Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Maia, Portugal

To the north of Porto’s Metropolitan Area, Maia is a thriving industrial city, conveniently located near the airport and home to several leading companies. While it may not be the most conventional tourist destination, it offers enough attractions to justify a visit, especially for families. Zoo da Maia stands out as the premier zoo in the Porto region, and the coastal area is just a short drive away, featuring expansive Atlantic beaches.

In terms of heritage, visitors can explore a number of medieval and Baroque churches, as well as elegant estates from the 18th century. Moreover, the city of Porto is in close proximity, boasting grand boulevards and intricate old town districts that invite exploration, in addition to a wealth of museums and monuments.

Let us delve into the notable attractions in Maia:

1. Zoo da Maia

Classes of young visitors often express great enthusiasm for Maia’s zoo, which serves as a primary draw for day-trippers.

The zoo houses a diverse range of mammals, including tigers, brown bears, zebras, capybaras, and wallabies, but it is particularly renowned for its collection of cold-blooded creatures: It hosts a greater variety of reptiles than any other attraction in the country.

Patrons can observe various species of turtles, tortoises, iguanas, geckos, and snakes.

Additionally, a notable sea lion captivates audiences with its feeding show, held three times daily.

The zoo also features a birds of prey presentation, showcasing barn owls and Eurasian eagle-owls.

2. Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Bom Despacho

This charming Baroque church, dating back to 1742, is visually striking both inside and externally.

On sunny days, the façade adorned with blue and white tiles creates a stunning contrast against the bright sky.

The intricate tilework encompasses nearly every surface, including the three-story bell tower, complemented by stone pilasters, scrollwork, and two prominent blue-painted doors.

The interior showcases exquisite mid-18th-century gilded woodcarving that enhances the altar, which is crowned by a magnificent Maltese Cross.

3. Fórum da Maia

For cultural events in Maia, the Fórum is the designated venue, having opened its doors in 1991. The facility features four auditoriums, including an outdoor one, alongside five distinct galleries, a cafe, and a bar.

With a dynamic programming schedule, the Fórum hosts a variety of performances, including touring rock and pop groups, folk musicians, theatrical productions, and dance. Additionally, annual festivals celebrate diverse forms of art such as puppetry and comic theatre.

An annual highlight is the World Press Photo exhibition, held each November and December.

4. Mosteiro de Leça do Balio

From a distance, this medieval monastic church could easily be mistaken for a fortress.

Its square, crenellated tower features pointed merlons and arrow loops, with only a few slender openings in its walls.

This resilient structure dates back to the 14th century, a period marked by Castilian incursions against Lisbon and Porto.

The architecture is predominantly Gothic, with bare stone interiors devoid of the Baroque embellishments found in other local churches.

One of the church’s most noteworthy decorations was crafted by 16th-century Manueline artist Diogo Pires, who created the gisant tomb of Frei João Coelho and the baptismal font.

5. Quinta dos Cónegos

In Maia, one can discover one of the finest estates in the Porto region.

The Quinta dos Cónegos, established in the 1700s, is enveloped in gardens that are worth a visit themselves.

The standout feature of the estate is the double-tiered arcade, which boasts an elegant loggia on the upper level, bordered by a granite balustrade.

Inside, a chapel resplendent with goldwork contrasts with living spaces adorned with paintings, sculptures, and fine furniture.

Visitors to the gardens can also discover a ceremonial pathway leading to fountains, one of which is adorned with a dragon sculpture.

6. Museu de História e Etnologia da Terra da Maia

Located in the Vila do Castelo da Maia, this history and ethnology museum occupies an 18th-century mansion that served as the local government seat until 1902. It offers insight into Maia’s pastoral past, when the area focused on cereal and livestock farming until the 20th century.

The museum features exhibits on traditional irrigation technology and tools from various local professions.

Among the historical displays are ancient ceramics as well as a remarkable prehistoric megalith engraved with enigmatic patterns.

7. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Ó

This Romanesque church, constructed in the 1120s during a time when much of Portugal remained under Moorish rule, was initially part of a monastery for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Astute visitors may notice various architectural elements dating back to the church’s inception, including the rounded chapels in the apse and the intricately carved capitals in the nave depicting animals and foliage.

