Porto & The Douro Valley
Porto is one of the oldest cities in the country and as such, its path is sinuous and picturesque. It is a unique experience to stroll through its streets and feel the pulse of the city. Take the tram to the mouth of the river Douro and get to know the excellent beaches and the outdoor cafés, visit admiring churches and monuments and encounter the non-conformist modernism of the new contemporary buildings of architects like Siza Vieira, Souto Moura or Rem Koolhaas.
In 1756 Douro was the first demarcated and regulated wine region in the world. The wild slopes of the valley transformed themselves, through the work of generations, in terraces to plant the vines that produce the famous Port, excellent DOC Douro wine, sparkling wine and Muscat.
Enjoy a short break at Porto and The Douro Valley
Porto
Architectural and historical Heritage a unique legacy
Board on a medieval journey and pound the historical centre, passing by the Cathedral or the Clérigos Tower. By tram or on foot, go down to the peer and experience the feeling of making a cruise on a Rabelo boat, which sail on the river Douro. Take the opportunity to admire the six bridges of the city, visit the Port Wine cellars and taste this characteristic wine in a cosy and refined atmosphere.
Visit the Casa do Infante Museum, The São Francisco Church, the Palácio da Bolsa, the pleasant riverfront and the well preserved Ribeira and Miragaia streets. But same wise, admire the well present modernity in the Casa da Música and Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art.
Urban Entertainment. Sensations with the ocean and the river as background
Besides history and culture, Porto is also leisure, fun and night life. The famous streets around the Galeria de Paris Street, the cafés and its terraces, the Miguel Bombarda area or the commercial Sta Catarina Street are reference points in arts, in culture, but also in leisure and shopping.
Find out what Porto has best to offer and enjoy the numerous outdoor cafés by the sea and the excellent City Park with seafront.
In Porto and in the North of Portugal, it is always possible to transform a simple transfer into an event and make it unforgettable, on board of a boat, tram or train.
Don’t miss
The Casa da Musica, the Historical Centre and the Ribeira Square, the Lello Bookshop, the Café Majestic, the Port Wine Cellars and the Monastery of Nossa Senhora do Pilar, the Guindais Funicular, Miguel Bombarda Street, Galeria de Paris Street, Cândido dos Reis Street, Serralves House, and Museum of Modern Art, the São Bento Train station , the Cathedral, the Clérigos Tower. And, of course, the contagious joy of the popular festivities, the excellent gastronomy and the wine.
The Douro Valley
World Heritage
This impressive landscape was considered World Heritage by the UNESCO in 2001, as a living evolving cultural landscape the Douro Valley.
In the Valley of the river Douro and its tributaries, the harmonious interaction between Man and Nature coexists with another, possibly more natural or derelict - the one of the National Parks of Douro International, of Alvão or, yet even further, the Geopark of Arouca.
The River Douro flows from the Spanish border to the east of Porto and, depending on the time of the year, its slopes may be decorated with Almond trees and Cherry blossom or with the harvest labor.
Human work in perfect balance with Nature
Visit the Douro Museum in Régua, the Casa de Mateus Foundation in Vila Real and the many quintas that produce Port Wine and Douro Wine. Know the Douro Internacional Natural Park and the Alvão Natural Park. Located in the Upper Douro, Vila Nova de Foz Côa saw its name cross borders due to the discovery of its Paleolithic open air Rock Art. Considered World Heritage by the UNESCO, it is one of the biggest archeological centres of Rock Art.
Get into the spirit of a valley unique in the World
Try the traditional recipes accompanied by the highly respected Wines, in quintas or in the excellent local restaurants. Participate in the harvest, treading and other popular events. Board on a cruise or travel by train to enjoy a unique landscape or, if you are looking for radical activities, there is a variety of water sports you can practice.
Don’t miss
The Rock Art of Côa Valley and the Archeological Park, the Douro Internacional Natural Park and the Alvão Naturral Park, the Douro Valley, the Douro Museum, the Côa Museum, Monuments, the harvest, gastronomy and wine, the Douro cruises, the Casa de Mateus Foundation, the Monastery of Salzedas and the Shrine of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.
