Porto Portugal. Porto, Portugal – photos of Porto, attractions, map, weather, tourist reviews

September 15th, 2012 , 02:11 am

A year ago I was planning this trip, but last year the choice fell on the Canaries and Portugal was postponed.
But this year, Portugal finally came true. After crawling through blogs and travel sites, three cities were chosen: Porto, Lisbon and Albufeira. The latter was chosen exclusively for a beach holiday, where in the summer without swimming and sunbathing.
My first story will be about the second largest city in Portugal - Porto.

Let's start with the route. In my opinion, this is the optimal platform for making some idea about this country.
By the way, A=G=Lisbon. Google put the dots one on top of the other and this is what came out.

How we got to Porto is a different story. Since the plane landed in Lisbon very late and there were no trains to Porto at that time, we had to get there by Rede Expressos bus. We ran and ran, but we made it.
And voila - the city of Porto.
Our hotel was located in the center on Plaza Batalha. So in the morning we had a beautiful view of the Church of San Ildefonso, sun-drenched streets and crowds of tourists.
I tried to keep a lot of people out of the frame, so the streets look more or less deserted.

The first thing that struck me was the Church of San Ildefonso, the pearl of the square. It is all covered with tiles characteristic of Portugal.
These tiles are called azulejos and are of Arabic origin. Their number in Porto is huge; from a distance they are very reminiscent of Gzhel and tiles on Russian stoves.
It is interesting that they depict not just a repeating ornament, but various subjects and characters.
I’m very glad that the azulejos weren’t stolen for souvenirs, otherwise I’m tempted to pick them off.

Imbued with the Portuguese spirit, I endlessly clicked the streets going uphill and downhill.
Such changes are very atypical for flat Petersburg, so it’s interesting to look at such outlandish landscapes.

When traveling around Portugal, you need to remember about comfortable shoes. The sidewalks are paved with very smooth paving stones, and the ups and downs increase sliding. And of course, you need to take into account the huge walking distances. I lost one pair of shoes in Porto while walking and had to walk part of the way to the hotel barefoot.
Although the sidewalks certainly look very elegant.

Despite the fact that Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, it does not have the Lisbon scale.
It’s good to wander around here, bumping into various architectural monuments without following a map.
Hanging linen everywhere adds a special chic. All colors and sizes. In every house, in the center and in the alleys.
I also couldn’t shake the feeling of Porto being neglected. On every street, several houses stand dilapidated or abandoned, with their windows covered. There was a feeling that people were leaving the city, although this could be deceptive and this is just another “raisin” of Porto.

Probably one of the features of Portugal that comes to mind is trams. Not even - trams.
Such a greeting from the past. Although they look very decent, almost like new.
If you wish, you can travel by this type of transport. But when I looked at the crowd packed there like sprat, I lost such desire.
Well, he's cute, isn't he?

For me personally, Hop-on Hop-off buses have become an excellent alternative to excursions, even I would say a more advantageous option when traveling. As a rule, they have an audio guide in Russian; if it is not available, there is always an audio guide in English, free wifi and an excellent view from the second floor. Usually we make the first circle to get acquainted with the sights, and on the second circle we go out at the places we like for photography and walks.

We started our flight from Praça da Liberdade, where Monument to King Don Pedro IV.
Freedom Square is crowned by the city hall. In my opinion, it is very reminiscent of Wenceslas Square in Prague.
(Of course, I’m wildly sorry, but every time Don Pedro was mentioned, I was reminded of the Russian film “Hello, I’m your aunt!” I couldn’t resist remembering. :))

By the way, one more small detail. On Freedom Square there is one of the most luxurious McDonald's I have ever seen. It seems there used to be a restaurant there. The eagle would somehow be more typical for Germany. Inside, the room is also designed in an imperial-solemn style.

On sightseen buses I like to sit on the second floor, of course. I sit high, look far away + get sunbathing. True, in Porto on some streets the trees are not tall, you have to bend down.
In the photo below on the left, by the way, is the municipal building with a 70-meter bell tower.

The bus route passed along the ocean coast, so in Porto I saw the ocean washing the shores of Portugal for the first time. The weather was quite hot, so tourists and locals were relaxing on the beaches. Young people preferred more extreme methods of cooling, jumping from a helipad at the mouth of the Douro River, on which Porto itself stands.

By the way, the views of the city here are wonderful: houses hang over one another and, of course, garlands of laundry to dry.

