Choose from 27 Fun Things to Do in Northern Portugal
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Torre & Igreja dos Clerigos
One of the symbols of Porto is the Torre dos Clerigos, the bell tower adjoining the Clerigos Church, a baroque church built between 1732 and 1750. The church was one of the first Baroque churches in Portugal. Its Baroque adornments reflect the city’s seaside way of life, as its façade is carved with shells and garlands.
More iconic than the church however, is its bell tower. Standing at 75 m (245 ft) high, the tower offers an amazing, panoramic view of the city, the Duoro River and the Atlantic coast. Completed in 1763, this granite tower is based upon a Roman Baroque design scheme coupled with an unmistakably Tuscan bell tower design; visitors familiar with Italian architecture will be delighted to see a decidedly Roman Baroque masterpiece towering over a Portuguese port. Once you’ve ascended the 225 steps and reached the top of the sixth floor, the Torre dos Clerigos, you’ll be able to see the whole city.
Inside the church, you’ll enter into the Roman-influenced elliptic nave; in the main chapel, the altarpiece is a beautiful masterwork of polychrome marble, carved by famed sculptor Manuel dos Santos Porto, whose work can be found throughout Porto and Vila Real de Santo António in the Algarve.
Practical Info
The Igreja dos Clérigos, as it is known in Portuguese, was designed by an Italian architect and painter named Nicolau Nasoni, at the behest of the Brotherhood of the Clergy, for whom the church is named. Following his death in 1773, Nasoni was entombed in the church’s crypt, per his personal request.
Address: Porto, Portugal
Hours: Open daily 9am - 12pm and 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Admission: € 1
From $ 8
Rua Santa Catarina
The buzzing heart of Porto, running from Praça do Marquês de Pombal in the north to Praça da Batalha in the south, Rua Santa Catarina is Porto’s principal shopping street. The pedestrianized thoroughfare stretches for some 1.5km and is lined with beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, plus a huge selection of shops, restaurants, patisseries and cafés. This is the spot to find big name brands like Nike, Bellissima and Prof, while the Via Catarina shopping mall offers international stores like H&M and Zara, as well as a sizable food court.
Rua Santa Catarina is also home to the magnificent Capela das Almas, a striking blue chapel decorated with ornate azulejo tilework; the famous Café Majestic, renowned for its opulent Belle-Epoque style décor; and the lively Mercado de Bolao, Porto’s largest open-air market, where stalls are laden with fresh produce, fragrant spices and exquisite handicrafts.
Practical Info
Rua Santa Catarina runs from Praça do Marquês de Pombal to Praça da Batalha in central Porto.
Address: Rua Santa Catarina, Porto 4000-447, Portugal
From $ 64
Casa da Música
Casa da Música is one of the top attractions in Porto for music and architecture fans alike. Modern and eye-catching from the outside, inside it houses a vast 1,300-seat concert hall used by the Porto National Orchestra. The rooftop restaurant offers drinks and dinner options that are as delightful as the views.
The Basics
Porto's slick, Dutch-designed Casa da Música, inaugurated in 2005, is notable for being one of the few modernist buildings in this traditional city. Travelers can enter the concert hall on an hour-long guided tour, dine at the terrace restaurant, or see a performance. The exterior can be seen on a number of city sightseeing tours that stop by, many of which also visit other Porto attractions such as the Ribeira District and Porto Cathedral (Se Cathedral). Fans of both architecture and wine can choose a Porto sightseeing tour that includes Portuguese wine tasting.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A must-do for music and architecture buffs, the Casa da Música covers a cross-section of interests.
- Kids under 12 can take a guided tour for free when accompanied by a paying adult, so keep Casa da Música in mind for a rainy day.
- The Casa da Música hosts free concerts on occasion, for which you can get tickets on the day of the performance.
- Guided tours are offered in English and Portuguese.
How to Get There
Casa da Música, situated on the Boavista Roundabout (Rotunda da Boavista), has excellent public transport links. Metro Lines A, B, C, E, and F all stop nearby (the closest metro stop is, appropriately, Casa da Música), while there are dozens of bus routes to choose from. There's also an accessible parking lot for drivers.
When to Get There
The hall is open from 9:30am daily, and paid guided tours run three to four times each day. Arrive early to beat the crowds and consider a summertime visit for more regular English-language guided tour options. Concert programming dictates whether all or just some of the building is open to the public, so check in advance. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and holidays.
Things to Do Near Casa da Música
If you have time to kill before an evening concert or want to explore the area before dinner, head to the neighboring Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square (Praça de Mouzinho de Albuquerque). Centered around a memorial statue that pays tribute to a fallen soldier, this vast square"”the largest in Porto"”is ideal for people-watching or taking a quick stroll.
Address: Av. da Boavista 604-610, Porto, Portugal
Admission: Varies
From $ 17
Church of Sao Francisco
Behind its comparatively stark Gothic façade, the Church of Sao Francisco harbors a trove of Baroque finery and its unabashed opulence makes it one of Porto's most unmissable architectural wonders. The church itself was built between 1383 and 1410, but most of its lavish decorations date back to the 17th and 18th century Baroque period and no expense (or space) has been spared.
