The imposing Avenida dos Aliados is the heart of the city, a sloping boulevard lined with grand buildings and a central promenade.
Most of the buildings are hotels or main branches of the country's major banks, while the central promenade used to be a garden but was remodelled in 2006 by renowned architect Alvaro Siza Vieira who also designed the city's Serralves Museum.
At the top of the avenue stands the Town Hall, a palatial building with a tall bell tower (70m high).
Made of granite and marble, its design was influenced by municipal architecture of Flanders and France.
In front of the building is a modernist statue of Portuguese writer Almeida Garrett.
At the other end of the avenue is Praça da Liberdade, a square adorned with a statue of King Pedro IV on a horse.
There are also several cafes, including the historical Guarany. Sit at one of the tables on the pavement outside to watch the world go by, and pass by the city's main tourism office by the Town Hall.
Photos: Celso Gonçalves
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