Above the side portal, a Templar cross is carved, and the churchyard contains five stone sarcophagi, one of which is also adorned with the Templar insignia.

8. Torre do Lidador

Maia is easily identified by the elliptical silhouette of this modern skyscraper, completed in 2001 and recognized as Portugal’s tallest building outside of Lisbon.

This landmark acts as a prominent point of reference during visits to the city; guided tours are available on specific weekdays—consult Maia’s tourist office for further information regarding opening hours.

Atop this 92-meter tower, visitors can enjoy an indoor viewpoint offering 360° panoramas of Maia, extending to Porto in the south.

9. Estátua do Lidador

Although a minor attraction, it is nonetheless insightful; this statue, created by Lima do Carvalho and unveiled in 1984, represents Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, the city’s most notable historical figure.

Born in 1079, prior to the establishment of Portugal as a nation, he gained recognition during his lifetime as his country achieved independence and served as a knight under its first king, Afonso Henriques.

Gonçalo earned his “Lidador” title posthumously, having reportedly commanded an assault against the Moors in Beja at the age of 90.

10. Pharmacy Museum

Just a couple of minutes from Maia in the industrial area lies a fascinating museum that remains relatively unknown among visitors to Porto.

This museum traces the evolution of human efforts to combat disease and alleviate suffering across several millennia and various civilizations.

Exhibits include instruments and containers from China, Japan, Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome, as well as artifacts from pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas.

Among the highlights are reconstructed pharmacies, featuring original earthenware pots and wooden shelving; one such pharmacy was relocated from a 19th-century Ottoman Palace in Damascus, while another is the Estácio Pharmacy, carefully transported from its original location on Rua Sá da Bandeira.

11. Parque de Avioso

Spanning over 30 hectares along the lush banks of a tributary of the Leça River, this park is the ideal location for jogging or leisurely walks.

The park features winding paths that traverse groves of eucalyptus, oak, pine, and cork oak trees, totaling more than 4.5 kilometers in length.

Additionally, an observation tower provides a vantage point for contemplating the landscape, accompanied by playgrounds for children, picnic areas, a café with a terrace, and a large pond.

12. Beaches

Situated between Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport and the Atlantic Ocean, Maia’s industrial zone borders beautiful beaches.

These beaches, which are expansive and pristine, maintain their allure despite the industrial backdrop, with chimneys peeking over the horizon.

For a more scenic spot to bask in the sun, one may venture north along the coast to Praia da Memória, Praia do Marreco, Praia da Quebrada, or Praia do Agudela.

Each of these beaches features soft golden sands, dunes, and the invigorating surf of the Atlantic crashing against the shoreline.

13. Casa da Música

Only a 20-minute journey on Metro Line C leads to Porto’s celebrated concert hall, designed by Rem Koolhaas.

The architecture has drawn comparisons to Gehry’s Guggenheim in Bilbao, and it has become an iconic landmark allowing for guided tours available twice daily, seven days a week.

Inside, visitors can marvel at various features, including two massive glass walls (making Casa da Música the sole concert hall globally with such design) and a VIP Hall, adorned with traditional Portuguese azulejos.

14. Casa da Prelada

A charming estate with captivating gardens, Casa da Prelada, designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, invites exploration.

Active in the Porto region during the 18th century, Nasoni also contributed to the design of Quinta dos Cónegos in Maia.

The highlight here is undoubtedly the garden, featuring an impressive boxwood labyrinth, fountains, and towering, ancient trees dating back to the 19th century.

The interiors, which underwent restoration in the 20th century, are minimally adorned and often utilized as an exhibition space.

15. Porto

Located just 25 minutes away by Metro, the city of Porto offers a wealth of experiences for a day trip from Maia.

In reality, there is much more to explore than can fit into a single day or even a weekend.

The city is adorned with exquisite Baroque churches, including the iconic Torre dos Clérigos, which were lavishly decorated during Porto’s wealthiest era.

The Ribeira district, Porto’s lively riverside area, features a bustling square where locals congregate for special festivities such as São João.

One should also allocate time to visit the charming coastal neighborhood of Foz, the elegant 18th-century architecture surrounding Praça da Liberdade, the port lodges lining the south bank of the Douro River, and the city’s iconic bridges designed by the Eiffel Company.