With its picturesque neighborhoods and colorful streets, its impressive religious and historic buildings, and its warm and authentic atmosphere, the city of Porto has much to offer visitors. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway to Porto or several days, we've gathered the essentials to discover! Here are the 10 must-see attractions and experiences during a stay in Porto.

1. Explore the historic Ribeira district

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ribeira is the historic district of Porto. With its many typical colorful facades and numerous steep and winding alleyways, Ribeira has managed to preserve its charm and authenticity despite the tourist crowds! Located along the Douro River, you can stroll along the water, but don't hesitate to explore the more remote alleyways to appreciate the beauty of the place…

2. Admire the impressive cathedral

From the medieval square in Ribeira, you can climb stairs up to Porto's impressive cathedral. Once you reach the courtyard, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of the city, the Douro, and its quays. Called Sé do Porto, the cathedral is the most important religious monument in the city. It was fortified to protect the city from invaders (hence its fortress-like appearance). Built in the early 12th century and renovated several times, you'll discover elements of different architectural styles: cloister with Gothic arcades, Portuguese Baroque high altar…

3. Cross the famous Dom-Luís Bridge

An emblem of the city, the famous Dom-Luís metal bridge is the work of, among others, Teófilo Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. This incredible lattice arch and metal beam bridge connects to Vila Nova de Gaia. It consists of two levels: the upper level measures 395 m long and the lower level, 174 m long. The lower section is accessible to pedestrians and cars, while the upper section is reserved for pedestrians and metro traffic. We highly recommend crossing the Dom-Luís Bridge to enjoy sublime panoramic views of the city (especially at sunset!).

4. Visit the wine cellars and taste port wine

By crossing the Dom-Luís Bridge, you'll arrive on the other bank of the Douro, in Vila Nova de Gaia. This is the ideal place to visit a wine cellar and taste the famous ports… Indeed, the quay along the Douro is filled with wine cellars and wine bars. You can even visit the cellars of highly reputable houses such as Taylor's Port, Cálem or Graham's Port, Sandeman, Ferreira…

5. Take a cruise on the Douro

To discover the city of Porto in a different way than on foot, how about exploring the city by water? Head to the Douro for a cruise aboard the famous "barcos Rabelo,