Perhaps the most striking and memorable place in Portugal is the city of Porto. It was Porto that gave the name to the country of Portugal, because once it was the capital of the country. From it, the port wine got its name. In general, Porto is the capital of the country's wine industry. When talking about Portuguese wine, it is Porto wine that is meant.
Walking through the labyrinth of narrow streets between the houses built in the Art Nouveau and Baroque style, you can enjoy the magnificence and color of this ancient city. On a bright, sunny day, the city literally glows with joy and fun. And when, from the side of the river, fog creeps into the Port, the city as if covers with a wet blanket, turning it into a gloomy and mysterious place.
Porto is the second largest city in the country and its former capital. It is the largest city and port of the north of Portugal. It is located 270 kilometers from Lisbon - the modern capital of Portugal. Being the center of the municipality and the Porto district, this city is located on the right bank of the Duero River and covers an area of \u200b\u200b42 square kilometers. Porto is divided into five historical areas, each of which has its own unique beauty. The city has a population of 240,000, most of whom are Portuguese. The food industry, especially winemaking and fish canning, is developed. As well as engineering, shipbuilding, clothing and the chemical industry. In addition, Porto is an important cultural and educational center, with a large university.
The history of Porto begins in the 5th century, when the Romans came here, who founded the city of Portus Calais, which later gave its name to the whole region - Portugal. In the VIII century, the city was captured and plundered by the Moors. The city became Moorish, right up to the 10th century, when it was recaptured by Henry of Burgundy, who founded the county of Portucale here, which later became a kingdom. To strengthen the power of Christians, by order of Heinrich of Burgundy, in 982, the Cathedral began to build in Porto. In 1050, Porto became the region's main trading port, along the path of important trade routes. And in 1147, Bishop Hugo announced a Crusade to Lisbon, to free the future capital of the country from the power of the Moors.
To successfully fight its main enemy and rival, Castile, the Windsor Treaty was signed with Porto in 1386 in Porto, which completely untied the hands of English merchants. They forced the Porto authorities in 1703 to sign a trade agreement providing the British with a complete monopoly on Portuguese port. In the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, when Portugal becomes the starting point for exploring new lands, Porto becomes an important shipbuilding port.
Throughout its history, Porto has been characterized by a freedom-loving and wayward character. The main power here has always been held by the trade guild. And until the 17th century, a ban on the construction of aristocratic palaces in the city was in effect in Porto. Moreover, the law extended even to the king of Portugal. The townspeople even managed to force the authorities to make concessions to some civil liberties, and the Inquisition in Porto had very little power. Periodically, major uprisings and unrest erupted in the city. It was in Porto that the first liberal party was formed, the purpose of which was the overthrow of the monarchy. In 1822, the first Constitution was proclaimed in Porto. And soon, the first Republican uprising broke out here against the power of the dictator Salazar.
The weather in the city of Porto is set by the warm Atlantic Gulf Stream. Thanks to him, the Port has warm and mild winters with a minimum temperature of +9 degrees Celsius. And a moderate, not stuffy summer with a temperature of +20 degrees Celsius.
Porto has its own large airport, so you can get to it from Moscow by plane. True with a change in Brussels, Geneva or Madrid. You can book a plane ticket to Porto via the Internet by selecting the required class and flight rates. Regular buses and taxis run from the airport to the city center. You can also rent a car, subject to the required driving experience (one year) and your age (21 years).
Before you go on a trip to Porto, you need to book a room in one of the many hotels in the city. Without this, you cannot get a visa to the country. You can book a room via the Internet, choosing a hotel that is most suitable for your needs and financial capabilities. All Porto hotels differ in terms of comfort, rates and location relative to the sights of the city.
In Porto, there are many attractions of various eras and styles, from the residential buildings of the city to the majestic temples. Some of the attractions are protected by UNESCO.
Clerigos Tower is called the symbol of the city of Porto, because it is the most beautiful and noticeable building in the city, and is also the highest tower in Portugal. The height of the Clerigos tower exceeds 75 meters, and at one time it was an excellent reference point for merchant ships entering the port. The construction of the tower began in 1754, according to the project of the architect Nicholas Nazoni, and ended in 1763. Near the tower, stands the Igreju dos Clerigos church, in which Nicholas Nasoni rests. This church is notable for its unusual oval shape and huge azulejo panel throughout the wall.
