Porto: The Secret Capital of Portugal
To begin with Porto is called this due to its high quality of lifestyle. For centuries you will find here the commercial centre of the country. However, the 2nd largest city after Lisbon is not just an economic metropolis. Located on the Rio Douro you will find a picturesque setting along the waters edge and also the Atlantic Coast is just a stones throw away. You must certainly take the opportunity to go on a boat trip on the river- this way you will also get to know Porto from the water.
A Truly Cultural Destination
As well as the scenic beauty, Porto has a lot to offer in the area of culture. In 2001 Porto was the European Capital of Culture and has maintained its reputation until today- Ribeira, the historical old town is particularly responsible for this. Ribeira was declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1996 and invites visitors to discover the houses, narrow streets and delightful places in the suburbs. Although, if you are in the region of Porto in your rental car , we recommend that you do this tour on foot- walking can be a lot less stressful due to the fact that the roads are often closed. Even better is the fact that you can visit the numerous cafes and restaurants that invite you in to take a breather. Apart from that Ribeira is where all of Porto’s nightlife goes. Well worth seeing is the Roman cathedral „Sé“ from the 12th century, the famous bridge „Ponte de Dom Luís I” that connects Porto with the suburbs Vila Nova de Gaia as well as the „Igreja dos Clérigo“. The tower on this church is the symbol of Porto and offers the most impressive view over the whole city- the climb up is definitely worth it! A further feature is the Maria-Pia Bridge that was designed and built by Gustave Eiffel between 1876-1877.
If you feel the need to experience the authentic culture of northern Portugal, you should go to one of the many port wine cellars in the city. This delicious drink helped the Portuguese Region to prosperity and today is the most famous export of the city. You will be served wine in the cellars in the district of Vila Nova de Gaia which you can reach in a few minutes in your hired car. If by chance you happen to be in Porto on the 24th June- you will be there to enjoy the most important festival of the year. On São João the high-spirited atmosphere begins early in the evening and goes on throughout the whole night- A sight not to be missed!
Enjoy Another Side to the City
If you want to escape the “big city flair” we suggest you take a trip along the Douro River. You will discover the wonderful scenery of northern Portugal and at the same time experience on the tourist trails, the original life of the Portuguese. It’s definitely worth it to also take a trip to the northern situated university city of Braga. The academic centre is also the residence of the archbishop and has significant religious meaning. You should definitely visit the church of pilgrimage and the 12th century cathedral. „It is not lived here, it is worked for“- this is an old saying about Porto and recognises the amusing character of the city. Next to the busy hustle and bustle and the cultural variety, Porto is a place to relax and enjoy yourself. “The Capital of the North” is more than just the little sister city of Lisbon but can further compete on its own on an international level with other tourist magnets. A visit to the attractive harbour city is a must for every holiday maker travelling to Portugal! Discover Porto in your hired car today!
