15 Things you can only do in Porto

We're talking about Parque da Cidade, of course.

Understage is the concert hall of the
Rivoli theatre and is located below the main auditorium. Producers Lovers & Lollypops, Amplificasom and Matéria Prima bring national and international bands to this stage.

We know full well that there are francesinhas elsewhere 
in the country, but nowhere beats Porto in terms of quantity and – let’s be real – quality. On this braggy note, here a few places worth checking out: Café Santiago, Bufete Fase, Lado B, Brasão Cervejaria, Yuko tavern, Bacarola Café, Capa Negra, Cufra, Cervejaria Galiza, Locanda, A Regaleira and Tappas Café.

There’s nothing like Piscina das Marés, in Leça da Palmeira. Classified as a National Monument since 2011, they opened at the end of 1960 and are accessible to the public.

The Nossa Senhora da Conceição church has one of the highest viewpoints in Porto. From there, you can observe
an extended landscape that includes the city centre, Foz do Douro, the Monte da Virgem viewpoint in Gaia, Cabedelo beach, the Serra de Valongo natural park and São Félix Hill, in Póvoa de Varzim.

It's Ribeira landmark, and was captured on film more than once by Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira. The daredevils stand in position
on the outside of the bridge, skydiving style, say their prayers and jump into the water from about 17 metres high.

Barcos Náná, in Muro dos Bacalhoeiros, is a mandatory stop for proud locals. Senhor Fernando is keeping the family tradition alive, and sells various types of his miniature boats.

It’s called Cantinho das Aromáticas, it’s in Gaia, and anyone can visit its 2.5 hectares. At the end, stock up at the shop.

It’s in the Maria Isabel Guerra Junqueiro and Luís Pinto de Mesquita Carvalho Foundation, and is a decal painting of the Garden of Earthly Delights, by Bosch. It’s been mentioned in various international studies of the artist’s work.

In there are three centuries of history 
and unique trophies, like the Intercontinental Cup, the UEFA Cup or the European Supercup.

Born and raised in Barcelona, this is one of the most popular music festivals in Europe. In 2012, Porto was the city chosen 
to receive the first and only extension of the event out of its homeland. www.nosprimaverasound.com

The Noites Brancas (White Nights) exhibitions gathers the scenographies of some of the São João National Theatre’s own productions, and can be found in the São Bento da Vitória Monastery.

Since 2016, the bridge's arch has become the only one open to visitors in Europe, courtesy of the Porto Bridge Climb Company. There are 262 steps, 65 metres high over the river, and the view is breathtaking. Don’t worry, the climb is done with a guide and proper safety equipment.

www.portobridgeclimb.com

Named Tabernáculo Baptista, it was built between 1913 and 1916 in Boavista.


In 1944, Fernando Ramôa escaped death and his daughter donated the bottle that saved him to Porto’s Pharmacy Museum.