Summary of ▶️ PORTO TOP 17 | o que ver e fazer no PORTO 🇵🇹 #253

The video presents a comprehensive guide to the top 17 attractions and experiences in Porto and its neighboring city Vila Nova de Gaia, offering practical tips for visitors.

Key Travel Highlights & Tips:

• Two Cities to Explore: Porto lies north of the Douro River, while Vila Nova de Gaia is on the south bank. Both offer distinct attractions.
• Avenida dos Aliados: Central avenue with historic 19th and 20th-century buildings and a notable McDonald’s in a beautiful old café location.
• Casa da Música: Modern concert hall with guided tours and nearby Bonsucesso Market for gourmet food.
• Port Wine Cellars: Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, not Porto. Visitors can tour the caves carved into rock and enjoy port wine tastings. Access via Jardim do Morro subway or walking across Dom Luís I Bridge.
• Douro River Boat Tour: A scenic one-hour circular boat trip from Vila Nova de Gaia piers, passing important bridges with multilingual narration.
• São Bento Train Station: Famous for its stunning azulejo tile murals depicting Portuguese history, free to visit.
• Churches to Visit:
  • Church of Carmelitas and Church of Carmo (notable tile panel)
  • Church of Santo Ildefonso (tiled façade)
  • Chapel of Santa Catarina (covered with 6,000 tiles)
  • Church of São Francisco (paid entry, richly decorated interior)
  • Church of Santa Clara (recommended for its impressive interior)
• Crystal Palace Gardens (Pavilhão Rosa Mota): Beautiful public park with river viewpoints, designed by German landscaper Emílio David, open daily with free entrance.
• Bus 500 Scenic Route: A double-decker bus route along the river to Matosinhos, passing Forte do Toro, Fortress of São João da Foz, Farol de Fergueiras lighthouse, and Castelo do Queijo. Tickets must be bought per ride; not a hop-on-hop-off service.
• Livraria Lello Bookstore: Historic bookstore famous (though inaccurately) for inspiring Harry Potter. Admission costs €5 (discounted if buying books). Visit early to avoid crowds and enjoy the atmosphere.
• Bolhão Market: Recently renovated traditional market selling fresh local produce and Portuguese specialties, located centrally near a metro station.
• Main Viewpoints in Porto:
  • Miradouro da Rua das Algas (near Cathedral)
  • Miradouro da Vitória
  • Ribeira Elevator (hidden gem)
  • Miradouro do Jardim do Morro and Serra do Pilar (in Vila Nova de Gaia, excellent sunset views)
• Dom Luís I Bridge: Iconic two-level metal bridge connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, with pedestrian access and metro line on the upper deck.
• Ribeira Neighborhood: Historic, colorful riverside district with narrow streets, bars, and restaurants; very touristy but worth exploring quieter corners.
• Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto): Romanesque origins with Gothic and Baroque additions, paid entry for interior, cloister, and tower climb.
• Torre dos Clérigos: 75-meter granite Baroque tower with a climb offering splendid city views, near Livraria Lello.
• Vila Nova de Gaia Attractions:
  • Port Wine Cellars and panoramic river views
  • Beira Rio Market (gourmet market with port wine tastings)
  • Gaia Cable Car (paid tourist transport connecting riverfront and Jardim do Morro)
• World of Wine (UOL): Large modern complex with six museums (wine, chocolate, rose wine, port history, cork, and vases), shops, bars, and restaurants. Entry is expensive (€20 per museum, no discounts), making it less accessible for locals but highly impressive for tourists.
• Palácio da Bolsa: Not open during filming due to renovations but recommended for future visits.

Practical Advice:

• Book popular tours (e.g., boat tours) in advance during high season.
• Use metro and buses for convenient access to most attractions.
• Consider ticket zones for bus travel, especially when visiting Matosinhos.
• Visit Livraria Lello early to avoid crowds.
• Explore viewpoints for great photos and city panoramas.
• Balance visits between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia for a full experience.

Notable Locations & Products:

• Douro River and Dom Luís I Bridge
• Avenida dos Aliados and São Bento Station
• Casa da Música and Bonsucesso Market
• Port Wine Cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia
• Livraria Lello Bookstore
• Bolhão Market
• Crystal Palace Gardens (Pavilhão Rosa Mota)
• Ribeira neighborhood
• Torre dos Clérigos
• World of Wine (UOL) complex
• Forte do Toro, Fortress of São João da Foz, Castelo do Queijo, Farol de Fergueiras lighthouse
• Gaia Cable Car

Notable Quotes

— 14:44 — « The bookstore, at risk of losing its business, started charging admission. Today, you pay five euros to enter Alelo, and if you buy a book, this amount is discounted from the purchase. »

— 15:10 — « Visiting a bookstore is anything but a delight. It is a constant stress, with people fighting to have their photos taken and demanding that other people who are consulting the books move away so they can appear alone in the photos. »

— 28:49 — « UOL is the creation of a wealthy foreign businessman whose ancestors are high-income foreign tourists and for us it is uncomfortable to see such a stunning place and at the same time turn its back on the city where it is located. »

— 29:01 — « For a Portuguese with an average income the price of tickets is simply too high. As a result at UOL you will only last this long foreigners. »

— 29:12 — « We do not like tourist development that excludes the local population. We believe that this is not the way for sustainable tourism. »

Category

Lifestyle

Video