Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Pastel de nata
Portugal • 8 days, 7 nights
Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon
from
Italy • 9 days, 8 nights
Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails
from
View all trips
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Portugal Porto

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Porto

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

Updated September 6, 2024

Email
Attractions
Food & Drink
Trips
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

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.
Interior details.

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.
Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs

Porto, Portugal

Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs

Ancient catacombs form the foundation for this Rococo orgy of a church.
São Bento Railway Station

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

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.
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.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Portugal: A Culinary Adventure from Porto to Lisbon

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

Book Now

Explore Porto, Portugal

Architecture 4
Restaurants 4
Sacred Spaces 3
Churches 3
Trains 2
Museums 2
Transportation 2
Architectural Oddities 2

Porto Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Dr Alan P Newman
    3
  2. Austin Bush
    3
  3. Zandveld
    1
  4. CoolCrab
    1
  5. keithbarry
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Porto.

Places Edited

  1. Dr Alan P Newman
    5
  2. Luis Morato
    4
  3. Jaszmina Szendrey
    4
  4. Max Cortesi
    3
  5. MikeInSanFrancisco
    3
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. devilishcorp
    13
  2. SoraG
    11
  3. magalhaesarl
    11
  4. chris 1bfade1b
    11
  5. leandr900
    11
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Porto.

Recent Porto Activity

  • joknhyy

    wants to go to Livraria Lello

  • joknhyy

    wants to go to Porto's Heritage Streetcar System and Museum

  • Capteliz1

    wants to go to Semea

  • Capteliz1

    wants to go to Carmo and Carmelitas Churches

  • Capteliz1

    wants to go to Igreja de São Francisco Catacombs

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

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.