6 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.

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.

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.

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.