Porto, the northern Portugal capital is the second largest city in Portugal after Lisbon, located along the Douro River estuary, with its western parts extending to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. Walk the historic center with its Medieval architecture, winding cobbled streets, Baroque churches and beautiful bridges over the Dour River. Admire the red roofed buildings on the hill’s steep slopes falling to the river where boats sail by. Explore the blue and white tile panels covering building walls, enjoy bustling markets and elegant shopping streets, a Fado Show, and the great local cuisine and wine.
Visiting Porto you will enjoy a charming city presenting a mix of Medieval heritage, traditions, and architecture, and a younger up to date vibes. As fully described in the TheTjoy.com, while visiting the city you will enjoy numerous attractions and great places to visit and enjoy.
- Visit the Ribeira Quarter, the picturesque Medieval center of Porto, with its narrow alleys and small local shops, the riverfront promenade packed with restaurants and cafes, and some of the major city’s iconic attractions.
- Visit the Porto Cathedral and explore its highly decorated interior, and the contemporary art Serralves Museum considered one of the leading of its type in Europe.
- Explore the Porto wineries and the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
- In Serralves Park visit the Contemporary Art Museum, and in the Crystal Palace Gardens admire the magnificent views of the Douro River and Porto.
- Traveling with children and in addition to the cultural experiences, children will love spending time in one of the city’s beautiful beaches, riding the Gaia cable car, the 6 bridges cruise in the Douro River, or enjoying one of the children’s attractions.
- Stroll the beautiful streets of Santa Catarina, Aliados Avenue, and others, and absorb the local culture and vibes in the Bolhao Market, and the Mercado Porto Belo flea market.
- The Douro River has a major effect on the city’s culture, traditions, and structural layout. The Port wine, one of Portugal’s most famous exports, is named after Porto since the metropolitan area, and particularly the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, where the packaging, transport, and export of the wine grown in the Douro Valley east of the city is executed.
Liberty Square
Palacio da Bolsa
Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
Porto features warm dry summers and mild rainy winters, with southern European characteristics.
Access Porto flying directly from major cities in Europe and North America or driving north from Lisbon.
TheTjoy.com recommends spending 2-3 days in Porto and additional few days traveling in its surroundings.
- Take a Douro Valley tour to enjoy the wine and the magnificent landscapes
- Visit the interesting and beautiful northern towns of Braga and Guimaraes and the nature gem of National Park Peneda-Gerês.
- Enjoy the southern towns of Aveiro & Costa Nova, the “Venice of Portugal”, and the university town of Coimbra, and more.
- Another great option if time allows, is to take a longer 2-3 days trip to Lisbon visiting beautiful towns and attractions of Lisbon’s surroundings on the way.
- You can also combine a short visit to Porto with a beach vacation in the southern parts of Portugal such as Cascais, Sesimbra or in one of the Algarve Region beach resorts.
- A different travel idea would be to combine a visit of Porto with traveling in either Madeira and Porto Santo Islands, or in the Azores’ Sao Miguel and Pico
