Welcome to Porto, a captivating city in Northern Portugal that’s a delightful mix of old-world charm and vibrant energy. Whether you're here for a city break or as a starting point for exploring the region, let MADABOUTPORTO.COM be your ultimate guide to uncovering the best of Porto. We’ll take you through the must-see sights, the tastiest eats, the top hotels, and the most exciting tours. Your unforgettable adventure starts here!
Porto, known for its famous Port wine, is a city rich in history and character, dating back to Roman times. Situated at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto has long been a key trading hub and is now one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. From across the river, you’ll be greeted by a striking view of colourful medieval houses and monuments clinging to the hillside, showcasing Porto’s unique architectural charm.
The lively Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a maze of narrow cobbled streets filled with the aroma of grilled seafood and the buzz of lively cafés. Marvel at the historic buildings, including works by renowned architects Gustave Eiffel and Nicolau Nasoni. Don’t miss the chance to explore Porto’s iconic landmarks like the Dom Luís I Bridge and the majestic Porto Cathedral.
For a taste of modernity, stroll down Avenida da Boavista, where you’ll find high-end shops, exclusive hotels, and the architectural marvel - Casa da Música. Head to Foz do Douro for beautiful beaches, seaside promenades, and stunning Atlantic sunsets.
Plan your trip with us at MADABOUTPORTO.COM and discover the timeless allure of Porto. Book your tours and accommodations today to make the most of your visit to this unforgettable city!
Port wine stands in a league of its own, emerging from the breathtaking terraced vineyards of Portugal's Douro Valley. This distinctive fortified wine has sparked imitations worldwide, but much like Champagne, no competitor rivals the quality of a top vintage Port. This exceptional wine style gains its unique flavour, robustness, and sweetness from halting fermentation with the addition of a strong spirit.
Until 1987, a wine could only be designated as Port (or Vinho do Porto) after ageing in Vila Nova de Gaia. The EU later extended the designation to the entire Douro wine region. Nonetheless, Port wine remains a cornerstone of Porto's legacy. Approximately 60 Port lodges still grace the steep hills of the Vila Nova de Gaia district, making the area a prime destination for wine enthusiasts. Two dozen of these lodges are open for tours and tastings on weekdays and Saturdays, offering a must-visit experience for oenophiles.
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The term Costa Verde (Green Coast) is a term used to describe an area covering the North-West coast of Portugal. Extending from the Spanish frontier in the North to 20km South of Porto. The coastline remains unspoiled by mass tourism with long stretches of golden sands. Atlantic waves provide ideal conditions for water sports, drawing surfers, kite-surfers and windsurfers alike.
The area's beauty extends far inland from the coast to more mountainous terrains, encompassing ancient villages and historic cities. This area was the birthplace of Portugal and contains many historical and interesting monuments. Cities such as Braga, Guimarães and Porto maintain their original medieval infrastructure. Coastal towns such as Caminha, Viana do Castelo, Esposende and Vila do Conde are famed for their fishing heritage and historic seafaring traditions.
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Esposende
One thing you can be sure of is the number of great places to eat in Porto, ranging from small family-owned tascas, Art Nouveau cafés, and reasonably priced restaurants to Michelin-star fine dining. The new generation of Portoenses is more adventurous with their dining preferences than their more traditional forebears. The last decades have seen a profusion of new and exciting influences appearing on menus. That said, there remains several obligatory customary local dishes found in most establishments awaiting your discovery.
As with most parts of Portugal, Fish is a popular mainstay in restaurants. Along the Cais da Ribeira quayside, a dozen largely touristy fish restaurants are found under the arches. More modest places hidden in the alleys behind. The belly-busting Francesinha (“little Frenchie”) is a layered sandwich comprised of steak, sausage and ham between toasted bread, covered with melted cheese and a peppery tomato and beer sauce. The local speciality is tripas (tripe), cooked à Moda do Porto (stewed with chouriço and white beans) has given the locals the nickname of Tripeiros. Another typical Portuense dish is Caldo Verde, a thick vegetable soup served with a slice of choriço on top.
On the opposite bank in Vila Nova de Gaia, there's a mix of traditional fish eateries and international restaurants and bars, such as; Spanish tapas, Indian and Italian restaurants, Brazilian churrascaria and an Irish pub. The cheapest meals are found in the city centre centred around the university district in the Baixa, focused around the Praça da Batalha. For a very local experience, you can find a cheap lunch at the Mercado do Bolhão market, such as grilled sardines.
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National roads indicated as EN, IC and IP are free, whereas others have tolls. Locals will use the Via Verde automatic toll device and have dedicated lanes going through the toll gate – you'll need to avoid these. Other than that, Portuguese highways are well-maintained and a joy to ride on. The A1 Lisbon, links to the Algarve; A3 Valença and the Minho, A4 Amarante and Trás-os-Montes, links to Bragança; A28 to Cerveira and the A29 to Aveiro. Some of these highways are paid at the end of the trip with a ticket collected at the beginning of the highway.
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• Linha de Aveiro (urban) Train Timetable • Linha de Braga (urban) Train Timetable • Linha de Ermesinde (urban) Train Timetable • Linha de Guimarães (urban) Train Timetable • Linha de Marco de Canaveses (urban) Train Timetable • Linha de Douro (regionais) Train Timetable • Faro - Lisbon - Coimbra - Guarda - Viana - Valença (intercidades - via Campanhã) Train Timetable |
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• Rede Expressos: Website Rede Expressos run comfortable coach services across Portugal connecting most major towns and cities.
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