Near the Stock Palace and the Douro River is another UNESCO World Heritage site that is well worth visit while in Porto, the Monument Church of St Francis, or Igreja Monumento de São Francisco. This church built around the 14th century has one of Europe's most sumptuous and extravagant interiors. Here, all that glitter is, in fact, gold! Its interior is covered in gilded woodwork, and rumour has it that it was used around 400 to 600 kg of gold to decorate it. Hence why the St Francis Church is also known as "The Golden Church". Another highlight of this church is its impressive Tree of Jesse, a wooden sculpture carved by Filipe da Silva and António Gomes in 1718 depicting the ancestors of Jesus Christ, shown in a branching tree — considered to be one of the best in the world of its kind. Under the church, you will find the catacombs, where the Franciscan monks along with the members of Porto's noble families are buried.

One of the most impressive churches in Porto, Igreja de Santa Clara (Church of Santa Clara), started its construction in 1416, and it was completed in 1457. Its interior is Gothic, but in the 17th and 18th centuries, the temple was decorated in a Baroque style. The church nave is entirely covered in gilded woodcarving — a genuine feast for the eyes. From the church patio, it is possible to climb to one of the remains of the Fernandina Wall in the city.

The Montreal Botanical Gardens offer a welcome breath of fresh air in the busy city. Whether you visit the Biodôme, Botanical Garden, Insectarium, or the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, every single one will be a unique and memorable experience. All locations are conveniently close to each other, but make sure to take at least a couple of hours to explore each.

Right on the harbour, this year-round market is a popular stop for food stalls, local crafts, and souvenirs. In summer, it’s full of fresh berries, fish, and fried vendace; in winter, a heated café tent keeps things cosy. Ferries to Suomenlinna leave from here, and seagulls are always on standby—keep an eye on your snacks.