Trip guides / Porto & Douro
Free Things to Do in Porto
Porto is one of Europe’s best-value cities, and many of its highlights cost nothing at all: tiled stations and churches, the riverside, the bridge, gardens with peacocks and sunset viewpoints. Here are the best free things to do in Porto.
Quick answer: see the tiles at São Bento station, walk the Ribeira and both decks of the D. Luís I bridge, watch the sunset from the Jardim do Morro, wander the Palácio de Cristal gardens, admire the tiled Capela das Almas, enjoy the cathedral terrace views, browse the Mercado do Bolhão and ride the coast to Foz.
Free sights
- São Bento station: about 20,000 blue-and-white tiles in the entrance hall.
- Capela das Almas: the chapel covered in azulejos on Rua de Santa Catarina.
- The cathedral terrace: views over the rooftops to the river (the cloister is paid).
- Igreja dos Clérigos: the church itself (the tower is paid).
- Avenida dos Aliados and the City Hall, Porto’s grand central avenue.
Free walks and views
- The Ribeira: the riverside of colourful houses and cafes.
- Ponte D. Luís I: walk the top deck for the best views (shared with the metro).
- Jardim do Morro and Serra do Pilar: the classic sunset over Porto.
- Miradouro da Vitória: views over the old Jewish quarter.
- Rua das Flores: a beautiful pedestrian street.
- Free walking tours (tip-based) run daily.
Free gardens and coast
- Palácio de Cristal gardens: peacocks, terraces and river views.
- Parque da Cidade: Portugal’s biggest urban park, by the sea.
- Foz do Douro: where the river meets the ocean, with the Felgueiras lighthouse and beaches. Walk along the river from the Ribeira.
- Matosinhos beach.
Free markets
The Mercado do Bolhão is free to wander (closed Sundays). Port lodges in Gaia are also fun to wander past, though tastings are usually paid. See what to eat in Porto.
Budget tips
- Walk: Porto is compact (but hilly).
- Eat the prato do dia at lunch, or a bifana.
- Stay in a hostel: see the best hostels in Porto.
- Use the Andante card for the metro and buses.
More: things to do in Porto, Porto in one day and Portugal on a budget.
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