FREE THINGS TO DO IN Porto

Matosinhos Beach is an excellent free attraction to enjoy in Porto if you’re looking to get away from the busy city for a couple of hours.

It’s essentially a city beach, so don’t expect to find glorious white sand and untouched coastline like you’d expect to find in Greece or Spain, but you will discover a lovely place to spend a few hours while in Porto.

Matosinhos Beach is a great place to visit with kids as there’s ample room on the beach for them to build sandcastles and frolic in the sea.

While you’re there, make sure you take a walk along the Foz do Douro promenade that sits right next to the ocean before you head back to the city for beautiful, calming views at sunset.

Address: Av. Norton de Matos, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal

Did you know that Porto is most famous for its hearty production of Port wine

Did you also know that there are numerous wineries and port cellars that offer tours and port wine tasting experiences completely free of charge

If you’re looking to sample some of the finest local port wine in the region, head to Croft or Taylor’s (or both!) for an afternoon of tasting delicious port wine with incredible views of the Ribeira.

You’ll be taken on a tour of the cellars and shown how the wine is made, and then you’ll get to try a glass or two to see how good it is for yourself!

Of course, this activity isn’t suitable for children, but it’s perfect if you’re visiting Porto on a romantic weekend break!

Address:

Croft Port: R. do Barão de Forrester 412, 4400-034 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Taylor’s Port: Rua do Choupelo 250, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Website:

If you’re a huge fan of all things books and reading related, then you definitely need to prioritise a visit to Livraria Lello; AKA, Porto’s incredible neo-gothic bookshop.

Inside Livraria Lello, you’ll find thousands of books lining the grand bookshelves and the whole place has a very Harry Potter feel to it!

Even if you’re not a big fan of reading, you won’t be able to resist the beauty that is Livraria Lello; Lonely Planet guidebooks have even named this bookshop as the third best in the whole world, so you know it must be impressive!

The outside of the library/bookstore is remarkably stunning too, but it’s inside the bookshop where the real magic and beauty lies!

Address: R. das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal

Dom Luís I Bridge is arguably the best place in Porto to take pictures of the city, and it’s definitely one of the very best free attractions in Porto.

It’s a bridge consisting of two levels; one for cars and vehicles and the other for Porto’s metro system, however, pedestrians can use both levels for incredible views of the city!

Those afraid of heights should probably stick to the lower level as the higher level is pretty high up, but if you can brave the height, then you’ll definitely be rewarded with incredible views of the Douro River, as well as the city of Porto too!

Make sure you’ve packed your camera if you’re walking along the most famous bridge in Porto and don’t forget to take note of the framework of the bridge, which was designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel; AKA the man who created the Eiffel Tower!

Address: Pte. Luiz I, Porto, Portugal

Cais da Ribeira is the spectacular riverside district in Porto that’s famed for its many shops, old buildings and quintessentially Portuguese eateries.

It’s an incredibly charming area and it’s one of the best things to see in Porto simply because of its relaxed, albeit characteristic vibe.

You don’t necessarily even have to buy anything or eat anywhere along Cais da Ribeira to enjoy yourself; simply strolling along the riverfront is a more-than-enjoyable experience.

You can tie a visit to Cais da Ribeira in with walking along the Dom Luís I Bridge as you have to traverse across the bridge to get to and from the Ribeira to Vila Nova de Gaia; depending on where you’re staying in Porto.

Address: Rua Cais da Ribeira | Praca Ribeira, Porto 4050-510, Portugal

The Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, or the Crystal Palace Gardens as they’re known in English, are beautiful landscaped gardens that were designed in the 19^th century to provide a relaxing and quiet area in Porto city.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of flowerbeds, plants and trees punctuating the gardens and an afternoon stroll through them makes for an idyllic way to spend a couple of hours.

If you’re in the area in the late afternoon, make sure you head into the gardens to enjoy a magical sunset over the river while surrounded by beatific nature.

The Crystal Palace Gardens probably aren’t remarkably interesting for kids, but they are the place to spot some peacocks prancing around the gardens, so make sure you’ve got your camera with you to take a few snaps!

Address: R. de Dom Manuel II, 4050-346 Porto, Portugal

Another one of the best attractions in Porto is the Porto Cathedral, or Sé do Porto as it’s known in Portuguese.

The cathedral is one of the oldest and grandest landmarks in the city and dates all the way back to the 12^th century.

Fans of architecture will adore the design of the Porto Cathedral as it has influences of Romanesque, gothic and baroque on the exterior, as well as inside where you’ll find more ancient antiques and sculptures.

The church also sits atop a small vantage point, so it’s yet another great place in the city to take pictures of Porto’s infamous red-tinted rooftops.

Address: Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal

While you might think it odd that we’ve included a train station in the list of the best free attractions in Porto, the São Bento railway station is actually considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world!

Even if you don’t plan on hopping on a train to visit some of Porto’s suburbs, you’ll still want to visit the São Bento railway station to see its pièce de résistance; over 20,000 blue and white painted tiles that showcase the history of Portugal.

The impressive story-telling tiles aren’t the only stand-out feature inside São Bento railway station that make it an iconic place to visit in Porto. You’ll also find a grand clock and intricate steel structures inside the station too.

Address: Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal

Bolhão Market is one of the best places to hang out in the city and easily one of the best free attractions in Porto.

Here you’ll find dozens of locals selling their fresh produce across many different stalls.

You’ll find delicious cheeses, freshly baked breads and pastries, as well as lots of sweet-smelling fruit to tantalise your taste buds too!

Even if you don’t plan on spending any money in Bolhão Market, you still need to add it to your list of free things to do in Porto as it’ll show you a charming side of the city and it’ll allow you to soak up as much culture as you possibly can.

Bring the kids along and see their delighted smiles as you wander through the wafts of freshly baked goods!

Address: R. Formosa, 4000-214 Porto, Portugal

The Avenue of the Allies is situated right in the heart of Porto city and is therefore an excellent place to spend some time on your first day in Porto as you get a feel for what the city has to offer.

Down the street, you’ll find a smattering of local bars and cafes, as well as fancy restaurants and boutique shops.

The widespread avenue is named as such in order to honour and commemorate the Allies of the first World War and along the way you can see notable markings and honourable statues of significant figures from the war.

Take a trip down Avenida dos Aliados on your way to the Bolhão Market and indulge in a bit of culture and history as you go.

Address: Av. dos Aliados, Porto, Portugal