One of the main attractions of the city is Porto Cathedral. The huge gray building of the cathedral stands proudly on one of the hills of the city. The cathedral was built in the XII century, and together with the walls of the city, it used to be a protective structure of Porto. Subsequently, the cathedral was repeatedly rebuilt, and lost its original appearance, becoming the center of the mixing of styles. The high bell towers of the cathedral not only give out its impressive age, but also give it the appearance of a medieval castle. The portal of the temple, rebuilt in the 18th century, is decorated with the ancient Roman symbol of the rose. And the youngest extension of the cathedral is an external gallery, rebuilt in the Baroque style by the architect Nicolo Nazoni. The interior of the Cathedral last changed in the XVIII century. In the temple there is an altar made in the Baroque style, the creation of which took as much as 800 kg of silver. During the Napoleonic Wars, this altar was miraculously saved from the greedy French troops. And inside the cathedral is a picturesque courtyard with azulejo, made in the rococo style.
Porto's most remarkable attraction is the large number of bridges across the Dora River. Unique in these bridges is that built in the 19th century, these bridges were technological innovations of the time. Later, the technologies by which Porto bridges were rebuilt were used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York. Particularly unusual is the two-level iron bridge Don Luis, built in 1886.
Another remarkable building of the city is the Exchange Palace. The building was built in 1842, the organization of merchants, in the neoclassical style. The rich interior decoration of the building is striking. The Exchange’s richest premise is the Arab Hall, decorated in the style of Arabian tales. Another interesting room is the "Patio of Nations", which displays the coats of arms of all countries that have ever traded with the city of Porto.
There are many interesting museums in Porto. For example, located in the Serralves estate, the Museum of Modern Art. Built in 1930 by architect Alvaro Siza Vieira, in the art deco style, the building of this museum is in perfect harmony with the surrounding park. It contains a large collection of modern works of art. Another interesting place of excursion is the Museum of Quinta da Masiemirinha. Once the museum building was the palace where King Karl-Albert spent the last months of his life. The museum is located on the second floor of the building. Here are household items and personal belongings of Carl Albert, as well as antique French, Portuguese and German furniture. In addition, the museum features a collection of ceramic products and tapestries. And on the ground floor of the building there is the Institute of Port Wine, where you can taste various varieties of port.
Porto is a city of port and football, a city of high arched bridges and noisy coastal bars, a city of unsightly and dirty streets, the city that gave the name of Portugal. So much has been written about Porto that trying to tell something new is a thankless task. But still I’ll try and tell and show.
The city is located north of the right bank of the Dourou River, stretching for almost 900 kilometers through the entire Iberian Peninsula.
The history of the city goes back to the Romans, just since then Porto began to develop first as a port, and then as an industrial city. And over the past two millennia of his port charm, he has not lost a bit, but more on that below ...
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, it is often called the northern capital.
One of the most recognizable symbols of the city is the Ponte de Don Luis bridge, built at the end of the 19th century by Theophile Sayrig, a student of that same Gustave Eiffel. The bridge connects the two banks of the Dourou River. The bridge is two-level: on the upper level at a height of 45 meters there is a metro line, while the lower tier, located directly above the water, is designed for cars.
But the most famous symbol of Porto is, of course, the famous fortified wine - port.
Port wine can only be called wine produced on the banks of the Dourou River. This provision is enshrined in the laws of Portugal and the European Union. So the Soviet “Three Axes” and other similar surrogate liquids, of course, not only have nothing to do with a noble sweet drink, but they also borrowed its name illegally.
By the way, contrary to the majority opinion, port is not produced in Porto at all - the world-famous cellars that hold oak barrels of wine are located on the opposite bank of Porto in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Previously, in order not to disturb the wine being transported along rough Portuguese roads, it was shipped from vineyards to cellars in barrels on flat-bottomed cargo boats with a square sail. In memory of those times, today you can see many moored boats, just opposite the cellars. Some of the boats have been converted into restaurants, at the tables of which you can sit endlessly and enjoy the fresh breeze from the Atlantic with pleasant sweet notes sparkling in a glass of fortified wine.
A few words about transport. In Porto, as well as in, old rattling trams run.
There is also a more modern transport. For example, the metro is more like a tram.
A funicular line is laid up along the old fortress wall from the shore of Dourou.
