Notable Sites To Visit in Porto Every History Buff Must Visit

Porto is one of Europe’s historic cities that has stood the test of time. With a rich past dating all the way back to 300 BC, this city is steeped with history and personality like no other. Because of this, Porto became one of Europe’s most sought after destinations earning the title of The Best European Destination in 2014 and 2017. So, as a fan of history, you’ve decided to spend your vacation exploring this gorgeous city. Before you book Airbnb vacation rentals in Porto, Portugal, here are notable sites every history buff must visit.

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Cais da Ribeira

This picturesque street in Porto has one of the most recognizable facades in Porto. Located at the banks of Douro River, this riverfront street is lined with pastel-colored houses that is truly a wonderful sight to behold. The houses and the streets in the neighborhood offer an authentic feel of Porto’s rich past. 

Declared a UNESCO Heritage Site back in 1996, this historic street is part of the bigger Ribeira district. The neighborhood surrounding Cais da Ribeira was once a major business center where goods have been exchanged since the Middle Ages. What started as a small port town has grown in importance making it one of the major trade hubs in the region. During the 1400s, however, a great fire ravaged old Porto. The town was rebuilt, now sporting its famous facade we see today.

There are many ways to enjoy Cais da Ribeira and all its glory. Take a river course at the Douro river and see the colorful stacked houses in its entirety. You can also walk through its cobbled streets and see these historic buildings up close. At night, streets also come alive with lights and people. Stroll through the many districts and dine in the many quaint restaurants that line its historic streets.

Sé do Porto

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Sé do Porto⁠—also known as Porto’s Cathedral⁠—is Roman Catholic Cathedral in Batalha, Porto. This major religious and historic edifice has been one of the defining features of the city throughout the years. Completed in 1737, the cathedral is known for its Gothic cloisters and precious artifacts inside its hallowed walls. If you are a fan of history and architecture, this is a must-visit.

The cathedral is a unique mesh of architectural influences from various design movements in Europe like Gothic, Romanesque, and⁠—more prominently⁠—Baroque. This came about as a result of the many renovations done to the cathedral throughout the ages. Gothic influences can be seen in the cathedral’s cloisters within the building itself. Majority of the interiors.

Aside from its gorgeous architecture, Porto Cathedral also houses a collection of priceless artifacts. These include ornate religious artifacts like crucifixes and monstrances made of gold and silver. Gold and silver crowns and other items are also housed in the cathedral’s treasury. Aside from these, there are also ceremonial gowns and robes made of silk and silver threads as well as old copies of leatherbound bibles and books. Some of these are open to the public and can be accessed along with the interior cloisters for a fee.

Torre dos Clérigos

One of the most iconic structures in all of Porto, Clerigos Tower is surely something you shouldn’t miss. Located at the heart of old town in what was known as the Hill of The Hanged Men, the tower is one of the most prominent buildings in the city.  

The bell tower is part of a complex known as the Igreja dos Clérigos or Church of The Clergyman. Built in 1750 by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni for the Brotherhood of the Clerigos. The church and the tower are prime examples of Baroque architecture that was all the rage back in the 18th century. The tower stands almost a whopping 250 ft and gives a magnificent panoramic view of Porto’s old town as well as other neighboring places. Its impressive height makes it the tallest bell tower in Portugal.

The church itself is an architectural masterpiece and one of the most ornate Baroque churches in the region. The interior is an elliptical layout typical of Baroque style architecture. But the highlight of the show is the bell tower. There are over 200 steep steps to climb before you get to the top. It can be daunting but the view will be well worth it. Along the way, you get to see the bells that are still in use to this day. 

São Bento railway station

This historic station opened its doors back in 1916 and has since been the object of fascination among locals as well as tourists. Located in the heart of Porto itself, it served as a gateway hub for the people since it began operations. 

The building that stands today was built over what used to be a 16th-century monastery. When the city decided to upgrade its transportation, the monastery was torn down to give way to the station. Inside, is an impressive collection of “azulejo” tiles—a form of painted glazed tile work in the Iberian peninsula. The tiles depict some notable events in Portugal’s past through intricately detailed tile work.

Due to its colorful past, the station is rife with legends and ghost stories the most popular of which is a nun who walks São Bento’s halls. Legend says that this nun was the last of the original residents of the monastery. All these tales and more are passed on to visitors through various guided tours to this historic landmark. 

Ponte Luis I

Ponte Luis I is one of Porto’s most iconic landmarks. It is a double-decked steel arch bridge inaugurated in 1886. This majestic steel bridge is reminiscent of another steel structure in another part of Europe: the Eiffel Tower. This comes to no surprise as the designer was a former partner of Gustav Eiffel himself. The bridge towers over the Douro river at 560ft. Its height gives anyone on it a splendid bird’s eye perspective on the city, especially the colorful houses of Cais da Ribeira.