How can I use the restroom at McDonald's in Porto?

The restroom is located on the first basement floor of the store and requires a password to enter. You can find the password at the bottom of the receipt printed after ordering from the menu.

How much is the entrance fee for Santo Alfonso Church?

The entrance fee for the interior of Santo Alfonso Church is 1 EUR. The exterior of the church is decorated with beautiful azulejos, so you can enjoy a wonderful view even from the outside.

What kind of view can I see from the square opposite Porto Cathedral?

Behind the tower in the square, you can look down on the panoramic view of downtown Porto around the Douro River. On a clear day, you can even make out the names of the various wineries clustered along the riverbank from a distance.

How much are the azulejo-shaped bracelets sold at the Christmas market in front of Santo Alfonso Church?

The souvenir bracelets shaped like Porto's azulejo tiles are 10 EUR for two. In addition to bracelets, the market sells various accessories and miscellaneous goods such as earrings, rings, hats, and wallets.

Porto's Best: Sé Cathedral, Santo Ildefonso, McDonald's

Porto's city center is wonderfully compact, making it an absolute dream for exploring on foot. You can easily hop from one iconic spot to another without breaking a sweat, soaking in all the city's charm at your own pace.

Feel free to wander and let your curiosity guide you!

📍 McDonald's Imperial
Praça da Liberdade 126, 4000-322 Porto, Portugal

📍 Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)
Terreiro da Sé, 4050-573 Porto, Portugal

📍 Santo Ildefonso Church (Igreja de Santo Ildefonso)
Praça da Batalha s/n, 4000-101 Porto, Portugal

After an early start to beat the crowds at Livraria Lello, we were starving and on the hunt for a quick bite. Our destination? Porto's famously beautiful McDonald's!

McDonald's Imperial

The exterior of this McDonald's is truly eye-catching. Is that an eagle? It just exudes grandeur! While it's renowned for its stunning interior and exterior, from the outside, it mainly just felt incredibly grand.

There were plenty of outdoor tables, but since it was a chilly winter day, not many people were brave enough to sit outside.

Stepping inside, the high ceilings and unique decor immediately caught my attention. A McDonald's with chandeliers? Surprisingly, it works! It felt like a captivating blend of medieval grandeur and modern convenience.

We placed our order at the self-service kiosk using our travel card. It was incredibly handy throughout our trip across Portugal and Spain!

A quick tip: the restrooms at McDonald's are located on the basement level and require a password. You'll find it printed at the bottom of your receipt after ordering!

As we settled into our seats, we spotted a giant Christmas tree in the back, adorned with adorable french fry boxes! It was such a cute and clever nod to McDonald's, perfectly capturing the festive holiday spirit. Even the nearby mailbox was charming!

Since it was a late breakfast, we opted for a light McMuffin, saving our appetites for some delicious Portuguese cuisine later. It paired perfectly with a warm milk. While European prices can be a bit steep, Portugal generally offers a more affordable experience compared to other countries in the region.

Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)

With our bellies full, we checked Google Maps for our next destination and discovered the impressive Porto Cathedral. It was a comfortable walk away, and as we approached the entrance, we were greeted by a striking equestrian statue.

On the way into the Porto Cathedral, I couldn't resist snapping a photo of the beautiful Porto cityscape stretching out in the distance. The sea of charming orange rooftops was simply breathtaking!

Further inside, you're met with the full grandeur of the Porto Cathedral. Its unique architectural style is truly striking, especially the intricate snowflake-like design in the center. The intense sunlight that day made the colors shift depending on the angle, which was quite a challenge for photos! The photo on the right is closest to how it looked in person.

Across from the Porto Cathedral is a small square, featuring this intriguing tower. Naturally, I had to capture it!

Behind the tower, you can see parts of Porto's cityscape around the Douro River, including the area dense with wineries. On a clearer day, you can even make out the names of various wineries in the distance. It was even more stunning in person than what my camera could capture.

Santo Ildefonso Church (Igreja de Santo Ildefonso)

After our visit to the Porto Cathedral, we went looking for another spot to stroll around and stumbled upon the stunning Santo Ildefonso Church. Its exterior, adorned with beautiful azulejo tiles, is absolutely breathtaking. With the perfect weather, every photo turned out amazing! We chose not to go inside, though admission is typically ~$1.

When we arrived, it was just us and another couple, so we ended up taking photos for each other! They were a fun foreign couple, just like any other couple enjoying their travels. My husband even snapped a picture of me taking their photo (I take my photography pretty seriously!).

Right in front of Santo Ildefonso Church, we found a charming Christmas market in full swing. It was packed with adorable little shops, all clustered together. We noticed similar markets popping up all over the city.

They sold everything from earrings, rings, bracelets, and necklaces to hats, wallets, and a variety of other unique items. Eager to commemorate our first trip to Porto, I picked out a beautiful bracelet that caught my eye!

Since Porto is famous for its azulejos, I chose a bracelet with a similar tile design. It was the perfect souvenir to remember our trip! We snapped a commemorative photo with Santo Ildefonso Church in the background. These were our very first souvenirs from our European adventure, a great deal at 2 for ~$11.