Cedofeita and Miguel Bombarda at a glance
Cedofeita is a residential and shopping district west of the historic centre. Its main street, Rua de Cedofeita, is a pedestrian street lined with shops. Rua Miguel Bombarda, which crosses it, is the heart of the former "arts quarter" (quarteirão das artes), created in 2007. According to a press article, the street already had some fifteen galleries and antique shops in 2001.
The district is explored on foot: allow two to three hours to walk the street, step into a few galleries and take a coffee break. It fits well with a morning in the centre: see our guide Porto in one day for the classic itinerary.
The galleries of Rua Miguel Bombarda
| Gallery or venue | Number | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Galeria Fernando Santos | 526 | First gallery opened on the street, in 1993; 1,200 m² space; established artists |
| Ó! Galeria | 61 | Illustration, Portuguese and international artists |
| Galeria Trindade | 141 | Contemporary art |
| AP'ARTE | 221 | Gallery opened in 2010 |
| Centro Comercial Bombarda | — | Small spaces, including the Collectiva collective |
Entry to the galleries is generally free. Hours differ from one address to another: check each gallery's page before leaving, especially for current exhibitions.
Saturday openings
Six times a year, the galleries on the street open their new exhibitions on the same Saturday, from 4pm to 8pm. It is the best time to see several addresses open at once and the liveliest atmosphere. Dates change every year: check the calendar before planning your stay.
Shops, concept stores and cafés in Cedofeita
Rua de Cedofeita and the neighbouring streets offer designer shops, independent bookshops and neighbourhood cafés. Shops change quickly: spot them as you walk rather than from a fixed list. For big fashion chains, head instead to Rua Santa Catarina. For a more classic break, the Café Majestic is further east, on Rua de Santa Catarina.
Cooperativa Árvore, a cultural cooperative founded in 1963 by artists, writers and architects, runs exhibitions and courses; its historic headquarters is an 1763 building on the Passeio das Virtudes.
How to get there and how to plan your walk
Rua Miguel Bombarda is close, on foot, to the Clérigos Tower and the Livraria Lello. Check the route on foot or by public transport on your map before leaving: the streets are on a slope.
Walk idea: start on Rua de Cedofeita, go down to Rua Miguel Bombarda, then walk back up the street visiting two or three galleries.
Going further
Combine this district with the Bolhão Market and Rua das Flores, and see our guide to the budget in Porto: the galleries are free. For a full weekend, see a weekend in Porto.
