Tourist guide: what to do and see in Porto

A breath of fresh air; that’s what this chic shop is, whose mission centres around the sale of Portuguese natural products (of consistently high quality and reasonably priced) like cheeses, processed meats, wines, olive oil, jams and marmalades, sponge cakes and honey. If you go up the road a bit, there are also tables for tasting the Portuguese products on sale (from its boards: toast with toppings, salads, preserves and pickles, processed meats…). On top of this it holds Port wine tastings to guide you in your purchase selection. Find out more at www.merceariadasflores.com.

In Formosa street you’ll be able to get up to date with the tastiest traditional Portuguese products thanks to this shop catering to Portuguese gastronomy, one of the city’s oldest. Opened in 1912 as a stationers, haberdashery and tea and coffee shop, this house with the old world atmosphere gracefully represents the leading aestheticism prevalent in the early part of last century, and items like cheeses, hams, processed meats, olive oils, honey and jams and preserves al radiate out from its shelves. It was recently acknowledged as the best regional produce establishment in the whole country by the prestigious ‘Wine Review’, a gong which faithfully reflects one of the main prerequisites of the premises: in a nutshell, quality.

To get up to scratch with the best local handiwork, don’t pass up the chance to visit to the well known RCTA (the Regional Centre of Traditional Arts). It is to be found in a house which belonged to the aristocracy in the 17th century and is right in the heart of Porto’s historic centre, more specifically at 37 Rua da Reboleira. Founded in 1985, in 1988 it was granted Institution of Public Utility status for its tireless work in the field of study, conservation and dissemination of the traditional arts in its manifold forms of expression. It is open every day from 10 am till 6 pm, and doesn’t only market artisan craftwork but also hosts seasonal exhibitions as well as promoting workshops and hosting educational workshop sessions.

This is the best place to purchase the legendary Arraiolos rugs and carpets, those true works of art made by craftsmen who have achieved world-wide fame. You’ll find it at 570 Santa Catarina street. It dates back to 1959.All its rugs and carpets are hand-finished in Portugal, right down to the last detail. Made of wool, production of the carpets requires the input of dozens of toiling workers over a long period of time, but the end result really is worth the effort. Get inspired in advance of your visit by going to: //www.casatapetesarraiolos.com/.

There’s a boutique which forms part of Porto’s coolest business and leisure route. It’s a very large house spread over three floors, with picturesque nooks of an alternative hue. It first came to public attention in 1998, as a direct result of the boom being experienced at that time by the city’s art galleries. In Artes em Partes) (Arts in Parts) you’ll come across the designs of young designers, new and old records, vintage garments, costume jewellery, shutter cameras, retro furniture…and of course, three art galleries. Avail yourself of info on all the possibilities at: //artesempartes.net/.

Seen as the spoilt child of the Portuguese fashion world, Luis Bucinho is the only Portuguese designer ever to have presented collections in Paris (it was in 2009 that he made his debut in Paris Fashion Week); he spent twenty years at the cutting edge of the business, and, thanks to his designs, his success and his creations, he has been responsible for the upturn in the Baixa area, now seen as one of the best in the city. He opened his first Porto shop in 2007 in the Rua José Falcão, and now in 2012 he opened a second boutique in the Esplanada do Castelo.One of the great selling points of his workshop is that you can customise or personalise any garment or item of clothing you ask them to.Elaborate and original structuring, graphic detailing and unusual colour and texture mingling all make up a composite outline which is the essence, charisma and authenticity of cosmopolitan style. If you still haven’t got to know them yet, find out about his collections here: //www.luisbuchinho.pt/.

To buy locally labelled Port wine in some of the Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellars is something absolutely not to be missed by visitors to the city. Here we highlight the Taylor winery: The Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman business, which first saw the light of day in 1692, was the first to buy properties in the Duero. After several centuries in existence, the brand continues in the hands of the heirs of the founding English families, who have been adding other businesses to their portfolio, like Croft Port. At Taylor’s, tradition and modernity go hand in hand. Their ports emanate chiefly from two estates, one at the foot of the Duero, the Vargellas estate, deemed to be one of the world’s finest, and the other, the Terra Feita estate from a higher up mountainous region, which has been in existence for more than 250 years, and which produces the best, most full-bodied, rounded and fragrant wines. For more information go to: www.taylor.pt.

The Porto Gran Plaza (Great Square of Porto) is a modern shopping and leisure centre of recent construction, at the side of the Bolhao market. It has five floors and more than 75 businesses of varied hues of fashion, accessories, electronics, bookshops and perfumers, as well as many more. The Vía Catarina Shopping Centre is another commercial classic right in the old heart of the city, which can be found in the street that bears the same name. As an alternative, the Bombarda Shopping Centre comes highly recommended, and doesn’t come across as a mall but rather takes its character from being the cradle of alternative shops and of the city’s busiest young designers.

It is Porto’s biggest business area, with some of the city’s best shops. The street is crammed with street traders and pretty restaurants and cafes. The most famous of these is the Café Majestic, a meeting place for the well-known and declared to be a part of Portugal’s cultural heritage by the Portuguese state in 1983.This pedestrian precinct located in the upper part of the city starts off at Batalha Square where the San Antonio de los Congregados church stands,and ends in the Plaza del Marqués de Pombal. Walking down the street, which runs very close to the extremely famous Bolhao market, you’ll then find yourself before the Capilla de las Almas (the Chapel of the Souls), a small chuch clad in the blue tiles so typical of the country. As a contrast to the popular Santa Catarina street is the Rua do Almada, with more emphasis on alternative businesses, with specialist music, dress, and urban living shops. On the other hand, close by, there’s the Rua da Fábrica, with its unusual bookshops and stationers.

Porto’s most important market, with its nostalgic air times gone by, is a must-see for all visitors seeking to sample the flavours of the city at its most authentic. It’s a true neo-Classical architectural jewel, decadent in style, whose two-story interior offers fish stands (the cod is highly recommendable), greens, meats, flowers… as well as crafts shops, clothing, perfumes and gifts, as well as quaint bars and cafés that retain the look and feel of yesteryear, creating a delightful Bohemian feel. A perfect spot to absorb the true essence of Oporto, the Mercado do Bolhao is in Fernandes Tomás Street and opens from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It dates back to 1839, when the municipal chamber decided to build a square where merchants could sell their wares. In 1914, Correia da Silva signed the contract for the current building, which was quite ahead of its time, combining a concrete structure with materials such as granite, metal and wood. Not surprisingly, in 2006 it was recognized as a city monument of touristic interest.

