The well-kept, clean and prosperous city has a fine historic quarter Centro Historico with cobbled streets, hidden alleys, flights of steps and intriguing corners. There are numerous Renaissance and Baroque mansions and palaces as well as some remaining city gates like the 15th C. Porta do Soar de Cima. The crowning glory is the Romanesque and Gothic Sé Cathedral, one of the finest in Portugal and partly built directly on granite boulders which is particularly evident at the back. It is located on the Adro da Sé, an impressive square, which is also the location of the striking Misericordia Church with its broad white Rococo facade. Since it is the highest point in town, the square provides extensive views to the surrounding countryside.
However, striking modern architecture is evident too. The Forum shopping, food and cinema centre 2005, bordering the river Pavia, is a good example as is the enormous Palacio do Gelo shopping & restaurant mall 2008 with its indoor ice rink and other sports facilities, easily accessible on the ring road. Also of note is the converted Old Market on the Rua Formosa with cafés and boutiques, and now a venue for exhibitions and open air concerts. The city has ample municipal facilities for visitors such as free internet locations, a modern public library, a new large district hospital, a youth hostel Pousada de Juventude, a brand new swimming pool complex and other modern sports facilities.
Old Quarter Centro Historico with Rua Direita, Rua Augusta Hilario, Rua D. Duarte, Praca D. Duarte, Rua Escura, Rua das Quintas.
Sé Cathedral Romanesque/Gothic with Cloister, built on granite rocks. Walk around the Sé to fully appreciate this.
Museum Grao Vasco former Bishop's Palace, 1563
Museum Casa Almeida Moreira
Misericordia Church 18th C.
Rossio Praca da Republica with fountains, azulejos, Town Hall 19th C. and Igreja dos Terceiros de Sao Francisco
Porta do Soar de Cima
Porta dos Cavaleiros
Fontelo Park with Solar do Vinho do Dao Dao wine institute
Nerys Convent seminary with suspended staircase and Igreja do Carmo on Largo Santa Cristina
Cava de Viriato. Remains of a very large Lusitanian-Roman camp surrounded by an pentagonal earthen wall.
Old Market on Rua Formosa
