Public Transportation System
| The city of Porto, with an area of 42km2, is the second largest city in Portugal. It is located in the north of the country, on the North-western part of the Iberian Peninsula and lies to the right hand side of the river Douro in close proximity to its mouth. Covered by an ever progressing, accomplished transport network, getting to Porto could never be easier whether it be by plane, bus, car, boat, train or metro. Travelling within the city is made simple should you go by public transport, your own car or a hired one. |
| http://www.visitporto.travel/Visitar/Paginas/Viagem/SistemaTransportes.aspx?SubAreaType=2&SubArea=4 |
Porto Card
With the Porto Card, when using the modalities 1 day, 2 or 3 days, you are allowed unlimited access to public transport (metro, bus, urban trains, funicular) and private bus operators during the card's validity period. You can purchase your Porto Card at the Tourism Offices |
| http://short.visitporto.travel/portocard |
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Accommodation
A great part of the accommodation available is located in the areas of Boavista and the City Centre. In the Boavista area, although not so close from the city centre, you will find different kinds of accommodation, with special mention to a set of high quality hotels. But if you wish to get to know the city on foot, you should choose to stay in the City Centre, a few minutes away from the main attractions.
For those looking for more typical and traditional scenarios, we recommend the Historical Centre.
But if you enjoy staying by the sea, take a look at the Foz area.
However, from any other area in the city you’ll be able to get quickly and easily to the city centre, thanks to an efficient transports system.
Porto presents a great variety of accommodation offers: one star to five star hotels, some belonging to the most renowned international chains, a Pousada de Portugal, guest houses, hostels, local accommodation facilities, tourism apartments and a youth hostel.
http://www.visitporto.travel/visitar/paginas/descobrir/ListaVisit.aspx?AreaType=4&Area=14
Gastronomy
Porto’s gastronomy is a mirror of its cultural diversity. There are several linked stories; several legends told from generation to generation, which today complete the traditions of the townsfolk. Among the most famous ones, the typical dishes from Porto are characterized both by its incomparable taste and the uniqueness of its making.
Tripas à Moda do Porto (Porto’s Tripe)
Dish that named the townspeople: “Tripeiros” (Tripe People). Legend has it that, when in the 15th century the Infante D. Henrique left from Porto to conquer Ceuta, the people from Porto, full of selflessness, gave all the meat to the troops and were left just with the guts and tripe (tripas). But the city’s irreverence allowed dissipating such adversity: the guts and tripe were cooked in a stew and thus this tasty typical dish appeared.
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (Gomes de Sá’s Way Codfish)
“João, if you change anything it will not be accomplished”, said Gomes de Sá when handling the original receipt to his friend, in the late 19th century. With a special touch and almost the same ingredients with which he made codfish pastries, to the delight of his friends, this Porto’s gastronomy lover eternalized the way of preparing this flavorous and original codfish dish.
Francesinha
It was in 1953 that Daniel da Silva, combining the concept of some French snacks and adding a spicy sauce of his own making, created this delicatessen, giving it such a name in honour of the “spiciest women” he knew, the French. The sauce covering the meat and sausage sandwich is actually the secret for this tempting whim. A true delight this city offers, and that can be tasted in most of the city’s restaurants and cafés.
Contemporary cuisine
It is not the traditional that defines the boundaries for Porto’s cuisine. The city is also a shop window for exquisite quality Chefs, some internationally renowned, which place it in the cutting edge of the modern cuisine. Do not miss the chance to try it; no doubt you’ll be surprised!
http://short.visitporto.travel/gastronomia
PORT WINE
Famous and unique, Port Wine is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Region and aged in cellars. Originally it was transported down the river on the traditional Rabelo boats, replicas of which can be seen next to the Luís I bridge. This wine stands out from ordinary wines thanks to its huge range of varieties, with an incomparable richness and intensity of aroma, a long finish, both on the nose and on the palate, and a high level of alcohol content (generally between 19 and 22% by volume). The Port and Douro Wine Institute is the body responsible for certifying and supervising all “Porto” Origin wines. Its headquarters houses a multifunctional area for receptions, laboratories, tastings, visits and wine sales. The history of this precious nectar is revealed on a guided visit to the famous Port Wine Cellars or
the Port Wine Museum where numerous exhibits document the city’s commercial history and its relationship with the world-renowned wine. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to taste a glass of Port in a wine shop, a shop offering wine tastings and purchase your wine of choice.
The flavours of Porto are fully brought to life in the restaurants known as the Ambassadors of
Port Wine, where the wine is carefully chosen to accompany their culinary offerings. Porto asserted itself as an important trade entrepot from early times. The money from the trade and collection of taxes and rates on wine left its traces on the urban landscape. The “Urban Wine Route” stands as a new suggestion for exploring the city of Porto. Travel this route and find the places and buildings that make Porto a city of wine.
http://short.visitporto.travel/vinhoporto |
