Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Ermesinde, Portugal

In the northeast of the Porto Metropolitan Area, Ermesinde offers efficient transport connections to the city via train or Metro.

The Caide Marco, Braga, and Guimarães commuter lines all serve Ermesinde’s station, transporting visitors to the center of Porto in under 20 minutes.

If you wish to explore the surrounding areas, you will find a variety of attractions, from historic churches and repurposed factories to industrial museums, a zoo, adventure parks, and other family-friendly outings that are certain to appeal to children.

When traversing Porto from this vantage point, you are likely to encounter sights that many tourists might overlook, nestled within serene residential neighborhoods.

Let us examine the best activities in Ermesinde:

1. Porto

There exists a diverse selection of activities around Ermesinde; however, the highlight will consistently be the city of Porto.

It takes only 15 minutes on the commuter trains to reach the heart of this remarkable city.

Thus, at a moment’s notice you can be strolling through the elegant 18th-century squares and avenues (Praça da Liberdade), admiring landmarks such as the iconic Torre dos Clérigos and the Cathedral.

As you make your way to the banks of the Douro River, you will discover churches adorned with ornate gilded woodwork.

Examples include Igreja dos Grillos, while the Palácio da Bolsa serves as an impressive 19th-century tribute to multiple architectural styles.

By the riverside, you can absorb the vibrant atmosphere of the Ribeira district and gaze across at the prominent port lodges positioned along the steep south bank.

2. Igreja do Sagrado Coração de Jesus

This contemporary church was constructed between 1957 and 1966 and is one of the most esteemed pilgrimage sites in the area.

This is attributed to its preservation of the seemingly incorrupt body of Sister Mary of the Divine Heart.

She was a German nun, who is now beatified, having successfully sought Pope Leo XIII’s approval in 1898 to consecrate the entire world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Her remains are displayed as a tomb reliquary in a glass case for those interested.

3. Fórum Cultural de Ermesinde

Arguably the most notable landmark in Ermesinde, this cultural center has been repurposed from a historical factory.

The “Fabrica da Telha” commenced operations in 1910, producing bricks and Marselha-style tiles.

By the 1990s, the facility had become neglected, but it was skillfully revamped into a modern venue for exhibitions and events.

The auditorium accommodates over 300 guests, set in a landscaped park featuring an outdoor arena beside a lake.

During a casual visit, the highlight is likely the Forno da Cerâmica, the factory’s kilns transformed into an art gallery.

4. Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Ó

Located a short five-minute distance away in Águas Santas lies a church that predates Portugal as a nation, having been constructed in the early 1100s.

Founded by the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, astute observers can identify numerous elements tracing back to its origin.

The twin nave features Romanesque capitals decorated with foliage and bestial motifs.

Additionally, the main portal showcases four layers of archivolts, retaining their twelfth-century carvings.

The churchyard boasts five medieval sarcophagi, one notably inscribed with a coat of arms and circular cross.

5. Mosteiro de Leça do Balio

Reconstructed in the 14th century by the Knights Hospitallers, this monastery has origins tracing back to Roman times.

It stands as a robust example of fortified ecclesiastical architecture, featuring buttresses, merlons atop each wall, and a rugged square granite tower equipped with turrets and arrow loops.

If you appreciate medieval architecture, you might find intrigue in discerning which components exhibit Romanesque or Gothic characteristics.

Look for the 16th-century Manueline carvings crafted by the sculptor Diogo Pires, o Moço, on the baptismal font and the tomb of Frei João Coelho.

6. Estádio do Dragão

Located just ten minutes down the A4 is the home stadium of one of Portugal’s “Big Three” football clubs.

FC Porto ranks as the second most successful team in Portuguese history, showcasing their talents at the 50,000-seat Estádio do Dragão, which was built for Euro 2004. It is advisable to visit during the week for an enriching tour that includes access to the museum.

This impressive arena allows you to view the club’s extensive collection of silverware and learn about some of the legendary figures from earlier eras, including European Cup winners João Pinto and Deco.

Matches rarely reach full capacity during the regular season, presenting an opportunity for an impromptu evening outing between August and May.

7. Museu da Lousa

Heavy industry was prominent on the east side of Porto until the mid-20th century.

A former coal mine and museum located in São Pedro da Cova highlights this historical context.

In Valonga, slate mining was a primary trade, with the local museum providing insights into the lives of miners and their families.

The site features four historical houses, each constructed with dry stone slate walls.

