it, watching it flow. We spent hours on the patio of our room at the Yeatman in Vila Nova de Gaia, observing the life blood of northern Portugal, the Douro River. Unlike our previous visit, we did not have time to take a cruise on the Douro, higher above Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, but we actually had more time to just watch the river flow - the water taxis, the tourist cruise vessels, and then the flow of commerce. Looking out at the replicas of the rabelos, the boats used to bring the Port wines down from the vineyards, far upstream, to the Port Houses of Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto, I could almost imagine those earlier journeys. Though the River has been tamed somewhat, by a series of dams and locks, it is still a powerful current, heading toward the Atlantic, just a few miles away. In some ways, the Douro reminded me of the Mississippi River, in the USA, with the various types of vessels plying it hourly. Just watching commerce, in various forms, became a pastime with us, and with a bottle of wine, we could have spent the entire trip, just watching this river.
2. Cais da Ribeira
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,851 reviews
Reviewed By rhmclapham - Swansea, United Kingdom
The beating heart of an incredible city, just sitting in one of the myriad cafes and restaurants and watching the world bustle past....one of life's must do moments that will linger for a lifetime. Ships ploughing their way up the river, ferries making their way between banks, couples laughing, glorious food, wine and vistas to die for... Did I mention it was a nice place to visit?
3. Parque da Cidade do Porto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,283 reviews
Reviewed By BernardBertram - London, United Kingdom
This beautiful park is easy to get to by the amazing bus system that Porto has. I think it's worth going to as not many are so big & so close to the sea. It's also a great way of seeing how nice the suburbs of Porto are.
4. Praia do Carneiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By Pavla2013 - Toronto, Canada
Amazing place where the river meets the ocean, just beautiful with people walking on the sidewalks, full of fisherman. The beach is very nice, for anybody who loves water and the beach, you can spend a whole day here.
5. Praia do Homem do Leme
6. Quinta De Villar d'Allen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Visit Villar d' Allen estate and its 5 gardens built between 1780 and 1839. First Romantic garden ever built in Portugal (classified as Estate of Public Interest). Guides Tour of the 5 gardens + coffee = 3,50 Plus 9,00 for visiting to the museum and Port Wine Tasting.
Reviewed By Lorraine2010 - Annecy, France
We visited Villar d'Allen which is known for its magnificent grove of camellias. The owner, Dona Isa, is an expert on camellias and one is named the John Allen Camellia. The first floor of the house is kept as it was in 1840. John Allen, educated at Georgetown USA, got into the port production and trade in the 1800s. Dona Isa learned the secrets of blending port from her father-in-law.
7. Quinta do Covelo
8. Praia de Lavadores
9. Parque de Nova Sintra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
This park, once property of the Reid family, of British origin, was acquired by the Porto City Council in 1932. The small palace of the manor house is now occupied by the company "Aguas do Porto" and respective infrastructure and the green space of the property houses old fountains and drinking fountains of Porto displaced at the time of the progressive water piping in the city.
