If one church visit isn't enough how about a double-church…read more Igreja dos Carmelitas is one of the unique churches in Porto's historic streets, connected to its adjacent twin, Igreja do Carmo. These two churches nearly blend together. Built in the 17th century, the Carmelitas side on the left for nuns is classic baroque. And unlike the Carmo side on the right for monks, entry was free when we visited making it a convenient pit stop between other historic sites. There is even a 3 ft wide narrow house between both churches that traditionally segregated Carmelite monks from nuns. Before going in, admire the elegant azulejo blue tiled wall on one side and the magnificent bronze Fountain of the Lions nearby, thought to be the inspiration for Harry Potter's Gryffindor crest. Inside the church feels quiet and intimate with decor featuring soft gold accents and traditional woodwork. Everything felt restrained except for the gilded main altar with intricate woodwork and a tiered mantlepiece dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Virgin Mary). Skip it or hit it? It's a quick and free visit in this area of Porto worth exploring.

Two churches. One facade. Zero personal space. These side by side beautiful churches are separated…read moreby the world's narrowest house (bless that tenant). The Carmo side is tiled and extra while the Carmelitas side is older and more humble. Legend has it, the tiny house in between was built to keep the monks and nuns from getting... too social if you know what I mean. The drama!

I thought I'd have to bribe Jamie W to climb this historic tower, but he surprised me by not…read morewhining about it. I knew from more youthful vloggers on YouTube that the panoramic views were spectacular from the top. At 246 feet, the tower is the highest point in Porto's historic center. However, before we climbed the inevitable 240 steps, the museum beckoned. It was formerly the private quarters of the clerics who founded the church. The space now houses religious artifacts and related art exhibits and extends into the High Church Gallery, a balcony promenade that provides an elevated view of the church's ornate nave (Photo 5). Before entering the stairwell, we had our photos taken in front of a green screen for souvenirs they pitched to us later. The climb wasn't that bad, just a bit claustrophobic in some sections, specially when we had to squeeze by perspiring tourists. They were more spritzing than sprinting. There are two observation floors. The first is about 2/3 of the way up, while the narrower space at the summit provides the ultimate payoff with panoramic cityscape and river views (Video). As usual, the climb down was easier since we knew how long it should take. And yes, there were photos of us standing at the summit in comic poses. I usually bypass them, but for 8€, I couldn't help myself (Photo 7). RELATED - Exploring Porto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/CzAl-vBlP0

A historic climb for a view of Porto's skyline…read more The Clérigos Tower is a baroque landmark easily spotted from vantage points across historic Porto, and therefore one that's worth climbing for that panoramic view from above. The 75m bell tower monument is connected to a church that was built for the Clergy brotherhood in the 18th century. The ornate church and relic exhibit are also worth sightseeing to gain appreciation of its history. We pre-booked our visit (€10) and were serenaded with a concert taking place in front of the brilliantly lit church altar. From there we were able to head above the nave for a full vantage of the church and dome in its pink & white marble tones. At our exact booking time, we were able to queue in line before taking the steps up the actual tower. The queue was slow-moving because the staircase is narrow and the steps themselves were quite steep making it challenging particularly for those with knee pains. Once we made it to the top, we were rewarded with the 360 panoramic views including the famous bridges connecting to Gaia, and the historical city centre with orange rooftops underneath. It can be a workout getting up and down as the tight staircase has to accommodate the constant two-way flow of visitors. Skip it or hit it? This is one of the prominent sites in Porto but be ready for the stairs.

Porto Cathedral is a trek but I think it's worth it. The inside of the church has some nice…read morearchitecture and some cool winding staircases to explore. I love the rooftop with the blu/white porcelain murals that make for great photos. The square surrounding the church has amazing views of the city and it feels lively with street performers. We had a really nice visit here!

A historic cathedral befitting of beautiful Porto…read more Porto Cathedral was the first historic landmark we visited in the city's downtown. It's located on a hilltop with stunning view across the city's bright orange rooftops. Built in the 12th century, the imposing facade once doubled as a fortress church. €3 provided us entry to the free main nave as well as the picturesque monastery cloisters, terrace and courtyard. Gothic cloister walls showcase biblical art made from elegant azulejo blue tiles. We encountered many tourists posing for photos. From there we explored the interior rooms as well as the above terrace which revealed another view of the city with Clérigos Tower and Douro River in the distance. There is also an opulent treasure house with pink Portuguese marble decor. The central nave is flanked with thick Romanesque columns that led us to a main altarpiece richly adorned with gold leaf Baroque wood carvings surrounded by more pink marble walls and steps. Looking up on the opposite end was a massive rose portal window with intricate stained glass. To the left is a silver altar behind a hanging lamp in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament that was saved from the Napoleonic French invasion. Skip it or hit it? It's worth setting aside an hour to explore this important local landmark.

The stunning Golden Church is worth visiting…read more Igreja de São Francisco is one of Porto's most impressive UNESCO heritage sites, featuring the golden Baroque church as well as a second church of the Third Order of Saint Francis, a museum and catacombs all accessible with the entrance ticket (€12). From the outside, the 14th century Gothic church facade on one side appears fairly understated, but the interior celebrates the wealth and history of Portugal's colonial explorations up to the 18th century. Within the main church, we admired every surface that was covered in intricate gold-gilded wood carvings from altar to altar. This included the Tree of Jesse that depicted the intricate family tree of Jesus Christ, the altar of Martyred Saints of Morocco, and the main altar adorned with golden steps & columns above the Franciscan coat of arms. It's estimated there are nearly 500 kg of pure gold coated within the interior! The details were a feast for our eyes. Directly adjacent to this is the Church of the Third Order of Saint Francis, built in the 19th century as a cleaner Neoclassical space of worship. We appreciated the elegance of the white lit interior leading to the main altar painting. Beneath the church, the catacombs add a darker contrast to the self-guided tour. The overall complex was relatively busy with visitors but is vast to explore. Skip it or hit it? It's a worthwhile stop to one of the most unique interiors in Porto.

