City

Oporto, a city to discover

With striking contemporary and timeless attractions, an expanded airport (to which a larger-than-ever number of airlines fly every day), a new state-of-the-art metro, and a renovated World Heritage center, there's never been a better time to visit Oporto.

There have always been plenty of reasons to visit Portugal's second city, but now that it's ambitiously opening itself up to the world with bold new architecture and cultural attractions, it's guaranteed to please everyone. Those who've always wanted to soak up the city's atmosphere and wine now have better access to it all, and those who are just beginning to discover it, will find a wide variety of attractions.

In the winter temperatures range from an average low of 6ºC (43ºF) to an average high of 12ºC(54ºF). And in the summer months the city experiences highs on average of 25ºC (78ºF).

Arrival

The best way to arrive to Porto is by air to the modern Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport, situated just 11 kilometers from the center of Porto. Porto is well connected to the rest of western Europe and the world via Ryanair, EasyJet, Iberia, Lufthansa, and TAP airlines. From the airport, the center of the city is easily reached via taxi, rental car or metro. Taxis are easily found at the exit of the airport and will take between 20 and 30 minutes to reach the center of the city and cost between €15 and €20.

Getting around/transportation

Porto’s metro system opened in 2002 and is easy to use for your travel to and around the city. To travel from the airport, take the purple line towards the center of the city. Travel cards, called Andante, are purchased at vending machines located inside all of the metro stations. A trip from the airport to the center will cost you €0.5 for the card and €1.8 for a Z4 travel ticket and the entire trip should take you 40 minutes. You must swipe your travel card when you enter the metro and when you change lines. Your card can be recharged at the same vending machines for additional travel.

Several well-known rental car agencies operate at Porto’s airport, including Avis, Europcar, and Hertz. For further information about traveling to and from Porto Airport please see the airport webpage.

Renting a motorcycle, bicycle or scooter is the easiest way to visit and enjoy the most hidden places of Porto and know the metropolitan area, without having problems with parking. Find out how interesting and fun it can be meeting new friends, escaping to the traffic and seing the sights.

You must visit Parque da Cidade, is the only ocean front urban park in the world with over 80 hectars for you to enjoy. To the east of Porto, further up the Douro, best experienced by a river cruise, you will discover the Port wine making region. Restricted to a defined area only a few kilometers on either side of the river, this is the region that made Porto famous to the world. However, if you would like to taste the wine of the region, Port wine, it is best to visit the wine cellars which are in the city just next to Porto. Only a 15 minute walk or 5 minute taxi ride from Porto, across the river on the beautiful Dom Luís bridge, you can visit the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. We recommend visiting not only for the wine, but for the best view of downtown Porto.

TOP 10 BEST OF PORTO - What Not to Miss

1) CAIS DE GAIA The city's postcard skyline and the birthplace of one of the world's most famous wines.
2) SERRALVES MUSEUM Two buildings that are as much a work of art as the collections they exhibit inside, surrounded by a magnificent park.
3) CASA DA MUSICA An architectural masterwork by world-renowned architect Rem Koolhaas.
4) SÃO FRANCISCO CHURCH One of Europe's most extraordinarily lavish church interiors, completely covered in gold.
5) CAIS DA RIBEIRA Atmospheric, colorful, World Heritage riverfront medieval district.
6) THE CATHEDRAL The 12th-century fortress-cathedral where Prince Henry the Navigator was baptized.
7) CLERIGOS TOWER Iconic landmark overlooking the city.
8) PALACIO DA BOLSA The exuberant interior of the former Stock Exchange Palace.
9) DOM LUIS BRIDGE Before the Eiffel Tower, there was this ironwork showpiece.
10) SOARES DOS REIS MUSEUM A notable national art museum named after one of the country's top artists. Top Experiences Look at a "World's Most Beautiful" list and you'll most likely find a refrence to Porto under "world's most beautiful book stores," "world's most beautiful train stations" and "world's most beautiful cafés". Here are the world beauties and other experiences you shouldn't miss in this city:  1) LELLO BOOK STORE Go inside the "Lello & Irmão" bookshop, a historic space with a Neo-Gothic interior featuring a grand staircase and stained glass. 2) MAJESTIC CAFÉ Have a drink at "Café Majestic," a classic European Art Nouveau café and a city landmark. 3) GIGANTIC TILE MURALS Admire the gigantic tile panels inside São Bento Station and on the façades of Carmoand Capela das Almas churches. 4) DOURO CRUISE Take a cruise or a tour down the World Heritage Douro Valley. 5) ART GALLERIES STREET Check out the art galleries down Rua Miguel Bombarda. 6) TIME-WARP SHOPS Shop at the retro shops downtown, many preserving wonderful Art Nouveau façades. Recommended: A Vida Portuguesa and Pérola do Bolhão. More info about them and others on the Porto shopping list. 7) THE LOCAL MARKET Browse through the colorful Bolhão Market. 8) THE ATLANTIC Take a stroll by the sea in Foz. 9) THE MONUMENTAL HEART OF THE CITY Watch the world go by on Avenida dos Aliados. 10) THE GARDENS OVERLOOKING THE RIVER Relax at the Crystal Palace Gardens. Of course you can’t come to Porto and not drink port. Head uphill from the river to Taylor’s, one of Portugal’s first wineries, for free tours and tastings of its excellent LBV (late-bottled vintage). Alternatively, enjoy a glass or two in one of the city’s atmospheric wine bars - subterranean Vinologia offers over 200 wines and ports to try and buy.

A