The fortress wall also appeared here by chance - at the very beginning of the reconquest, Porto occupied a border position. The border between the Muslim lands and the newly independent Portuguese county passed just along the Doura River.
The funicular runs quite rarely - the operator waits until the cabin is full of people to the eyeballs, like a can with sprats.
Well, and probably the most interesting type of city transport is the cable car connecting the site near the Ponte de Don Luis bridge and the Douro River embankment next to the wine cellars.
Although, of course, this is not Porto, but Vila Nova de Gaia, but still very interesting.
And it’s interesting because it is from this cable car that the best view of the historical part of Porto, in my opinion, opens.
The bishop's palace rises monumentally over densely crowded residential houses.
Next to it, on the hillside, is the ancient Bairro da Ce district - it is the poorest and at the same time the most picturesque quarter of Porto.
There are many small open restaurants on the promenade, which seem to have drunk fun around the clock.
Meanwhile, it's time to look at the Port from above. The best place for this is the observation tower of Clerigos Church.
Its bell tower is the highest in Portugal. For a long time, it was a guide for ships arriving from the Atlantic.
A narrow staircase of 225 steps leads upstairs.
Let's take a breath on one of the sites ... So far we have just reached the level of the roofs.
Well here we are upstairs.
We look at Porto.
We see red roofs, ledges descending to the shores of Doura. We see located on the far coast of Vila Nova de Gaia. We see wine cellars occupying almost the entire opposite bank of the river.
We see neat new roofs.
We see that right in the center of Porto there are picturesque ruins.
We see that the hillsides on which Porto is located are quite steep, and sometimes you need to sweat a lot to climb the many steps.
We see the modern districts towering in the distance.
We see that west to the Atlantic go huge parks and squares covered with green crowns of trees.
All. Seen from above on the Port. We continue to walk through the streets.
Let's pay attention to the fact that whole facades of houses can be decorated with blue tiles here.
Let us feel the atmosphere of the Bairro da Ce quarter, above which, like a mighty phallus, rises the bell tower of the Clerigos church, which we visited a little earlier.
The houses here are tall, and the streets are narrow and dirty. Between the houses it’s stuffy, the air seemed to freeze, having absorbed a lot of aromas, ranging from the smells of cheap food coming from somewhere and ending with the frank stink, so familiar from the native Petersburg pissed elevators. The feeling that from a civilized European country you suddenly find yourself in a poor Asian country.
Lingerie is hung on the streets. From time to time, there come across individuals of a very dubious kind, whom I really would not want to meet on a dark street under the cover of night.
In general - a real port city. For more surroundings, only drunken sea wolves and cheap port prostitutes are missing. Although, maybe I just looked bad?
I look more closely, and begin to understand - that the city is amazing!
Porto is one of the oldest European cities that has preserved the features of different eras in its appearance. Locals say that Porto works for the whole country, and they are right. The city has a huge number of tourist places, industrial enterprises, places of trade and entertainment. The northern capital of Portugal, from which the state got its name, attracts with its many-sided image, deep antiquity and modernity, the color of antiquity and modernity. And finally, it is the capital of the world's most famous port, delivered to all countries, an attractive and unforgettable city, from where the path of many famous people of the past and present began.
Geography
The northern capital of Portugal is located at the confluence of the Douro (or Duero) River into the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is only 270 kilometers away. Porto itself is located on the right bank of the river, while its suburbs are on the left. Development also occurs predominantly to the north and east, since in the west, just a few kilometers, ocean open spaces begin. The terrain where the city is located is quite hilly, with significant differences in elevation - from the Dora embankment to the highest points, more than 100 meters above sea level. This affected the architecture and general layout of the streets, winding, with many steps. The population of the city itself is slightly less than 250 thousand people, but the entire agglomeration of Greater Porto is inhabited by more than 2 million people. With its great importance and impact on the economy, culture and tourism in Portugal, the city has an area of \u200b\u200bonly 42 square kilometers, and the building density is quite high. Administratively, the division into districts has remained historical, with its ancient center and newer parts of the city. There are 15 districts in the city, and they are located quite compactly. Porto is located on the prime meridian, and therefore time does not differ from Greenwich.