When ever there is anything big happening in Porto this square is the center of most activity. From…read moreconcerts to protests and everything in between.

Portugal has been a very religious country throughout its history (less so now according to my tour…read moremanager). During their ultra-wealthy days from colonialism with gold and gems flooding in from Brazil and Angola, ultra-fancy churches in the scale of compounds, sanctuaries, and more were built. Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga is such an example. The present sanctuary started construction in 1722. Other than the Baroque church at the top, one set of zigzag shaped stairways are dedicated to the Five Senses each represented by a fountain and one set of stairways is dedicated to the Three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity, each with its fountain. Chapels on either side of these staircases have sculptures dedicated to the Passion of Christ. In addition, they have a huge garden, a shop, historical items, a funicular (called elevator) and much more. See their website for more than what my photos can convey. https://bomjesus.pt/?lang=en We visited on a day of pouring rain, and it was still fantastic. They have different winter vs summer schedules for every location. Best to check their website here: https://bomjesus.pt/informations/?lang=en The location is about one hour drive from Porto. It is a great day trip from Porto. Be sure to visit Braga, the historical center also.

This place was amazing, the architecture and gardens were so beautifully kept up…read more Of course the history is awesome, you wonder what it would have felt to be alive when it was built.

Now here's a book you can actually judge by its cover. While the São Bento Station has similarly…read moreartistic tiles inside the terminal building, the Chapel of Souls has the Instagram-worthy distinction of featuring over 16,000 brilliant blue-and-white azulejo tiles on the outside. It's quite a sight as Jamie W and I approached the church strolling up the bustling Rua de Santa Catarina. That's because it contrasts sharply with the surrounding modern buildings. As we got closer, we saw the tiles depict scenes from the lives of Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Catherine. Although the church was built in 1719, the tiles were not installed until 1929. The interior is also worthwhile to explore, but keep in mind the nave is quite small and that it's an active place of worship. RELATED - Exploring Porto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/JLpNLkrj47

Well I've tried to make it a habit to bring visitors to this metro stop, at Bolhão mercado. When…read moreyou come up the escalator, this greets you.

There are a bevy of beautiful churches in Porto, and they're essential to the cityscape. It was…read moreJamie W who bookmarked this church for us to visit, and I'm glad he did because I never would've guessed from its rather generic Gothic exterior that there would be such an ornate Baroque and Rococo interior covered in gold leaf and polychrome (Photo 2). The church was built in 1416, but it wasn't until 1700 to 1740 when the interior took shape. That was when the gilded woodwork depicted angels, saints, cherubs, and patterned designs in meticulous detail. Following a recent restoration effort, the second floor offers a sweeping vantage point of the entire nave (Photo 3). There's also a perpetual short video shown of the restoration. Admission is 4€ and well worth it. What's more, it's only a five-minute walk to Porto Cathedral and just a leisurely stroll to the upper level of the Luis I Bridge. RELATED - Exploring Porto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/S_PFaeXDaO

Iconic bridge in the heart of Porto…read more Dom Luís I Bridge is a 19th century double-deck iron bridge spanning 172m across the Douro River between downtown Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. It was designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel who incorporated a metal arch reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower that blends modern design with versatility to this day. The upper level is used by metro streetcars while the lower level 45m below it for cars. Each offers a unique perspective to those of us who walk across it. From Gaia, many locals and tourists alike come for the sunset view next to this UNESCO world heritage landmark. At golden hour, the view of the bridge was picturesque with Porto's historic backdrop and drifting boats under the bridge. While huge crowds gathered at Jardim do Morro with a tree obstructed view, we found the best view to be on the other side above it at Miradouro da Serra do Pilar by the monastery. Don't try climbing Pedra dos Gatinhos, as it was fenced off along the path underneath the monastery. While bridge viewpoints at golden hour are busy, we felt the energy of local musicians playing relaxing tunes. This bridge can also be viewed from the Teleférico de Gaia cable car including during sunset. After dinner the bridge is brightly illuminated and we observed locals gathering merrily at Jardim do Morro. Conveniently there's a metro station nearby for the streetcar which crosses Dom Luís I Bridge back to Porto. Skip it or hit it? Walk it twice if you can for both upper & lower bridge crossings experiences.

The Dom Luis Bridge is one of the iconic sights in Porto, and one of the biggest bridges I have…read moreever seen that pedestrians can walk on! Aside from its giant stature, it's also quite famous because the architect behind the Dom Luis Bridge was a student of Gustave Eiffel, the mastermind behind the Eiffel Tower. When you keep that in mind, you can definitely see his influence in the structure of this bridge. It's almost like the bridge version of the Eiffel Tower! The Dom Luis Bridge goes over the Duoro River, which is gorgeous in its own right as well, but extra cool to see from this bridge. It spans the two sides of Porto - which are the town of Porto proper and then the district of Vila Nova de Gaia on the other side. Seeing the Duoro River splitting the two sides of Porto was really cool from the top of the bridge. I think lots of folks work or live on either side so there were lots of folks coming and going on the bridge whenever we would walk on it. I will say, if you have a fear of heights, this may not be the best bridge for you to traverse, because it is very high up and you can see through the metal grating straight down, which can be disconcerting if you have that fear already. Dom Luis is an amazing architectural wonder that also serves as a great commuter bridge for pedestrians - and throw in the beautiful sights from atop the bridge and you have the best of both worlds!