Alongside the official museums and institutions, Porto can claim to be a city of reference for young creative types and upcoming artists. A veritable never-ending stream of interesting propositions oversteps the boundaries of convention. The cradle of all this is the Miguel Bombarda Street, where you’ll find the largest part of the metropolitan art galleries. If this isn’t enough for you, the options on offer in this street go from more traditional paintings or sculptures, through jewellery, up to the most exquisite and cutting edge textile design. (Yes, definitely, always being in the hands of young creative types.)Here, there’s an accumulation of cute restaurants and hostelries for those to whom art is their raison d’être. Every couple of months there’s some new opening being celebrated in one of the place’s galleries, with music, drinks, and on occasions leisure activities open to the public. The the streets are shut off to pedestrians and then, let the party begin! Close by Miguel Bombarda street there are other types of artistic activities going on, in areas like the Baixa and other adjacent streets, on Rosário and Breyner streets.

Coins not only from Portuguese history but also from the Greek, Roman, Hispanic, and Arabic civilizations are the objects of envy in the Gabinete de Numismática (The Numismatics Collection), located in the Viscondes de Balsemão Palace, which hosts one of the most complete collections in the entire country. Its unusual exhibition began in 1850 when the Museo Municipal de Oporto (the Porto Municipal Museum) aquired the collection of the Briton John Francis Allen. But you won’t only find coins in its glass showcases, but also medals, awards, policies, ballot papers and casts, index cards and banknote printing presses. Nowadays, the originally 18th century Viscondes de Balsemão Palace is also the home of the directorship of the Municipal de Cultura, and puts on different exhibitions and events. www.cm-porto.pt.

If you have always wanted to know first-hand how a newspaper is created, you are in the right place. The only one of its kind in the whole country, the Museo da Imprensa, Jornais e Artes Gráficas of Porto is a private, non-profit cultural entity that opened its doors to the public in 1997. It is nothing more than an interactive space that offers to those who visit it the possibility of experimenting with the machinery that Journalism has been using throughout its history to create newspapers and magazines. Thus, using ancient and modern methods of composition and printing, you can print your own news. Of course, reserve a couple of hours to complete the visit to the complex. It also has a permanent exhibition of national and foreign cartoonists and illustrators, called PortoCartoon, and a permanent display of typographic miniatures. It offers special courses and activities for children, making it ideal for a family visit. Under the slogan "Culture of pleasure", it attests to the relevant role that printing and graphic arts have played in the modernization of Portuguese society. Consult all the information about the exhibitions, the schedules and all the possibilities of the place on its official website: http://www.museudaimprensa.pt.

The Museum of Photography (a.k.a the Portuguese Photography Centre) now occupies the site where Porto prison once stood. Inaugurated here in 1997, in a baroque style building with a trapezium floor, its intention is to protect, improve and promote more permanent exhibitions like the National Photography Collection with its documents of great national interest and the cameras of the photo historian Antonio Pedro Vicente, as well as the seasonal ones. For the more interested, here’s a footnote: Amongst the famous prisoners who were locked up in the old prison that was previously on this site were the Portuguese writer Camilo Castelo Branco and his lover Ana Plácido, who were incarcerated in the jail after being accused of adultery, as well as the dangerous Portuguese criminal Zé do Telhado.Today the museum also has a specialist library, a shop and a free guided tour service throughout the building and the exhibitions.

Where would a city like Porto be without a place like its wine museum? All the evidence would seem to make it unthinkable that it didn’t exist. It’s located in a great 18th century building on the shores of the Duero. Since its inception in 2004, it has of course become the most important source of information about this wine. Here you can get to know about its history and its link to the development of the metropolitan area over the course of its history at first hand (sometimes via modern multimedia platforms), as well as an endless array of oddities surrounding the area’s viticulture. Did you know that the small wooden ravelo barges which sail up and down the Duero today were once used as the traditional method of transport for moving Port barrels? Would you like to learn how wine is aged? You definitely won’t regret this visit. The museum’s info comes in English French and German. For the smaller ones, the text carries illustrations and there is even a Braille version for the visually impaired. For the icing on the cake, don’t ignore the wine tasting area and the shop to get a hand on the thing you’ll have really fallen in love with.

Located within the Quinta de Maceirinha (the Maceirinha estate), there is a delightful 19th century mansion set in the grounds of the Crystal Palace , the prettiest location in all Porto. The Museo Romántico reflects the lifestyle of uppercrust Porto citizens during the 19th century. The building, which opened its doors in 1972 is built in the romantic style, although it has an Anglo-Saxon facade. Its drawing rooms are decorated with furniture in the imperial and English styles, with paintings and other items from the era. Many of the rooms recreate the style that would have illuminated the property when King Carlos Alberto de Piamonte y Cerdeña lived there; he spent his later years exiled in Portugal, and lived there until his death from tuberculosis in the very house in 1849. Some of the most recommended nooks here are the chapel, the Vestier (Vestry) Room, the Dancing Room, the room in which the King passed away, the dining room or the billiards room. Don’t miss out on going down to the Port wine cellar in the building’s basement, to try out the local wines, with a selection range of more than two hundred. And don’t forget the terrace either, so as not to pass over the chance to enjoy one of Porto’s’ magnificent twilights whilst looking out on the river.

Its great success has come about by housing one of the most important sets of military miniatures in the world. The Military Museum is the property of the Portuguese armed forces and was created for the task of preserving the country’s military history. Opened in 1980 by the then President of the Republic Ramalho Eanes, it is in three parts. On the ground floor there is a wide selection of uniforms and weapons from the 19th century. On the patio there are armoured vehicles, cannons, tanks, and artillery of various kinds, together with a collection of firearms from the 15th to the 20th centuries. This floor covers the historical evolution of court weaponry, along with exhibiting a collection of firearms from different eras. It is on the first floor where perhaps the strangest exhibits are to be found: a magnificent collection of miniature soldiers in lead of armies from all four corners of the globe, from pre-historic times to the present day. These miniatures add up to the trifling total of 16,000 pieces, where attention is given to the slightest detail on every one of them. The building now used by the museum was built at the end of the 19th century as the residence of Doña María de Coímbra. During the Spanish Civil War it was used for housing nuns, and it was purchased in 1948 by the Portuguese state to be the headquarters of the secret police in Porto. Note that entry is free on Wednesdays; all information on entry prices and opening hours can be checked out on: http://www.exercito.pt/sites/MusMilPORTO/Paginas/default.aspx.

