Beautiful Porto

Humble, honest and rough around the edges is a laid-back destination full of pretty shops, historic alleyways, magnificent architecture, modern gastronomy and the delights of a relaxed city with a strong cultural identity.

It was in the Porto and in the North regions that Portugal was founded in the 12th century and the Portuguese became a people and a nation. Porto, a World Heritage city, is the gateway and departure point for a journey across the natural and cultural diversity of the region. It is known for the Port Wine which is shipped from here all over the world, but also for an heritage which combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral, the Stock Exchange Palace and the Church of São Francisco, and modern buildings, such as Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum. And for its School of Architecture which bred names like Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura, both winners of the Pritzker Prize.

The Cathedral area deserves to be explored, with its various monuments, such as the Renaissance church of Santa Clara, and the densely populated neighbourhoods which appear not to have been changed since medieval times. The riverside quarter of Ribeira is a delight, with narrow streets, typical houses and picturesque life-style: recently restored and now includes fashionable restaurants and bars. Equally lively and colourful is the market of Bolhão, where you can buy almost anything, but more elegant shops can be seen nearby, especially the jewelleries and leather goods shops in the Baixa (down-town).

Porto affords many other attractions, monuments and museums, as well as a cultural agenda, which has been steadily improving. With a well-known gastronomy and hospitable population, it is also the starting point to explore the river Douro in an unforgettable journey upstream.