Norte
Porto
State
Country
Portugal
Continent
Europe
Size
41 KM2
Population
2
Spending Budget
$650 - $900
Famous For
- Porto is famous for hills, cliffs and rivers.
Best Time to Visit
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
History
Porto has its origins in a pre-Roman settlement called Calle or Portus Cale, which originated the name of the country. Records indicate that the town was founded in 417. Over the centuries it had various rulers, among others the Suevi, the Goths and the Moors. As a result of intense commercial activity, the city developed quickly and in the 14th century, the old medieval wall had become obsolete and was replaced by the new Ferdinand wall. However, it was not until the “Age of Discoveries” that Portugal and Porto had an important role in European affairs. Porto became a major trading port and in the 15th century, it was one of the greatest shipbuilding centres in Portugal. In 1394 Prince Henry the Navigator was born in this city; he was the fourth son of John I, King of Portugal, by Queen Philippa, John of Gaunt’s daughter. In 1415, he commanded the expedition which captured Ceuta, Portugal’s first overseas conquest. Due to the sacrifice of the inhabitants in order to help the army that conquered Ceuta, they are known as “tripeiros” (literally, “tripe eaters”). It is said that they offered all the good meat to the expeditionary forces that set sail from Porto, keeping only the tripes for themselves. This is the origin of one of the most traditional dishes of the local cuisine, “tripas à moda do Porto”.
Present Day
The city is officially styled "a muito nobre, sempre leal e Invicta Cidade do Porto" (the very noble, always faithful, and invincible city of Porto). This is usually shortened to "a Cidade Invicta" (the invincible city) a title won because of Porto’s resistance to the "Cerco do Porto" (Porto’s Siege) during the 1832-34 civil war. The city is quite varied architecturally, with medieval as well as modern living side by side. Porto’s geography is hard on the feet, but pleasant to the eye. The city is extremely hilly, with many buildings built into a cliff face that overlooks the river. Stairs cut into the stone run up and down the cliff face and offer a laborious but rewarding walking tour. Across the river from Porto proper, in the suburb of Gaia, are located the warehouses of notable companies dealing with Port Wine, such as Cálem, Fonseca, Sandeman, Kopke, and others.
Future
Porto is working on creating better communications and transportations. Hence, they are undertaking developmental works on various fronts including Metro and Rail. Porto is expanding the city’s light metro network to meet increasing ridership demand.
Baixa (downtown)
Mercado do Bolhão, A traditional market of fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. One of Porto’s most emblematic places. Has some small restaurants available with good local dishes for a low price. Expect people to interact a lot with you, even if they don’t speak any foreign language.
West Baixa
Livraria Lello, near Praça dos Leões and the Universidade, do Porto. It’s an old bookshop with an amazing interior and spiral staircase, where you can also have a coffee or glass of port. Voted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in Europe.
São Nicolau
Palácio da Bolsa, R. de Ferreira Borges, 4050-253 Porto. The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) is a historical building built in the 19th century by the city’s Commercial Association (Associação Comercial) in Neoclassical style.
Ribeira (Riverfront)
Museum of Sacred Art and Archaeology of The Higher Seminary of Oporto, Largo Dr Pedro Vitorino, 2 (Located in the Church of St. Lawrence (known as the Cricket Church (Igreja Grilo) after the nickname of the religious order that took ownership in 1780). Beginning at the riverfront, head north on R de Mercadores and look for the Igreja dos Grilos signs directing you into the delightfully narrow streets that lead to the church. Best approached on foot.
Pavilhão Rosa Mota
A multi-purpose pavilion with nice gardens to rest, also known as "Palácio de Cristal". Nearby there is the Museu Romantico, a house where the king of Italy stayed while in exile.
Boavista
Casa da Música designed to mark the festive year of 2001, in which the city of Porto was designated European Capital of Culture, Casa da Música is the first building in Portugal aimed from its conception to be exclusively dedicated to music, either in public performances or in the field of artistic training and creation.
Casa da Música
The project was set in motion in 1999, as a result of an international architecture tender won by the project presented by Rem Koolhaas-Office for Metropolitan Architecture. Excavations began in 1999, at the old tram’s terminus station in Boavista roundabout (Rotunda da Boavista), and Casa da Musica was inaugurated in the spring of 2005, on April 15th.
Fundação de Serralves (Modern Art Museum)
A contemporary museum designed by the famous architect Álvaro Siza, with a huge garden/park and an Art Deco Villa. When visiting this foundation you can visit the exhibitions, relax at the park, have lunch at the restaurant, bar or tea house and explore the shops or the library.
Campo Alegre Restaurant
Traditional Portuguese food from the Alentejo region. Try the Bife de Café or Steak with Coffee sauce!
Café Majestic
One of the oldest cafés in Porto. Inside, the scent of leather upholstery and varnished wood is joined by the magnificent vision of the plaster-decorated ceiling and of the endless Flemish mirrors, which is an ensemble that marvels all senses. Add in the combination of marble and metal and it becomes truly exquisite.