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Palacio da Bolsa, Porto

4.3
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Must see · Civic Center · Architectural Building
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Tour Palacio da Bolsa, a 19th-century stock-market palace, and walk through the lavish rooms of the assembly and tribunal. Built by the Commercial Association in 1850, the building was improved upon and decorated until 1910. See the courtyard room, filled with arched doorways and covered by a large octagonal metallic and glass dome. You can explore quaint chambers that host allegorical paintings, rustic furniture, sculptures, and antique objects. Visit the most lavish room at the site, the Moorish Revival-styled reception hall, which once welcomed important personalities and leaders. Use our Porto tour planner to visit Palacio da Bolsa on your trip to Porto, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby.
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Palacio da Bolsa reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
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Google
4.4
TripAdvisor
  • The Arabian-style room at the end of the tour was impressive, but it was the only impressive section. The art and ornamentation elsewhere in the building was flat and uninspired. The portraits on... 
    The Arabian-style room at the end of the tour was impressive, but it was the only impressive section. The art and ornamentation elsewhere in the building was flat and uninspired. The portraits on...  more »
  • This is a must see in Porto. The tour makes all the difference. It is a mix of the local history, politic, artistry etc. you get an appreciation for the attention to detail the master artisans... 
    This is a must see in Porto. The tour makes all the difference. It is a mix of the local history, politic, artistry etc. you get an appreciation for the attention to detail the master artisans...  more »
Google
  • The Bolsa Palace is set right in Porto downtown. It was built in 19c by the Porto Commerce Chamber with the idea to impress foreign traders and investors, as for centuries Porto was a huge and important trade hub. I was hesitating if to visit this palace, but having missed it 9 years ago when I was here I decided to go. Luckily, waiting time for the next tour was only around 15 min and they had available tickets for English tour (you cannot visit without the tour). Considering the palace, there are 3 impressive places: 1. the main hall with State coats of arms of the states Porto dealt business with, 2. the hall after the stairway which is beautifully hand carved in granite and 3. the last golden Arabic room which is really stunning. All other rooms are very average - you see much better in palaces throughout Europe. However, the biggest drawback was a tour guide herself - a young lady trying to be interesting, but speaking so loud and with such a heavy accent. I was struggling to understand her with that accent, and at the same time her loud voice echoed in those big spaces, so around the half I got tired from that. To conclude, go for the tour if you haven't seen many palace like edifices and if there isn't a long waiting time for your language tour.
  • Bolsa Palace, which houses the Porto Chamber of Commerce, is an interesting place to visit with lots of history and beautiful rooms to enjoy, especially the main hall and the Arabic room. You have to join a guided tour to explore the building which is annoying but understandable as it's a working building, but you do get a good level of insight from the guides into the many stories of the historic building. No access to toilets until after your tour though. Would recommend visiting, but best to book ahead.

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