Close to the Hard Club (formerly known as the Ferreira Borges Market), a fine example of 19th century iron architecture, it is possible to visit the gothic Church of São Francisco, the Palácio da Bolsa (“Stock Exchange Palace”) and get lost in the narrow alleys… or head the Clérigos Tower (if you have time, go up the 240 steps!), but not without visiting the São Bento Train Station and its 20,000 hand-painted tiles; exploring the Portuguese Photography Center (in the neoclassical Cadeia da Relação do Porto, which served as a prison in the 18th century); admiring the breathtaking Avenida dos Aliados; going up to the Cathedral; seeing the São João National Theater; enjoying the busy pedestrian street of Santa Catarina; or simply playing a game of cards with the old men in the Batalha Square. If you feel like exploring other areas, you can take the metro and see the Rem Koolhaas’ Casa da Música venue, walk to Siza Viera’s Serralves Museum and gardens, visit the Soares dos Reis Museum or the idyllic, romantic garden of Palácio de Cristal, or the art galleries in Miguel Bombarda Street, or enjoy the snacks, the drinks, the record stores… so much to explore, so much to live.

And, tours aside, you can enjoy the certainty that those who visit Invicta (“Undefeated”), as we call Porto, are always welcomed with open arms and a smile. Yes, Porto is a unique city and only here does AMPLIFEST make sense.