Experience
Portugal

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : PORTO

A labyrinth of UNESCO-classified streets

Although it’s Portugal’s second-largest city, Porto is easy to get around by foot. Wander down the narrow streets of the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or sip a drink on the banks of the river Douro.

SAMPLE THE FISH OF THE DAY IN AFURADA

Some places seem to have been frozen in time. Afurada is one of those places, protecting its heritage from modern development to keep its soul intact. This traditional northern Portuguese fishing village sits at the mouth of the river Douro on the opposite bank to Porto. It’s home to just over 3,000 and a perfect destination for visitors seeking authenticity far from crowds of tourists. This little port boasts an easy-going and friendly atmosphere. Be charmed by the traditional colourful houses as soon as you see them. Visiting Afurada, or São Pedro da Afurada as it’s known in full, is a culinary experience before anything else.’ It’s all about seafood! Arrive in the late morning, explore and find somewhere cosy for lunch. Local restaurants set up grills, ready to barbecue the day’s catch. Get to Afruda from Porto in ten minutes by car or bus (line 500), by boat or on foot. The walk is a scenic hour and a half along the river.

Must-sees in Porto

THE LIVRARIA LELLO BOOKSHOP

Opened in 1906 by the Lello brothers, this neo-Gothic bookshop looks like something straight out of a film. Admire wooden shelves climbing up to the ceiling, an impressive double staircase in the centre and the stained glass roof flooding the space with colourful natural light. It’s considered one of the world’s most beautiful bookshops! Its neighbour, the Clérigos Church, was built in 1732, and its exterior is a perfect example of Baroque style. Its 76-metre tower, built in the 18th century, is the highest in the city and the tallest bell tower in Portugal.

DOURO VALLEY

This is an unmissable location in the north of Portugal. The Douro valley is a place of exceptional natural resources with its splendid terraced vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounding the river. It mainly produces Port wine, which is famous all over the world.

THE DOM-LUÍS BRIDGE

This bridge with metal beams stretches across the river Douro, designed and built between 1881 and 1888 by Théophile Seyrig, a student of Gustave Eiffel. It’s 395 meters long and 8 metres wide, and its steel arch is one of the largest in the world.

FOZ DO DOURO

The beautiful district of Foz do Douro overlooks the ocean and is the perfect place to breathe in some sea air and listen to the waves crashing against the shore. Located in the west of Porto, it’s home to sandy beaches like Praia da Luz and Praia do Homem do Leme.

PORTO CATHEDRAL

The construction of Porto Cathedral, also called Sé Cathedral, began in the 12th century in the highest part of the city. It looks like a fortress from the outside with its crenellated façade. Inside, don’t miss its cloister adorned with tiles depicting religious scenes.