The Atlas Obscura Guide To Porto

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Porto, Portugal

Updated September 6, 2024

Unusual Attractions in Porto

Porto, Portugal

Livraria Lello

One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world hides a neo-Gothic interior behind an art nouveau facade.

Porto, Portugal

Igreja de São Francisco

The stunning interior of this Gothic church is covered in ornate gold details.

Close-up of the McDonalds marquee with the Imperial eagle

Porto, Portugal

McDonald's Imperial

This restored Portuguese cafe may well be the most beautiful place in the world to grab a Big Mac.

It’s easy to miss the house wedged between these churches.

Porto, Portugal

Carmo and Carmelitas Churches

A hidden three-foot-wide house separates these two regal churches.

Porto, Portugal

Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs

Ancient catacombs form the foundation for this Rococo orgy of a church.

Porto, Portugal

Sao Bento Station

Elaborate tile work in this railway station tells the story of Portugal.

Porto, Portugal

Jardim Botânico do Porto (Porto Botanical Garden)

A small but charming botanical garden that contains many exotic plant species.

The Bank has also collected more modern designs, like the tiles shown here.

Porto, Portugal

Banco de Materiais (Bank of Materials)

Building owners can take out tiles for free at this repository for historic building materials.

See All 16 Things To Do in Porto

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Porto

Porto, Portugal

McDonald's Imperial

This restored Portuguese cafe may well be the most beautiful place in the world to grab a Big Mac.

A blowtorch makes for an exquisitely caramelized crust.

Porto, Portugal

Semea

Rabanadas, the Portuguese answer to French toast, are reborn here with a glassy sugar crust and a center as light as whipped cream.

This “little French girl” is a Porto icon.

Porto, Portugal

A Regaleira

The original version of Porto's most famous sandwich is just as good here as it was a century ago.

Although this braised tripe is of humble origins, it’s given the royal treatment here.

Porto, Portugal

Líder

Dine on Porto-style tripe at a restaurant run by the head of a gastronomic brotherhood dedicated to uplifting this humble dish.

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Architecture 4

Restaurants 4

Sacred Spaces 3

Churches 3

Trains 2

Museums 2

Transportation 2

Architectural Oddities 2

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Stories About Porto

People walk in front of the azulejo tiles on the exterior of Capela Das Almas in Porto.

Instead of Money, This Portuguese 'Bank' Safeguards 27,000 Handpainted Tiles

This collection of azulejos in Porto isn’t just for conservation and display—it’s also open for withdrawals.

by Keith Barry

May 28, 2019

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The Atlas Obscura Guide To Porto

16 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Porto, Portugal

Updated September 6, 2024

Unusual Attractions in Porto

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Porto

Plan Your Trip

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon

Explore Portugal through food, from the cities to the seaside.

Explore Porto, Portugal

Porto Leaderboard

Places Added

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Places Visited

Recent Porto Activity

Stories About Porto

Instead of Money, This Portuguese 'Bank' Safeguards 27,000 Handpainted Tiles

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