Oporto Historic Center - Candid tips by Howard Hillman

Oporto
Historic Center

Travel tips you can trust

Why the
Oporto Historic Center
is special

This designated area near the mouth of the Douro river is a living museum of major architectural styles spanning the centuries. Anyone with even a mild interest architecture will enjoy seeing the Baroque, Gothic, Neoclassical, Renaissance, Romanesque, and Modernist buildings in close proximity.

Top 10
Oporto Historic Center
must sees

St Francis Church

Plain outside, laden with gold inside

Bolsa Palace

Its Arabian Room is visually stunning

Cleric's Tower

Standalone belfry with grand city view

Santa Clara Church

Fine example of Manueline architecture

Dom Luis I Bridge

Iconic span delivers great view of city

Oporto Cathedral

The city's leading church

Casa da Musica

Striking ultra-modern theatre

Town Hall

Soaring clock tower is seen from afar

Cais da Ribeira

Lively nighttime riverfront district

Cais de Gaia

Film Oporto from city across the river

Port wine

Oporto lent its name to the fortified wines that are vinted in the beautiful Douro Valley and aged in aging warehouses in Vila Nova de Gaia across the river from the city.

Location in Portugal