Climate
Just a few kilometers along the straight Avenida da Boavista street separate the city from the Atlantic Ocean, and therefore the climate here is completely marine with increased influence of the warm Gulf Stream. In Porto, precipitation and light storms often occur, whose season, traditionally, falls in the winter months. At the same time, the heat in Porto is almost not felt, due to rather high humidity and pleasant wind from the ocean. The influence of the continental climate is almost not felt. Winter is considered the rainiest, but quite warm, especially for Russian tourists. The average temperature from December to February does not drop by + 5 ° C, but winds occur. There are no frosts in the Port, and minus temperatures are extremely rare. Spring and autumn are characterized by variable rainfall and a change in temperature, which occurs almost imperceptibly, since in two months it falls (or rises) with stable indicators. The most popular time to visit Porto is the summer period, which, nominally, lasts from May to September with stable thermometer readings from + 17 ° C in the morning, to + 28 ° C in the afternoon. In this case, temperature drops during the day can be practically absent, and there is practically no precipitation.
Story
The first settlements on the site of modern Porto are attributed by historians to the period of the Celtic peoples, who settled here in 300 BC. Before the Roman conquest in 136 BC it was an ordinary village, which was transformed into a fort with various buildings of military and commercial importance - the name given to Portus Cale. Over time, with the change of languages \u200b\u200band pronunciation, this name turned into Portugal, as the whole country is called. After the conquest of the Visigoths in 540, a fortress was erected and a bishopric was founded, and the city became the center of a small area. Until 1096, when the city and all the surrounding duchy was inherited by Heinrich of Burgundy, Porto was alternately, then under the rule of the Moors, then the Kingdom of Leon. Each period left its mark on architecture, culture and art. According to historical data, the last Knights Templar fled to Portugal from the Pope and the French king. In 1387, the wedding of King Joan the First and the British Princess took place in Porto - which became the basis of the longest peace and partnership agreement in all European history - between England and Portugal. This document opened up unprecedented opportunities in trade with the British Isles, and subsequently with the British Empire.
In the process of its development, Porto, even having lost the title of capital of the kingdom, constantly developed. In 1763, the construction of the famous Clerigos Tower began, which was a guideline for ships calling at the port. In 1762, the Maritime Academy was founded, transformed into a university, the second largest, after Lisbon. In 1876-1877, Gustav Eiffel and his student worked in Porto, who designed two famous metal bridges across the Douro River. In 1872 a permanent tram service was opened between the districts of the city. The only war that directly affected the territory of the city was the Napoleonic invasion in 1809, but it did not last long, as the British quickly liberated Porto and he returned to civilian life. The Second World War bypassed the whole country, which was neutral and helped refugees.
The industrial revolution had a significant impact on the development of Porto - a large number of manufactories and enterprises were organized here, which formed the basis of today's industrial potential of the agglomeration. Porto has always been at the forefront of innovation, remaining an authentic historical city, whose center is fully included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Porto Attractions
- The first thing that a visitor to the city of Porto will notice is the constant use of decorative tiles in decorating the facades of houses. More often, Brazilian immigrants began to use tiles in the 19th century, which marked the golden age of the decoration of Portuguese facades. At first the tiles were painted manually, later, in connection with industrialization, manual works were replaced by mechanical printing of images. The most striking example of the use of azulejo tiles can be called the chapel "Capella dush" (Capela das Almas). The chapel was built in the 18th century and was no different. But in 1929, the walls of the chapel were decorated with 16 thousand azulejo tiles, after which this attraction of Porto became the most "blue" among all the churches of the city.
- The main attraction of the city of Porto and its symbol is the titanic bridge of King Louis I, built by the student and companion Gustave Eiffel - Thiofil Seyrig in 1886. The bridge, built 7 years before the Eiffel Tower, reaches a length of 80 meters more than the tower itself - 385 meters and weighs more than 3 thousand tons, the height of the bridge is 44.5 meters. This grandiose creation has two levels - the lower one is for cars, and underground trains run along the upper one. There are pedestrian paths on both levels.
- The hallmark of the city of Porto is also the bell tower of the Church of the Brotherhood of Clerics. The construction of an architectural complex consisting of a church and a bell tower was begun in 1732 by the church fraternity, and completed in 1750. Different people worked on the construction of the ensemble, but Niccolo Nazoni and mason Antonio Pereira should be especially noted. The bell tower, which crowns the building on the west side, is considered one of the masterpieces of Niccolo Nazoni and is recognized as one of the main attractions of the city of Porto. Due to the fact that the bell tower reaches a height of 76 meters, it is the highest church tower in Portugal. It is worth noting that it is in the church of the Brotherhood of Clerics that the famous architect Niccolo Nazoni was buried.
