- Rua Santa Catarina is a pedestrian street with many beautiful beautiful shops from the beginning of the century, in the vein of the Majestic café and the Grande Hotel do Oporto, and many other newer shops. This is Oporto's main shopping street. Halfway down the street there is an attractive food court with restaurants made into typical Portuguese houses.
- Lello bookshop, on the right while going up towards Dos Clérigos church. This art nouveau bookshop was founded in 1906 and is now classified as National heritage. The inside is richly decorated, the shelves and ceilings are magnificent, and there are books everywhere. A splendid staircase made of exotic wood leads up to the upper floors where one can drink tea, coffee, a glass of Port and often listen to music. The atmosphere is a unique experience.
 |
Then you can go down the whole of the avenida da Boavista (5 km) by starting at the Place Mouzinho of Albuquerque, known under the name of «Boavista» that is dominated by this monument where there is a statue of the Napoleonic eagle being crushed by a lion, the avenue finishes in the Gonçalves Zarco square, known under the name of the "Cheese Castle square", according to the legend there was a rock in the shape of a round cheese. The square is dominated by the17th century S.Francisco Xavier fortress and the equestrian statue of D.João IV.
Then, one goes along the seashore and you will pass beautiful houses built by those who could afford a house on the seafront not far from the city. Now all of this is part of Oporto. There are also small beaches, gardens, bars, restaurants and all this ends next to the mouth of the river, in Foz.. This elegant place is very popular at the weekends and during the holidays.
Next to the mouth of the river there is another fortress, S.João da Foz do Douro that dates back to the end of the 16th century. It was built to defend the coast and the mouthof the river. Next you can continue along the river and go through the zone where boats and other vessels were built. One can also admire gardens, the Arrábida bridge and the Tram Museum, before arriving at Miragaia that faces the new Customs building. Miragaia is probably the oldest neighborhood in Oporto because it contains «Portus of Wedges».
 |
Fernandina wall |
It's a popular neighborhood, built on a slope, with small streets; it is being restored at the moment. Next, one arrives on square Infante D Henrique, you can go straight through the tunnel and arrive under the D.Luís bridge to get to Vila Nova de Gaia and go and visit the Oporto Wine cellars.
|
