Off The Beaten Path Attractions in Porto

Porto is so small, it may be difficult to believe that some of it’s most interesting, beautiful, and historic sights are a little bit obscure. But if you follow the turning, narrow streets off the well-trodden paths, you can find some wonderful unexpected surprises. Here are some of the best sights off the beaten path in Porto.

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal, and arguably the most beautiful bookstore in the world. It is widely regarded as one of the most picturesque bookstores in the world, and inspired the library JK Rowling described in the Harry Potter books. It has an utterly unique art nouveau staircase, using an architectural technique unseen in any other public building, and the walls are richly decorated with plaster painted to look like intricate woodwork. It’s an incredible place for book lovers and for those who love unique architecture.

Livraria Lello is a bit uncomfortable as a tourist destination, and would prefer to simply be a bookstore. For that reason, pictures are generally prohibited, or only allowed at certain times of day. But Livraria Lello is one of Porto’s most unique and incredible places, and should be on your agenda.

Igreja de São Francisco

The Church of Saint Francis in Porto is a slightly forbidding gothic cathedral on the outside, but has a spectacular Baroque interior, with intricate artworks and stunning décor. Beneath the cathedral lie the catacombs, where the Franciscan monks lie with many of Porto’s foremost families, above an ossuary with thousands of human bones visible through a glass floor in the catacombs. Igreja de São Francisco is visually and architecturally an extremely unusual cathedral, with a unique place in the cultural and religious life of Porto, and a fascinating place to visit.

Museu do Carro Electrico

Streetcars are an essential aspect of the history of Porto and of Portugal in general, where they were a signature form of transport for over a century. For those who are interested in trams, streetcars, and public transport, the Museu do Carro Electrico is an unforgettable experience, but it is also of interest for those who are simply want to know more about local history and the technological innovations of past days. The museum is in an old tram switching-house, and has examples of beautifully restored trams going back to the early, horse-drawn models of the 1870s, to the charming electric streetcars of the 1930s. This is an interesting museum for an often overlooked aspect of Portuguese history.

McDonald’s Imperial

Porto Portugal is home to the most beautiful McDonald’s in the world. While it may seem unlikely, the McDonald’s Imperial is at the site of what was once the legendary Imperial Cafe. In 1995, when the space became a McDonald’s, they kept much of the original décor and design, for an unlikely but absolutely charming combination. Even if you don’t fancy McDonald’s, you simply must visit this one, to see the incredible stained glass, chandeliers, and coffered ceilings that make this McDonald’s unlike any other.

Carmo and Carmelitas Churches

While these two churches appear to share a single facade, they are actually separated by a tiny house just three feet wide wedged between them. The house literally and figuratively separated the monks of the Carmo from the nuns of the Carmelitas church. The Igreja dos Carmelitas is on the left side, and was the cathedral of a convent built in 1628, made of granite and decorated with tiles. The Igreja do Carmo is on the right, built between 1756 and 1768 in a rococo and late Baroque style has stunning tile work that wraps around the building, depicting the founding of the Carmelite Order. These tiles were made by the artist Silvestro Silvestri in Vila Nova de Gaia. Both churches are beautiful monuments to local history, culture, and religious life.

Make sure your trip to Porto takes you off the beaten path to see some of these incredible overlooked sights, and deepen your experience of the city and its people.