If ever there has been a method of transport representative of Porto, then without any doubt whatsoever this has been the tramcar. And although latterly the “electrically operated car” has fallen into disuse having been superseded by newer means of transport, this picturesque museum takes it upon itself to remind of its fate over the years with its exhibition of machines from different eras (many of high historical value), as well as uniforms and photographic exhibits from yesteryear. The tram brought about a revolution in the port metropolis until the heyday of the motorcar marked its decline by the 1970’s.Yet despite all this, there were still some 500 trams in circulation in the middle of that decade, a sight which has been reduced to a tourist attraction these days. The Electric Tramcar Museum stands on an old thermo electrical plant in the district of Miragia and it’s probably recommended that you go there with children. You can check out prices and opening times on the museum’s website at: http://www.museudocarroelectrico.pt/default.aspx.

No contemporary art lover can pass over a chance to visit this renowned complex. It isn’t for nothing that the Serralves Foundation can claim to be the most visited museum in all Portugal. It’s a case of being a European institution whose aim is to support and disseminate contemporary art through exhibitions or projects aimed at promoting upcoming young artists. The set-up comprises the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Serralves Foundation House, the gardens and an auditorium, as well as a restaurant and terrace with views of the park. The Museum of Contemporary Art designed by Álvaro Siza, houses creations by avant-garde artists from both Portugal and abroad, showcased both individually and collectively. There is a permanent collection of exhibits with works dating from 1970 to the present day. Amongst the most represented artists names like Marcel Broodthaers, Mário Merz and Georg Baselitz strike a chord. On the other hand, seasonal showcasing doesn’t only happen in the museum, but also in the Serralves Foundation House, or even in the gardens (which stage open-air concerts).The Serralves Foundation House, opened in 1999, is in the art deco style and was declared an Asset of Public Interest in 1996.The gardens, one of the few European examples of Art Deco gardens, were designed by Jacques Gréber and cover an area of 18 hectares.

Portugal’s oldest museum and Portos’ most important, is inside the Palacio Real Torre da Marca (The Marca Tower of the Royal Palace) and is not something you should miss out on! Its construction in 1795 was carried out by the architect Joaquim da Costa Lima at the behest of a rich business family, the Morais e Castros; it was converted into the most important residential building of its era. It was populary known as the “Palacio dos Carrancas” which came to mean the “Palace of the furrowed brow” given the bad character of its owners. With the passing of the years, the palace was converted into a royal residence, and later into a hospital, after falling into disuse for as time. Today, the building is occupied by the Soares dos Reis Museum, which houses furniture, ceramics, engravings, glass, and a series of paintings from the so-called Porto School of the 19th and 20th centuries. The most important part of the museum is dedicated to the renowned Portuguese sculptor Antonio Soares dos Reis.But no one should be disappointed, because here it’s possible to admire some of his most famed creations like “El Borracho” (The Drunkard) or the Flor Agreste (The Wild Flower).After visiting the museum, the palace gardens are well worth a little stroll around.

The fresh breeze and the proximity of the ocean combine to make Porto summers pleasant, bearable and not excessively hot, for which reason its beaches tend to be one of the most appealing places to be for visitors when the hot weather arrives. In Gaia, where some of Porto’s extremely famous wine cellars are to be found, you’ll also be able to enjoy beaches like Lavadores beach, which you’ll be surprised to learn is a haven of peace, since it tends not to be very crowded, which is why you can manage to get a certain amount of privacy there compared to the beaches in Foz and Matosinhos. A bit further away there are other sandbanks bathed by the sea, like the Playa de Espinho( where you also wile away the odd hour in its casino), or the Miramar; to get to these last two, you’ll need to catch a local train like a Comboi Urbano (which means local train in Portuguese) from the centre of Porto, at a cost of roughly 2 euros.But if you’re thinking of taking a dip, then you’ll have to be prepared as the Atlantic waters are really cold in this area(with maximum temperatures not exceeding 19 degrees in summer)

A pretty municipality close to Porto, where you’ll discover the region’s most idyllic beaches, and which is besides an area of upmarket catering and night clubbing. It is well appointed in the historical centre and counts such appealing places as the Puerto de Leixões,, one of Portugal’s finest; el Edificio Transparente (The See-Through Building), a lively restaurant and sports shop complex; and the Lea da Palmeira beach where, if time permits, you’ll be able to quench your thirst in the salt-water pool, called the Piscina de Marés (The Sea -Water Swimming Pool), designed by the renowned architect Siza Vieira. The great atmosphere experienced along the Matosinhos waterfront, whether by day or by night, won’t leave you cold either.

An area covering more than 80 hectares serve as the calling card for this spectacular natural space, which links Porto with Matosinhos and which will take you from the city to the self same Atlantic ocean. This is the largest nature reserve in all Portugal, with more than 74 species of trees, 10 kilometres of roadways and animals such as swans, frogs and reptiles…It can turn out to be an ideal spot to hold a picnic play ball games, to jog or to walk. The Sea Life Centre (http://www.visitsealife.com/Porto/) is in the middle of its parkland and is perfect for visits with children. Another point of interest in the Parque da Cidade (The City Park) is that it has rescued the Pavilhão de Água (The Water Pavillion) (http://pavilhaodaagua.blogspot.pt/), a building designed by the architect Alexandre Burmeister, which was exhibited at the Lisbon Expo 98 and which, strangely to the eye of the onlooker, appeared to be hanging in mid-air.

For more active travellers, a rustic trip on two wheels while breathing in the sea air could be just what the doctor ordered for enjoying Porto’s fresh air and temperate climate once Spring is here. The Foz do Douro seafront is one of the best places to do this. This exclusive district begins where the river Duero runs out into the sea and ends, after travelling down the beach, at a 17th century fortress called the Castelo de Queijo (Cheese Castle!). It’s living space comprising modern and expensive buildings, lively and casual, with stores, clubs and upmarket restaurants. It’s worthwhile to let yourself be transported the length of the seafront – where the views at dusk are unmissable- and to visit the maritime rocks on the Paseo Geológico (The Geological Walk) (http://www.cm-porto.pt/pgfd/). Other high interest points which you’ll encounter on the cycle route (or on foot) are the São João Baptista (St.John the Baptist) Fort and the São Jõao da Foz church.

