GTRAVEL- PORTO Guide

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PORTO ALL YOU NEED TO ENJOY

THE CITY AS A LOCAL

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WELCOME TO

PORTO OVERVIEW

Located along the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is one of the oldest European cities, and its core was proclaimed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Port wine, one of Portugal's most famous exports, is named after Porto, since the metropolitan area, and in particular the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, are responsible for the packaging, transport, and export of the famous portuguese fortified wine.

DID YOU KNOW...

Porto is on the Portuguese Way path of the Camino de Santiago.

The iconic Dom Luís bridge, connecting Porto with the cross-river city Vila Nova de Gaia, was built by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, with his distintic style.

Portus Cale ("Port of Cale") was an ancient town in the area of today's Grande Porto. The name of the town eventually influenced the name of the country Portugal.

Cala or Cailleach was the name of a Celtic god – in Scotland she is also known as Beira, Queen of Winter.

Other have argued that the name derives from the Greek word Καλλις kallis, 'beautiful' , the Latin word for 'warm' (Portus Cale thus meaning 'warm port') or the Argonaut Cale, who settled on this port.

PORTO NOT JUST A TOURIST

PLACES TO VISIT The Crystal Palace Gardens (Jardins do Palácio de Cristal) are a prized green space located in the Massarelos parish, from which you can enjoy stunning views of the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) is one of the city's oldest monuments. Built in the highest point in the city, its one of the city landmarks.

São Bento Train Station is a 20thcentury railway terminal with large panels of azulejo tile representing Portugal's history.

The Church of Saint Francis (Igreja de São Francisco) is noted for its outstanding inner decoration. The Clérigos Church (Igreja dos Clérigos) has a tall bell tower (Torre dos Clérigos) that can be seen from various points of the city and is one of Porto's characteristic symbols.

The Chapel of Souls (Capela da Almas) is covered with beautiful, traditional portuguese tiles. It is located in the middle of the Rua de Santa Catarina, one of the best known shopping streets in the city, and near the famous Bolhão food Market.

"A MUST DO" cross the Luís I Bridge Pte. Luiz I! It is s a nice walk and on the other side of the bridge there's an amazing view of the city.

Please do not miss a garden called Jardim do Morro and the old monastery across the street.

Admire the views from Miradouro da Serra do Pilar and once you are on the other side of the bridge (actually it is a different city called Vila Nova de Gaia) you can visit some wineries for port wine tasting and walk around the Riverside afterwards.

PORTO CULTURE

MUSEUMS & MORE Soares dos Reis National Museum. The Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis is the oldest public museum in Portugal and the most famous in Porto.

Serralves is one of the most important culture institutions worldwide. The Museum is relevant in the contemporary art circuit in Europe.

Casa da Música is a concert hall, home of the National Orchestra of Porto, and standing at the historic Rotunda da Boavista.

The Porto Customshouse (Centro de Congressos da Alfândega) is a formercustomshouse along the bank of the Douro River. Inside it is the Museum of Transport with a fantastic collection of classic cars.

The Stock Exchange Palace (Palácio da Bolsa) is a must to be seen monument built in the 19th century. It is located in the Infante D. Henrique Square in the historical centre of Porto.

Livraria Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal, rated among the most beautiful bookstores in the world For more than a century, it has been a main showcase for Portuguese literature, both nationally and internationally.

Trivia J.K. Rowling, who lived in Porto for a few years, is said to have been inspired for her Harry Potter books by this bookstore.

Lello's first owner (Ernesto Chardron) founded it with the money he won in the lottery. Some of the old tickets were found hidden on the shelves and yhey can be seen on a shelf on the 1st floor.

PORTO EXPERIENCES SOCIALIZE&DRINK Go for a walk or a shopping spree on Rua das Flores. This pedestrianised street is lined by trendy boutiques and restaurants and attracts the talents of many local buskers.

Fancy some drinks? Here you have some recommendations: Taberna Aduela. R. Das Oliveiras 36, 4050-448, a hip bar that sits in a picturesque square called “Praça das Oliveiras”, close to the Carlos Alberto teather. On Saturdays, the area host the itinerary crafts and art market Porto Belo Candelabro. Rua da Conceição 3, a cosy, artsy wine bar-bookshop in downtown Porto, lively but not overrun with tourists.

Selina Porto. R. Das Oliveiras nº 61, casual space perfect for meeting new people and with a happening courtyard!

RUA Tapas&Music Bar. Tv. de Cedofeita 24, a bustling bar where you can dance and, on weekends, listen to live music.

Bugo Art Burgers, When meet calls you after so much seafood, you can make a break for their tasty burgers and a beer!

Is always nice just to walk by the river specially around the area where it meets the ocean (Foz do Douro) A good route, specially to go for a run, starts from Foz (around Rua Cel. Raúl Peres) and finishes around Castelo do Queijo, a fortification situated along the coast in the northern municipality of Porto.

