São Bento Railway Station, a 20th-century railway terminal located in the parish of Cedofeita, Porto, stands as a prominent example of Beaux-Arts architecture within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Historic Centre of Porto. Named after Saint Benedict, the station occupies the site of the former Benedictine Convent of São Bento da Avé Maria, which was demolished in 1892 to make way for this grand transportation hub.

The idea for a central station in Porto began in 1864, but formal plans by José Maria Ferreira and António Júlio Machado, with designs by Hippolyte de Bare, emerged in 1887. Construction started in 1890, with a tunnel finished by 1893, and the first train arrived in 1896. A landslide in 1897 caused delays, but architect José Marques da Silva, inspired by French Beaux-Arts, was hired in 1899. The construction began in 1904, and the station was completed over 13 years.

The station's design is marked by a symmetrical, U-shaped, three-story granite structure with its principal facade facing southwest. The central body, flanked by two volumes, features strong architrave cornices and repetitive geometric patterns. Its robust frame and decorative elements maintain a harmonious balance of form and function, consistent with the Beaux-Arts style.

São Bento is renowned for its extensive azulejo tiles by artist Jorge Colaço, covering 551 square meters with around twenty thousand tiles that depict key moments in Portugal's history and regional traditions. The tiles are framed by pilasters and granite, with friezes illustrating transportation evolution, adding to the station's grandeur. Declared a national monument in 1988, São Bento has been restored since 1992 to preserve its architecture, and part of it now serves as "The Passenger Hostel," blending historic charm with modern use.

In 868, Vimara Peres, an Asturias nobleman born in 820, conquered Moorish held lands north of the river Douro. One of the towns he took went by the name Portus Cale. Portus Cale became Portucale, the county he would rule. The town became Porto. Penaventosa, the highest hill in Portus Cale, became the site of Porto Cathedral.

The hill was once the location of a Suebian Church. Work began on the Cathedral in the 12th century. There were fits and starts over the years, but the building was finally considered complete in 1737. It is the most impressive Romanesque style edifice in Porto. On top of Penaventosa it sits, fortress-like, overlooking the town.

The cathedral is flanked by twin square towers. Each tower is buttressed and topped with a cupola. The western façade has 15th century Gothic ornamentation. There is also an impressive Gothic cloister installed in 1736 by Nicolau Nasoni, an architect from Tuscany who settled in Portugal.

On the northern side of the cathedral is a baroque porch and a Romanesque rose window under a crenelated arch. The crenellations reinforce the impression of a fortress. The nave is not wide. It is covered with a barrel vault.

The baroque apse is decorated with paintings by Nasoni. The altarpiece of the chapel was designed by Santos Pacheco. The south transept is decorated with blue azulejo tiles.

Mass is celebrated every day at 11am.

Why You Should Visit:
You wouldn't want to miss the city's oldest and most visited monument! The square also offers impressive views over the city, the Douro River and the wine cellars on the waterfront.

Tip:
While admission to the Porto Cathedral is free, there's a small fee to get into the Sacred Art Museum and the magnificent Gothic cloisters attached to the church. If you're feeling fit you can also climb the tower (steps are steep and numerous!) for amazing views, including at the bits of the cathedral you can't see from further down.

The origins of the settlement along the Ribeira is not really known. A riverside settlement developed near the confluence of the Vila River and the Douro River. Some Roman mosaics from the fourth century have been found in the area. The Ribeira grew along with Porto in the 13th century. Especially by the river and Penaventosa hill.

Two settlements arose. One on the escarpment of Penaventosa by Porto Cathedral. The other appeared below in Ribiera on the banks of the Douro River. Until the last decade of the 14th century the settlements were connected by a web of narrow, constricting streets difficult to move around in. A new street was needed to pierce the labyrinth.

On the initiative of John I a new street was opened. In fact, it was called "New Street" (Rua Nova). It was a perfect contrast to the tangled web of passageways of Porto. It was straight, and wide for its time. It became a prestigious address for the bourgeoisie, clergy and business.

