Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
City Intro
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Gilded cathedrals, old buildings clinging to hillsides, angular modern architecture and of
course, sweet Port wine all greet you in Porto, Portugal's second largest city. Overlooking the
Douro River, Oporto, as it is known in English, was founded as an important port city between
Lisbon and Braga.
With its hilly streets and medieval flair, the city serves as a link between the modern day and
the more ancient traditions. In the last twenty years, improvements to the Metro and bridge
systems have modernized the city but the historical churches, squares and monuments still
retain their old-world charm. One of the most ancient European cities, its city center was
classified as a World Heritage site in 1996. The center consists of the outer “Protected Area,”
a 14th-century Romanesque wall, and the inner “Classified Area,” a medieval borough.
On every street corner, visitors will find numerous monuments, including the She Changes
sculpture by
Janet Echelman
on the Waterfront Plaza of
Matosinhos
, that prove Porto's
reputation as an artsy and architectural city.
The city is also well known for its biggest export, Port wine. Produced exclusively in the
Douro Valley, this sweet, fortified wine is typically served with dessert, and can be found at
many of the restaurants in town.
Walking is the best way to explore the city and its historic stone buildings. Public
transportation makes it easy to get around Porto. The city's Metro network has five lines and is
