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Casa da Música was conceived to mark 2001, the year in which Porto was Cultural Capital of Europe, and it is the first new building in Portugal to be entirely dedicated to music - to the presentation and public enjoyment of music, to music education and to the creation of music. The project took shape in 1999 after the Rem Koolhaas & Ellen van Loon - Office for Metropolitan Architecture won the international architectural competition. Work began in 1999 on the site of Porto's former central tram garage on the Rotunda da Boavista, and Casa da Música opened its doors to the public on April 15th , 2005. Casa da Música was planned as a home for all types of music and it is not only part of the urban redevelopment of Porto but also part of a network of cultural facilities, for the city of Porto and for the wider world. Underlying it is an innovative and wide-ranging cultural project, which aims to make an exciting contribution to the national and international music scene, as an arena for all types of musical events - from classical music to jazz, from fado to electronic music, from great international productions to more experimental projects. Besides concerts, recitals and other types of performance, Casa da Música also organises events for musicians and musicologists and invests in research into the origins of Portuguese music. In addition, it plays a very important role in music education. It is a cultural meeting point between music and other areas of artistic creation and knowledge, providing a space for all kinds of audiences and creators.

Livraria Lello has been a bookstore of its time since 1906. It carries over a century of history and stories, inscribed in the architectural space that defines it and in the bookseller’s knowledge that shapes the experience of both visitors and readers. Since its foundation, it has established itself as a temple of the arts and sciences, leaving the world in awe of its grandeur. Designed by Francisco Xavier Esteves, it combines Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau elements, marked by the iconic staircase, a stained-glass window with 55 panels, and bas-reliefs immortalizing great names of Portuguese literature. At Livraria Lello, the Book is at the center of everything. It preserves rarities and perpetuates memories in the Gemma Room. It publishes classics, translates Portuguese literature, curates editions, and restores literary heritage. More than just a bookstore, Livraria Lello is a living manifesto of the essential role of literature and continues to grow, driven by the desire to explore how far a book can take its reader.

"... it is in the country's second city that we find the most stunning of all cafés in the nation and one of the most attractive in the world. From its faade to its interior, Café Majestic remains a beautiful setting for cultural events, making it more than just a tourist attraction. In Top 10 Most BEAUTIFUL CAFES in the World, ucityguides.com