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Five charming Places for a Porto's Escape Getaway: according to ABC Viajar
An organ concert at the Lapa church, the interactive museums of the WOW district or the Mercado do Bolhão: ideas for rediscovering Portugal's most fashionable destination.
Located in the north of Portugal, next to the mouth of the Douro River, is Porto, the pretty girl of the neighboring country. Bohemian, welcoming, vibrant, bustling... this city breathes life in every corner of its chaotic fabric inviting those who visit it to immerse themselves in its long history, to get lost in its steep cobbled streets, slopes overlooking wrought iron balconies, to be seduced by its exquisite cuisine washed down by the best Port wines, and to soak up its rich culture.
Source: Living on Iberia
In addition to walking through its beautiful historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, you can admire the mixture of styles that characterizes its buildings ranging from baroque to modernism, to look out over its many viewpoints, such as the Crystal Palace Gardens or the Jardim do Morro, and some of the monuments that swell the list of must-sees: the Clérigos Tower, built in the eighteenth century, the São Bento station, covered by more than 20,000 tiles, the churches of San Francisco and do Carmo, and the Palacio de la Bolsa.
For those who wish to get to know Porto from different perspectives, discover great treasures that do not appear in the typical guidebooks of the city, become a local, or soak up its essence, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel has an exclusive personalized tour service led by a team of 'Navigators'. Here are some ideas to keep in mind.
Listen to an organ concert in the Lapa Church
The construction of this temple dedicated to Our Lady of Lapa began in 1756 and took more than a hundred years (1863) due to scarce resources and political instability. Of neoclassical and rococo style, this sanctuary preserves in its interior a great collection of works by different artists, such as the main altar by Manuel Moreira da Silva, the miniature nativity scene of the Machado de Castro school, as well as a relic of great importance, the heart of King Pedro IV of Portugal, Portuguese monarch responsible for the independence of the colony in America. This treasure is hidden in a seven-meter-high mausoleum located in the main chapel, on the Gospel side, and to access it five keys are needed, which are kept under the custody of the Porto City Hall.
Lapa's Church || Source: Renascença
Buying typical products at the Mercado do Bolhão
Occupying an entire city block in the center of the city, the Mercado do Bolhão is an architectural jewel that houses almost eighty stalls, ten restaurants, and more than thirty outward-facing stores. This market was created as a square in 1837, but it would be in 1914 when, under the design of the municipal architect Antonio Correia da Silva, the building as it is known today would be erected.
Dive into the world of wine at WOW Oporto
Since 2020 Porto has a new cultural and tourist center called WOW (World of Wine), a district in Vila Nova de Gaia covering 35,000 square meters. Among its different spaces, created from the restoration of old cellars and warehouses, are seven interactive museums, such as 'Porto Region Across The Ages', an excellent starting point to understand the historical and cultural heritage of the city.
Word of Wine Museum || Source: Club Oneologique
New hotel: Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel
Opened in 2023, the Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel is a good choice for a base. Located in Lapa, one of the most historic and vibrant neighborhoods of this destination, this luxury accommodation features exquisite décor in pastel pinks and champagne golds with an unexpected touch of petrol blue - paying homage to the iconic Douro River - various artworks and vintage Portuguese tiles used for centuries in the local buildings and floors, has 163 cozy rooms and suites, an infinity pool, a restaurant, a bar, a restaurant, and a bar.
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Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel - Infinity Pool (Rooftop)
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