On the other side of the Douro River, we were told, are the best fish restaurants. In general, judging by the number of fishing boats, there is definitely fish here.

Once you go to the river, it’s impossible not to bump into HIM! I am, of course, talking about the two-level bridge of King Luis I. It connects the Ribeira area with the cellars and wine warehouses of the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Well, it was built according to the design of Gustave Eiffel’s student and companion Théophile Seyrig. Actually there is something in common.
Attention, many, many photos of the bridge!

The bridge is majestic, there are many of them. And having clicked it during the day from all sides, you definitely need to repeat the same thing at sunset and at night. By the way, in the pre-sunset hours the light is the most advantageous in my opinion.

Of course, this colossus is not the only bridge across the Douro.
I don’t know the name of the next one (can someone tell me?), but it looks impressive, yeah.

And the bridge, who would have thought... Ponte de Dona Maria Pia, named after the wife of King Luis I. Romantic, organ. Well, a whole family.

The views can be viewed from the bank on the Ribeirao side by going to the top on a lift or from the funicular on the other side.
True, the funicular is nothing special. The windows are somewhat stained, the view from the bridge or the shore from above is definitely better. Better save your money for port wine :) .

Well, since I said this magic word (“port”, I mean), then I need to develop this topic.
I think it won’t be difficult to guess that the word “port” comes from the name Porto.
So, the main concentration of warehouses and cellars with this drink is in the city of Vila Nova di Gaia, on the left bank of the Douro.
If you want to taste it, no questions asked - welcome. And it’s very pleasant to wander here. Then sit somewhere on the shore and sharpen sardines.
To be honest, I had a prejudice against port wine, I had never tried it before, but I heard enough negative reviews. True, we were talking about a portey bought in our country.
It turns out that there are several categories of port tawny, brankco, ruby, vintage, etc.
I won't brag. that I tried everything, but only tasted 3-4 varieties.
By the way, with a certain variety it is recommended to consume certain snacks: nuts, jam, ham with melon, fruit, lemon pie, etc.

By the way, from here you have an excellent view of the opposite bank.
The places are just made for photo shoots. Houses are piled on top of each other and there are crowds of walking tourists.
Having looked at all this, we quickly hurried to cross the bridge and join the evening bustle.

And a few words about what is located on the other side - Ribeira.
This area is filled with narrow, winding streets and dilapidated houses.
The impression was created that life here was by no means prosperous and people were slowly leaving this place.
But there is good news - the area is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it seems to be slowly being restored.

By the way, in Porto there is one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe - Sao Bento.
The walls are tiled with azulejos tiles in white and blue tones. The largest of them is made of 20 thousand tiles and decorates the waiting room. The painting depicts episodes from the history of railways.

Another interesting fact: the symbol of Portugal is the Barcelos rooster. The Barcelos rooster is roasted, so it is always black. Such cockerels can always be purchased in any souvenir shop in Portugal; its image can be found almost everywhere.

In conclusion of this part, I’ll add: to see Portugal, it’s still worth visiting Porto. It has small town charm and is completely different from other places in Portugal.

Porto (Portugal) is located on the banks of the Dora River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a huge number of attractions, masterpieces of architecture, ancient streets coexist with wide, spacious avenues, and ancient buildings coexist peacefully next to modern buildings. Many travelers note the amazing cleanliness of the streets, despite the large influx of tourists and vacationers.

General information

Porto is the administrative center of the region with the same name. After the capital of Portugal, the city is the second largest in the country and is recognized as an industrial center. Porto has a population of 240 thousand people.

The city is shrouded in melodic music that flows from the windows of numerous cafes and restaurants. The best way to experience true Portuguese flavor and incredible atmosphere is to visit the local market, where there is a lot of excitement. Another iconic place for the residents of Porto is the Dragao stadium, where the Porto football club plays matches. We can say with confidence that among the city’s population there is not a single person indifferent to football. During the match, chants can be heard in the stadium, and the roar of the fans does not subside.

Historical and architectural features of Porto

Porto is included in the list of the most ancient cities in Europe. In the past, the city was the capital of Portugal, and today it is called the capital of port wine.

Good to know! The historical part of the city, on the territory of which people have lived since the 4th century, is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city center is called granite and monumental.

In Portugal you can often hear the phrase – Porto is a nation. However, travelers note that the city leaves a strange impression, as if it is separated from the rest of the country. At first glance, Porto may seem a little rude and materialistic, but a first walk through the streets of the city will completely dispel this erroneous impression.

It is important! Porto has a hilly landscape, making sightseeing on foot very difficult. The city has a metro, the lines of which conveniently connect remote areas; you can also take a bus or take a taxi.

Weather and climate, when is the best time to travel?

The opinion of city guests is unanimous - it is best to come to Porto in spring or summer. The city looks most colorful at the end of June, when locals celebrate Saint John's Day.

At the end of April the air temperature warms up to +25 degrees, there are still not many tourists at this time and this is the best period for a relaxing walk around the city and sightseeing.

In summer the temperature rises to +28-30 degrees. Considering the northern location of the city, the temperature here is an order of magnitude lower than in the southern part of the country. During the summer months, watermelons, melons, cherries and even strawberries are sold in Porto.

It is important! If you are going to Porto between December and March, carefully study the weather forecast, as the weather is too unpredictable - it often rains, the temperature does not exceed +15 degrees. The juiciest and most aromatic citrus fruits ripen in Porto in winter.

If you want to save as much as possible on your trip, buy a ticket in the fall. At this time, prices for accommodation and excursion tours are halved. However, in food establishments, parks and museums, prices remain at summer levels. The temperature in autumn drops to a comfortable +20-25 degrees. At this time, surfers flock to the city to ride the big ocean waves.

In winter, the number of tourists gradually decreases and by the second half of November they disappear. Many locals say the main thing is to survive the winter. At this time, stormy winds rage and rain pour down here; the storm may not subside for several days.

Where is the best place to stay?

Porto is an understandable city for visitors. Three districts make up its center, and four are on the outskirts. For guests, the most attractive, undoubtedly, is the central area - the Union of the districts of Cedofeita, San Ildefonso, Se, Miragaya, San Nicolau and Vitoria. Accommodation prices here are quite affordable, attractions are within walking distance, and there is entertainment for every taste.

Helpful information! The most inexpensive accommodation will cost 10 euros per day - this is how much you will have to pay for staying in a hostel and camping. In a hotel (2 and 3 stars) a room costs from 30 euros per night.

In the remote areas - Ramalda, Bonfim, Campanha and Paranhos - there are almost no attractions, so from a tourist point of view it will not be so interesting.

Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

Prices for entertainment and food

Prices in Porto are quite affordable:

• excursions – from 10 €;
• lunch in a cafe – from 5 € per person;
• lunch in a restaurant – from 8 €;
• A taxi ride will cost on average 10-15 €.

Traveling will become cheaper if you go on a trip with a group, rent an apartment, and buy food at the supermarket. In this case, one day of stay in Porto will cost 20-25 €.

Helpful information! Don't be afraid to rent a hostel room or rent an apartment. This will save money. If you know about your trip in advance, book a room; booking earlier is usually cheaper. Buy a ticket for public transport and the metro for a day or for 5 days, since travel to Porto is quite expensive.

Where to eat deliciously

In Porto, you will never be faced with a choice of places where you can have a hearty and tasty meal. There can be only one problem - a large selection of cafes and restaurants, the main and best of them are located in the central part. Here you will find a budget establishment where you can eat for 6 euros; as a rule, these are small, cozy cafes with a homemade menu. There are also elite establishments where a full meal will cost from 20 to 100 €.

For a true gourmet, Porto is a paradise, because there are about one and a half thousand places where you can eat.

Budget cafes and restaurants

The cheapest places are concentrated in the Ribeira area. Most of them are designed in the same way, but everywhere you will be fed tasty, satisfying food and offered a relaxing holiday.

Beaches of Porto

Matosinhos

In addition to the beaches scattered along the coast and covered by cliffs, this port is called the northern culinary capital of the entire region. There is an original sculpture called “Fisherman” here. Outwardly, it resembles a fishing net.

Getting to the beach is easy. From Porto Central Station, metro trains go to Matosinhos Sul station. The journey from the station to the beach takes seven minutes.

It is very windy here, but if you can’t swim, you can always eat in a cozy restaurant and enjoy nature. If you are interested in the sights of Portugal, take a walk to the castle with the strange name “Cheese”.

Interesting fact! The best time to visit Matusinhos beach is July. During this period, a fish festival takes place here. On holidays, barbecues are set up directly on the beach.

