Casa Formosa

This is the original description by the host

Casa Formosa is a new and beautiful "Open Space" apartment located on Formosa Street in downtown Porto, close to shopping area "Rua Santa Catarina."

This mostly-pedestrianised shopping street is a magnet for both locals and tourists. Most come simply for a stroll, to shop, or to seek refreshment at the wonderful Café Majestic.

2 minutes walk from the Metro station Bolhão ", the historic cafe" Majestic ", Oporto Coliseum, Bolhão Market, shops, pharmacies, grocery stores, cafes, restaurants, shopping center Via Catarina, and many other services.

Located about 1000 meters from the historic area of Riverside – RIBEIRA and 500m from the central Avenue "Avenida dos Aliados"

Rua de Santa Catarina is the most commercial artery of downtown Porto, most of it is now forbidden to traffic and reserved for pedestrians only.

Whoever enters the Rua de Santa Catarina coming from Batalha Square, Art Nouveau facade is two belonging to the right, the Bookstore and Latin, the left, the former Kings Jewellers & Sons, genuine institutions of Porto.

Further ahead, at the intersection with Rua de Passos Manuel, is the majestic galleries Palladium. Project architect Marques da Silva, built in 1914 for Warehouses Nascimento, today houses several commercial establishments like Fnac and C & A.

Founded in 1921, and once the meeting place of the cream of the intelligentsia Oporto, Coimbra including Leonardo and his pupils, Cafe Majestic is now recognized as "public interest", being one of the main tourist street. Located very close to another historic property, the Tea Lounge Império. Much more recent is the commercial center Via Catarina, retaining the facade of the former headquarters of the newspaper O Primeiro de Janeiro Porto
Market “Bolhão” , this noisy and exuberant market is a sight not to be missed.
It's found in a two-tier covered building and sells everything from fresh fruit to household goods.
Especially entertaining is listening to the flamboyant fishwives hawking the latest catch in true Oporto spirit, an image that has made this market famous all over Portugal.
The imposing “Avenida dos Aliados” is the heart of the city, a sloping boulevard lined with grand buildings and a central promenade.
At the top of the avenue stands the Town Hall, a palatial building with a tall bell tower (70m high). Made of granite and marble, its design was influenced by municipal architecture of Flanders and France.
In front of the building is a modernist statue of Portuguese writer Almeida Garrett.
There are also several cafes, including the historical Guarany. Sit at one of the tables on the pavement outside to watch the world go by, and pass by the city's main tourism office by the Town Hall.