Be it for a day at the beach, for a grilled fish dinner or just for a night or day tour, line 500 bus operated by STCP is one of the most scenic public transport routes in Porto. It runs from Porto city centre near Avenida dos Aliados, crossing the historical center next to Palácio da Bolsa and Igreja de São Francisco (Saint Francis Church) and continuing along the river towards Matosinhos market.
Tickets
From start to finish you will cross three zones and, therefore, need an Andante Z3 ticket (Z3 – one way 1,45€). You can also buy a single trip ticket directly to the driver (one way 1,85€).
Duration
On way trip lasts about 40 minutes.
Sights
As it reaches Ribeira, line 500 traverses Porto historical center stopping at São Bento Station, Palácio da Bolsa and Saint Francis Church. The next stop is Transport and Communication Museum (stop Alfândega) located further down on the river front followed by a stop just in front of Port Wine Museum’s (stop Museu Vinho Porto) and another in front of Porto’s Tram Museum (stop Museu do Carro Electrico).
About ten stops further (stop Castelo da Foz) you reach the beginning of Foz do Douro parish which is Porto’s Atlantic coast and home for quality beaches and trendy cafes and restaurants. In 2013, three of the Foz do Douro beaches were awarded the Blue Flag certification (Foz, Gondarém and Homem do Leme). Any of the next ten stops will leave close to beaches, cafes and restaurants.
A bit further you will encounter Sea Life Center (stop: Castelo do Queijo) located at the southwestern edge of Parque da Cidade (stop: Edif. Transparente), Portugal’s largest urban park and venue for summer festivals such as Optimus Primavera Sound. Matosinhos beach (stop: Pr. Cid. Salvador), popular among surfers and bodyboarders is Parque da Cidade’s west border connecting it to the Atlantic. The road section between Parque da Cidade southwestern and northwestern edges crossed by line 500 is part of Porto’s Circuito da Boavista urban motor race track taking place every other year around Parque da Cidade.
Matosinhos has a long fishing tradition and so along Avenida Serpa Pinto and surrounding streets (stop Lota) you will find big and small restaurants specialized in grilled fish and sea food. If you like to prepare and cook your own fish, line 500’s last stop is Matosinhos Mercado, the market, where you can buy the catch of the day. Go in the morning if you want to choose the best fish.
Line 500 passes and stops next to: