InterContinental Porto - Palacio das Cardosas

It was located in Santa Catarina street, a pedestrian walkway for shopping and for the finest members of society, then and now. The café enlightened the street with its Art Nouveau decoration, by Architect José Pinto de Oliveira. Inside, the scent of leather upholstery and varnished wood is joined by the magnificent vision of the plaster-decorated ceiling and of the endless Flemish mirrors, is an ensemble that marvels all senses. Add in the combination of marble and metal and it becomes truly exquisite. At the back of the café, nature rules in the conservatory, which connects Santa Catarina street to Passos Manuel street. The opening day, which has become a distant memory, has always been remembered by the city. Many have flocked to this part of the city to learn about the new building that has become to define Porto's architectural landscape. Appealing to intellectuals, bohemians and to the ladies of high society, when on a walkabout, would sit to drink tea or eat an ice cream. The cafe had honors and awards and received a distinct visitor, the pilot aviator, and later Admiral Gago Coutinho (who always appeared accompanied by beautiful women), who had just arrived from another risky journey from the island of Madeira. He was pleasantly surprised with the splendor of the new facility and returned there several times in order to contemplate the beauty of all the details of the cafe in the company of famous actress Beatriz Costa

One of the world's most outstanding train stations, the beautiful Sao Bento, is not only one of Porto's key transportation joints, but also an unmissable landmark of the city. Opened in 1903, this striking station got its name after the Benedict monastery which stood exactly on the same spot. Operating regional and international rail services, the station serves as a part of Minho, Douro, Braga, Guimaraes, Aveiro, and Marco de Canaveses train lines. Although the station's exterior looks impressively eye-catching, a real treasure hides under the mansard roof of the complex. As a true art-gallery, the main hall is embellished with over 20 000 tiles that depict the eventful history of Portugal!

The Pergola is one of the iconic images of Porto. Everybody in town knows where it is and most couples have at least one photo take at one of the most romantic spots in town. The Pergola is located on the Foz promenade. A large sidewalk by the sea where you can take long contemplative walks, power walks, jog, ride your bicycle, walk holding hands and promising eternal love to your better half. The Pergola is a structure in neoclassical style, painted in golden yellow. If you look carefully, on different times of the day, the color seams to change, as the sun goes up or down. I must confess that I’ve watched the most beautiful sunsets from the Pergola! And I did have that feeling. And it only happened to me once, at the Parthenon, in Athens. (I’m far from trying to compare the two!) Rumor has it that this Pergola was built after the mayors wife (in 1930) went to Nice (France) and took a walk down the “Promenade des Anglais”. She enjoyed it so much and liked the stutter so much that she sketched it and asked her husband to built one in Porto. Truth or just another romantic rumor? Either way, the Pergola is there. It’s beautiful, romantic and it’s a great spot to contemplate the Atlantic.

The Douro Valley could as easily be called the enchanted valley, such is the beauty and magic that its landscapes offer.

The Bolhão Market is a jewel of Porto: the building, one of the city's most iconic, is municipal heritage and a monument of public interest and preserves the memories and stories of the great fresh produce market, which beats in the heart of the city, of the people of Porto, and of those who visit it. Its character is unique and valuable, and its identity and history have been intertwined for over a hundred years with the identity and history of the city of Porto.

Located on the riverbank of the Douro, Ribeira is one of the most important areas when getting to know Porto. What's more, it's one of the most beautiful and liveliest districts in Porto’s historic centre . Ribeira is one of the most popular neighborhoods' in Porto. It is one of the most authentic and picturesque parts of the city in the heart of the old town. As its name suggests, the district is situated on the riverbank (Ribeira in Portuguese stems from the word river).Its colorful and wonderfully decorated façades are noteworthy and you’ll find that both the quaint terraced houses on the waterfront that reflect on the Douro River (which you can get a better view from Gaia) and the rest of the buildings further up in the little winding streets are equally pleasant.

Livraria Lello has been a bookstore very much of its times ever since 1906, carrying within it over a century of history and stories, imbued into its architectural surroundings and also into the bookish knowledge that shape the experiences of those who visit and those who read. In our Milestones, we take a look back at the most defining moments, introduce some of the most influential personalities and witnesses to the many odd stories that have cropped up along the successful route journeyed by Livraria Lello!

The Dom Luís I Bridge (Portuguese: Ponte de Dom Luís I), or Luís I Bridge, is a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the River Douro between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia in Portugal. At its construction, its 172 metres (564 ft) span was the longest of its type in the world. It has been confused with the nearby Maria Pia Bridge, a railway bridge that was built 9 years earlier (and is located 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) to the east), which is similar in aspect to the Luís I bridge