Old Porto (Porto Historic Center)

Northern Region of Portugal

Porto cod. Port wine. The Capital of the North

World Heritage: One of the best destinations in Europe and the World

Porto: Best City Destination in the World at the World Travel Awards 2022

With its Historic Center declared World Heritage by Unesco, Porto, second most important city in Portugal, European Capital of Culture, was also chosen Best European Destination 2017 and Best City Destination in the World, by World Travel Awards 2022.


Calçada de Vandoma and Porto Cathedral, Historic Center, City of Porto, Porto © Google Earth Pro
Calçada de Vandoma and Porto Cathedral, Historic Center, City of Porto, Porto © Google Earth Pro



Porto Historic Center

The Porto Historic Center, formed around Morro da Sé, concentrates the main tourist attractions of the city. It corresponds to the area classified as World Heritage by Unesco in 1996.

Grand panorama
"A masterpiece of human creativity, in the harmonious articulation of the streets with the surrounding space and in particular with the Douro River and Vila Nova de Gaia, presents a visual unity that gives it one of its most important aspects, the panoramic nature" [Unesco Portugal].

"Built on rough terrain in a happy articulation of the organic layout of streets and houses with the reference river, the Historic Center acquires a unique panoramic value, reinforced by the profusion of monuments such as the Patriarchal Cathedral, the Igreja de Santa Clara or the building of the Bolsa" [Cultural Heritage].


Ribeira do Porto and Porto Cathedral, Historic Center, Porto © Visit Porto, illustration
Ribeira do Porto and Porto Cathedral, Historic Center, Porto © Visit Porto, illustration



Old Port

In the Porto Historic Center are the most emblematic historic buildings of Porto. Starting with the Sé do Porto, a medieval cathedral built between the 12th and 13th centuries, therefore being a of the oldest in Portugal.


Porto Cathedral

The Sé (Cathedral) of Porto, is located in the Terreiro da Sé, on top of a hill; it was built like a fortress. It underwent several modifications in the following centuries. Gothic cloisters (14th century), the tiles and various sacred works are the highlights that make this temple worth visiting. In Terreiro da Sé, the Pelourinho in Manueline style is also worth mentioning.

Find out more: The Porto Cathedral


Portugal started here

Porto, with its rich history and unique heritage, is historically linked to the birth of of Portugal (Portucalense County). "In addition to its patrimonial value, it is interesting to discover in Porto its strong urban personality and its unique human character" [Visit Portugal].

Find out more: A A bit of history


Pelourinho, Terreiro da Sé do Porto, Centro Histórico, Porto © Google Earth Pro
Pelourinho, Terreiro da Sé do Porto, Centro Histórico, Porto © Google Earth Pro



Reasons to Visit Porto

There are many reasons to choose Oporto City to start your trip through Europe and start your tour through our Porto Guide!

The city of Porto, in addition to a lot of rich history, is one of the locomotives of Portugal. Visit this important destination in the lands of the north, a place of hospitable people, is a guarantee of successful holidays and many discoveries. In his classic book O Minho Pitoresco (1886-1887), José Augusto Vieira presents the city of Porto as follows:

"Giving the name to the bright ancient homeland gave, with blood, freedom to the beloved modern homeland. Son, no one gave more to his mother; nor is there such excellent quality, that it can be worth the last.





Tips for Visiting Porto

For a more impressive discovery of the city of Porto it is advisable to book at least two days of tours. One of these would involve walking through the streets of the lower part of the city and its granite houses - the Downtown Porto - and another would include a ride on the tram (electric bus) through the banks of the Douro River or a boat trip under its six bridges.


Historical and Cultural Heritage

With its Historic Center classified World Heritage, cradle of the nationality Portuguese (the Portucalense County), a rich and varied historical, religious and cultural heritage, the Cidade do Porto is a must-visit during your stay in Portugal.

Learn more: Porto tourist attractions


View of the Terreiro da Sé in Porto, Historic Center, Porto © Google Earth Pro
View of the Terreiro da Sé in Porto, Historic Center, Porto © Google Earth Pro



Port and Wine

With its name associated with the famous wine for centuries, Porto attracts thousands of visitors, whether on vacation or on a business trip, who here they discover its charms and secrets.

Have you already tasted this famous wine straight from the barrel? This is a privilege reserved for few visitors. This and many others, the visitor will discover follow the paths that lead to the Douro. See Douro Litoral Region.


Codfish and Gastronomy

It is almost impossible to talk about Porto without mentioning Bacalhau Porto, one of the most icons of the region, which also crossed the seas and had its name associated with the city, like its wine. Prepared in many ways and fashions, Gadus morhua is one of the basic ingredients of traditional cuisine and Portuguese cuisine.

Find out more: Traditional Portuguese cuisine

Bacalhau, um dos pratos típicos mais populares do Porto © Ilustração
Bacalhau, one of the most popular typical dishes of Porto © Illustration



Dynamic city

The dynamism of its people makes the city of Porto - Metropolis of the Northern Region, capital of the Porto District, of the Council of Porto and the former Douro Litoral Region - ever be ahead when it comes to entrepreneurship and innovation.


Medieval Porto

Medieval Porto is the foundation of the city of Porto. And it all started on Morro da Sé, from where you could see, down there, the Douro River. "It was enough to go to the Castrum novum of the Romans, on the site of Penaventosa, today the old quarter of the Cathedral, to establish a guarantee, perhaps still debatable, but already sustainable, as legitimate, of the antiquity of Porto. It was there, when perhaps this castro was already a ruin, that the Suevi, the true settlers of the city, came to settle fifteen centuries ago, boldly fortifying the castle, and opening the bitesgas and alfurjas do Burgo, to which they gave such rapid development, that within a few years it became the seat of a Catholic bishopric" (José Augusto Vieira, O Minho picturesque, P. 697). More...

It was elevated to a diocese by the Romans, suffered domination by the Visigoths and the Moors. At the end of the 9th century it was reconquered by Vímara Peres.

First Walls

The first belt of city walls was built (from 1108 to 1110) by the archbishop of Braga, D. Gonçalo Pereira. Roughly speaking, it included the castle, "whose keep or citadel, strengthened by battlements and loopholes, was for a long time the old church of the Cathedral" (José A. Vieira), descended to the east by the Stairs of the Codeçal to the bank of the Douro. This section of wall still exists in perfect condition. From there, it cut west to Largo da Ribeira. Then climb to northeast along what is now Rua dos Mercadores to Portas de Santa Anna. It continued along Rua da Bainharia and ended at the Porta de Nossa Senhora de Vendome.

"Here is the primitive city of Porto, which was not the tenth part of Alfama, the Arab city of Lisbon" (José Augusto Vieira, O Minho picturesque, p. 700).


Vinho do Porto, o produto mais emblemático da Cidade do Porto © Ilustração
Port wine, the most emblematic product of the City of Porto © Illustration



Porto influence

On the left bank of the Douro River, Porto radiates its influence far beyond regional borders.

Porto and Wine - With its name for centuries associated with the famous wine, Porto attracts thousands of visitors, on vacation or on a business trip, which here they discover its charms and secrets.

Have you already tasted this famous wine straight from the barrel? This is a privilege reserved for few visitors. This and many others, the visitor will discover follow the paths that lead to the Douro. See Douro Litoral Region.





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Greater Porto

In the north of the country, in Greater Porto, other important cities are Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Matosinhos, Gondomar and Guimarães.

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