Avenida dos Aliados and Porto City Hall: the city's grand living room

Updated on October 18, 2026

The Avenida dos Aliados is Porto's great ceremonial avenue, a wide promenade lined with early 20th-century buildings that climbs from Praça da Liberdade up to the city hall (Câmara Municipal). You can walk it in half an hour, free of charge and at any time, but it is worth it above all for its atmosphere, its cafés and the city's big communal occasions. It takes its name from the Allies of the First World War. The city hall at the top was built in the 20th century to plans by the architect António Correia da Silva; its tower, about 70 m high, can be seen from afar and punctuates the avenue's perspective.

Highlights

The avenue

A long perspective of stone and ironwork buildings, with fountains and statues, running down to Praça da Liberdade. Walk it from bottom to top to keep the city hall in your sights.

The city hall

A monumental building with neoclassical lines, crowned by a clock tower. Municipal ceremonies and celebrations take place on the square in front of it.

Praça da Liberdade and the statue of Pedro IV

At the bottom of the avenue, the equestrian statue of King Pedro IV marks the entrance to the historic centre, a few steps from São Bento station. Several historic cafés are also found here.

The city's gatherings

Every year the avenue hosts an open-air New Year's Eve, with a stage and fireworks, and the celebrations of FC Porto's victories. See also Christmas and New Year in Porto.

Practical info

Tips

On weekdays, café terraces in the shade of the buildings are good observation posts. The avenue is a thoroughfare: do not expect a place to visit, but a starting point. It links São Bento station and the Clérigos Tower in under ten minutes. Information gathered in October 2026.

How to get there

Avenida dos Aliados, 4000-064 Porto, in the city centre. Aliados metro station is at the very foot of the avenue, and São Bento station is 5 minutes on foot.