The Ribeira district lures the visitor on. It is a captivating place of medieval streets and alleys ending in a busy waterfront square, the Ribeira Square. The remains of the 14th century wall run next to the Ribeira Wharf. Beyond this point are the steep twisted ways of the Barredo.

In the evenings clubs on the Ribeira Wharf promise a stimulating nightlife to romantic strollers. In days gone by the district alongside the Douro River was a center of lively commerce and business.

The Ribeira Square has many shops and cafes. At the northern part of the square is a huge fountain. The Ribeira Wharf starts on the west side of the Luis I Bridge and it follows the riverside to Ribeira Square.

There is an upper walkway where there are more shops and cafes. The walkway is what is left of the old city walls, once patrolled by medieval soldiers on watch. Sit down, have a drink and watch the river with them. Time glides by like the river.

In 1244 the bishop of Porto didn't like the Franciscans. Other religious orders and clergy didn't mind pushing them around. What was needed was a papal bull and they got one from Pope Innocent V. He chided the bishop and returned to the Franciscans the land the bishop had taken from them. The monks then built a convent and church.

The Franciscans had their foot in the door and in 1383, with the patronage of King Ferdinand I, they built a bigger church. The church was complete in 1425. It was done in the plain Gothic style favored by mendicant orders of the time. To this day the Franciscan church is the best example the Gothic style in Porto.

In the 15th and 16th centuries socially prominent families made the Church of Saint Francis theirs. The Chapel of John the Baptist, for example, was built in the 1530s for the Carneiro family in the Manueline style. In the 18th century the interior surfaces were covered with gilt work in a Baroque style, including the apses and nave.

During the siege of Porto in 1832 the cloisters were destroyed. The Commercial Association built the Stock Exchange Palace in its place.

Why You Should Visit:
If you like seeing countless hours of opulent, very ornate wood carving covered in gold leaf, then this is the place for you.

Tip:
Don't miss the little museum and the catacombs that are included in the ticket price.

The cloisters of Saint Francis Convent were burnt during the Liberal wars in 1832. In 1841 Queen Mary II donated the ruins to the merchants of Porto. They used the site to build the new Commercial Association. Architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Junior designed a Palladian neoclassical palace that harmonized with previous structures of the city.

The Palace was generally completed by 1850 but details which include the staircase and the Arab Room, courtyard dome, and Tribunal were later added.

The octagonal dome has glass panels and the coats-of-arms of Portugal and the countries trading with Portugal in the 19th century. In the rear of the courtyard is a sumptuous stairway, lined with busts by famous sculptors.

The star of the show however, is the Arab Room. Done in the Moorish Revival style, it is used primarily for receptions for visiting heads of state.

The Stock Exchange Palace is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the center of Porto.

Why You Should Visit:
The guided tour takes you through many of the exquisitely decorated rooms of this amazing building. Some are a little over-the-top but they are really something to see, each decorated in a completely unique way.

Tip:
The Palace can only be visited on a guided tour. Upon arrival, there's a computerized screen telling you which tours in which languages are available. The guided tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.

The Church of the Carmelites, also known as the Church of the Discalced Carmelites, is located in the parish of Vitória in Porto. Built between 1616 and 1628, with its interior decoration completed in 1650, this historic church was classified as a National Monument in 2013, alongside the nearby Church of Carmo. These two churches are famously separated by the narrow Hidden House in Porto (Casa Escondida do Porto), just over one meter wide.

Initially part of a convent authorized by King Philip II of Portugal, the church belonged to the now-defunct convent, which currently houses the National Republican Guard. The Carmelites began construction in 1616 and settled there in 1622. Significant works included the main altarpiece and the tabernacle, installed between 1632 and 1633.