A fairly young beach in Porto (Portugal), which has transformed from a small village into a comfortable resort. On the coast there are beautiful beaches where surfers often relax, since it is quite windy here. You can also find shallow beaches that are comfortable for families. The coastline is diverse, so after a beach holiday you can take a walk in the forest or climb a picturesque hill.

The 18 km long beach is located 20 km from the central areas of Porto. A romantic place where people come to admire the beautiful sunset. The coastline is divided into several small beaches. You can get here by metro or bus.

This is another romantic place where you can admire the beautiful nature and the ancient chapel of Senhor da Pedra. People come here not only to swim, but also to take beautiful photographs on the rocks. There are many cafes here, you can fish and even play golf. Minibuses go to the beach; it is located 10 km from the city.

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If you are planning a trip to Porto, be sure to get to know this amazing city better.

Traveling around Portugal and not paying attention to Porto, according to tourists, means not seeing the country and not getting to know its history, architecture and culture.

Porto (Portugal) is the second largest and most important city in the country; hundreds of thousands of travelers come here every year. Everyone will find their own beauty and splendor here.

All restaurants and cafes of Porto mentioned in the article, as well as its beaches and main attractions are marked on the map in Russian.

The “Heads and Tails” team also visited Porto. What impression the city made on the presenters, watch the video.

Related posts:

The city of football and port wine, a city where you can visit noisy bars and beautiful arched bridges, the city that gave its name to the state... Porto is beautiful and unusual. It has a long history and has preserved many monuments that tell about it.

Description

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is the center of the municipality and district of the same name. Porto is located on the banks of the Douro River, 270 km from Lisbon.

The city is inhabited by 240 thousand people. Porto and its surrounding suburbs are the major urban agglomeration of Greater Porto.

From the history of the city

Long before the Roman era there was a settlement on these lands. The Romans built a city here and called it Portus Cale. It was first mentioned in chronicles dating back to the 5th century. Later the name changed. It became known as Portucale.

Until the 8th century, these lands were owned by the Moors. In 982, Portucale became a Christian settlement, ruled by Henry of Burgundy.

The city of Porto traces its history back to 1123. Its economic heyday began in 1237. By the 15th century it had become the main shipbuilding center in the country.

The population of Porto has always been distinguished by its rebellious character and love of freedom. In 1209, its inhabitants opposed huge taxes and kept the episcopal residence under siege for five months. The Inquisition did not take root in this city - it existed with great difficulties for 4 years.

The women of Porto rebelled in 1628 against a tax on woolen goods and linen. In 1757, residents of the city of Porto (Portugal) protested against the monopoly on wine production introduced by the Marquis de Pombal. The Reconquista was born here, and it was in Porto that the country’s maritime expansion began.

In addition, the city of Porto is the largest center of winemaking since the times of ancient Lusitania, where the production of the national symbol, port wine, began.

Porto Alegre

This city should not be confused with the Brazilian Porto Alegre, which is the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

It is the cultural, educational and political center of the country. The city of Porto Alegre has the highest status among the state capitals of Brazil.

It is located at the confluence of the Guaiba River into the freshwater Patus Lagoon, at the junction of the natural regions of the Atlantic Forest and Pampa. It is one of the southernmost capitals of the Brazilian states.

Porto today

A large industrial center, a busy port on the Atlantic coast. This is how the city of Porto (Portugal) appears to tourists, photos of which you can often see on the pages of tourist catalogs.

It has a compact historical center. Everything is within walking distance. They attract thousands of tourists here every year. Today we cannot tell you about all the interesting places that you can visit in Porto, but we will definitely introduce you to some of them.

Attractions

The city is divided into 15 districts. Of greatest interest to tourists is the ancient Ribeira quarter, with narrow streets and colorful and original facades of low houses. In 1996, this quarter was protected by UNESCO.

Cleric Tower

The city of Porto, the photo of which you see in our article, has on its territory the 76-meter tower Torre dos Clérigos. It is the symbol of the city and the tallest tower in the country.

In fact, it is the bell tower of Clérigos. It is visible from anywhere in the city. For a long time it was a reference point for sailors.

The church was built in Baroque style. Its interior is decorated with marble and skillfully decorated with carvings. The construction of the bell tower, which is located on the west side of the church, dates back to 1763. It is also made in the Baroque style.