There are many companies that organize this type of walk to discover the most beautiful, curious and famous corners of the city. One of the most popular is perhaps Porto Tours, on whose website you can choose between guided tours on foot, by boat, by bicycle, by scooter or by panoramic bus, with lunch or dinner and shows included on some occasions: http:/ /www.portotours.com. The most common walking tour among Porto's visitors allows visitors to discover the monumental center in a single day, with stops at such representative enclaves as Avenida dos Aliados, the City Hall, Liberty Square, São Bento Station or in Dom Luiz I Bridge. Another option is to discover in one day the colorful neighborhoods that make up the city: Ribeira, Boavista, Baixa, Cordoaria, Foz or the historic center, also known as the Bolhão area, among others, as well as Vilanova de Gaia (which is, rather, an adjoining municipality).

The small wooden rabelo barges that you’ll see passing by on the Duero are the commonest type of conveyance in the area, used nowadays solely for tourism and recreational purposes, but for centuries they served as the main transportation means for the barrels of famous Porto port wine. Should you feel so inclined as to get on one of these boats , one of the most highly recommended journeys to take is the “Six Bridge Crossing” (el Puente del Infante Don Enrique, the María Pía, the São João, the Freixo, the Arrábida and the emblematic Dom Luiz I bridge).Although you’ll get lots of opportunities to undertake a panoramic guided tour, from which you’ll get to know the most significant monuments of the port city from the water, three such to be recommended as those who schedule them are: www.douroacima.pt,www.rotadouro.pt or www.viadouro-cruzeiros.com. The trip, which normally departs from the Ribeira jetty, won’t last above an hour and will cost you roughly 10 euros.

This park, along with the Crystal Palace gardens, is one of the city of Porto’s most delightful green artificial spaces. On completion in 1613, it was originally called the Olival field, and its name kept undergoing changes until it was declared to be the Jardín Joao Chagas (The Joao Chagas Gardens) or the Campo dos Mártires da Pátria (The Field of the Fatherlands Martyrs) in 1835, although it’s also known as the Coadaria Gardens because that is the name of the area of its location. It is a considerable size and has abundant vegetation, a number of differently themed sculptures and even a pond. In its surrounding area there are a number of other tourist points like the Natural History Museum, the Torre de los Clérigos (Cleric’s Tower),and the Carmen church.

A central square in Porto, which is full of hundred year old plantains and benches where old folk and students both take their turn, is also the arrival and departure station for the old electric trains. It’s a pleasant place in which to sit down and welcome in the Spring. Set amidst old and modern sculptures, and surrounded by the city’s most emblematic buildings, like the Torre de los Clérigos (Cleric’s Tower) and the Lello e Irmao Bookshop, the square affords you the opportunity to be in the city centre at the same time as being in the middle of a mini-forest. There are public tables just in case anyone feels like putting on a small picnic.

If what you need is to get away from the pavement, you’ve come to the right place; the Jardines del Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace Gardens) are a grand natural space of 9.57 hectares situated in the upper part of the city, which offer unrivalled views over Porto and the outflow of the Duero into the Atlantic ocean. They were laid out in 1860 by the German landscaper Émile David to house the palace from which it takes its name. It is possible to discern several distinctly themed areas, amongst them being Jardín de Plantas Aromáticas,(Aromatic Herb Garden) el Jardín de las Plantas Medicinales,(Medicinal Herb Garden) el Jardín Romántico(The Romantic Garden), or Jardín de los Sentimientos (The Garden of Feelings).The acclaimed Émile David garden is worthy of special mention; rhododendrons, monkey puzzle trees, camellias, gingkos and beeches may all be viewed, and it possesses fountains and statues which represent the four seasons. The main route to the gardens is the Avenida de los Tilos, site of the Concha Acústica (Conch Shell Acoustic Hall), a small open air auditorium for concerts, and la Biblioteca Municipal Almeida Garrett (The Almeida Garrett Municipal Library) and the Capilla de Carlos Alberto de Cerdeña. (The Carlos Alberto de Cerdeña Chapel).The Crystal Palace, on the other hand, was built in 1861, similar to the one in London, and in 1865 was the privileged host site of the International Porto Exhibition. After being torn down in 1951, the Rosa Mota Pavillion was built in its stead, which carries on being called by its popular name of the Crystal Palace. Designed both for sporting events and for the staging of festivals and concerts, it has a 5,000 audience capacity. The whole complex is set off by a giant dome over 30 metres high.

The Ribeira offers privileged views over the city’s most charismatic walkway, the Dom Luiz I bridge, which unites this picturesque quarter with the opposite bank of Vila Nova de Gaia and its coveted wine cellars. Designed in 1877 by Teófilo Seyrig (who was a disciple of Eiffel… yes, the one who designed the famous tower in Paris!), and comes across as very imposing with its dual level and intricate ironwork, which lends a nineteenth century touch to the set-up.3, 000 tons of metal were needed to produce this fantastic bridge structure, the most crossed in all Porto. It possesses a great central arch with two walkways in the upper part: the metro crosses over the highest of them, which is 392 metres long, with the lower one 174 metres long and allowing vehicle transit.Pedestrains, for their part, cross on the higher up footways. If you visit in summer, don’t let it surprise you to see the most fearless jumping from the bridge’s lower level- which is 47 metres up- in order to take a dip in the Duero!

A World Heritage Site according to UNESCO,this labyrinthine area of colour and nostalgic hues is the most picturesque, and perhaps the most touristy, of the port city. A picture postcard place which best illustrates the elegant and decadent spirit of Porto, where stately piles mingle cheek by jowl with narrow streets crowned by arches, and with medieval layout, which runs down by the Duero, and whose daily life revolves around the square which bears its name; the Praça da Ribeira in Portuguese (Ribeira Square). Located near to some of the most visited monuments of the metropolis, the area has leading places of special interest, like the Rua da Fonte Taurina, and one of the oldest streets, the Muro dos Bacalhoeiros, (the Cod boat wall!), which formed part of the city’s walled defence in the 14th century, or the Postigo do Carvao, the walls’ only door which is still kept to this day. It’s hard not to be seduced by the traditionalist countryside or its narrow backstreets clad in hand-painted tiles and wrought iron balconies dotted gaily with flowers. With such a background, the Ribeira is one of the prettiest areas in which to stroll and enjoy Porto, whether by day, or also at supper time, to carry on walking round some of its many charming spots come nightfall.

