FOZ DO DOURO & WEST PORTO

At the southern end of Foz do Douro is the Chapel Lighthouse called Farol de São Miguel, whose square tower dates back to 1538. It was designed to guide shipping through the Douro estuary. A little further west you'll encounter the palm-lined Jardim do Passeio Alegre gardens offering welcoming shade and moments of tranquillity.

Opposite the park, the Farolim de Felgueiras lighthouse stands sentinel at the head of a long jetty. A walk here, especially at sunset, will be rewarded with amazing views looking out at sea or looking back to Porto. The ten-metre-high hexagonal beacon has defied crashing waves since its construction in 1886 until its decommission in 2009. Its red light had a range of nine nautical miles.

Fortress São João Baptista

A 16th-century fortress built to defend the mouth of the river Douro, the city of Porto and its citizens. It has undergone several upgrades during its history yet remains a prime example of military architecture found on Portugal's coastline. Although it continues to be used by the Delegação Regional do Instituto de Defesa Nacional (Regional Office of the National Defense Institute), it is open to the public. | FREE
Weekdays: 09h00 – 12h00/14h00 - 17h00
Rua São João da Foz, 4150-196 Porto, Portugal. | 41° 08' 54.6" N | 08° 40' 03.5" W
+351 226 153 440 | idn.secretariaporto@defesa.pt

Pergola da Foz

Probably the most romantic location in Porto stretches between the Praia da Luz beach and the gardens of Montevideo Avenue. The Pergola da Foz is said to have been inspired by the Promenade des Anglais in the French town of Nice. Designed by António Enes Baganha in the 1930s, it cost about 53,000 Escudos as part of a broader redevelopment scheme designed to improve the area. Popular with couples who take full advantage of the spectacular sunsets and the cafés and bars that line the Avenida do Brasil. Due to the corrosive nature of the sea air, the pergola undergoes periodic renovation, the most recent occurring in 2008.

Forte de São Francisco Xavier or Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle)

This 17th-century fortress at the northern end of the Foz district acquired its colloquial name from the round piece of bedrock it stands on, which is said to resemble a wheel of cheese. It is dedicated to the 16th-century Spanish saint and evangelist St. Francis. The fortress was completed in 1661 and constructed to protect the area from raiding pirates from North Africa. Its commanding position still looks over a 140-metre long beach famed for its sunsets. Since renovation it houses a small military museum commemorating the Portuguese troops who saw action in Angola and Mozambique.

High Season: Tuesday - Sunday: 13h00-18h00, Low Season: Tuesday - Sunday: 13h00-17h00, Monday: CLOSED
Praça de Gonçalves Zarco, Porto, Portugal. | 41° 10' 8.4" N | 08° 41' 24" W
+351 226 181 067 | associacaocomandosporto@sapo.pt

This tram line is one three remaining original tram routes in Porto and runs along the riverfront. Starting from Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, in the downtown area (alongside the Igreja Monumento de São Francisco church), the rickety vintage tram chugs along the riverfront all the way to the Jardim do Passeio Alegre gardens in Foz do Douro. Taking in amazing views along the way.

09h00 – 20h00, every 20 minutes
Single: €3.50, Return: €6.00
Timetable |  Website

En route, the tram passes the Tram Museum located in an old power station next to the STCP (Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto) depot. Here you can also catch tram number 18 taking you into the historic centre of Porto. Further on the Tram #1 stops under the Arrábida Bridge. For the brave, it's possible to climb the 65-metre arch of the bridge with the aid of a guide and safety equipment to experience amazing views downriver to Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. |  Website