Capa na Baixa
The Douro river and the Dom Luís I bridge from a drone, with Porto's Ribeira and Gaia

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Praça de Dom João I · Porto

Porto is Capa na Baixa

Eat in the middle of the city and see it at the same time. On the screens of our restaurant, Porto plays on a loop, from the drone and from street level. This is the written guide to what you see: what each place is and how to get there.

3
TVs in the dining room, showing Porto on a loop
3 h
of film edited by Capa na Baixa
7
Porto places explained on this page
1996
year the historic centre became a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Capa na Baixa TV channel

On the three televisions in the restaurant, a film of about three hours plays continuously. We put it together ourselves: first photos and videos of the Baixa, then Porto's most beautiful places seen from above and from the street, with the Capa na Baixa logo.

It is made to be looked at while you eat. If an image catches your eye, ask us and we will tell you what it is. On this page you will find the story behind each place.

Thumbnail of the video Porto Tour 1, Historic Centre, by the 360portugal channel

To see Porto's historic centre on video: Porto Tour 1 | Centro Histórico | Portugal (on YouTube, channel 360portugal).

What you see on the screens

Seven places from our channel, with a short explanation of each and the way from the restaurant.

Aerial view of Porto's Ribeira, with Largo do Terreiro, Cais da Estiva, Praça da Ribeira and Cais da Ribeira
The Ribeira from above: Largo do Terreiro, Cais da Estiva, Praça da Ribeira and Cais da Ribeira.
River and quays

Ribeira and Cais da Ribeira

The Ribeira is the riverfront of Porto's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It is where the Douro and the city meet: colourful houses, quays and terraces. For Porto 2001, European Capital of Culture, the area was redeveloped between the Dom Luís I bridge and the Cais da Estiva.

See the walking route from Capa na Baixa →
House of history

Casa do Infante

At Rua da Alfândega 10, the Casa do Infante was the Alfândega Velha, Porto's royal customs house. Tradition says Prince Henry the Navigator was born here in 1394, but the exact place of his birth is not proven. Today it is a municipal space, with the Historical Archive and exhibitions on the history of the city.

See the walking route from Capa na Baixa →
Medieval streets

Rua da Bainharia and Rua dos Mercadores

Rua da Bainharia is one of the oldest streets in Porto, first mentioned in documents in 1296. The name comes from the bainheiros, the craftsmen who made sword scabbards. Right next to it, Rua dos Mercadores was for centuries one of the trading centres of the city.

See the walking route from Capa na Baixa →
Church

Church of São Lourenço (Grilos)

The Church of São Lourenço, which the people of Porto call the Igreja dos Grilos, was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century. Legend says the name comes from the crickets (grilos) that could be heard singing there. The former college now houses the Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology.

See the walking route from Capa na Baixa →
Cathedral

Porto Cathedral (Sé)

Work on the Sé began in the 12th century, on the initiative of Bishop D. Hugo, and it still looks Romanesque: the two towers, the rose window and the church with three naves. The Gothic cloister dates from the 14th century and the side loggia, by Nicolau Nasoni, from the 18th.

See the walking route from Capa na Baixa →
Architecture

Casa da Música

Designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA after an international competition in 1999, the Casa da Música opened in April 2005. It stands near the Rotunda da Boavista. It is outside the Baixa.

See how to get there from Capa na Baixa →
Art and gardens

Serralves Foundation

The Serralves Foundation was created in 1989. It brings together the Casa de Serralves, an Art Deco landmark, the Museum of Contemporary Art, designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira and opened in 1999, and a park of about 18 hectares. It is outside the Baixa.

See how to get there from Capa na Baixa →
Porto church interior with baroque gilded woodwork
Gilded woodwork in a church in the historic centre, one of the images on our screens.

A walking route around the Ribeira

It is the yellow line you see on our channel. A suggestion, in this order:

  1. Casa do Infante
  2. Cais and Praça da Ribeira
  3. Rua dos Mercadores
  4. Rua da Bainharia
  5. Church of São Lourenço

Why Porto is Capa na Baixa

Capa na Baixa is in Praça de Dom João I, in the middle of a city best seen on foot. We serve francesinha, charcoal-grilled meats and traditional Portuguese cooking in a room with granite walls, and we want everyone who sits down to leave knowing the city a little better.

For people from Porto, it is a way of seeing home with fresh eyes. For visitors, it is a free introduction to the city before the first walk.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Capa na Baixa TV channel?

It is a film of about three hours, put together by Capa na Baixa, that plays continuously on the three televisions in the restaurant. It shows the Baixa first and then the most beautiful places in Porto, from the drone and from street level.

Can I watch the images of Porto while I eat?

Yes. The images play on the restaurant televisions during service. If you want to know what you are watching, ask the team or read this page.

What can I visit on foot from Capa na Baixa?

In the Baixa and the Ribeira: the Casa do Infante, the Cais and Praça da Ribeira, Rua dos Mercadores, Rua da Bainharia, the Church of São Lourenço and Porto Cathedral.

What kind of food does Capa na Baixa serve?

Francesinha, charcoal-grilled meats and traditional Portuguese cooking, with dishes of the day. The menu and prices are at capanabaixa.pt/menu-baixa/.

How do I book a table?

You can book online in seconds, free of charge, with the button on this page.

Sources for the historical facts

The historical facts come from the sources below. Where the sources disagree, we give the tradition or leave the date out.