The Bull & Bear, ranked as one of the 25 best restaurants in the world according to the Financial Times, offers a tasting menu at a price of 50 euros per head. It has a cozy and intimate dining room, where you can try careful seasonal recipes of contemporary Portuguese cuisine. Its menu includes 150 wine references and its star dishes include shrimp curry with chutney or Portuguese cod. An alternative option, also luxurious but cheaper, is the Brestaurant, which is located within the five-star Boavista Hotel complex. A whole place to see and be seen, whose stoves produce gourmet dishes such as paellas, Mediterranean recipes and sophisticated Portuguese cuisine. Finally, Dom Tonho is perhaps the most exclusive option in the city, which, throughout its history, has had top clients such as Lou Reed, Fidel Castro or Mastronianni.

The Foz district is a great option. What should you order here? Well, in Cafeína you’ll find yourself with a menu containing modern and cosmopolitan offerings, where you can make an appointment with Portuguese, Italian, French and international cuisine. Located in a pretty mansion dating from the beginning of the 20th century, it’s one of the area’s more modern meeting places, even visited by actors, models, musicians and famous designers. Its selection of regional, Portuguese, and wines from around the world have gained the admiration of all its regular and casual visitors. Perfect for a romantic supper or a business meeting, the place comes to life with an upbeat selection of jazz, house and soul music, etc. - and the quality-price ratio of its menu is completely harmonious, since the cost per head comes to 25-30 euros.

If you are looking for a good option to try traditional Portuguese cuisine at reasonable prices and with a pleasant and familiar treatment, these two places are also two attractive possibilities to consider. The Abadía restaurant is located in the heart of the city, on Ateneu Comercial do Porto street, and in its menu you can choose between proposals such as rice with octopus and beans, grilled lulas, beef steak, cod, clams, seafood rice ... For its part, Casa Inés, located on Calle Miraflores, prepares typical homemade recipes such as tripe with chickpeas, battered octopus with rice or pickled sardines, always accompanied by delicious local wines. When ordering your food, it is good that you take into account that the portions offered by both restaurants are very, very abundant, so it will be better to be eaten.

Here we’re talking one of the restaurants with the largest amount of floor space in Porto. Established 35 years ago, it has an extensive menu, from Francesinhas (Porto style croque monsieurs- the ones done with spicy sauce are very famous) to the most select shellfish. The grilled tiger prawns with a lightly spiced sauce come particularly recommended, as well as the cod and tripe. Very popular with the locals, you’ll find it in the Avenida de Boavista, well appointed for visitors to Porto, being situated close to the crowded Serralves Foundation. The fine atmosphere and quality of service and its cuisine will astonish you. On top of that, its prices are understated.

In the middle of the Passos Manuel, famous for its local spots and alternative clubs, you’ll find this place which was opened in 1930, which still retains its original hallmark, with a wall decorated with tiles redolent of an actual Portuguese house. Traditional cuisine is on offer at more than decent prices. For that reason it’s advisable to book in advance. It has plentiful dishes suited to all budgets and the family service will make you want to go back again. Comfortably seated in a room which recreates the décor of drawing rooms in 18th century mansions, you’ll be able to sample the best locally caught fish, first rate coddone in lots of different ways, meats with different accompaniments along with other traditional recipes. For the bravest, the Escondidinho (The little hidden away place) is a recommended spot (based on quality and hygiene) to try out the famous “Porto style Tripe”.

With good food and even better prices this modest but tasteful place located in the heart of La Coadaria, this place, like the Café Majestic, is a common stop-off for enjoying a snack (whether at noon or midnight) for travellers visiting Porto. Here you can sample home-made Portuguese cuisine as if they’d been made by your very own granny. There are different types of fish and meat on offer, all accompanied by “confeijão” rice (or the same thing, namely rice and beans), potatoes (which may be French fries or boiled) and salad. All rounded off with pleasant service and a wide selection of typically Portuguese sweets. The menu given represents a good choice, cheap and tasty, and won’t exceed 10 euros a head.

Romantic, refined and stylish, you get transported back to a different age simply by looking at its stone façade and by glimpsing part of its carefully decorated interior in the art deco style. It’s perfect for catching your breath and sampling a coffee with a few typical sweetbreads after a busy day’s shopping in the biggest shopping street in town, the Rua Santa Catarina (St.Catherine Street). There’s an elegant roaring 20’s style café which still retains the best of Porto tradition. Very popular with tourists arriving in the city, it is well known for its skill in making typical Francesinhas. You can get an idea of it all by visiting its web pages on http://www.cafemajestic.com.

A great café with marvellous views of the Atlantic ocean; This has to be the top menu from the Tavi restaurant and patisserie, an icon of the city, since it opened its doors for the first time in 1935.It combines modern décor with ornaments and photos from days of yore, in a warm and refined environment with prices which aren’t too high. Its tarts and other desserts will entice the greediest of visitors. It is located next to the Playa de los Ingleses (The English Beach), in the Foz district, and is ideal for taking mid-afternoon tea or for enjoying a quick bite at any time of day.It prepares such appetizing recipes as Carpaccio of Octopus, or the typical battered cod goujons. As for dessert, don’t leave without trying some of their specialities, pan pudding, nut flan or the extremely well known ‘bolo rei’ (traditional Portuguese Christmas cake, a typical sweetmeat delicacy similar to the Spanish ‘roscón de reyes’, a sweet festive bread ring traditionally eaten on the twelfth day of Christmas, January 6th).

There is only one word to describe this area above all others to the first time Porto visitor: unmissable. O Bacalhoeiro (The Cod Trawler) prepares cod like no-one else in all its varieties. And for definite this fish is the jewel in the crown of the country’s cuisine. It is to be found in Vila Nova de Gaia where good taste reigns in its modernist tinted dining room. It’s Porto wine chart is also of considerable interest. The selection of the place, with its popular prices, remains well- rounded thanks to the privileged views it offers over the Duero and of the other river bank (which will be delightfully lit up by the time you turn up to have supper.) The dishes are plentiful, given the great affluence of people who tend to turn up at the place attracted by its popularity and the reputation of its stoves for fine dining. Let’s get on with it!

It’s a stop-off pub serving traditional tastes in the atmosphere of yesteryear. It’s prices suit most pockets and is universally recognised for its ‘Francesinhas’, the most typical Porto dish,(a type of sandwich containing ham, cheese, sausage meat, veal, egg, and other ingredients. You’ll also be able to find fast food options on the menu, like hotdogs and chorizo spiced sausage and bread , and other classics of Portuguese cuisine such as octopus with garlic or cod ( the recipe where they prepare the fish in hot ashes is more than highly recommended).On leaving the Tendinha, it may well be that you’ve not spent more than 10 or 12 euros, although if you want to try the specialties of Portuguese cuisine at a single go, they have a tasting menu at 22 euros a head (with drink included).

