Porto, or Oporto, as it's often known in English, is Portugal´s second largest city. Located along the Douro river estuary in northern Portugal, it is one of the oldest European centres and today stands a charming UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Portugal makes for a great holiday combination with Spain. And Eurail is a fun, simple way to travel. Leave Madrid Chamartin Station by Hotel train 332, have dinner on board. Get off at the beautiful blue tiled Sao Bento station of Porto. Around 20,000 magnificent tiles alluding to the history of transport and Portugal cover most of the station atrium. They are the work of artist Jorge Colaço and date from 1916.
Blue tiles decorate many facades in Porto, and this centrally located church gives you an idea how gorgeous they can look.
Hop on hop off buses are available and an easy way to get about town.
Many lovely tiled building dot the township.
Se Do Porto. A fortress-like cathedral is the oldest surviving structure. The building has its origins in the 12th century, although it underwent many alterations over time. The Gothic rose window is the only part of the original facade that remains, especially after Baroque alterations in the 18th century.
The tram system of Porto offers a tourist route which is a fabulous way to experience the city as they use vintage tramcars! There is also the Oporto Tram Museum located at Massarelos, near the river front, which gives insights into how the transportation took shape in this pretty riverside town.
The rooster is a national symbol in Portgual and dots many a souvenirs. The Barcelos Rooster has long signified good luck and you must pick up one when in Portugal.
Dom Luis I Bridge dwarfs the skyline and is one of the town's main symbols. At the time of construction its span of 172 m was the longest of its type in the world. The bridge was started in 1881 and launched in 1886 across the Douro River, designed by Teófilo Seyrig who had already engineered the D. Maria Pia Bridge project nearby, whilst working as a partner of Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame).
There are four other bridges in the city, best seen on a Douro River cruise. The Dona Maria Pia Bridge, also an iron railway bridge, completed in 1876 was designed by Gustave Eiffel before he built the famous Paris tower!
The Porto Riverfront makes for chilled out walks and leisurely people watching.
Duro Valley is the home to Port Wine. Oporto's port wine lodges opened their doors to visitors in the 1960s, and have since become the city's most sought-after attraction.
Visit the port houses like Calem for wine tourism, and taste the famous wine of Porto also known as Vinho do Porto, do a tour of the cellars and pick up a bottle or two to carry back home.
Wine cellars at Calem. They offer free guided tours and tastings, explaining the winemaking and storage process, as well as the origin and characteristics of the wine.
Port wine is a Portuguese fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley in the northern provinces of Portugal. It is typically a sweet, red wine, often served as a dessert wine, and comes in dry, semi-dry, and white varieties.
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