Porto at Night Tour Private

Porto at Night Tour Private

See how the city of Porto comes alive after dark on this private city tour.

We'll show you the best of our iconic Porto buildings and bridges, dramatically lit at night. There is nothing like stopping at the Serra do Pilar Monastery and the Morro Garden in Gaia and taking a moment or two to look at the Douro River, and enjoy simply stunning views of Porto.

From there you can enjoy the city of Porto, built along the slopes overlooking the mouth of the Douro river, forming a millenary urban landscape, where the diversity of civil and religious architecture witnesses a Historic Center inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. in 1996.

Its monumental and landscape riches capture the diversity of urban layout solutions that can also be found in other Western European and Atlantic-Mediterranean cities, dating back to Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical times.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Liberdade Square, Avenida dos Aliados Baixa, Porto 4000-322 Portugal

This wide avenue, flanked by a group of buildings from the 20s and 40s, is closed on the southern side by the Cardosas building (19th century), and at North by the City Hall.
In the centre of the Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square) stands the king's D. Pedro IV statue, inaugurated in 1866.

Pass By: Sao Bento Railway Station, Praca Almeida Garrett, Porto 4000-069 Portugal

The São Bento Railway Station was built at the beginning of the twentieth century on the exact location of the former Convent of São Bento de Avé Maria.
The glass and iron structure was designed by the architect Marques da Silva. The vestibule is adorned with twenty thousand tiles painted by Jorge Colaço that illustrate the transport evolution and events of Portuguese history and life.


Pass By: Porto Cathedral (Se Catedral), Terreiro Se, Porto 4050-573 Portugal

Construction dating from the twelfth/thirteenth century, in Romanesque style, that has been enlarged and renewed over the years up to its final setting, in the twentieth century, resulting in an idealized reconstitution of the medieval cathedral.
Special mention goes to: the Gothic São João Evangelista Chapel and the cloister, from the fourteenth century; the enlargement of the main chapel, the Santíssimo Sacramento Chapel and its silver altar, from the eighteenth century (mannerist)

Pass By: Church of Santa Clara (Igreja de Santa Clara), Largo 10 de Dezembro, Porto 4000-404 Portugal

Building of Gothic origin whose interior was covered with golden gild in the first half of the eighteenth century. The construction dates from the first half of the fifteenth century. It went through some changes in modern times when the beautiful Renaissance portal was built. This real Baroque jewel impresses by its decorative exuberance.

Pass By: Muralha Fernandina, Rua Arnaldo Gama, Porto Portugal

The Dão Fernando wall was built to substitute the old late-medieval wall that, by the 15th Century, had become too small for the growing city. It was rebuilt by Dão Fernando, after whom it was named, between 1368 and 1437 with money from the wine transfer tax and it was about 3000 paces long and 30 feet high. It was topped off by battlements and strengthened by bastions and towers. Two stretches still exist today.

Pass By: Edificio da Reitoria da Universidade do Porto, Praca Gomes Teixeira, Porto 4099-002 Portugal

Designed by Carlos Amarante in the neoclassical style and financed by the Literary Subsidy, a tax on wine, 1803.
The building, of classical style, has some similarities with the Santo António Hospital.
In 1911 it housed the Faculty of Sciences, and presently houses the Rectory and the Natural History Museum of the University of Porto.


Pass By: Torre dos Clerigos, Rua Sao Filipe Neri, Porto 4050-546 Portugal

This baroque work by Nicolau Nasoni was built in the first half of the eighteenth century.
The Clérigos Tower is one of the most emblematic monuments of the city of Porto.
The panoramic view over the city and the river Douro which can be seen from the top of the tower makes the 240 step climb worth the effort.


Pass By: Livraria Lello, Rua Carmelitas 144 Vitória, Porto 4050-161 Portugal

The building where the library is now located was inaugurated in 1906.
Special mention goes to its beautiful Art Nouveau façade with neo-Gothic details.
On the inside, the library is decorated in painted plaster imitating wood and presents a magnificent staircase linking it to the upper floor one of the first reinforced concrete works in Porto.
Also worthy of attention is the huge stained – glass skylight, bearing the library's monogram and motto.