If live music is your thing, don’t miss this renowned concert hall, conveniently located in the midst of the Old Town inside the Mercado Ferreira Borges. Trendy and stylish, it provides different spaces for musical events, as well as rehearsal halls and recording studios. It proudly offers an eclectic line-up featuring all types of sounds, and its prices are suitable for all budgets (depending on the performer, of course). But its cultural and leisure offerings don’t end here, as Hard Club hosts painting and photography exhibitions during the day, as well as an unusual tourism information office. Check it all out on http://www.hard-club.com.

Another outstanding part of the harbour town area is Foz. It rises up over East Porto and lays claim to being one of the most expensive places in the metropolis. It is here precisely in the Foz do Douro that the river Duero meets the Atlantic, a factor which has turned it into one of the most privileged spots in the city. Foz is also the home of two of Porto’s premier nightspots, the Trintaeum (where a visit is obligatory if losing yourself in avant-garde electronic music is your thing,) and The Industry, (another disco that has never gone out of fashion). If you want to stop off half-way to take a cold drink when you move on from the Ribeira – where nights tend to begin with a glass or two- down to Foz- where the most enthusiastic turn up to finish them off-, then you could do so in an unusual little place like Maré alta (whose name means ‘High tide’), which is nothing more than a type of bar and floating disco on the river Duero which is to be found at Cais de Massarelos.

If you like to go out dressed nonchalantly in comfy clothing and take a chance on hearing good music without it burning a hole in your pocket in the process, the picturesque and central Rua das Galerias de Paris could be your safest bet to enjoy those harbour nights. The street abounds with some of the coolest bars of the moment, amongst them one whose name bears a reference to the street it’s in, the Galerías de Paris. It’s worth getting to know it both by day and by night, since they serve coffees and breakfasts in the mornings and operate as a restaurant and discotheque according to the hour of day. It’s walls are clad in very high shelving decorated with toys qnd other nick-knacks from early in the last century which add entertainment and a kitsch touch to the room. Another of the most recommended bars in the street is the Bohème.modern, of loose yet sophisticated and cosmopolitan geometric design, it is welcoming at the same time.

The city of Porto offers two great options for enjoying a beer and good conversation in the early evening on the banks of the Duero river. At the southern end, you can move down to Vila Nova de Gaia where not only its competitive wine cellars stand out but also quite relaxing local spots, which come across as ideal for having a drink surrounded by unrivalled views of the fully lit up harbour area. On the northern banks, the Porto Ribeira, there are hundreds of bars and cafes with an altogether livelier environment. It shouldn’t surprise you to find yourself in the middle of a tavern listening to the performance of some fado singer. When it gets down to business, one of the best spots to enjoy these famous Portuguese sounds is the “Mal Cozinhado” (which means “undercooked/underdone” in English!), and along with this place, the Aniki Bóbó, which owes its name to a film by the long time Portuguese film director Manuel de Oliveira deserves special mention, and has turned out to be a Ribeira classic.

Another of Porto’s great passions, together with its wines and vineyards and wider than average range of architectural and cultural offerings, is sport, or more precisely, football, whose temple of worship is at the Estadio do Dragão (or ‘del Dragón’, giving it its literal Spanish translation). The structure, a symbol of the city on its own, is home to the teams who represent first division club F.C. Porto. Opened in 2003 with a friendly game that the Portuguese team played against Barcelona, it was designed by the architect Manuel Salgado to provide respite from the former Estadio das Antas; its aesthetic appeal has drawn praise from all over the world. It is the thirty-sixth largest European stadium judged on crowd capacity alone and can hold 54,378 spectators. There are guided visits timetabled throughout the year and the respect of many has been attained by gaining its Green light certificate, which is recognition awarded by the European Commission as a reward for green consumption of lighting and energy.

If Porto is pointed out throughout Portugal as the capital of concerts, art and music, much of this recognition comes from the richness of its cultural heritage when it comes to hosting these expressions, which concentrates some of the best venues from the country. Such is the case of the Porto Coliseum, applauded throughout Europe as one of the most outstanding concert halls on the continent. Both the Coliseum and the Rivoli Theater, together with the Palacio de la Música, of course, are a guarantee when it comes to choosing a show with which to enjoy a good cultural evening in the town of Porto: theatre, ballet, opera and, of course, fado and other musical registers have a place on its bill. National and international events have been held at the Porto Coliseum, such as the official opening ceremony when Porto was chosen as the European Capital of Culture in 2001, hosting more than 2,000 guests. Another good option within the city's theater scene may be the Teatro Sá da Bandeira. Check the programming and prices of these outstanding venues at http://rivoli.bilheteiraonline.pt/, http://www.coliseudoporto.pt/ and http://www.teatrosadabandeira.pt/.

The charm of turning up in this room doesn’t rest solely in the quality of the theatrical and dance spectacles enacted therein, (which is always high), but also on the architectural and decorative appeal of this singular construction. Under the baton of artistic director Nuno Carinhas, the San João Theatre seeks to experiment with contemporary scenic languages, but also banks on bringing the classics before its audiences. It produces 4 or 5 large scale big productions a year, and co-produces and gives debuts to dozens of smaller scale works at the same time, by both home grown and foreign artists. Located in Batalha Square, the original construction was designed in 1794 by Vicente Mazzoneschi and its inauguration took place to celebrate the birthday of Prince Don João IV (hence thus becoming known as the Prince’s Theatre.However, tragedy struck in 1908 when it was razed to the ground in a fire. Thus the theatre we know today, with its fine façade and four Ionic columns, was designed in 1911 by the architect Marqués da Silva. You can check out programming and pricing (usually reasonable) at www.tnsj.pt.

Although the number of vineyards to be found in Vila Nova de Gaia number more than a hundred, amongst some of the more well known, famous names like those of Sandeman, Ramos Pinto, Offley, Ferreira and Calém stand out. To plan a visit, a useful recommendation may be to take out a combined entry ticket, like the one where, for 9 euros, you can gain entry to the Sandeman, Offley, and Ferreira vineyards. At the Sandeman vineyard- perhaps the best known globally- you’ll visit the different estates in the hands of a guide dressed as “Mr.Sandeman”, the strange logo created in 1928 which shows a mysterious gentleman with a black Portuguese cape and Spanish style hat. The address is 3, Largo Miguel Bombarda. On the other hand, the Ferreira vineyard is one of the area’s prettiest as it was built on the remains of an old convent, and has plenty of delightful space enveloped in a delightfully heady mix of aromas of sweet wine and wood. It is to be found in Carvalhosa Street, and is open every day of the week. Finally, the Offley vineyard, located at 54 Choupelo Street, offers an animated tour lasting a quarter of an hour. All visits naturally include a winetasting.