There is an observation deck on the sixth floor of the bell tower. You can climb here by climbing 225 steps along a very narrow one. It has been a national monument since 1910.

Luis I Bridge

There are many interesting places to visit when visiting the city of Porto. Many people know that it has many bridges. However, the most famous of them is undoubtedly the Luís I Bridge.

It is located on the Duero River and connects Porto with the city of Vilanova de Gaia. The object is under UNESCO protection.

The bridge spans are installed on a steel arch structure, the length of which is 172 meters. In addition, there are 5 bridge pylons. In this unique structure, two steel spans were created - the upper one, which is located at a height of 62 meters, with a length of 174 m, and the lower one (172 m) with a height of 10 m.

Today, the upper span houses a subway line, while the lower structure is used as a highway, pedestrian walkway, and narrow-gauge railway.

Cathedral

Tourists from different countries come to the city of Porto with pleasure. Its attractions are varied. Here everyone can see monuments of history, culture, architecture, etc.

It is believed that the Cathedral was once the center of Porto, and the city was built around it. The temple is located on a high hill and is visible from anywhere in Porto. Without a doubt, this is the most popular place where tourists like to visit.

The cathedral was built in the 13th century. He looks stern and unapproachable. The fact is that it was rebuilt from an old fortress. This is evidenced by the thick jagged walls. They were necessary for protection against the Moors.

The church continued to be completed until the 19th century, so the cathedral complex is a combination of a wide variety of styles.

The unique silver altar is of particular value. 800 kilograms of pure silver were used to create it. In 1809, it was miraculously saved from French soldiers - city residents quickly walled up the altar niche. We also recommend checking out the courtyard. It is lined with Portuguese azulejo tiles.

In June every year the cathedral attracts attention. At this time, traditional celebrations in honor of St. Antonio take place.

Bishop's Palace

This is the current residence of all the bishops of Portugal. It is located next to the Cathedral. The Bishop's Palace has architectural features: it harmoniously combines two styles - Rococo and Baroque.

The construction of this grandiose structure was conceived by Bishop João Rafael de Mendons. He ordered the demolition of the old palace that stood on this site and the construction of a new building to begin. Construction lasted several years, and the author of the idea did not see his creation.

It should be noted that many elements of the initial plan were radically changed. Some of the fragments were completed in a hurry. This damaged the structure of the building.

The palace was built in the 12th century, but only the style of the windows and some elements of the facade remind of the Romanesque style. Later it was rebuilt and reconstructed many times.

Porto Calem Port Wine Museum

This unusual museum is located on the territory of one of the oldest wineries in the country. The Porto Calem brand began its history in 1859. All this time, port wines of the highest quality were produced here. The museum introduces the history of this ancient production.

In the exhibition you can get acquainted with the history of the Douro region, where grapes, which are necessary for the production of real port wine, have been grown since ancient times.

Porto Calem production owns one hundred hectares of magnificent vineyards, where each bunch receives the necessary amount of moisture and light.

Experienced guides will take everyone to the famous cellars, where guests will learn about the unique characteristics of each type of port wine. In addition, here you can take part in a tasting of this noble drink or buy wine in a local store so that you can enjoy its aroma upon returning home.

Crystal Palace Park

Often tourists who come to the city of Porto begin to see the sights from the Crystal Palace Park. Residents of the city are very proud of this amazing place.

Music lovers will greatly enjoy the concerts held in the main pavilion. Architecture connoisseurs will appreciate the respect for the harmony of the building. Paradise and Eden merged into a single whole here.

A lake with crystal clear water surrounds the palace. Flower beds with exotic flowers, palm trees, peacocks - the park has everything you need for romantic walks.

On the central alley you can visit several thematic gardens - “Garden of Smells”, “Garden of Senses” and “Garden of Roses”.

8,0

We bought a ticket for the "yellow bus" for 2 days, with...

We bought a ticket for the "yellow bus" for 2 days, with a visit to the winery and tasting of port wine and a tour along the river. Just awful. It is the yellow bus that runs once an hour, or even less often, unlike the red and blue ones. We spent more time waiting for him for two days, then we still had to walk to the right place without waiting. One day, having finally waited, the bus arrived full, and at the top and at the bottom, 5 people rode standing. First we wanted to buy a ticket for the red bus, but there is no Russian audio guide, but still we wanted to hear information about the city. And yet, the bus only runs until 17-30. In summer until 18-30. The impression of the yellow bus in Porto was extremely unpleasant. Well, of course I liked the city!