- The church of Santo Ildefonso was built by an unknown architect between 1730 and 1737. Despite the restrained facade, the altar retablo demonstrates the sophistication and elegance of the building. Engraving work was carried out by the master Niccolo Nazoni. In 1932, the church of Santo Ildefonso was decorated with tiles by Jorge Calaso. Tiles depict the life of the patron saint - Saint Ildefonso, in whose honor the church was named.
- Porto's other attractions are the Karmu Church and the Carmelitoc Church (Igrejas do Carmo and das Carmelitas). Their feature is that these two churches are located so close to each other that they can be mistaken for a single structure. The Karma Men's Church (located on the right) was built in the second half of the 18th century according to the project of architect Jose Fgeiredo Seikas. The stone-clad facade is crowned with a franton, inside which are the figures of the evangelists. The side facades of the church were tiled with azulejo tiles in 1912. On the left is the Carmelitok Women's Church. It is noteworthy that the churches are separated by a house whose width is only one meter (one of the narrowest houses in the world). The appearance of this house is obliged to the law, according to which two churches cannot have a common wall.
- São Bento Station in Porto was built at the beginning of the 20th century on the site of the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary. The vestibule of the Station is covered with 20 thousand azulejo tiles (these tiles are one of the highest artistic achievements in Portugal of the 20th century). The compositions from the tiles show scenes related to the railway and the history of transport, as well as to well-known events from the history of Portugal.
Events and Festivals
- In Porto, various events and celebrations are often held, which are timed to one or another holiday. As the former capital of Portugal, the city pompously celebrates national dates - for example, Independence Day (December 1) and Republic Day (October 5). At the same time, other festivals are often held in the city, confined, for the most part, to religious holidays.
- The most popular and colorful event in Porto is St. Juan's Day - the patron saint of the city. Every year on June 23-24, the whole of Porto is decorated in festive colors, fairs, processions, theatrical performances and open-air treats are held everywhere.
- Christmas (Natal) and Easter are traditionally the most favorite holidays in Portugal, and Porto is no exception. Ubiquitous celebrations, parades, performances and fairs - this is only a fraction of what happens in the city for several days (or the whole of December, in the case of the New Year holidays).
- No less popular in Portugal and bullfighting, which has its own characteristics and distinctive features, more humane and, in a sense, spectacular. The opening and closing dates of the season are always citywide holidays with their own rituals and clearly regulated actions.
- The beginning of autumn is also characterized by widespread wine festivals, which are very important for the city where port was born. During the fairs, young and aged wines, the best varieties and brands of port, brandy are presented.
- In addition to the main holidays, various events are regularly held in Porto, dedicated to museums (Open Day), cinema (Fantasport science fiction festival), music, architecture, books and other areas of art.
- In February, as throughout Europe, the Porto hosts a seven-day Carnival, with marches, parades, performances and other entertainment events. Another notable holiday takes place in September - the International Puppet Theater Festival - an entertaining event for adults and children, when the best troupes come from all over the world to present their skills.
Restaurants and Cafes
As in the whole of Portugal, in Porto you can find a variety of catering establishments - like ordinary cafes with minimal prices, and expensive restaurants with Michelin stars. Local cuisine is quite simple and satisfying, since, for the most part, it has developed historically and is based on seafood. However, there is one dish that distinguishes the city from everyone else. Unofficially, the inhabitants of Porto are called Tripeiros, literally - "eaters of tripe" - which many are proud of. Indeed, the local specialty is Tripash - made from beef tripe with a variety of vegetables. You also can not ignore the "feijoadu" - meat cooked with rice and beans; “Francesinho” is an analogue of a ham, fried beef and sausage sandwich with tomato and beer sauce. The bulk of the menu of any restaurant consists of seafood, as daily a fresh catch is delivered to the city, where you can meet not only traditional types of fish, but also quite exotic ones - for example, the sea line served in some restaurants. On the streets, promenade and in many areas there are small cafes and bars where you can eat hearty and inexpensive food, and try some of the varieties of the famous port.
