12 Best Sights in Baixa and Ribeira, Porto

Originally constructed in the 12th century by the parents of Dom Afonso Henriques (Portugal's first king), Porto's granite cathedral has been rebuilt twice: first in the late 13th century and again in the 18th century, when the architect of the Torre dos Clérigos, Nicolau Nasoni, was among those commissioned to work on its expansion. Despite the renovations, it remains a fortress-like structure—an uncompromising testament to medieval wealth and power. Notice a low relief on the northern tower, depicting a 14th-century vessel and symbolizing the city's nautical vocation. Size is the only exceptional thing about the interior; when you enter the two-story 14th-century cloisters, however, the building comes to life. Decorated with gleaming azulejos, a staircase added by Nasoni leads to the second level and into a richly furnished chapter house, from which there are fine views through narrow windows. Nasoni also redesigned the Paço Episcopal (Bishops' Palace) behind the cathedral, adding a famed monumental stairwell.

A string of fish restaurants and tascas (taverns) are built into the street-level arcade of timeworn buildings along this pier. In the Praça da Ribeira, people sit and chat at outdoor café tables surrounding a modern, cube-like sculpture. Farther on, steps lead to a wide esplanade along the river that's backed by vibrantly hued row houses. The pier also provides the easiest access to the lower level of Porto's most iconic bridge across the Douro, the Ponte Dom Luis I. Those wishing to delve deeper into the Ribeira's 2,000-year past can embark upon informative riverboat tours, leaving from Cais da Ribeira and across the river in Vila Nova da Gaia, which generally cruise around the city's six bridges and up the river to Peso da Régua and Pinhão.

Housed in a spooky yet stately 18th-century jailhouse, this stellar museum hosts an ever-changing rotation of exhibits of works by modern Portuguese photographers, reflecting their work both at home and abroad. Photography buffs will appreciate the permanent collection of analog cameras housed on the top floor.

This eye-catching train station was built in the early 20th century (King D. Carlos I laid the first brick himself in 1900) and inaugurated in 1915. It sits precisely where the Convent of S. Bento de Avé-Maria was located, and therefore inherited the convent's name—Saint Bento. The atrium, worth a visit even if you don't have a train to catch, is covered with 20,000 azulejos painted by Jorge Colaço (1916) depicting scenes of Portugal's history—from battles to coronations to royal gatherings—as well as ethnographic images. Designed by Porto-born architect Marques da Silva, it's one of the city's most magnificent artistic undertakings of the early 20th century.

With the most striking exterior of any church in Porto, Igreja de Santo Ildefonso has a facade covered with some 11,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from the Gospels and the life of Saint Ildefonso. The church was completed in the 18th century on the site of a previous chapel from the Middle Ages. Inside, a sacred art museum showcases interesting religious artifacts, books, and paintings, and you can see a gilded raised altarpiece by the 18th-century Italian artist Nicolau Nasoni.

During the last days of Porto's siege by the absolutist army (the miguelistas) in July 1842, there was gunfire by the nearby Convent of St. Francis. These shootings caused a fire that destroyed most parts of the convent, sparing only this church. Today the church is the most prominent Gothic monument in Porto. It's a rather undistinguished, late-14th-century building on the outside, but inside is an astounding interior: gilded carving—added in the mid-18th century—runs up the pillars, over the altar, and across the ceiling. An adjacent museum houses furnishings from the Franciscan convent. Guided tours include visits to the church, museum, and catacombs.

Legend has it that one of J. K. Rowling’s chief inspirations for the fantasy world of Harry Potter was this century-old bookstore, often cited as the most beautiful bookshop in the world. Although Rowling hasn’t confirmed these rumors, an undeniable fairy-tale magic permeates this place, whether you’re marveling at its 60,000-plus books, painted-glass ceiling, fanciful facade, or crimson double-helix staircase. In recent years, the bookstore has become so overrun with tourists that queues snake down the street, and there’s now a €10 admission fee, which is redeemable against any purchase in the store.

Formerly Porto's stock exchange, Palácio da Bolsa is one of the city's most breathtaking historical buildings. Guided tours leaving every half hour are the only way to see the interior of this masterpiece of 19th-century Portuguese architecture, so if you're only in Porto for one day, it's wise to book your tour in the morning for an afternoon time slot. The grand Moorish-style ballroom, with its octagonal dome and ornate arches, is the most memorable chamber. A high-end restaurant, O Comercial, serves European dishes in a suitably grand space with high ceilings and elaborate chandeliers.

Designed by Teófilo Seyrig (who apprenticed for Gustave Eiffel), this two-tiered metal bridge leads directly to the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. On hot summer days some brave souls dive straight into the waters below for a swim, but it's definitely not for the fainthearted. For most visitors, the real glory is the magnificent view of downtown Porto. The jumble of red-tile roofs on pastel-color buildings is reflected in the majestic Douro River; if the sun is shining just right, everything appears to be washed in gold. By the foot of the bridge is the lower station of the Funicular dos Guindais, the quaintest part of the city's public transportation system, which cranks uphill to the Batalha neighborhood.

Designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni and begun in 1754, the baroque tower of the Igreja dos Clérigos is the tallest in Porto and a landmark on the city's horizon. There are 225 steep stone steps to the belfry, and the considerable effort required to climb them is rewarded by stunning views of the red-roofed Old Town and the mouth of the Douro River. Binoculars and audio tours are available for an extra charge. The church itself, also built by Nasoni, predates the tower and is an elaborate example of Italianate Baroque architecture. Admission includes access to a small museum. 

Although there's no longer an actual crystal palace here (the grand original building, built to host the city's 1865 International Exhibition, fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1952 to make room for the somewhat unsightly sports stadium dubbed "the UFO" by locals), the Crystal Palace Gardens remain a lovely place for a stroll in the shade. With ornate fountains and statues, strolling peacocks, hidden chapels, rose gardens, and views over the Douro, it's a romantic spot beloved of both locals and out-of-towners. 

Time Out Market Porto follows the same model as the wildly popular Lisbon original, bringing together top local chefs and producers under one roof. Housed in the redeveloped south wing of São Bento station, it’s a buzzy, central spot for shopping, eating, and drinking, with occasional live music and DJ sessions.