How to spend top weekend in Porto - ideas on extraordinary attractions and sites

Different travelers have various things to do in Porto. Some are thrilled about the prospect of trying the best sorts of port wine, some wish to purchase high-quality coffee, and some want to explore the most interesting landmarks and places to see that are little known to other tourists. Do you want to see all outstanding landmarks of Porto from a single location? Head to Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge. There are many bridges in the city, and this one is not the most secretive, but not many travelers know that Ponte de Dom Luis I offers a magnificent panorama of the city. This spectacular free “observation deck” is popular not only with travelers who know about the bridge but also with professional photographers.

There is a no less exciting way to admire the panorama of the city – to make a helicopter ride. This type of entertainment is incredibly popular in Porto. One of the so called helidromes is located on the bank of a river, near the Museum of Trams. Local companies offer helicopter excursions of different length. If you have enough money, you can fly above the city and its suburbs several hours. Savvy travelers can order a delightful excursion that would cost not more than 50 euro.

If you are a fan of Harry Potter books, don’t forget to visit Lello & Irmão. This old bookshop looks so incredible that it was used as a filming spot for several movies about the young wizard. Have you ever seen two storey long old bookshelves? If no, hurry up and visit Lello & Irmão. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

While exploring numerous historical and religious landmarks of Porto, thousands of travelers deprive Igreja Santa Clara of their attention. The church is unknown to numerous travelers not because of the absence of precious artifacts or some other peculiarities. The tiny church is simply hard to find in the lively and densely built-up central part of the city. There is a small arc near Largo 1 Dezembre Square. If you turn and walk into it, you will see a building of an ancient monastery that dates back to the 15th century. Igreja Santa Clara is located in it. The old church hides a true historic treasure behind its modest looking walls. The interior of the church features skillful wood carving. One can infinitely admire the masterpiece of old craftsmen as it’s not possible to find one more church with such a breath-taking design in Porto.

During an excursion in the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), many travelers fail to notice a unique landmark - Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs located below the church. That said, the catacombs are one of the most mystical and thrilling places in the city. Only some guests of Porto have enough guts to make an excursion to the scary underground tunnels. Hundreds of years ago, multilayer burial corridors were built below the church. If tombs of the higher levels look almost not scary, on the lowest levels, visitors literally need to walk among piles of bones. The best way to test one’s courage is to go to the lowest level of the catacombs.

When you’ve had enough walking in mystical and scary places, it’s high time to make a joyful ride in an old tram. In Porto, there are many old and charming trams, the age of many of which is nearly a hundred years. The route 1 tram is the most suitable for travelers. A ride in an old carriage with wooden décor promises to be an unforgettable one.

It’s an inexcusable error to visit Porto and fail to try the best sorts of port wine. In order to sample the famous drink, head to a special store, such as Garrafeira do Carmo. Here, having sat at a big barrel that replaces a table, guests can unhurriedly sample different sorts of port wine. When you’re ready to make a choice, you can buy a bottle or two of the port you like.