Shopping
The history and development of the city of Porto is closely connected with trade, and therefore it is not surprising that there are many places where you can buy a variety of goods. Tourists are recommended to visit the old and colorful Bolyau market, located on the Ria de Sa da Bandeira, where they constantly sell fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits and various products. The Port has a large number of shopping centers, brand boutiques, shops and outlets, which represent both famous brands and local manufacturers. Often there are family shops where you can buy various handicrafts. From the northern capital of Portugal, you must bring as a souvenir or as a gift:
- port - the city is the capital of this drink, in the vicinity of which dozens of species and varieties are produced. It is better to buy real port wine in specialized stores, or in the cellars of manufacturers - where tours with tastings are arranged;
- azulejo - famous ceramics, traditional only for Portugal. In Porto, almost everything is decorated with it - from the facades of buildings, to small caskets, trinkets, chests and other utensils;
- cork products are another symbol of Portugal and Porto in particular. The country occupies one of the leading places in the production of this type of wood, and local craftsmen will offer a variety of cork crafts, including shoes, bags, accessories;
- jewelry - the heritage of the Moors, Romans, and other peoples who inhabited the area, influenced crafts. Silver and gold products from local workshops are attractive, distinctive, unusual and magnificent. There are a lot of varieties of jewelry, and you can choose products at any price;
- olives, cheese, jamon, egg cream, wine - traditional gastronomic souvenirs from Portugal;
- figurines and goods with images of historical sights - there are a lot of such goods in all souvenir shops, and it is original, diverse;
- football symbols - the city is the home of the famous clubs “Porto” and “Boavista” - their attributes can be bought in many souvenir shops and company stores.
How to get to Porto?
You can quickly get from Russia to distant Portugal only by plane - direct flights to Lisbon fly from almost all major cities. Connecting routes are also available and they can take quite a long time, as they require transfers in Germany, France and Spain. In the Port itself there is a large international airport, Francisco di Sa Carneiro, located 11 kilometers from the center, receiving planes from all over Europe, including low-cost airlines, but the remoteness of the country leaves its mark on the trip. Lisbon can be reached by train and bus. Also, these modes of transport can be reached from Russia, but with many transfers in large transport hubs, such as Zurich, Madrid, Barcelona and others. Travel time is very time-consuming and sometimes a transit visa is required to cross some countries. It is possible to get to Porto by car, but it’s difficult, although the city is located on one of the most important highways on the Iberian Peninsula. You have to cross at least five countries to get to Portugal. Still, the fastest way is aviation, whether it be direct flights to Lisbon, or connecting flights to other cities in the world. As a rule, when using low-cost airlines, you can fly to Porto in a maximum of 30 hours.
Transport
The city of Porto is famous for being one of the first in Europe where a tram was laid, despite the rather hilly terrain. To this day, an extensive public transport network operates in the historical capital of Portugal:
- metro - five branches laid under the city unite all its areas and allow you to get not only to the main attractions, but also to the main transport hubs. For example, at the airport, at the station - immediately there is a metro stop, allowing you to quickly get to anywhere in the city;
- tram - a historical form of transport, which in itself is a tourist attraction. The routes, and there are only three of them, are laid quite sophisticatedly, but they encircle the whole of Porto, and most pass through the historical center, which will allow you to enjoy the views of the city during a trip from one end of the city to the other;
- bus - a popular and very common form of transport that covers Porto, buses are combined with interchange stations of the subway and tram. Even the airport runs three regular routes, which greatly facilitates movement around the city. Several buses also run at night, and there will be no problems getting to the hotel;
- bicycle is a popular type of transport that can be rented at dozens of rental points. There is one caveat for Porto - due to the hilly terrain, it will be quite difficult to move around the bike, especially for an unprepared person;
- taxi - there are black and green and cream cars everywhere, and their cost is quite democratic. You can call the car by phone or catch on the street - the price will not differ. Taxi drivers are perhaps the most polite and there are very few cases of tariff cheating;
- car rental - despite the size of Porto, traffic jams and difficult traffic happen, but there are a lot of free parking lots throughout the city, and the price doesn’t “bite” much on paid ones. Both international and national car rental companies work in the city. A car is worth taking if you plan to visit the picturesque suburbs, which you must do when visiting Northern Portugal.