Picturesque and lively, the town of Vila Nova de Gaia rises up on the left bank of the majestic river Duero, (or Douro, as it is called in Portugal). The number of vineyards which populate the area has come to exceed a hundred. It is here that the world’s most famous fortified wine, Port, has been aged for hundreds of years. And its temperate Atlantic climate lends itself to the long and slow maturation process required by such a beloved brew. With such a history, entertainment seems to be more than assured by simply setting foot in the area and allowing oneself to be transported by the tastes and olfactory sensations which can be experienced at wine tastings offered by the vineyards. At some of them, visits are without charge, whereas in others for a small cost you can sample the different Port varieties, which will delight the palates of both the amateur and those more experienced in the exciting world of wines alike. For sure though, before you tqke on the job, it’s a good idea to get to learn about the six types of sweet and dry white wines on offer there: Ruby, Tawny, Colheita, LBV, Crusted, and Vintage.

Although its name may not ring any bells, for sure you’ll have come across its strange scarlet coloured spiral staircase before; it is a distinguishing feature of this attractive space which has appeared in such famous films as the Harry Potter sagas. Now do you remember? Whether the answer is yes or no, what is for certain is that you shouldn’t pass up the chance to visit what is deemed to be the most beautiful bookshop in Europe, and even for some, the most beautiful in the world. It’s extremely high shelving, containing thousands of books, form a dreamscape for any self-respecting literature lover. Its delightful façade, a mixture of neo-gothic and modern, is only a small foretaste of what is to be found inside. The natural light which filters through via a large glass dome which crowns the centre of the ceiling imbues the complex with a charming air of mystery. On the aforesaid dome is inscribed the motto “Decus in Labore”, which means “Pride in Work”. The Lello e Irmao bookshop was founded in 1869 and sells new and old copies in different languages and is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10 am till 7pm.It is no surprise that for many this is one of Porto’s best kept secrets.

The rich historical wealth of Porto, a city whose cultural, demographic and industrial clout has earned it the title of the “capital of northern Portugal”, is also obvious in the beauty of its temples, whose stones bathe the streets caught up in its surrounds with a gentle romanticism. Churches like San Francisco or San Lorenzo dos Grilos are worth noting, in addition to the aforementioned cathedral. Should you visit the first of them, you will be left open-mouthed by the three inner naves which are clad completely in gilded carvings, whose construction took more than 300 kilos of gold dust powder. Another striking item in the complex is the Arból de Jesé (the Tree of Jesé), a polychrome wood sculpture touted by the experts as one of the best of its kind in the world. On a sour note, you’ll be shocked to the core by the sight of a charnel house containing thousands of human bones which become recognizable as such through glass on the floor of the catacombs. On the other hand, the charm of San Lorenzo dos Grilos church lies in its simplicity and lack of undue ornamentation, whose practically naked façade conceals behind it the curious Museo de Arte Sacra y Archeología (Museum of Sacred Art and Archeology) which wastes or wants for nothing. Although the name may not ring any bells, it’s certain that you’ll have seen its strange scarlet coloured spiral staircase somewhere or other before, as it has appeared in such appropriate films as the renowned Harry Potter sagas. Now do you remember? Well, whether the answer is yes or no, what is obvious is that you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it is deemed to be Europe’s most beautiful bookshop, and even for some, the most beautiful in the whole world.Its extremely high shelving and thousands of books comprise a booklover’s paradise for any self-respecting bibliophile. Its delightful façade, a mixture of the neo-gothic and modern, is only a foretaste of what is to come on the inside for us. Natural light filters in to the place via a large glass dome which crowns the centre roof, endowing the complex with the most mysterious and charming of atmospheres. The motto “Decus in Labore” (“Pride in work”) is engraved on the aforesaid glass. The Lello e Irmao bookshop was founded in 1869, selling new and old copies in different languages and is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm. It comes as no surprise for many people that this is one of Porto’s best kept secrets.

A lion on a dying eagle at the top of a 45 metre high pedestal will set your imagination soaring back to the age of the old European uprisings. Thus it was that this monument, which was begun in 1909 and not inaugurated until 1951, was built to commemorate the victory of the British-Portuguese Alliance over the Napoleonic forces in the early 19th century. Erected in the Boavista district, the statue overlooks the attractive gardens of the Mouzinho de Albuquerque Plaza from its centre. Its base is adorned with emblems from the dispute, including artillery items and the busts of soldiers who risked their lives to fight the French. While the lion represents the support of the English (since this animal appears on their flag), the eagle symbolises the defeat of the Napoleonic empire. Female representation in the complex becomes obvious in the image of victory who steps forward guiding the town with the flag of Portugal in her left hand and with a sword in her right hand. Those responsible for the monument to the Peninsula Wars were the architect Marqués de Silva and the sculptor Alves de Souza, although the work was finally concluded almost half a century later under the guidance of the sculptors Henrique Moreira and Sousa Caldas.

Flanking the Cathedral de la Sé and turning out to be one of the greatest exponents of Porto’s civil architecture, the baroque and rococo define this rectangular style which houses an internal central patio, where everything is harmoniously decorated, with murals and plasterwork from the 18th and 19th centuries. The original shell of the building dates from the 13th century but what we see nowadays is the upshot of the restructuring which it underwent in 1737.The coat of arms on its façade, of Bishop Rafael de Mendoça, and the great monumental U-shaped staircase which takes up its inside, attributed to the architect Nicolau Nasoni, are the most impressive hallmarks of the complex. Located high up, the Porto Episcopal Palace, with its immaculate white façade peppered with rows of windows with granite lintels, dominates the skyline of the harbour town, and can be glimpsed for instance whilst enjoying a boat trip down the Duero river.