Pass By: Ponte de Dom Luis I, Pte. Luiz I, Porto Portugal

Planned by the engineer Teófilo Seyrig, a disciple of Eiffel, it was inaugurated in 1886 and it is composed by two overlapping iron decks.
The bridge has 395 metres long and 8 metres wide, and its arch is still considered to be the world's biggest one in forged iron.
Nowadays the upper deck is used by the Metro of Porto, connecting the area of Porto's Cathedral to the Garden of Morro and to the República Avenue in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Pass By: Pilares da Antiga Ponte Pensil, Cais da Ribeira 24, Porto 4050-509 Portugal

Work of the French firm Claranges Lucotte and Company.
It was inaugurated in 1843 and fulfilled the need of a permanent bridge connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.
It was said, however, that the bridge shook like "green sticks" and this feeling of insecurity contributed to its short 44yr existence.
It was deactivated in 1887 and replaced by Ponte Luis I. Currently, only two stone, obelisk shaped pillars remain.


Pass By: Palacio da Bolsa, Rua Ferreira Borges S/N Um Monumento digníssimo de ser visitado e admirado, Porto 4050-253 Portugal

A National Monument, the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) is the property and headquarters of the Commercial Association of Porto.
It was designed by Joaquim da Costa Lima in a neoclassical style in 1842.
Situated in the historical centre, it is one of the most visited monuments with the famous Arabian Room being its major highlight.
A Cultural and Conference Centre, the Stock Exchange Palace is a venue with unique conditions for hosting events and excellent initiatives.


Pass By: Igreja Paroquial de San Nicolau, Rua Infante Dom Henrique 93, Porto 4050-298 Portugal

This building is hugely representative of Porto's religious architecture of the late seventeenth century.
It is also part of a mannerist tendency although some Baroque influence can be seen.
The nave comprises the notable St Eligius retable, which shows the beautiful image of Santo Elói (St Eligius), Patron of metalworkers.


Pass By: Igreja de Sao Francisco, Rua do Infante D. Henrique, Porto 4050-297 Portugal

The city's most important Gothic temple, whose construction began in the fourteenth century,
It is one of the most important works of the Baroque, by its gilded interior from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
It was the exuberance of its gild carved wood work that led Count Raczinsky to describe it as the 'Church of Gold'.
And, overwhelmed, he adds: 'The gild of this church is so beautiful and rich that goes far beyond everything I have seen in Portugal and in the whole world'.
It is worth of notice the Tree of Jesse, as well as the catacombs.
It is a National Monument since 1910 and World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 1996.

Pass By: Alfandega Porto Congress Centre, Rua Nova da Alfandega, Porto 4050-430 Portugal

A neoclassical building, built in the 19th century, according to a project carried out by the engineer Jean F. G. Colson.
It has two facades, one facing the Douro river and one facing the city.
Note the structural solutions that resorted to the use of iron in conjunction with other materials - stone, brick or wood - depending on the functionality of the different spaces.
In 1987, it was decided to house the future Museum of Transport and Communications.


Pass By: Museu do Carro Electrico, Alameda Basilio Teles 51, Porto 4150-127 Portugal

Opened in 1992, the Museu do Carro Eléctrico (Tram Museum) contains a collection of trams and other auxiliary vehicles which used to run along the streets of Porto and left a mark on the history of light urban rail transport in the city.
Its holdings also include an example of the horse-pulled American trolley buses which were first introduced into Porto in 1872.
Housed in the old Massarelos power station, a listed municipal building, the museum also exhibits some of the original equipment used before.


Pass By: Ponte da Arrabida, A1 Autoestrada do Norte, Porto 4150 Portugal

The Arrábida Bridge, designed by Edgar Cardoso and with a span of 270 m, was, for some time, the longest reinforced concrete bridge span in the world.
Inaugurated in 1963, it sits 70 meters above the average water level.
Bronze sculptures sit on top of the four great pillars that support the central span, adding to the bridge's innovative spirit and modernist style.


