Parque da Cidade do Porto

Portugal's Attractions: Parque da Cidade do Porto, Porto

Located between Matosinhos and Foz do Duoro close to Porto is the wonderful Parque da Cidade do Porto.

The park is one of the largest urban parks in the country covering a vast 83 hectares. It is ideal for walking, cycling or a picnic.

Pavilhão da Água, Parque da Cidade do Porto. — Pavilhão da Água, Parque da Cidade do Porto

Facilities

There are facilities for soccer, rugby and sand volleyball. The area is also great for birdwatching and taking a leisurely picnic. The park opened in 1993 and was designed by the acclaimed landscape architect Sidónio Pardal, who has designed several parks across Portugal.

Within the park is the Pavilhão da Água, built for the 1998 Expo in Parque das Nações in Lisbon and since 2002 an imaginative, water museum. The park is open from 7 am to 10 pm in winter (October - March) and from 7 am until midnight in summer (April - September).

Just north of the park is the event space - Queimódromo do Porto - also the starting point and finishing line of the Porto Marathon.

Sea Life Porto

Also here is Sea Life Porto, an aquarium with sharks, rays, jellyfish, starfish and thousands of other marine and fresh water creatures. It is the largest aquarium in northern Portugal.

The aquarium is divided into various sections including ones dedicated to the creatures of the River Douro, one on rock pools and another centered on sea horses.

Further sections focus on various species of rays while Ocean Cave has both turtles and sharks.

Access & Hours

1ª Rua Particular do Castelo do Queijo
4100-379 Porto

Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, from 10 am to 7 pm; last entrance is 45 minutes before closing.

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

The park is a mix of woodland and open grassy areas. — The park is a mix of woodland and open grassy areas

Nearby

Within easy reach of the park are both the Castelo do Queijo and the Museu de Arte Contemporânea.

The Álvaro Siza-designed Museu de Arte Contemporânea at the Fundação Serralves is a highlight of any visit to Porto.

The Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle) in Foz do Douro is one of several forts built in a line of coastal defence to protect the entrance to the Duoro River.

Line A of the Porto Metro to Matosinhos. — Line A of the Porto Metro to Matosinhos

Access

The #502 bus runs to the southeast Entrada Boavista entrance of the park. The #502 bus operates between Bolhao and Matosinhos via Foz do Douro and is convenient for Sea Life Porto.

From Sao Bento Station the #500 bus also runs to Matosinhos via Foz do Duoro and passes the western edge of the park.

The #205 from Campanhã Station goes to Foz do Duoro and passes the northern and western edges of the park.

The #202 follows a similar route to the #205 from Trindade Station.

The #203 from Marques metro station runs to Castelo do Queijo via Casa da Musica Station, the Parque de Serralves and Praia dos Ingleses.

Hotels in Matosinhos & Foz do Douro

Places to stay in Matosinhos include the recommended Eurostars Matosinhos, Hotel Porto Mar, Porto Sea Apartments, Sea Porto and the three-star Urban Hotel Amadeos.

Further south in Foz do Douro are the three star Hotel Boa - Vista, the two star Hotel Portofoz and bed and breakfast in a restored 18th century house at Casa da Belavista.