HF Ipanema Park

The most beautiful bookstore in the world held place in Carmelitas Street, nearby Torre dos Clérigos. The exterior building stands out, but it is inside that Lello’s conquers their visitors. The parquet fool composes the two floors, joined by a very long and sweeping red staircase. Lello has more than 120 000 books that turn this space into a real treat for all book lovers. There are titles for every taste and in several languages. Being one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal, Lello is established in Porto since 1881. The company dates back to Livraria Internacional de Ernesto Chardron foundation in 1869 at Clérigos Street.

Porto’s Cathedral, located on top of Pena Ventosa hill, has an ancient foundation, although there are no longer traces of that time. Having a romantic style suffered several changes over the centuries, due to population growth, advanced decay or even aesthetic influences of each era. With a latin cross plan, the Cathedral has a romantic facade in granite. The entrance marked by two pillars and by the sculpture of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Holy Patroness of Porto. The Cathedral belongs to the historic center of Porto, a local classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996.

What once held a traditional market selling fresh products is nowadays a trendy place to hang out. Bom Sucesso Market, housed in an iconic building from the 1940, had the interior renovated in 2013 in order to receive this new market concept, directed to a bustling city like Porto. With a cosmopolitan atmosphere, this place invites to relax and have a gourmet experience, at any time of the day. Includes now a hotel, modern stalls with drinks and snacks and also stalls with fresh organic products, butcher, fishmonger, grocery; other shops and thematic restaurants and live music.

The Clérigos Tower, a Baroque Monument, has become one the most important symbols in Porto. It has six floors, 240 steps and 76 meters. Designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, the construction started in 1754 and ended only in 1763. At that time, the tower was the tallest ever made in Portugal and also the highest in Europe, surpassing Notre-Dame and Saint-Sulpice in Paris. As we approach Porto’s downtown is visible from everywhere. Named as a national monument in 1910, it was more than a bell tower: it also served as a beacon to the navigators; as a telegraph; as Porto’s city clock; and worked even as a strategic point for military and political battles. Being Porto’s visit card, this attraction is a must especially for those who want to climb all the steps to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view over the city and river.