Porto brings together a historic centre with a long architectural history, modern architecture, historic trams and green routes. For your trip of discovery, you can focus on the themes that interest you most: should architecture take centre stage, or views over the city and river, or a ride on a restored tram? These different highlights give Porto a varied cultural character.
A historic centre with a long history
The Historic Centre of Oporto is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its architecture expresses the values of successive Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and modern periods. The entire Historic Centre of Oporto is classified as a National Monument. Its long history is therefore reflected not in a single architectural style, but in several periods of architecture. If you are interested in the city’s heritage, this view across the centuries provides a good framework for choosing other places to visit.
Architecture from different eras
Casa da Música offers a different perspective: it is the first building constructed in Portugal to be dedicated exclusively to music. Its design was selected in 1999 as part of an international architecture competition. The winning design was by Rem Koolhaas and the Office for Metropolitan Architecture. Together with the historic periods represented in the centre, the building shows that Porto’s architectural history also includes modern buildings. Igreja do Convento de São Francisco has been classified as a National Monument since 1910, adding another protected building to the selection.
Torre dos Clérigos is a Baroque work by Nicolau Nasoni, built in the first half of the 18th century. From its top, you can enjoy panoramic views over Porto and the Douro. Here, architectural history and the view are part of the same attraction: you can appreciate the tower both as a Baroque building and for its views of the city and river.
Palácio da Bolsa was built in the second half of the 19th century. Visitors with reduced mobility can access it through a side entrance. If this access is important for your visit, check the arrangements in advance.
Trams, treetops and city panoramas
Museu do Carro Eléctrico rents out fully restored historic trams from the 1920s and 1930s for trips along Linha da Marginal, Linha da Restauração and Linha da Batalha. This rental option offers a different perspective on Porto from the view at Torre dos Clérigos. As availability may change, we recommend checking before your trip.
The green spaces also offer different highlights. Parque de Serralves includes the Treetop Walk, an elevated path along the treetops. Parque da Cidade covers 83 hectares. So, alongside the buildings, you can choose to explore a path among the treetops or a park with a clearly stated area, depending on your interests. Porto Bridge Climb offers views of Porto and Gaia from the top; check the current operating details before making plans.
To decide what to focus on, you can compare the historic periods represented in the centre and its buildings with specific experiences: Torre dos Clérigos combines Baroque history with a panorama, while tram rides and green routes bring other themes to the fore. This makes it easier to tailor your choices to the interests that matter to you during a stay in Porto.
Discover more destinations: Azurara, Bitetos De Cima, São Gemil, Torno, Rans, Gueifães, Aveleda, Lever
Go to the main travel overview: Porto.