Pass beneath the striking rose window and you'll be confronted with glistening marble columns, intricately carved arches and gilded interiors, coated with some 400kg worth of gold. It's a feast for the eyes, with every inch of the church walls and ceilings adorned with ornamental frescoes, rich floral motifs and Mudejar wood paneling. Highlights include the magnificent Tree of Jesse altarpiece, the 13th century statue of Saint Francis, and the eerily beautiful catacombs, adorned with sculptures by Nicolau Nasoni and António Teixeira Lopes.
Practical Info
The Church of Sao Francisco is located in central Porto and is open daily from 9am-6pm, or 8pm in July and August.
Admission is €4.
Address: Rua do Infante D. Henrique, Porto 4050-297, Portugal
Hours: Daily 9am-6pm (8pm in summer)
Admission: Adult €4, Child €2
From $ 34
Viana do Castelo
A modern town with ancient roots, Viana do Castelo is in the very north of Portugal, crushed between the estuary of the River Lima and the wild surf of the Atlantic Sea. The Praça da República, its beautiful fountains and the Church of the Misericórdia –a three-story melange of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture – form the medieval heart of the city. Along with the 15th-century cathedral, the ancient piazzas and Manueline mansions all contrast neatly with the area’s modern-day seafront marina. But Viana is best known for its Santuario de Santa Luzia, a church perched on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic rollers. It is accessible by funicular from the town center, which will climb the 820-foot hill.
The construction of this elaborate Neo-Byzantine church began in 1903 based on a design by Miguel Ventura Terra, who was inspired by the Sacré Coeur in Paris. The church’s ornate façades are adorned with delicate rose windows, double-domed twin spires, a rounded apse and a grand central dome. Take the elevator to the top of the dome for panoramas across Viana do Castelo to the Atlantic.
Practical Info
Viana do Castelo is a 45-minute drive north of Porto along the IV1. Tickets for the funicular up to Santa Luzia cost €2 one-way or €3 return. The ride takes less than 10 minutes, and the funicular station is on Avenida 25 de Abril. Santuario de Santa Luzia is generally open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., with hours extended until 7 p.m. during the summer. Admission free.
Address: Viana do Castelo, Portugal
From $ 87
Guimaraes Castle (Castelo de Guimaraes)
Guimaraes Castle is a medieval castle in the city of Guimaraes in the northern part of Portugal. Built in the 10th century to defend against attacks from the Moors and Normans, it was expanded during the early Gothic period of Portuguese architecture. The walls of the castle form a pentagram, with eight rectangular towers, a military square and a central keep, which was added in the 13th century. Visitors can walk along the castle walls and visit the chapel of Sao Miguel inside.
Legend has it that Portugal's first king was born at Guimaraes Castle and it is considered one of the country's greatest historical symbols. The castle was declared a national monument in 1910 and the town as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as a former European Capital of Culture. Visitors can stay overnight in a pousada in Guimaraes or visit as a day trip from either Porto or Braga.
Practical Info
The town of Guimaraes is best reached from Porto. From the Porto airport, take the Metro to either the Campanha or Sao Bento stations to catch the train to Guimaraes. Alternatively, a direct bus from the airport runs to Guimaraes multiple times a day, costing around 14 Euro roundtrip. The Rede Expressos bus company also runs buses to Guimaraes from other major cities in Portugal. Guimaraes Castle is located in the center of the town and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Address: R. Conde Dom Henrique, Guimaraes, Portugal
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm
From $ 49
Serralves Museum
Situated in a magnificent garden just west of downtown Porto, the Serralves Museum has become a top city highlight and one of the most influential modern art museums in Portugal. Its permanent collection spans from the 1960s to the present day, with large sculptural pieces scattered throughout the grounds.
The Basics
Inside the museum you’ll find works from both Portuguese and international artists, including South African painter Marlene Dumas, American Dara Birnbaum, and Portugal native Pedro Barateiro. In the outdoor sculpture garden, keep an eye out a giant trowel embedded in the ground and a pair of enormous red pruning shears.
There are several options for visiting. A basic admission ticket grants access to the museum and gardens, and Serralves Park is also featured on most Porto tours and day trips, whether you want to explore the city in a sidecar, by foot, or on a day trip from Lisbon. The Serralves Foundation is also included on many Porto architecture tours, giving visitors the chance to see prominent outdoor installations.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Serralves Museum is a must-see for art lovers and first-time visitors to Porto.
- Bags and large packages must be checked in the museum’s cloakroom.
- Video and photography are permitted within the museum, but remember to turn off your flash.
- Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the museum and grounds.
- Most of the museum is wheelchair accessible.
How to Get There
The museum is located roughly 10 minutes by road from downtown Porto. The easiest way to get there is by bus from Porto’s city center. Lines 201, 502, and 504 stop near the museum grounds. On-site car parking is also available for a fee.
When to Get There
The Serralves Museum is open daily, with extended hours on weekends and holidays. If you’re visiting Porto during peak season (May through September), plan to arrive just before it opens or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
Architecture of Casa Serralves
The Casa Serralves (Serralves House) was commissioned by Count Carlos Alberto Cabral, the second count of Vizela. It is an impressive art deco estate of tall ceilings, expansive parlors, and clean, ornamented lines. This style gives way to modernism when you walk outdoors, as the garden's plan straightens further into stoic, efficient angles.
Address: Porto, Portugal
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm. Sat & Sun 10am - 7pm
Admission: Varies
From $ 12