Summary

The article provides a personal travelogue of three must-visit locations in Porto, highlighting the Porto Cathedral, Livaria Lello Bookstore, and the Riverfront areas of both Porto and Gaia.

Abstract

The author recounts a memorable four-day trip to Porto, emphasizing the city's historical and cultural attractions. The 12th-century Porto Cathedral, with its stunning views and religious artifacts, is recommended for its architectural significance and the panoramic vistas it offers. The Livaria Lello Bookstore, renowned for its art nouveau design and literary significance, is noted for its connection to Harry Potter and its impressive central staircase. The Riverfront, with its vibrant atmosphere, dining options, and entertainment, is celebrated for its lively ambiance on both the Porto and Gaia sides. The author suggests that these locations encapsulate Porto's rich history, cultural charm, and dynamic nightlife, making them essential stops for visitors with limited time.

Opinions

The Porto Cathedral is described as a magnificent structure with impressive gold trim and a worthwhile tower climb for the views.
The Livaria Lello Bookstore, despite being touristy, is considered a must-see for its beauty and historical significance, especially for Harry Potter fans.
The Riverfront is praised for its variety of restaurants and street performers, offering a mix of relaxation and entertainment.
The Gaia side of the Riverfront is characterized as more energetic and party-oriented compared to the Porto side.
The author expresses a desire to visit more museums in Porto on a future trip, indicating that the city has more to offer beyond the three highlighted locations.
The article suggests that the experience at Terreiro, a seafood restaurant, is worth the higher cost due to its excellent food and views.
The gondola ride is recommended as a fun way to descend from the train to the waterfront in Gaia.
The author's personal enjoyment and appreciation of the city's offerings are evident throughout the article.

3 Places in Porto You Should Check Out

And yes, they are a bit touristy but so cool!

View from Porto to Gaia. Photo by Shelley Rohm

I had the pleasure to spend about 4 days in Porto at the end of August, and I have to say it wasn’t enough.

One of those days was taking a tour of some vineyards of the Douro Valley. The others were spent checking out one of the coolest cities in Europe.

The Porto Cathedral

This beautiful 12th-century Roman Catholic Church was built on the highest point of Porto, so it is pretty easy to find. As you exit the Sao Bento train station or metro, just look to the left and there it is. For €3 you can meander around at your will, taking in the cloisters and sanctuary and all of the gold trim that could feed a nation. It also hosts several displays of ancient relics of the church on the second level. The best part is the climb to the top of the tower to see the views of Porto. Magnificent!

While you are there, make sure you pop into the São Bento Train station and check out the tiles! It is totally worth it and you are very close to it from the cathedral.

From left to right or top to bottom, Porto Cathedral outside, inside walkway, gold alter, bishop clothes from the 1700’s, the courtyard and the view from the upper deck. Photos by Shelley Rohm

Livaria Lello Bookstore

This wonderful little shop has become somewhat of a tourist trap but I totally thought it was worth the trip. As a Harry Potter fan, I had heard that it was the inspiration for Flourish and Blotts Booksellers. When you enter the small store, you can see the amazing staircase that winds up to the second level. The ceiling has beautiful stained glass at the top with the inscription “Decus en Labor” which means “dignity in work.” The bookstore is designed with a great deal of art deco features. If you go to browse books, be aware that there are large crowds and it is hard to shop. They mostly deal in classics although they do have a great selection of children’s books, books about Porto and Portugal, and a Harry Potter Section. They also have their own line of books to purchase.

(Left top) Entrance to book store, (Top middle) staircase as you enter, (Top right) ceiling, (Bottom left) view from the second floor of the book shop, (middle) more staircase, and (Right) shelves of busts of authors and their books. Photos by Shelley Rohm

The Riverfront — on both Porto and Gaia sides.

This area is one of the best places to walk, check out great restaurants, and even shop. The walk on the Porto side was a bit longer and the tables set up for merchants were larger and offered more goods, but they were about €1–2 more expensive. There were so many restaurants to choose from and we enjoyed seafood at Terreiro. It was expensive compared to other places, but the food was incredible and the view was excellent. Down by the waterfront, you also get “free” entertainment. There are many musical artists that come down to perform for whatever coins you can toss their way. When they quit singing, a saxophonist serenaded us at dinner.

The Gaia side seemed more like where the partiers would be. The music was louder and the vibe seemed more upbeat. We had a great time riding the gondola down from the train to the waterfront and walking around. There is a great rooftop bar at Espaco Porto Cruz. I hear their restaurant is great but we needed reservations.

Left to right or Top to bottom, RIverfront Porto view, views from the gondola ride, riverfront Gaia, crossing the river and view from our restaurant on the riverfront in Porto. Photos by Shelley Rohm

If you only have a short amount of time in Porto, these are 3 great places to visit. You get to take in the history, fun, and nightlife of the city. There are great restaurants in all of these locations and something fun to check out. Next time, I hope to visit a few museums.

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