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Anonymous Russia

A wonderful place on the ocean.

A wonderful place on the ocean. You should definitely visit the city in the summer :) I met wonderful people, and together we walked through the historical places of Porto. You can enjoy a walk in the center; we took the metro to the ocean.

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Natalia Russia

We fell in love with Porto on our previous visit.

We fell in love with Porto on our previous visit. And we decided to return for a longer period of time, which still turned out to be very short. We had a very busy program. We visited many beautiful places in the north of Portugal thanks to the wonderful guide Kuzina Tatiana ( [email protected]). If you want to learn a lot and see amazing places, visit interesting restaurants, we highly recommend contacting Tatyana. She knows everything about Portugal and even more!

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Irina Russia

It was rainy - that's the only drawback! But this is nature - January! The city is interesting, very interesting! We traveled on excursion buses - YellowBas. We bought a ticket for two days and received in addition free rides on city buses for this time. We ate in a cafe not far from the apartments (they were recommended to us during our accommodation); it seems that mostly locals eat here. - I really liked it! And next time we would like to avoid only rain. - apparently we should go in the summer next time!

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Papa1251 Russia

...to the ocean 10 minutes walk from the metro...

A two-level metro bridge over the river both during the day and especially at night!!! The most beautiful city!!! Metro 10 minutes walk from the ocean (blue line). Everything is damn well thought out for locals and tourists!!! Meals - breakfast at the hotel, lunch and dinner in the room. We bought food at the El Corte Ingles supermarket (yellow metro line - left bank of the river (lower bank on the map)). The metro of this city makes it an excellent holiday!!!

I want to tell you about small ancient town of Porto, in which the oldest traditions of Portugal have been preserved to this day. It will appeal to everyone who wants to get acquainted with medieval times, its unique culinary traditions and not go broke, as well as lovers of narrow streets, interesting houses, temples and, of course, the best port wine in the world.

Attractions in the main areas of Porto

A special tourist map will help you find your way around the city. On it you will find all the main attractions, metro lines and street names will also be indicated there. As a tourist you will need visit only 3 main areas to get into the spirit of Porto, Portugal and see all its attractions.

Ribeira area

This is one of the oldest and most colorful areas. Its streets, just 1.5 meters wide, meander between blocks of old houses, which are decorated with blue and white tiles. These colorful houses are built right next to each other and look like a child's applique, but this is what gives the entire area charisma.

• Here it is Praça da Ribeira square, where in the old days there was a huge market, but now it is rather a gastronomic point.
• Not far from the square you will see Fountain of Cuba da Ribeira, which was erected in 1780. It's still impressive to this day. statue of John the Baptist at its base and with a coat of arms decorating it.
• Further on your way you will meet Casa do Infanti house, in which the heir to King John the First was born back in 1394.
• Located nearby Church of Igrejade San Francisco And the majestic fortress wall of Fernandina, which was built in the 14th century.

In my opinion, this area is best explored by bike. Because just a walk through the crooked streets without a special route will show you how slowly the locals live. Try some port wine in Praça da Ribeira and be transported briefly back to a typical medieval day in Porto.

Did you know? Residents of the Ribeira district in Porto are called "tripeiros", which means "offal".

• Afterwards, be sure to take a stroll through the beautiful promenade of Cais da Ribeira, which is located on the coast of the Douro River and pay attention to the yachts moored to its banks. Some of them used to transport port wine, and now they take tourists for rides.
• Being on the embankment, you will not pass by Luis I Bridge, which was opened in 1886 year. This incredible two-level creation connects the Ribeira area with the suburb of Villa Nova de Gaia and has pedestrian areas on each of the “floors”.

Vila Nova di Gaia

This is an area not so much of attractions for the “eyes” as for “soul and taste”. On this shore there are the best port wine cellars from a wide variety of producers, as well as warehouses and cork factories.

At the end of it will be waiting for you wine degustation.

• In addition, you will find here wine merchants' club Feitoria Inglesa, which was built at the end of the 18th century, and the Port Wine Museum.
• pay attention to church, dating back to the 16th-century Serra do Pilar monastery.
• They depart from the embankment cruise excursions with a program of 1 hour, but during this time you will see all the bridges of Porto.
• There is also on this shore cable car, which connects the river bank with the small territory of the Serra do Pilar monastery, which offers wonderful views of the immediate surroundings of the city.

