Porto Travel Guide
From Wikitravel
Porto [1] is Portugal's second largest city.
Contents |
Understand
Porto is Portugal's second largest city, and a very busy industrial and commercial centre. The city itself isn't very populous (about 350.000 inhabitants), but the near metropolitan area ranks some 1.800.000 inhabitants in a 50 km radius. The city was built along the hills overlooking the Douro river estuary, and its historical centre was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1996.
The downtown core of Porto consists of 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 labourous 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 Fonseca, Sandemans, Kopke, and others.
Get in
By plane
Sá Carneiro Airport is about 15 km from the city centre, and there are regular flights from and to almost all major worldwide cities. Just outside of the airport is the AeroBus which for 4 Euro - 2005 - takes you to Praça da Liberdade (city center) or will drop you off at the Pousada da Juventude. A similar taxi trip will cost 20 Euro. In May 2006 the Metro line connecting the Airport to the city centre was inaugurated, offering a fast and peaceful ride into the heart of the city, for 1,35 Euro.
By train
The city is served by two major train stations, the "S. Bento" (Saint Benedict) station, and the "Campanhã" station. Trains from and to Madrid and Paris are regular, other non-domestic destinations vary according to demand and time of year. Domestic trains are very frequent and usually on time. Be careful on the train from Madrid. On at least one route, the computer systems will say you need to change trains at Guillarei in northern Spain. However, Guillarei has stopped trains through Portugal since 2004. Instead, you will need to transfer to a station named Tui which is a few miles from Guillarei. The computer system hasn't been updated even though this change occurred in 2004 for some reason. You can go into Guillarei but you will need to take a taxi (cost me €5) to Tui to connect.
By car
The city is served by three major highways: A1, which connects Porto to Lisbon, A3, which connects Porto to the northern Portuguese border, and A4, which goes eastwards from the city. Generaly speaking, the traffic is usually chaotic and very intense, especially during rush hours.
By bus
There are many companies providing direct bus trips from major european countries.
By boat
There is a cargo and recreational harbour called Leixões in the neighbouring city of Matosinhos. There is also a very small recreational harbour in the river Douro.
Get around
Metro
The Porto Metro is an incridebly advanced, state of the art light rail system. Developed in 2004 (for the Euro 2004 games), the metro is still under construction. It has 5 lines, that run across the centre of Porto, and down to some suburban areas. It is quick, and probably the most efficient way to get around Porto. Some major areas of the city, however, are not that well served by the metro, although a new lines will be opening soon (circa 2007). Tickets must be purchased beforehand. They can be sold at the machines in the station (note: if there are no tickets in the machine that day, take the metro to the next station and buy it there!). The ticket is printed in a card called "Andante", and you can purchase how many "travels" you want. One travel will take you anywhere you want in porto, to any zone, and you can travel how many times you want under one hour. If you plan on using it again, DO NOT THROW AWAY THE CARD! The card can be re-charged (the card itself costs around €0.50), to include how many "travels" you want. You can also buy daily passes, which is also convenient and can be re-charged. If you plan on living in Porto, or staying for more than two weeks, it is recommended you get the "Andante Gold". The card costs €5, and will allow unlimited travel, without time limit. However, you can only use the transport in your zone. There around around 11 zones in porto (C1, C2, S11, etc.) The centre is C1. When you buy the card, you must purchase another zone (C1 is automatically included). The Andante Gold can be used in all metros, the funicular, and most buses (however, some will not accept the Andante. Buses who do accept it have a plaque saying "Andante" in the front window. Check it everytime you board a bus!). When you are buying the Andante Gold, you must have a picture of yourself (your passport photo will do. They can amplify the image from the passport to the card in seconds). An important note: your andante must be validated before you enter the metro, bus or funicular. There are no barriers to stop you at the metro, but the Metro police enter the cars and check you andante to make sure you have validated it, and are travelling within your zones. More info at Metro do Porto
Bus
STCPPorto has many lines and buses, which are modern and comfortable. However, they are not very reliable, and the bus drivers tend to go on strike from time to time, which can leave you waiting for a bus up to an hour!. However, the lines serve every alley in the city, so you can be sure that wherever you are, there is a bus stop. If you do not have the Andante (see "Metro" above), then the tickets can be purchased onboard, for €1.50.