Accommodation
Such a historic city, inhabited by kings and aristocracy, offers a large selection of hotels of various classes, many of which are located in ancient mansions and residences. All areas of hotels are presented in Porto - from exclusive five-star hotels like Torel Avantgarde to hostels for 10 Euro per day. At the same time, you can settle in any part of the city, since it is small, and a well-developed public transport network allows you to quickly get to your place of residence. In Porto there are hotels of all the famous world chains - Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson, as well as a huge number of large and small hotels with various levels of service and maintenance. In the historical center, the most expensive places of residence are traditionally located, and the farther to the outskirts, the lower the cost. In the suburbs there is also a large selection of decent hotels, and getting from them to the center will not be difficult. Among the four-star worth paying attention to the hotel Porto A.S. 1829 Hotel, as one of the oldest in the city, and the choice of three and two stars is striking in its diversity, both in location and price. It is worth remembering that it is rather difficult to rent a room in the season, and therefore it is better to book it in advance so as not to overpay.
Communication
In Porto, regular telephone communication is quite common, not only in hotels, restaurants, but simply on the streets - calls to Russia are quite inexpensive, and additional discounts apply at night. Local and international mobile operators are widely represented in the city, and the coverage provides a normal connection anywhere in Porto. Wi-Fi Internet access is almost everywhere, and it is usually free - in hotels, restaurants and bars, shopping centers, public transport, near most attractions. Traffic allows you to easily track changes in social networks, communicate via Skype, watch streaming video.
1. Be sure to ride on rare trams in the city center, see all the sights.
2. Visit the famous bookstore Livraria Lello, which has become the prototype of many places from the famous Harry Potter novel. Here you can buy a variety of books, any subject and direction.
3. Another place to visit is the small aristocratic Café Majestic, which used to be a gathering place for aristocracy and bohemians, but now pleases with reasonable prices, original interiors and delicious dishes.
4. Use public transport with Andante card - an analogue of a travel card with a limited validity period, but it makes it possible to save money while traveling around the city, especially if you want to explore as many interesting places as possible.
5. In winter and autumn, you should always carry an umbrella with you, as winds and rains can occur quite suddenly.
6. Using a taxi, it is better to choose a driver who knows English, and with whom it is easier to negotiate. There are counters in the cars of all services, but sometimes the driver can wind more circles to increase the cost of the trip.
7. Climb the Clerigos Tower, 75 meters high, which can be seen from anywhere in Porto, and it is a symbol of the city. Entrance to the observation deck costs about 2 euros.
8. Take a walk along the Ponte de Dona Maria Pia and Ponte di Don Luis Pervy — bridges designed and built by Eiffel and his student Seyrig before the construction of the famous tower in Paris began.
9. For those who do not have much time for a detailed inspection of all the attractions of Porto, a boat excursion along the Doura River is perfect, which will help you get acquainted with the main attractions of the city and, at the same time, save time.
Porto on the map, panorama
Porto, which gave its name to the country (and port wine), is Portugal's second largest city after Lisbon.
This is a very old city, founded in the 12th century. It is located 270 km north of Lisbon. It is called the northern capital of Portugal.
The central part of Porto is the most important attraction. The city is old, unusual and very interesting. Of course, there are a lot of “official” sights in the city, many beautiful churches, a very interesting train station, a stunning promenade, and, of course, wine cellars. I will show all this later, and today we just walk around the city.
The historic center of Porto is located on the right bank of the Douro River, a few kilometers from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean. The city center is declared by UNESCO a World Cultural Heritage.
In the historical center of the city is the cathedral of the XIII century. - Church of San Francisco (St. Francis). One of the most striking sights of Porto is the baroque tower of Clerigos - the highest in Portugal - 76 meters or 225 steps. Construction under the leadership of the Italian architect Niccolo Nazoni was begun in 1754 and completed in 1763. Of modern buildings, the House of Music stands out for its unusual shape.
A very important attraction of Porto are its bridges.
Many bridges linking Porto with the satellite city of Vila Nova de Gaia are thrown across the Doura. Some of them are unique technological solutions for their time. For example, the Ponte de Dona Maria Pia railway bridge, erected in 1876-1877 according to the project of Gustave Eiffel, was one of the first projects that brought worldwide fame to its author. Later, the same technological solutions were used by the Eiffel in the construction of the Statue of Liberty (1884–1886) and the Eiffel Tower (1889). