Visiting Porto

Porto is the main city of northern Portugal, built on the north bank of the Douro near the river mouth, facing Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank. The historic centre, the riverfront and most monuments lie within walking distance of each other, on steep slopes between the upper town and the river.

This page covers how to reach Porto, how to move around the city, and its food and wine.

Getting to Porto

• By air: Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport lies north of the city, connected to the centre by the metro.
• By train: long-distance trains from Lisbon arrive at Campanhã station, and São Bento Station in the centre serves urban trains and the Minho line.
• By road: the A1 motorway connects Porto with Lisbon, the A3 with Valença and Galicia, the A4 with Amarante and Trás-os-Montes, and the A28 with the north coast.

Getting around Porto

• Metro: the Porto metro links the city centre with the airport, Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos and the surrounding municipalities.
• Historic trams: historic trams run between the city centre and the riverfront towards Foz do Douro.
• Funicular dos Guindais: a funicular railway links the Ribeira with the Batalha area in the upper town.
• On foot: the historic centre has steep streets and stairs, and the lower deck of the Luís I Bridge links the Ribeira with the Gaia riverfront. The bridges of Porto has its own page.

Food in Porto

• Francesinha: a sandwich of bread, cured and fresh meats and steak, covered in melted cheese and a hot sauce made with tomato and beer.
• Tripas à moda do Porto: a stew of tripe, cured meats and white beans, linked to the name tripeiros given to the people of Porto.
• Fresh produce: the Bolhão Market sells fish, meat, fruit and vegetables in the city centre.

Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia

Port wine ages in the cellars of the Port wine houses on the Gaia riverfront, across the Luís I Bridge from the Ribeira.

Beaches in Porto

Places to visit in Porto

Porto, Portugal

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Serra do Pilar

Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Serra do Pilar

Palácio da Bolsa

Palácio da Bolsa

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello

Foz do Douro

Foz do Douro

Clérigos Church and Tower

Clérigos Church and Tower

Church of São Francisco

Church of São Francisco

São Bento Station

São Bento Station

Porto Cathedral

Porto Cathedral

Serralves

Casa da Música

Casa da Música

Bolhão Market

Bolhão Market

History of Porto

History of Porto

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Visiting Porto