Praça Carlos Alberto in Porto is a charming, small square that is part of the itinerary for our Vintage & Port Wine Food Tour, leading us to a masterclass on Port wine in a private beautiful room. This historic square, dedicated to an “Italian” king, has hidden gems that are easy to overlook but we are here to keep you on track!

The History Behind Praça Carlos Alberto in Porto

Praça Carlos Alberto Porto is named after King Carlos Alberto of Piemonte and Sardinia, who was exiled to Porto in 1849. We mentioned him in our Portuguese Love Stories blog post — check it out if you’d like to know more!

For a short time, he stayed in Palácio dos Viscondes de Balsemão, a grand white palace on the north side of the square. At the time, the palace operated as a Bed and Breakfast called Hospedaria de Bernardo Peixe.

Before this, the palace belonged to the Viscount of Balsemão. Later, in 1854, it was acquired by the Viscount of Trindade, who added his coat of arms featuring a unicorn. In 1907, the palace became city property and today houses a very interesting museum of Portuguese coins.

Hidden Treasures in Carlos Alberto Square in Porto

On the left of this building, you’ll find another unique museum: Banco de Materiais (Material Bank). This museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in Portuguese architecture and design, as it preserves decorative elements from Porto’s historic buildings. Inside, you’ll find:

• Porcelain statues;
• Painted roof tiles;
• Vintage shop advertisements;
• Old street signs;
• Floor tiles;
• A stunning collection of azulejos (Portuguese tiles).

On a side room, you can also find a section dedicated to ceiling plaster bas-reliefs, once a common feature in Porto’s historic buildings.

World War I Memorial: The Unknown Soldier

At the heart of Carlos Alberto square, you’ll find an impressive World War I Memorial, created by Henrique Moreira. Portugal fought on the winning side — that’s why the city’s central avenue is called Avenida dos Aliados (Allies Avenue) — but lost many men, mainly in the legendary Battle of La Lys. Many cities and villages throughout Portugal honor their fallen soldiers with similar statues.

Interestingly, this is the second version of the monument. The original statue, designed by José de Oliveira Ferreira, depicted a Gaul soldier wearing a skirt, a connection to Flanders, the area where the Portuguese fought. This was meant to honor Portuguese troops who fought there but locals found it amusing and mocked it so much in the square’s cafés that the city commissioned a new version, which stands here today.

Praça Carlos Alberto Porto and the Vintage & Port Wine Food Tour

If you’re visiting Praça Carlos Alberto Porto on a Saturday, you’re in for a treat! Saturdays in Porto are a must, and scattered throughout the city, you can find many street markets. Praça Carlos Alberto is no exception, and if the weather allows it, you’ll find Mercado Porto Belo, where you can:

• Hunt for vintage and antique treasures;
• Taste organic food and artisanal products;
• Discover handmade crafts and vinyl records;
• Sip on refreshing drinks like mojitos and caipirinhas;
• Enjoy live music from DJs and a relaxed seating area.

This market captures the bohemian and artistic spirit of Porto, making it a perfect stop on our Porto Food Tous.

Legendary Cafés and Stories at this Square

Some cafés serve coffee. Others serve history.

One of the most famous cafés in Praça Carlos Alberto used to be Luso Caffé, an iconic gathering place that played a key role in Portuguese history. This café was once the headquarters of General Humberto Delgado, known as O General Sem Medo (The Fearless General), during the first “free elections” of the dictatorship era in 1958.

But Luso was more than just politics. It was a meeting place for students, rebels, and free spirits. Legends say that, in its wildest days, people would ride motorcycles inside, while the National Guard charged in on horseback. There’s even a rumor that glasses were rarely washed — true or not, it’s all part of the square’s rich history.

Another legendary spot in Praça Carlos Alberto Porto is Lareira, a restaurant on the northeast corner of the square that is still open today.

When I was a student, we used to gather at Lareira. As freshmen, together with other fellow students, we would be assigned a number of tasks that we had to complete. Usually, within a three-hour time frame, we had to present our results to our “elders.” One of the tasks was to count the stars in the square. The masons had embedded an uncertain number of small stars into the cobblestones, which you could spot if you looked closely. Nobody knew the exact number, and we were never right—it was clearly an impossible task, but fun nonetheless. In 2001, with the square’s renovation, the stars disappeared.

Praça Carlos Alberto Porto: A Must-Visit Destination

Whether you’re exploring Porto’s historic squares, hunting for vintage finds, or joining our Vintage & Port Wine Food Tour, Praça Carlos Alberto is a place where history, culture, and flavors come together. From the stunning architecture and war memorials to the lively market and legendary cafés, this square offers a truly authentic Porto experience.

Know Before You Go

• 1. Banco de Materiais – Praça de Carlos Alberto 71, 4050-157 Porto
  
• 2. Palácio dos Viscondes de Balsemão e Gabinete de Numismática – Praça de Carlos Alberto 71, 4050-157 Porto
  
• 3. Humberto Delgado Monument
  
• 4. Where Luso Caffé used to be located
  
• 5. World War I Memorial
  
• 6. Lareira Restaurant – Rua das Oliveiras 8, 4050-159 Porto

Ricardo Brochado, founder of City Tailors, beautifully captures the essence of Carlos Alberto Square in this blog post, now featured on the Taste Porto blog as part of the fusion between City Tailors and Taste Porto.