The Ribeira district in Porto

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, Porto’s Ribeira district, nestled on the banks of the Douro, is one of the city’s highlights! Follow the guide!

The Ribeira district in a nutshell

On the banks of the Douro, Ribeira is undoubtedly the most iconic area in Porto. And for good reason: located in the lower town, it is home to many of the most emblematic monuments in the “Northern Capital”, including the Porto Cathedral and the Palacio da Bolsa.

Ribeira is a lively district where you’ll find countless restaurants, bars and shops, while many street artists give performances by the Douro for the greatest pleasure of locals and visitors alike.

In short, the district of Ribeira is the perfect spot for a nice walk by the river… To discover Ribeira, nothing better than putting away your map and getting lost in the labyrinthine alleys of the neighborhood.

Follow the guide!

Visiting the Ribeira district: the best things to do

The quays of the Douro: the Cais da Ribeira and the Cais da Estiva

In the heart of the Ribeira district, the quays of the Douro — from west to east the Cais da Estiva followed by the Cais da Ribeira — rank very high on the list of the Captain’s favorites in Porto.

Lined with historic and colorful buildings, the quays of the Ribeira district exude charm and authenticity.

Many cruises on the Douro depart from here. During high season in particular, the boats fill up at high speed. The Captain therefore recommends booking your tickets in advance:
– 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise
– OR Hop-on Hop-off bus + river cruise + Port cellar tour

Ribeira Square (Praca da Ribeira)

Nestlef on the banks of the Douro, the Ribeira Square (Praça da Ribeira in Portuguese), which dates back to the Middle Ages, is one of the oldest squares in the city.

It is now lined with shops, cafes and restaurants. Street artists – often very talented – perform there summer and winter.

On the square, you”ll find three beautiful sculptures:

• A monumental three-story-high fountain dating from the 1780s and bearing the coat of arms of Portugal
• A statue of Saint John the Baptist made in 2000 by the Portuguese sculptor João Cutileiro and located in the niche of the fountain
• the “Cubo da Ribeira” (the Cube of Ribeira in English), a statue by the artist José Rodrigues surmounting the remains of a 17^th century fountain

Dom Luis I Bridge

Built at the end of the 19^th century, the Dom Luis I Bridge (or Luis I Bridge) marks the limit of the Ribeira district to the east.

Inspired by the work of Gustave Eiffel, this huge steel bridge spans the Douro River between the municipalities of Porto and Villa Nova de Gaia (where most of the Port wine cellars are located).

It comprises two levels:

• the lower level accessible to pedestrians and to cars
• the upper level reserved for the metro and pedestrians

The view from the top level, especially at sunset, is simply stunning!

Sao Bento Train Station

Get ready to be amazed by the station’s sumptuous azulejos (blue and white earthenware tiles typical of the Iberian Peninsula)!

North of the Ribeira district, the São Bento Station is a masterpiece of azulejos art.

Constructed at the turn of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, this extraordinary railway station is a must-see landmark in the “Capital of the North”. However, it’s wise to swing by early in the morning to steer clear of the relentless stream of tourists throughout the day.

The Palacio da Bolsa

To the west of the Ribeira district, the Palacio da Bolsa (“Stock Exchange Palace” in English) is well worth a visit!

Built by the Associação Comercial do Porto , the Commercial Association of Porto, in the ^19th century, this majestic palace is an architectural masterpiece blending English and neo-classical influences.

The highlight of the visit: the sumptuous Arab Room, a vast room entirely covered with stucco decorated with gold leaf.

Heads up! The Palacio da Bolsa tour is exclusively guided and it’s wise to reserve a spot well ahead of time—preferably the day before—to ensure availability.

The Church of Sao Francisco

A stone’s throw from the Palacio da Bolsa, to the west of the Ribeira district, the Church of São Francisco is an architectural gem blending Gothic and Baroque styles.

Built between the 14^th and 15^th centuries, the church was expanded over the centuries and underwent major renovation works in the 18^th century.

The visit includes:

• the Dispatch House of the Order, which now houses a small museum of sacred art
• the catacombs nestled under the church
• the São Francisco Church, completely adorned with rococo gold leaf.

The Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)

Overlooking the banks of the Douro on the heights of the district of the Ribeira, the Sé, the Cathedral of Porto, is a 9-century-old church-fortress.

The complex architecture of the building, blending Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles, is the result of its long history.

The cathedral cloister and its accessible rooms are truly a must-see. The treasure room houses a quaint collection of religious items.

The Casa do Infanta

A 2-minute walk from the Palacia da Bolsa, the Casa do Infante is an old customs house built in the 14^th century. It’s also known to be the Henry the Navigator (also called the Infante Dom Henrique), Prince of Portugal, was born in this very house in 1394.

The Casa do Infante now houses a museum tracing the history of the building, and exhibits Roman remains discovered on site during archaeological excavations.

Entry to the Casa do Infante is included in the Porto Card (€2.20 per adult without Porto Card – free entry on Saturdays and Sundays).

The São João National Theatre

In the heart of the Ribeira district, the São João National Theatre ( Teatro Nacional São João in Portuguese), in Praça da Batalha, is a beautiful theater hall built at the end of the 18^th century and inspired by Italian theatres.

Completely renovated in 1995, the São João National Theatre remains the city’s main theater today.

Exploring the Ribeira district by night

If the Ribeira district is magnificent during the day, it is perhaps even more beautiful at nightfall.

Captain Ulysse warmly recommends strolling on the Dom Luis I Bridge at sunset to admire the view of the banks of the Douro. The panorama is quite simply stunning!

Access

Getting to the Ribeira district

The closest public transports are:

• metro: São Bento station (line D)
• tram: Infante stop (line 1)
• bus: many bus lines run in the Ribeira distrcit. The hop-on hop-off tourist buses also make a stop on the avenue.
• funicular: between the Dom Luis I Bridge and the Praça da Batalha.

Accommodation in the Ribeira district

The Ribeira district is one of the nicest, but also one of the most expensive in Porto.

If you’re running on a tight budget, Captain Ulysses recommends moving away from the historic center to find a more affordable accommodation.

Otherwise, you will find here a selection of the best accommodation in the Ribeira district.

Food & drinks in the Ribeira district

To relax after a long day exploring Porto, nothing better than a drink by the Douro. To enjoy the view while sipping a good cocktail, Captain Ulysses warmly recommends the Cafe do cais.

As for food, the Captain recommends moving awat from the banks of the Douro, where the prices are quite steep and the food is often disappointing. The Captain recommends 2 restaurants in the area:

• LSD Restaurant located in Largo São Domingos
• Restaurant À Parte located Rua das Flores

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