Porto is the second largest city in the country; its hard-working inhabitants are noted for their commercial enterprise, always standing firm against outside impositions and foreign invaders, which explains why Porto has become known as the «unvanquished» city.
With its splendid geographical location on the mouth of the river Douro and an architectural heritage of exceptional quality, the historic centre of Porto was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1996.
Porto is both the city that provided a nation with a name and a fortified wine known world-wide: port. In addition to its history, any visitor to Porto will be quickly impressed by the forceful character of both the city and its inhabitants.
Go for a boat ride under Porto´s six bridges, from where you can enjoy an entirely different view of the city.
If you want to get to know the city better, we recommend a guided walk through its streets, taking time to admire the typical granite houses and monuments.
Experience the "Baixa (Downtown)" of Porto, with all the rhythms of city life, its movement and intense retailing.
It is supposed to have been born in the 1950's and consists of a sandwich with meats and cheese, all covered by a spicy sauce whose recipe varies from restaurant to restaurant. One of the preferred discussions of the people of Porto is: Where can we eat the best francesinha of the city?
The Demarcated Region of Douro is considered to be the first demarcated region of the world it exists since 1756. t is here, in poor and schist soils (difficulties joined by the slopes of the ground), that the Port Wine, a liquorish wine, ambassador of the Portuguese wines, is produced but also, and increasingly more, red and white wines of superior quality.
Also in Porto, there are good fish dishes, particularly codfish, which can be found in many variations. The city of Matosinhos, also a neighbouring city of Porto, is widely known thanks to its various restaurants that transform the confection of fresh fish that comes from the local fish markets, into an art.
Northern people know how to enjoy themselves. Porto, Braga and Guimarães are young cities, offering cultural entertainment and very interesting cuisine and night life.
Some are outdoor spaces, art galleries, stores, theatre stages and places with alternative sounds and retro atmospheres. In the downtown area – currently the liveliest place in the city at night –, you can also come across some urban “tribes” and different cultures
Buy tickets to a rock concert and, before the show starts, dine at one of the many restaurants with an esplanade overlooking the Douro River banks.
Porto's best art museum presents a stellar collection ranging from Neolithic carvings to Portugal's take on modernism. The Serralves Museum opened no sooner than 1999, but it rapidly became a landmark of the local artistic life of Porto.
Visit the Torre dos Clérigos, the masterpiece of Nicolau Nasoni, which in 2013 celebrated its 250 years of existence. Or the Church of São Francisco, in Porto, a breathtaking monument covered in gold in its interior.
Another of Nasoni's designs, the "Palácio do Freixo" is located on the eastern edge of Porto, on the banks of the River Douro. It was built in the mid 18th century and it is one of the finest Baroque houses to be found in Portugal.
Benefiting from the economic progress lived at the time – due to the discovery of gold mines and precious stones in Brazil and wood in the new continents –, palaces, churches and monasteries became alive with movement and colour.
Douro offers a unique landscape in the world, but also unique experiences, of the houses converted into hotels and the rich and substance gastronomy passing of course by the wines - yes, wines, beyond Port Wine, it is worth tasting the wines DOC Douro.
Throughout the second half of the 11th century and in the early 12th century, a series of transformations enabled the appearance and expansion of the Romanesque style. Discover the Romanesque art and architecture of northern Portugal.
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