For a shorter walk you can visit the city park Porto City Park.

To see the sunset, Parque das Virtudes is a natural elevated street from where you can get an amazing view over the river and the bridge Ponte da arrabida.

PORTO GOURMET

EAT ALL THE FOOD! Bacalhau Muro dos Bacalhoeiros 154, 4050-080 Porto

A beautiful place, with a view of the Douro river, homemade food Café Santiago R. de Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382 Porto

This place has delicious "Francesinha", a caloric and famous sandwich from Porto Lareira - Serralves R. Jorge Reinel 7, 4150-436 Porto

Try a "chanfana" - shredded lamb, some tuna salad and other homey-taste dishes on this traditional coursine restaurant.

Tavi - Confeitaria da Foz R. da Sra. da Luz 363, 4150-689 Porto

Amazing desserts and tasty bites in a beautiful location!

Cervejaria Brasão Aliados 4000-407 Porto, Portugal

For steak and bacalhau, the cod fish essential in Portuguese cousine Dom Peixe (Sea food) R. Heróis de França, 241, 4450-158, Matosinhos

Enjoy some grilled fish (robalo or dourada), squids and their famous sardines

Markets are a nice option for food, snacks and drinks all in the same place!

The most famous food market is Bolhão, right at the heart of Porto and where locals go to get fresh vegetables, meat and fish.

You can also try the "Leitão do Zé" at Mercado Bom Sucesso ( Praça Bom Sucesso 7490) or go to the smaller, but also plenty of good food, Mercado Municipal de Gaia across the other side of the river (Largo Sampaio Bruno 10, 4400-161 Vila Nova de Gaia).

PORTO SPECIALTIES PORTO WINE Wine is the quintessential Porto's speciality. Wine tours ans tastings are popular among visitors and there are plenty of options for all budgets and palates. The wineries are located on Vila Nova de Gaia's river side, just walk around and choose your favourite!

To buy some good port wine at good price, the 10 years old Niepoort is highly recommended.

You can also try Casa Augusto food shop.

Close to it you can get a Tram for a very nice ride by the River.

AZULEJOS(TILES) Tiles (called azulejos) are everywhere in Portugal. They decorate everything from walls of churches and monasteries, to palaces, ordinary houses, park seats, fountains, shops, and train stations.

If you are really into tiles, you can find not souvenir-like azulejos but the real ones for 4-5 euros available in this specialised shop: AZULIMA - Azulmarmol Revestimentos lda.

Two special recommendations for closing a memorable trip to Porto: 1) The Bank of Materials is located in the Palace of the Viscounts of Balsemão, near the statues and black-andwhite stone pavement of the Praça Carlos Alberto. It looks like a museum, and once inside you can see plenty of azulejos, as the Bank of Materials stores tens of thousands of those tiles in its collection. Nearly all of them are available for building owners to take, free of charge, to restore a façade.

2) Witness Porto's history burst to life in a spectacular audio-visual show, with Porto Legends: The Underground Experience www.portolegends.com

PORTO SURROUNDINGS

DAY TRIP Braga is an old city with a café-filled center, with a historic university and the oldest cathedral in the country Aveiro is nicknamed the ‘Venice of Portugal’ where painted boats and vibrant buildings are the main signature.

Viana do Castelo is a beach town home to both a medieval center and beautiful beaches. As a fishing port, it’s also an excellent location for seafood.

CLOSE BEACHES The beaches in Porto are very beautiful!

Around Vila Nova de Gaia, the praia Grao d'Areia is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

You can rent a car to drive around and explore small towns by the ocean, such as the pinturesque Labruge. A favourite Sunset spot there is Praia de São Paio.

Esposende is also a good option with white sand beaches for a relaxing getaway!

AROUND DOURO RIVER, THE WINE VALLEY Whether you cruise along the river by ferry or drive in a car, a trip through the Douro Valley will not disappoint!

Starting from Porto or finishing in the city, you can explore the Valley, one of the oldest wine regions in the world.

On your way you would enjoy visiting Port Wine Cellars with amazing wine tastings.

Besides, the terraced vineyards and rolling green hills are some of the most beautiful sights in Portugal!

USEFUL INFORMATION

A collection of survival references

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Good news, there is only one telephone number to remember: 112 (European Emergency number) MORE INFO AND GUIDES

LINKS

https://visitporto.travel/ https://www.atlasobscura.com/things -to-do/porto-portugal https://onthegrid.city/porto/ribeiradowntown

If you need a local helping-hand or you want more information about your next travel destination, do not hesitate to contact: travel@gluengo.com

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MINIGUIDE

PORTO IDEAL FOR THE BUSY TRAVELER

DIRECT AND STRAIGHT TO THE POINT ADVICE ABOUT THE PORTUGUESE CITY OF WINE WITH LOCAL TIPS, FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS, SUGGESTED DAY-TRIPS, AND MORE

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