See
The Ribeira, which is also a good place to start visiting the World Heritage area; the São Francisco church; the Stock Exchange palace; the Modern Art museum at Serralves, the "Casa da Música" (House of Music) concert hall; the port wine cellars; the amazing ocean front drive, known as "Foz"; the 6 bridges connecting Porto to Gaia over the Douro river, etc.
You may also like to see the City Hall (Câmara Municipal) and the vast square in front of it.
There's also a multi purpose pavilion with nice gardens to rest which is called "Pavilhão Rosa Mota", also known as "Palácio de Cristal".
For shopping I advise you to take a stroll around the Mercado do Bolhão which has a food market and handycrafts stores, and Santa Catarina street, which is near Bolhão.
You won't regret from these sites ;)
Do
Take a cruise upriver. Go at least as far as Pinhão - the landscape is absolutely stunning. If you choose to do this in the Summer, don't forget your factor 30 sun screen! Visit You might also want to visit the Dragon Stadium, home of FC Porto. The team has a rich history, having won the Champions League twice and UEFA cup once - and the stadium is worth a visit on the architecture alone. If you are lucky you might get to see a game of the Champions League... also, just across from the stadium you have a large shopping centre...
Learn
To say "Olá" (hello), "Obrigado" (thank you), if you're a man, "Obrigada" if you're a woman, and "Por Favor" (please)
Work
No work here.
Buy
Port wine, of course. This is the right place for it. You can also find great deals in clothes and shoes, especially during discount seasons.
MUUDA - "art, food and design"
Rua do Rosário, 294 -4050-522 Porto
http://www.muuda.com
Info@muuda.com
This concept store offers a great variety of products signed by portuguese designers. Fashion, objects, books, jewelery, shoes, gourmet and arts. Fashion Designers: Katty Xiomara, La Paz, Luís Buchinho, Made in Space,Magnifica, Patrícia Pinto, Pedro Waterland, Pisca, Storytailors, Rosagua, among others. Objects and Jewellery: Andreia Quelhas Lima, Between Art and Life, CIQUA, Livraria Leitura, Maldita Adelita, Maria Landeau, Mglass, Telabags, Serrote, and many more... You can have lunch at MUUDA, experience a wine or sushi workshop, learn how to make tricot, the newest painting techniques, photography... and much more. Visit MUUDA!
Eat
Eating at Porto is no different than elsewhere in Portugal. Expect sturdy meals, and if you can try "Tripas à moda do Porto". Be aware, however, that this is a tripe dish. Citizens of Porto are called "tripeiros" (tripe-eaters) on account of this dish.
Also try a typical dish called "Francesinha", which literally translated means little French lady. It's a kind of French toast with cheese and a spicy sauce on top. This city is just about the only place in the world where you can find it!
Another "must eat" is "bacalhau" which is actually salted cod fish. It is cooked in various ways but you should try "Bacalhau em Natas".
Budget
A very interesting cafe to visit is located between the Cordoaria park and the Praça dos Leões. The third oldest cafe in Porto, it is officially named "Âncora d'Ouro (the anchor of gold) but is commonly known as "O Piolho" (the Louse). The cafe looks out on the street facing a faculty of the Universidade do Porto, and had been a meeting place for students since the 19th century. Plaques donated by graduating medical classes from the ealry 20th century onward decorate the walls. During the fascist period (1926-1974) it was a regular meeting place of "undesirables" (according to the regimes point of view), and was accordingly under regular surveillance by the secret police. On one occasion it was raided by the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) who have a post nearby, and they charged their horses into the cafe itself. It is uncertain if the place's current disorder results from this or more recent activities. Service is surly, the place isn't at all fancy, but it is usually stuffed to the gills with students. Its also quite cheap.
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
Port Wine
Porto is famous for the eponymous port wine, a fortified wine (20%) made by adding brandy to the wine before distillation is complete. The end product is strong, sweet, complex in taste and if properly stored will last 40 years or more.
There are many, many grades of port, but the basic varieties are:
- Vintage, the real deal, kept in the bottle for 5-15 years, can be very expensive for good years. It is nevertheless worth it.
- Late-Bottled Vintage (LBV), simulated vintage kept in barrel longer, ready to drink. Nice if you are on a budget.
