View of the Dom Luís I Bridge, Douro River, and Vila Nova de Gaia

Porto is a coastal city in northwestern Portugal, known for its towering bridges and the production of port. In the medieval Ribeira district, narrow cobblestone streets are lined with merchant houses and cafes. The Church of San Francisco is known for its extravagant baroque interior, with ornamental carvings covered in gold. It is worth visiting.

This area of Porto used to be the old harbour (before the modern harbour was built in Leixões. On the Porto side you can also find the old Customs House (14th century) in Ribeira and the more recent Customs House from the 18th century (on the same side of Porto but closer to the sea - closer to the arch Bridge made of cement.

Very close to the iron bridge (D. Luís I), on the Porto side you can also find a bronze plaque that is a memorial to the thousands of people who died trying to escape the invading French napoleonic armies (1809). While crossing the bridge the pontoon bridge broke and thousands were pushed by the crowds into the water where most drowned due to the mass of bodies.

A beautiful view of the old town roofs, bridge and Gaia.