Foz do Douro at a glance
Foz is where the river flows into the Atlantic. The neighbourhood faces the sea: a 16th-century fort, a lighthouse at the end of a long pier, a waterside promenade and several beaches. People from Porto come at weekends to walk, have a coffee facing the waves or lunch on fish. For visitors it is a quiet stop after the Ribeira and the Baixa: half a day is enough, a full day if you add the beach or the City Park.
How to get there
By tram 1
Tram 1 is the most enjoyable way: the line runs along the Douro from the centre to Foz and stops at Passeio Alegre, the terminus at the entrance to the garden of the same name. For timetables, fares and departure stops, see our guide to transport in Porto. The ride is slow but picturesque.
On foot along the river
From the Fluvial area, the walk to Passeio Alegre follows the riverbank in about 30 minutes, a pleasant way to reach Foz if you have time.
Jardim do Passeio Alegre
The Passeio Alegre garden is the first landmark when you arrive by tram: palm trees, fountains, lawns and a mini-golf course for children. It is a place to stroll in the shade of the palms, and the starting point for the fort, the lighthouse and the seafront promenade.
The Fort of São João da Foz
A few minutes from the garden, the Fort of São João da Foz, built between 1570 and 1647, guards the mouth of the Douro. The outside can be explored freely; for the inside, check the exhibition hours. From the esplanade, the view of the ocean and the pier is one of the best in Foz.
The Felgueiras lighthouse and the pier
The Felgueiras lighthouse stands about five minutes' walk from the Passeio Alegre garden, at the mouth of the Douro, at the end of a long stone pier. In rough seas the waves break over the pier: stay careful and keep away from the edge in heavy weather. Another, older lighthouse, the São Miguel-o-Anjo tower, dates from the 16th century; sources give 1527 or 1538, which makes it one of the oldest in Portugal.
The Pérgola da Foz and the promenade
From the lighthouse, the seafront promenade heads north and passes the Pérgola da Foz, a long colonnaded gallery that serves as an ocean viewpoint, then the Ouriço and Ingleses beaches. Cafés and fish restaurants line the route: this is the time for a break facing the sea. Sunset from the Pérgola is one of the neighbourhood's classics.
The beaches
North of the Pérgola, the Foz beaches follow one another: Carneiro, Ingleses, Gondarém and Homem do Leme. They are sandy, but the Atlantic stays cool even in summer. To find out where to swim and surf, see our page on the beaches of Porto and Matosinhos.
Where to eat in Foz
Foz is known for its fish and seafood restaurants, from simple grills to cod dishes; most places are on the promenade, facing the waves. The cafés at the Pérgola and on the seafront suit a break. For budgeting, see our guide to the budget in Porto: prices by the sea are often higher than in the centre, but portions are generous.
Planning your half-day
- Take tram 1 from the centre to Passeio Alegre.
- Walk round the garden, then on to the Fort of São João da Foz.
- Continue to the Felgueiras lighthouse and its pier.
- Walk back up the promenade to the Pérgola, then the beaches.
- Have lunch or dinner of fish facing the sea, and stay for the sunset.
If you have more time, extend the walk with the Porto City Park, which reaches the ocean a few kilometres further north, or the Casa da Música.
When to come
The neighbourhood can be visited all year. From June to September swimming is possible, but the north wind and cool water call for some adjustment. In the evening the light on the ocean is at its best. Our guide to the best time to visit Porto gives the seasons month by month.
Practical tips
- Dress in layers: the wind off the ocean quickly cools the seafront.
- In rough seas, keep away from the edge of the pier.
- For rainy days, Foz is less appealing: prefer the museums, see our guide what to do in Porto when it rains.
Going further
Combine Foz with a longer stay: our Porto in one day plan and the Porto in 3 days guide leave room for half a day by the ocean. Also read: the Serralves Foundation; the Romantic Museum at Quinta da Macieirinha; the gardens of the Palácio de Cristal.