- Tawny, oxidized for 10-30 years before bottling, ready to drink.
- Ruby, the youngest and cheapest, ready to drink
- White, this is a not-so-well-known variety of port, and it is a shame. It mixes well with tonic water, and should be served slightly chilled (if drunk alone) or with lots of ice (with tonic).
Mid-range
- Solar Vinho do Porto, Rua de Entre-Quintas 220, tel:+351 226094749. solarporto@ivp.pt, A villa with port samples and a great view of the Douro. Open M-Sa 2 pm to midnight. This is the perfect place to sit in soft chairs or outside in the garden and enjoy a few glasses of the finest ports. You can also have cheese with your port.
Vinho Verde
- Another good choice is the ubiquitous vinho verde (green wine), which is made mostly in the region to the north of Porto (the Minho.) It's a light refreshing wine, made from grapes that aren't quite ripe. Usually white, and slightly sparkling. Very nice, and very cheap.
Dance clubs
Always start very late around 1-2 am. You have a nice choice to pick up from:
- Industria Avenida do Brasil nº 843, Foz - "local heroes and international superstars" - going since 1987, this plush nightclub on the sea-front in Foz would benefit any city. It's around 4am .http://www.industriaporto.com/
- Bla-Bla A quite poupular chillout disco in the Industrial Area.
- Via Rápida A popular disco in the Industrial Area. The nightclub opens fridays and saturdays and it's always crowded. The music heard are the latest dance hits and the crowd is 20ish.
- BazaarA design bar, that is also a clothing shop and book shop. Probably, the most trendy bar in porto. It closes around 4. http://www.bazaar.com.pt/
- Estado Novo It provides to its clients a wide range of music, from the 80's hits til today's dance hits. Every thursday is a special night for ladies, called "wild wild woman". It opens from thursday to saturday and minimum consuption is 15€
- Aniki Bobo A multi-level dance club requented by the intelligentsia Rua da Fonte Taurina 38, Tel 22/606-36-65
- Triplex A club that is located close to Boavista. Note that a three-storey house with a garden was transformed into a club.
Sleep
There's residential homes all around the city. there's also a lot of 3 star hotels with affordable prices. In the entire city there's only one camping site (Prelada), but it's a bit far from the centre. Since Porto is not a touristic city compared to Lisbon or Algarve there aren't many family houses with rooms to rent, however there are some!
Budget
- [2] is located outside of the city centre, with several buses passing just by, opened 24 hours and a terrific view over the river (and prices: 14 to 16 euros per night - 2006 -) Address : Pousada de Juventude do Porto, Paulo da Gama Street, 551, 4169-006 Porto. (Revervations here: https://www.movijovem.pt/Reservas/)
Mid-range
- The Mercure Hotel. Praca da Batalha 116. +351 22 2043300, [3] is located in city centre, not far from the railway station and close to the Cathedral and the Torre dos Clerigos.
Splurge
- Ipanema Park Hotel
- Meridien
Contact
Stay safe
112 is the number to call when you're with an emergency in hands. Be careful with pickpockets in heavily crowded areas and on public buses and tram. Porto is generally a safe place to be, if you take some precautions like walking in well illuminated streets, keeping your money to yourself and don't show off.
There is one part of Porto that often has drunk people that could possibly be trouble, it is near the Tourist Information Office between the cathedral and the steps to the small church. I would recommend not walking through that area. If you take the main road from the bus station to the cathedral and tourist information center, walk back to the bus station after you're done and then walk from there to the other sites. If you take a shortcut from the tourist information center down stairs, it's the alley near where there are a motley bunch.
Money scams involving currency changing are inexistent because no one on the street will change money with you (people aren't aware of currency rates...) so your best try is the bank!
Cope
Get out
- If you'd like to try some of the bars of Oporto, there is a quite interesting route you can take from Ancora de Ouro, passing by Gestos (next to the Torre dos Clerigos). Then you can go to Pinguim, a bit down the street, and finish of on the huge variety of pubs and bars in the Ribeira.
- Dining by the river in Cais de Gaia in one of the many restaurants available. The offer goes from Portuguese, modern food, Indian, Brazillian...
- Then go on to the other side of the river and enjoy some of the typical pub's and discos from Porto in Ribeira.
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
