Porto

Porto, and the North of Portugal, was the birth place of the country and nation, where people became “Portuguese”.

The World Heritage city of Porto is perfect for a short break, just to spend some quality time exploring what the charm and beauty of the downtown area, divided by the Douro River, has to offer, with numerous bridges linking the two banks of the river with interesting sites, such as wineries to visit on both sides.

At the same time, Porto is a good starting point or gateway to discover North Portugal, with its natural and cultural diversity. The region is best known for the famous Port (wine) which is shipped from here across the globe, boasting an ever-growing popularity.

Porto is not only about the wine, however. It also has a heritage that combines ancient churches and monuments, such as the Cathedral and the Church of Sao Francisco, with modern buildings such as the Casa da Música and the Serralves Museum.

Over the past centuries, Porto has also been renowned for its education; Pritzker Prize winners Alvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura both graduated from the local School of Architecture. The University of Porto is still preferred for higher education not only by locals or nationals, but by international students as well, who come to study here from all over the world.

The entire region is dominated and crossed by the Douro River which begins in the ravines and mountains within the mainland, and flows through the entire World Heritage landscape, where the Port and Douro wines are produced.

The relaxing and peaceful Douro Valley region, surrounded by mountains and natural parks, offers not only unique, natural beauty but castles, such as the Guimaraes, as well as shrines and churches that are attractive for pilgrimages in the summer.

The Baroque architecture of Northern Portugal with its stone and gilded carvings appears side by side with rural chapels. In the very friendly and peaceful cities of the region, such as Viana do Castelo, Braga, Lamego, Chaves and Vila Real as well as in the manor houses and stately halls, visitors are still welcomed by genuine Portuguese people, who like to share their table, their customs and traditions.

In Porto and Northern Portugal, the joy and gratitude for the life the region provides is experienced in the most spontaneous way, offering a special ambiance for the most relaxing holidays.