After Lisbon, Porto is the second largest city in the cosmopolitan country of Portugal. Settlement in the city dates back thousands of years and in 1996, its history was recognised when it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. It has a typical Mediterranean climate with the hottest months lasting from June to August. Lonely Planet listed Porto as the fourth best destination for value for money and it certainly makes an attractive option on the list of places to visit for a holiday.
(Train Station Hall : Picture by Carlos)
Tips for Travel in Porto, Portugal
The St John festival happens on the 23rd to 24th of June every year. If you find yourself in the city during this time be sure to pre-book your accommodation. The streets will also be extremely busy with concerts, flame eating, and Barbecues.
Food and drink: The city is famous as the production centre of traditional Portuguese port wine and it is typically drunk at dessert time. If you want to take the experience one-step further, sign up for a port wine tour throughout the city. The recommended snack dish to sample is Francesinha, a sandwich with several combinations of meats, topped with cheese and a home-made sauce.
(Ribeira District – Picture by HFMSantos)
Famous landmarks and places to go include Oporto Cathedral: Located in the city centre, much of the construction dates from the 13th century. While the exterior looks rather stark, the interior receives much admiration.
Church of Cedofeita: It is estimated this church dates from the 11th century although much re-construction has taken place over thousands of years.
Take a river cruise to see the landscape from a different view. Cruises last for approximately 1 hour
The National Museum Soares dos Reis is dedicated to Portuguese art from the 16th century onwards
The Mercado do Bolhao area is worth exploring for its food market and handicraft stalls.
Families should take a day trip to the Geres National park that has amazing landscape scenery and a variety of animal species.
The Neoclassical building of Palácio da Bolsa dates from the 19th century and is one of the top visited landmarks in the city. The Arabian room is the most admired of all attractions although the Chairman’s and Portrait room is equally as exquisite. Called the Stock Exchange Palace in English, it is open every day from 9am to 6.30pm.
(Picture by Pedrojoper)
Get Around Porto
If you plan to visit other places in Portugal or stay in Porto for an extended length of time, car leasing is a good option. Supplied by Citroen, Peugeot and Renault, more details on this choice of transportation are available here.