A charismatic construction which bears true witness of the strength which has historically bound the union between Portuguese and English towns, and designed by the consul John Whitehead in the neo-Palladian style and built between 1785 and 1790, the Factoría Inglesa (The English Trading Post), was created as a meeting place for British tradesman who lived in Porto, essentially for those who traded in wine, an sector which practically became a British monopoly. The plot where the trading post stands was donated in perpetuity by the Portuguese government to the British Consulate and was only ever closed when Napoleonic forces invaded Portugal in 1807.Currently, it’s a private club where British promoters and exporters of the world-wide renowned Port wine meet. It consists of four floors and the façade of the ground floor is formed by seven arches which give way to a portico gallery. The main floor displays high openings, with balconies and gables. The complex finishes off with a balustraded mezzanine level. Inside, stand-out features are the Anglican chapel, a large library, a magnificent staircase, a kitchen (which still contains its original accessories and crockery), the Chippendale furniture, and, why not, it’s excellent porcelain. Today, it is an obligatory stopping-off point on the famous City Wine Route.

This fine original construction was erected in the heart of the Ribeira in 1325. It gets its name because it was where the heir Enrique el Navegante (Henry the Navigator) was born, whose role in the great discoveries of the Portuguese seafarers was pivotal. The building has served as a residence for lodging visitors to the Portuguese royal family, besides having been used as a customs house and mint. The Casa do Infante (Heir’s House) has undergone numerous alterations over the centuries, which you can follow closely thanks to the plans and video on view inside. Another of its curiosities is that it is home to a museum where archeological remains found on the spot are like the laboriously constructed mosaics in their original guise. For those who are keener still, it is also home to seasonal exhibitions, a showcase of exhibits which were stored in them in different eras, including old maps and the city’s historical archive.

It’s all a jewel with a capital ‘J’ in the crown of modern European architecture. The Casa de la Música (The Music House) was built for the “Porto 2001: European Culture Capital” project and its avant-garde lines turn it into one of the most appealing and interesting symbols of the new Porto. Externally, the building breaks with its environment, acting like an urban sculpture with right angles and irregular lines, which is set on a wavy square of travertine marble, as if it were a matter of forming a link between the old and the new. This impressive icon of modern day port life was the brainchild of the architect Rem Koolhaas, a celebrity who designed the CCTV building (China’s most viewed television station, and responsible for the design of Prada shops the world over. It offers a concurrent programme of events and concerts throughout the year – where classical sounds, electronic music, street music and many more styles crop up, details of which can be found at www.casadamusica.com. The auditorium houses a forum which can accommodate more than 1,200 people. Keep an eye out for its restaurant on the upper floor, with a 250 cover capacity, and is not underserving of its place in the vibe of the complex.

A large chunk of the acclaim with which the historic centre of Porto was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 1996 is down to that charismatic edifice which reveals like no other the neo-classical beauty of the harbour area in all its glory in the eye of any beholder. Seat of the Porto Chamber of Commerce, the Palacio de la Bolsa (Palace of the Stock Exchange) dates from the middle of the 19th century and was conceived by the architect Joaquim da Costa Lima. Inside, the Presidential Room, the Patio de las Naciones, fully glazed, house a library of over 10,000 books, the Golden Room, covered with gold leaf, or the hardwood-clad General Meeting Hall, all deserve special mention being made of them.Yet despite this, the jewel in the palace’s crown is beyond doubt the Árabe Salon, inspired by the Alhambra in Granadá, which will excite you with its picturesque moorish style covering in excess of 300 square metres. As an aside, it is more than recommended that you tag on to one of the guided tours to discover the ins and outs of the place at first hand. Yes, most definitely, as the first person to buy a ticket selects the language (from the four available) for the hour-long trip!

This old fashioned melancholy so beloved on Portuguese territory finds some of its finest expression in the city’s railway station. Built at the end of the 19th century on the remains of the former convent of San Bento del Ave María, this stately pile may be for many one of the finest sights the city has to offer. Located in modern day Porto city centre, while your imagination can flash back to bygone eras at a single blink, its great usefulness lies in the fact that its trains can reach the vineyards and and some of the prettiest of the outlying small towns of the area, including Guimaraes, Viana do Castelo or Braga. With its modernist inflection, the station bears the hallmark of the architect Marques da Silva and is a fine example of trendy art nouveau which flourished at the beginning of the 20th century within the city of Porto. While you may well be a passing observer, it’s important that you don’t let yourself be impressed solely by the facade, since there’s a hall adorned with more than 20,000 tiles inside to attract your attention by bearing faithful witness to this Portuguese city down the ages.

240 steps and 76 metres in height separate the apex of this tower – one of the most recognisable and tempting symbols of the city – from the solidity of the Rua de Sao Filipe de Nery, which can be easily reached on foot by walking from the famous Avenida dos Aliados. All of which means that it is an obligatory stopping-off point for any self-respecting visitor, and it is not for nothing that it was deemed to be the city’s tallest building until towards the end of the last century (an honour boasted nowadays by the Vasco de Gama Tower in Lisbon.) Designed by the architect Nicolau Nasoni in the baroque style,the aerial view from its summit will not leave any bold adventurers who manage to get up to it, cold. Once up there, it is particularly worthwhile to cast an eye over the front and let yourself be enraptured by the Cordoaria gardens, laid out in the neoclassical pombaline style. As can easily be deduced from a city whose daily life has revolved around harbours for centuries, the Torre de los Clérigos (Cleric’s Tower), which was built between 1735 and 1763, traditionally served as a lighthouse for all those boat journeys wishing to end at Cais de Ribeira. Entry into this tower costs 2 euros a ticket, and it is popularly known as “Hangman’s Hill”, since within its walls are buried those recipients of the hangman’s justice, and close by the eponymous church rises up on the skyline, and this can be visited free of charge.

Overlooking Porto from Batalha, in the old quarter, this temple was constructed to become without doubt the most important of its kind in the city. Designated as a National Treasure monument, the Cathedral de la Sé appears majestically before the onlooker, like a solid stone fortress with battlements. It shouldn’t be forgotten that the church, whose initial construction began in the 12th century, displays a variety of architectural styles in the light of the multiple reconstructions it has undergone over the course of the intervening centuries. This therefore helps to explain the fact that although it is largely baroque, the cloister and chapel of St John the Evangelist are gothic, and that the body and facade of the church mirror the Roman style. Religious artefacts in precious metals also have their place here thanks to the Caso do Cabildo,(Chapter House), where the “cathedral’s treasure” will dazzle you. To get there, you go through a strange cloister whose walls are decorated with tiles depicting religious scenes. And to finish off with, an interesting curiosity: in the centre of the cathedral plaza you’ll see a column which, though inoffensive at first glance, was used in its day to hang the city’s criminal hoodlums and miscreants. Paradoxically, from this column you can enjoy one of the most special views over Porto, with its famous vineyards and the Douro river as its backdrop.