The most intriguing building contains the former living quarters for miners, showcasing kitchen and sleeping areas, complemented by a workshop where miners’ families would craft slate pencils to supplement their limited incomes.

8. Casa-Museu Abel Salazar

One of Portugal’s most distinguished cultural figures of the 20th century spent the final three decades of his life in a nearby residence.

The multifaceted Abel Salazar was recognized as a biomedical scientist before expanding his talents into literature and Neo-Realist artistry.

Open to the public since 1975, his home-turned-museum houses artifacts from each of his professional pursuits.

His artworks, including illustrations, oil paintings, sculptures, and drawings, adorn the walls.

On the first floor, you can explore his living space, preserved as it was in 1946. The upper floor contains his research tools and documents, just as they were six decades ago.

9. Capela de Nossa Senhora da Guadalupe

This charming Baroque chapel, located at the edge of a forest a few kilometers away in São Mamede, was founded in the 17th century at the site of a Marian apparition, later undergoing elaborate renovations in the 18th century.

During this period, the dome’s frescos were painted, depicting the Virgin Mary and various scenes from the Passion.

Among its features is an elegant old organ, added in 1740, along with a bell tower dating back to 1747.

10. Zoo da Maia

Merely ten minutes away, provided you can navigate the traffic, Maia’s zoo is perfect for families with children.

It boasts the largest reptile habitat in Portugal, featuring caimans, a variety of snakes, iguanas, different kinds of geckos, and numerous species of turtles and tortoises.

These reptiles are part of the zoo’s 600 inhabitants from 200 species.

Children can also safely observe venomous spiders, scorpions, and piranhas at close range.

Be sure to check the schedule for bird demonstrations featuring eagle owls, barn owls, African grey parrots, and a show with a sea lion.

11. Prado do Repouso

This lovely cemetery on Porto’s eastern fringe is devoid of any macabre atmosphere.

A quick trip on Line C of the Porto Metro (Green Line) or the commuter train to Estação Campanhã can bring you here.

Opened in 1839, it served as Porto’s first public cemetery, with plots designated for some of the city’s most affluent families.

Among the camellias, magnolias, and cypress trees are statues, mausoleums, sepulchers, and graves of significant artistic merit.

One of the artists commissioned for these works was António Soares dos Reis, a 19th-century sculptor and namesake of Porto’s esteemed art museum.

12. Local Attractions for Kids

Regardless of whether your companions are toddlers or pre-teens, there are plenty of attractions in Ermesinde to engage younger family members.

For the littlest children, you can visit Funny City, an indoor soft play area housed in a renovated warehouse.

Ermesinde is also home to its own mini-golf center, featuring 18 entertaining and challenging holes set in well-maintained gardens.

Less than a kilometer away in Lipor is Parque Aventura, an expansive adventure playground equipped with rope courses, slides, numerous climbing structures, and a small mini-golf course.

13. Festa de São João do Porto

This brief yet delightful celebration takes place in Porto on the evening of June 23 (St John’s Eve). To fully experience it, head to Praça da Ribeira by the river for dancing and a fireworks display at midnight.

Throughout the night, the sounds of squeaks fill the air as revelers playfully use soft plastic hammers on one another.

This tradition was originally performed using garlic flowers, and you can still observe many older individuals upholding this custom.

Grilled sardines served on massive smoking barbecues are the classic dish during the festivities.

14. MagicValongo

The Fórum Cultural de Ermesinde serves as the venue for this annual event, held over a weekend at the end of September.

MagicValongo, which has been organized since 1992, annually invites approximately 200 Portuguese and international illusionists to showcase their talents.

The event is highly regarded within the magic community and has garnered recognition from the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM). If you are in the area during this period, you can witness magic competitions, galas featuring special guests, conferences, and spontaneous street performances in Valongo and Ermesinde.

15. Matosinhos

On scorching summer days, the Atlantic Ocean might beckon.

For refreshing waters and cool breezes, a 15-minute drive to the City of Matosinhos is recommended.

This area boasts a vast, open beach that provides the perfect waves for surfing and has received the Blue Flag designation for its facilities and cleanliness.

This coastal appeal is significant, but the real attraction for many Porto residents is the seafood.

Matosinhos is renowned for having the finest fish and seafood restaurants in the region, making it the ideal destination for those seeking grilled sardines, lobster, shrimp, crab, seafood rice, stews, or the many traditional Portuguese cod dishes.