Massarelos, Residential district with university buildings near Douro River in Porto, Portugal
Massarelos is a residential neighborhood in Porto that stretches from the city center down to the Douro River with narrow streets and university facilities scattered throughout. The area forms part of the city's World Heritage downtown and connects the upper districts to the waterfront.
The district developed over centuries as a residential area connected to the river port and grew as Porto expanded. In 2013 it merged with Lordelo do Ouro to form a new administrative parish.
The Tram Museum here showcases Porto's public transportation story through restored electric trams and related objects. Walking through the collection, you see how the city moved people around for more than a century.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot, and visitors should wear comfortable shoes since streets slope steeply toward the river. The area is well connected by public transport and moving through it requires time to navigate the winding lanes.
The district is home to the city's main Custom House and fish market where vendors still sell fresh catch daily. These places show how maritime trade remains woven into the everyday life of the neighborhood.
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