Sight-seeing in Porto

Porto is lovely in the summer. For those of my readers who live in the Algarve, why not do like me and go north to avoid the extreme heat and tourist overload in August, down south. Taking the train is a good alternative to the car or the coach. If you decide to drive up, it will take you around 6 hours by motorway to reach Porto (allowing for coffee stops and keeping within the legal speed limit).

Every year I look forward to at least 2 weeks away from the overcrowded Algarve. This year I decided to explore the historical centre of the country's second largest city. Yesterday I ended my post as I was arriving at "Avenida dos Aliados" (Avenue of the Allies) and the "Praça da Liberdade" (Liberty Square), which is considered the heart of the city.

A kiosk at the beginning of the Avenue

This square is a "must see" if you like architecture and opulent, intricate facades. Here are a few of them:

A sculpture (forefront) and the Town Hall at the top of Liberty Square

Another sculpture

Statue of King Pedro IV

Some of the buildings on the left:

The Bank of Portugal

Some of the buildings on the right:

Having almost filled my memory card and changed the overworked batteries in the camera, I moved on to the train station, which is nearby.

Congregados Church, on the way to the train station

Part of the train station, as seen from the Square

If you like tiled panels, this is tiled-panel heaven. I didn't take photos of every panel because I walked in with my pet. Carrying a dog and taking pics doesn't work too well, but you get the general idea. 

Part of "azulejo" heaven

Another part of "azulejo" heaven

Yet another part of "azulejo" heaven

S. Bento Train Station is one building you must not miss, whether you arrive by train or not!

By this time I had been walking for over two hours, so I made my way up  Clerigos Street and back to the narrow street where I had left my car.

Clerigos Church at the top of Clerigos Street

My tour of the historical centre is not complete but I hope I have whetted your appetite!

If architecture is not your thing, you'll be pleased to know that the last post in this series will focus on other things I found interesting.

Related posts:
I'm the great pretender tourist
Uma turista no Porto - 1