The granite façade of the Church of the Carmelites is adorned with three entrances featuring round arches, topped by niches containing statues of Saint Joseph, Saint Teresa of Jesus, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The upper section of the façade showcases three large windows, with a central rectangular window flanked by two trapezoidal ones. A triangular pediment with balusters crowns the structure. A distinctive feature of the church is its bell tower on the left side, decorated with monochromatic blue tiles and capped by a bulb-shaped dome.

Inside, the church follows a Latin cross plan with a single nave and a narthex at the entrance. It features six side chapels adorned with ornate gilded carvings in Baroque and Rococo styles, particularly prominent on the main altar. The main altarpiece was designed by Joaquim Teixeira de Guimarães and executed by José Teixeira Guimarães. The interior is well-lit by large windows and has a bright ceiling, enhancing the richly gilded Baroque and Rococo decorations. One unique element is the recently restored organ, notable for its horizontal horns protruding from the pipe area.

The church has had a varied history, serving as troop barracks during the Napoleonic occupation from 1808 to 1814, highlighting its significance not just as a religious site but also as a part of Porto's historical landscape.

The Livraria Lello is considered to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It is located in the heart of Porto on the historic Rua dos Clerics. Full of Art Deco elements, visitors to the metropolis will want to spend time exploring this famous structure. The store has been managed by the same company, Lugan & Geneliousx Sucessores, throughout its history.

The Art Deco style is known for its linear and symmetrical elements which drew inspiration from ancient Egypt. The building was first opened in 1906 and contains a fabulous stained glass ceiling, vivid wooden staircase and lavish embellishments. Designed by architect and engineer, Xavier Esteves, the bookstore has been built to withstand the wear and tear of time. The façade of the construction is a combination of Art Nouveau elements and Gothic Revival features. The wooden features, including the shelves are well worth the time to examine.

The shelves reach from floor to ceiling and are covered in phenomenally carved wood. The wooden staircase is filled with the same beautifully carved details. The glass ceiling provides and interesting element and casts warm diffused lighting throughout the entire building.

Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect and painter of the 18th century, did a lot of work throughout Portugal. His most memorable project is the Church and Tower of the Clergymen. His other works include the construction of the Misericordia Church, the Archbishop's Palace and the lateral loggia of Porto Cathedral.

Construction of the church was completed in 1750. The bell tower and divided staircase in front of the church were not finished until 1763. The facade is ornate with Baroque decorations such as garlands and shells and an indented pediment. The frieze above the windows has spiritual symbols. The sides show an elliptical nave.

The Church of the Clergymen (Clerigos) was among the first baroque style churches to have an elliptical floorplan. The polychromed marble altarpiece in the large chapel was done by Manuel dos Santos Porto.

The Tower is in a Roman Baroque style of Tuscan bell towers. It is 245 feet high and it takes 240 steps to reach the top for an incredible view of Porto. The tower is one of the recognizable symbols of Porto.

Nicolau entered the Clerigos Brotherhood and when he died he was buried in the crypt of his masterpiece, The Church and Tower of the Clergymen.

In the lower town or Baixa district of Porto, on the south side of the Avenue of the Allies, lies Liberty Square. This is a largish area of more than three square miles. Originally called New Square, Liberty Square is a product of the 1718 urbanization movement of Porto.

In 1788 the religious order of Saint Eligius, Patron Saint of veterinarians, horses, goldsmiths and blacksmiths, built a convent on the south edge of the square. They demolished part of the medieval wall of the city, replacing it with the convent, an impressive neoclassical building, still standing as the Cardosas Palace.

In 1866 a monument honoring King Peter IV was erected in the square. Peter IV was not only King of Portugal as Peter IV, he was also Emperor of Brazil as Peter I.

As each of the two Peters, he fought to preserve the liberal constitution in Portugal and liberty in Brazil. His monument, designed by sculptor Anatole Calmels, is a statue of Peter IV mounted and holding the constitution he had fought for in the Liberal Wars.

The square underwent a change in 1916 when the modern Avenue of the Allies was pushed through to the north of the square. The buildings around the square today are banks, hotels, offices and restaurants. The monument to Peter IV dominates the huge square. Other notable sights would include the Bank of Portugal and the Cardosas Palace.

