Porto (in some languages also Oporto) is the second largest Portuguese city. Its population of 240,000 inhabitants, but in the entire metropolitan area has about 1,750,000 people. Porto is a modern cosmopolitan city near the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The area around the city is one of the most industrialized regions of Portugal. Together with Lisbon and the areas of Algarve are among the most visited tourist areas of the country.

Porto is also famous for its worldwide export commodity – port wine, which was originally exported only from this city (hence the name). And it was imported still is importing down the river Douro. South bank of the river belongs to the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia, part of Porto’s agglomeration. Porto’s historical center – Ribeira was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996. import

Some of the most interesting monuments and places:

  • Ribeira
  • Cathedral Sé
  • Tower and church: Igreja e Torre dos Clérigos
  • Episcopal Palace: Paço Episcopal do Porto
  • Station of São Bento
  • Bridge: Ponte Dom Luís I
  • Casa da musica
  • Farolins da Barra do Douro
  • City Hall (Camara Municipal do Porto)
  • St Mary’s Church and Carmelite Monastery
  • Lello & Irmão Bookstore
  • Palácio de Cristal

You should also check out our “How to Survive in Porto” Guidebook.

View to the D. Luís I bridge.