Pass By: Fortress Sao Joao Baptista, Esplanada do Castelo, Porto 4150-196 Portugal

The fortress was built at the end of the sixteenth century to protect the coast and the Douro entrance.
Modern strongholds were added (sec. XVII) to the original structure of this fine example of military architecture and the access gate to the fort (18th century).


Pass By: Castle of the Cheese, Praca Goncalves Zarco 20, Porto 4100-274 Portugal

Fort São Francisco Xavier (Cheese Castle)

Built in the 17th century to protect the coast from the pirates of North Africa, it is located on a cheese-shaped rocky hill, thus obtaining the name Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle).


Pass By: She Changes (The Anemone), Praca Cidade do Salvador, Porto 4100-170 Portugal

She Changes, known locally as anémona (the anemone), is a sculpture designed by artist Janet Echelman for the cities of Porto and Matosinhos, Northern Portugal.
It is beautiful and looks like a huge fishnet than moves with the wind, it is fluid piece of art.


Pass By: Port of Leixoes, Avenida da Liberdade, Leca da Palmeira 4450-718 Portugal

Placed amidst an attractive tourist destination, Porto, Leixões has increased its cruises’ operation. Following the open of the new Cruise Quay, in April 2011, the Port of Leixões started to have two docking berths for cruises and to receive larger ships (up to 300m). In 2012, the number of passengers increased 81% and the number of ships 25%. 75.613 passengers have visited Porto. In 2013 the Port of Leixões expects around 70 cruise calls corresponding to more than 66.000 passengers and 30.000 crew members visiting the region.

Pass By: Casa da Musica, Avenida da Boavista 604-610, Porto 4149-071 Portugal

Designed by the Dutch arquitect, Rem Koolhaas, the Casa da Musica was opened in 2005. Since then it has become an icon of contemporary arquitecture.

Pass By: Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar, Largo de Aviz, Vila Nova de Gaia 4430-329 Portugal

The Monastery of Serra of Pilar was created after the reform of the Order of Augustinian, when the monks of Grijó were transferred to the new location. It begins in 1537 the construction of the new monastery, which features a plant that consists by the church, of circular plant, the main chapel, of rectangular plant, and the cloister also of circular plant, all arranged sequentially.

It is considered one of the most remarkable buildings of the European classical architecture due to the circular church and cloister. In 1809 the Monastery space was occupied by the troops of Wellington, when was planed the attack by the Portuguese army to the city of Porto, occupied by Napoleon’s troops.


Pass By: Ponte Sao Joao, Av. Paiva Couceiro, Porto Portugal

This railway structure, by Edgar Cardoso, connects Campanhã station in Porto to all southern destinations with the first station being General Torres in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Its central span of 250m, was a new world record among the bridges in "portico".
The three spans are supported by two large piers founded in the riverbed close to each of the riverbanks.
The inauguration took place on June 24, 1991, the day of São João.


Pass By: Ponte Maria Pia, Avenida de Gustavo Eiffel, Porto 4000-279 Portugal

Gustavo Eiffel's first masterpiece, which he worked on with Theóphile Seyrig, was inaugurated in 1877 and remained in use for 114 years.
It has a double hinged arch that supports a single-track railway deck on truss pillars.
In 1982 it was classified as a national monument and in 1999 it gained international recognition as being of historical importance to civil engineering due to its innovative construction.

Pass By: Ponte Infante D. Henrique, Rua das Fontainhas, Porto Portugal

The bridge was inaugurated in 30 March 2003 following a project by the engineer Adão da Fonseca.
It was built to replace the upper deck lane of the D. Luís I Bridge, used now by the metro line D .
With a 371 metres long and 20 metres wide deck, it is a Maillart-type arch bridge, built at a high altitude level, presenting a span-rise ratio of 11,2, with a 280 m arch span - a world record, it is considered by the world experts to be one of the most elegant of its type.