The Bolhão Market in Porto is a beloved and emblematic marketplace that stands as a hallmark of the city’s traditional commerce. This iconic market is situated in the parish of Santo Ildefonso in downtown Porto. It serves as a bustling hub primarily for fresh products, featuring specialized sections for fishmongers, butchers, vegetable vendors, and florists, alongside a variety of shops offering everything from clothing to cafes and perfumeries.

The market’s roots date back to 1839 when the Porto city council transformed a meadow with a stream, which formed a bubble or "bolhão" in Portuguese, into a bustling square with wooden stalls. The current Neoclassical market building, designed by architect Correia da Silva, was constructed in 1914, featuring a robust blend of reinforced concrete, metal structures, wooden roofs, and granite stonework. Over the years, it underwent several modifications, including notable changes in the 1940s.

Recognized for its architectural and cultural significance, Bolhão Market was declared a Property of Public Interest in 2006 and a monument of public interest in 2013. After a significant four-year renovation, the market reopened on September 15, 2022, with modern enhancements such as direct metro access and improved logistics with a newly built basement to handle deliveries efficiently and eliminate street congestion. The renovation preserved the market’s original charm, including the restoration of original tiles and thoughtful touches inspired by the vendors’ preferences.

Today, Bolhão Market spans an impressive façade of over eight thousand square meters and a roof area exceeding five thousand square meters. It boasts 81 stalls, 38 street-facing shops, and 10 restaurants that proudly source their ingredients from the market itself. This blend of historic charm and modern amenities makes Bolhão Market not just a shopping destination but a living monument to Porto’s vibrant culture and heritage.

At the end of the eighteenth century the Brotherhood of Souls moved from the Monastery of Santa Clara to the chapel of Santa Catarina. The addition of the Brotherhood swelled the size of the Santa Catarina faction of devotees to the point where a new building was needed. The chapel therefore was expanded and restored in 1801.

The facade has a framed door under a circular pediment. A coat of arms is set on the tympanum showing Saint Francis of Assisi and Santa Catarina. The bell tower has two floors. On the first floor is a door with a window. The second floor has four windows and a balcony. Atop the dome is an iron cross.

The style of the church is basically neoclassical, but the church is noted for its covering of azulejo tiles. The tiles were made at the Viuva Lamego Ceramic Workshop in Lisbon. The 16,000 glowing blue and white tiles depict scenes from the lives of Saint Catherine and Saint Francis of Assisi.

The stained glass windows, made by Amandio Silva, show the souls in Purgatory washed with the redeeming blood of Christ. Inside the chapel is the 18th century image, Virgin of Souls. On the main altar is the large painting called "The Ascension of the Lord" by Joaquin Rafael, a professor of Fine Arts in Lisbon.

This is without a doubt, the most beautiful church in Porto. It must not be overlooked.

Saint Catherine Street is Porto's main shopping thoroughfare. It is totally pedestrianized and it extends from Marques de Pombal Park in the north to Batalha Park in the south. It runs between buildings with Art Deco facades. It is named for the Chapel of Souls and Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Shop on Marques de Pombal for clothing, haberdashery goods, and shoes. The Via Catarina shopping center, many street vendors, and cafes make for a busy day for visitors.

Landmarks encountered are the Latina New Art Bookstore at Batalha Park and Palladium Gallery at the intersection of Passos Manuel Street. The Cafe Majestic, since 1921 a watering hole for Porto's intelligencia, is next to the Imperiel Tea Room, also a historic landmark.

The prestigious Porto Grand Hotel is next, since 1880 a haven for the famous. It was a place to die in 1889 for Teresa Cristina, Empress of Brazil. Prime Minister Afonso Costa was held prisoner here in 1917 during a coup d'etat.

At last, there is the Chapel of Santa Catarina also known as Chapel of Souls on the corner of Fernandes Tomas Street.