After such a walk, you will still feel the heady aroma of the best wines of Portugal and a pleasant tiredness as a memory of this wonderful region.

Historical center of Porto

The historic city center was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. And the most striking attraction here is rightfully considered Exchange Palace, where in the 18th century. there was a trading exchange.

Be sure to go to Porto Cathedral, which was built in the 12th – 13th centuries and is visible from anywhere in the city. They say that it was around this cathedral that the city began to form.

It is open to the public from 9:00 to 19:00, and a ticket costs 3 EUR.

Among the main attractions are Sao Bento station.

Sao Bento Station

Porto Cathedral

When you reach the main pedestrian streets of Rua de Santa Catarina, then it’s time to choose a cozy cafe and get acquainted with the local cuisine. Check out the iconic Cafe Majestic, which is located in a building built in 1921, and there you will be offered a cup of coffee at any time of the day.

Also go through Avenida dos Aliados, which will open up a huge amount for you rich mansions period of the XIX – XX centuries. It is considered one of the most beautiful temples in the city church of sao francisco 1233, made in the Gothic style with Baroque elements.

Did you know? One of the most important symbols of Porto is the 75-meter high Clérigos Tower. Previously, it acted as a landmark for ships that entered the port. Today, from its observation deck you can see the city for just 2 EUR.

Beaches of Porto

Porto is surrounded by a huge coastline, and if you have time, I recommend sunbathing in the immediate vicinity of the city. This is a great opportunity to plunge into the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and, if desired, learn to surf.

What to see in Porto in 1 day

If you are passing through Porto and are very limited in time, then here is an approximate route to the main places of the city:

• You get to the city center and have breakfast at one of the city’s many coffee shops. Will you try coffee, welded by unique recipes.
• Climbing up Clérigos Tower and look around at the panorama of the entire city.
• Buy a ticket for the tram going in the direction Ribeira district. This way you will travel through the historical center of the city and see the main attractions, including the tram itself.
• Walk in the Ribeira area several narrow streets and enjoy the flavor of the oldest part of the city.
• On Praça da Ribeira square dine on authentic Portuguese cuisine.
• Go down to the banks of the Douro River and get acquainted with embankment.
• Cross the river via the Luís I Bridge and enter Vila Nova di Gaia area.
• Try several varieties of the best port wine, and on this pleasant note your day will come to an end.

Clérigos Tower

And be sure to bring not only a magnet from Porto, but also save all the sights you see in photos.

Traveling around Porto with children

• Visit Crystal Palace Park. It is equipped with everything necessary for children's leisure - playgrounds, recreation areas - and is decorated with many sculptures. Most of all, children will remember the peacocks, who walk freely along the lawns of the park, you can feed them, and they are not afraid of visitors.
• Sea Life Porto Aquarium will be an unforgettable experience for the kids. The diversity of the marine world that is around you as you move through the glass tunnel is simply mesmerizing. You will be able to watch how the local inhabitants are fed, and also look at the ocean from a special observation deck.
• Your children will be delighted if you bring them to book Shop, which is located on Rua das Carmelitas. It became the prototype for the library for the book “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” and some scenes from this movie saga were also filmed here.

Sea Life Porto Aquarium

Porto and city attractions (video)

Porto is one of the oldest cities, the former capital of the country and the current capital of port wine. You will learn more about the city of Porto in this video from Eagle and Tails with presenters Petya and Regina. Enjoy watching!

Transport within the city

• Metro– has 6 lines, one of which originates at . Stations open at 6:00 and end at 1:00. The price of one journey is 1.85 EUR.
• Buses– there are daytime flights and special night flights from 1:00 to 5:30 am. A single ticket costs 1.85 EUR, a day ticket costs 7 EUR, and a 3-day ticket costs 15 EUR.
• Trams– this is not just transport, but also one of the attractions of Porto. Rare trams were launched back in 1872.
• Bicycles– can be rented for 2 hours (from 6 EUR) or for a day (from 15 EUR) depending on the chosen model.

Important! At night, taxi prices increase by 20%.

In my opinion, the city of Porto is not just sights and port wine. This is a combination of modern with old quaint traditions.

I may have missed some places, but I tried to tell you about what I remember most. If you find something more interesting, please tell me about it in the comments, and I will envy you a little.