The second largest city in Portugal, the capital of the Douro region and firmly back on the travel map of Europe after a facelift in 2001, Oporto (often referred to by its Portuguese name, Porto) is the working city of the country. Despite the fact that is it predominantly industrial, Oporto is full of charm with many art treasures, striking cathedrals, waterfront cafes and bars and an atmospheric riverside Ribeira quarter. The area enjoys warm summers and mild winters, with autumn often the best time to visit to avoid the crowds and soak up the sunshine. Direct flights to Oporto operate from London with connections from around the UK. The average flight time is around two hours.
Despite being predominantly industrial, Oporto thrives on its history, culture and wine…
There's something for just about every type of holidaymaker in Oporto. With its engrossing mix of colourful houses, flower-filled balconies and narrow streets, Oporto has a romantic appeal that draws couples that enjoy walking along the riverfront and in the many parks and gardens. Wine tasting is popular particularly among business travellers and with many coastal resorts in close reach there's a lot to attract families too. Just about every age and type of holidaymaker can find something to enjoy, even young travellers who will enjoy the city centre's energetic nightlife.
The main tourist attraction for Oporto is sampling the area's internationally famed port wine. The wine itself is processed at the Vila Nova da Gaia district, and tourists can take in the lodges and enjoy a tasting session. It's not just at the lodges where you can enjoy fine wines, as Oporto is packed with a great collection of traditional tavernas and international restaurants. Seafood, fish and local cuisine are particularly popular and this is reflected in the traditional stores and a colourful market.
Oporto is often referred to as the 'gateway to the north' with a number of coastal resorts and fishing villages along the Atlantic coast. Cruises along the River Douro allow you to take in some spectacular scenery and the golden sands are lined with restaurants. It's also worth taking in some of the pretty and historic towns in the area including Guimaraes and Braga. Rail and boat trips to the Duaro Valley, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, are frequent and popular.
The Costa Verde is generally less packed than the beaches of the Algarve and as such tends to attract more of the Portuguese public. Espinho sits just 18km south of Oporto and has a long sandy beach, a casino and a bullfighting ring. Further north the Vila do Conde is famed for its handicrafts and lace, while Povoa de Varzim, originally a fishing village, is now a hugely popular tourist resort famed for its wild nightlife at the casino, Buddha bar and the Hit Bar.
There are plenty of attractions worth seeing in and around Oporto. The Igreja de Sao Francisco is the church of St Frances, which, while unspectacular on the outside is dazzling on the interior with a Baroque design and lots of pillars and columns. There is also an extensive art museum dedicated to Soares dos Reis, the famous sculptor who was born in Oporto. The entire historic centre is a world heritage site and contains sights such as the town hall, bishop's palace, churches and a cathedral.
As dusk falls you won't be short of places to go in Oporto. In particular the streets off Rua de Santa Catarina come alive, with venues such as Café Majestic and the buzzing clubs Industria and Disco Swing also in close reach. The old riverside neighbourhood of Cais de Ribeira is where much of the action takes place, while the student scene is vibrant on the streets of Cordoaria.
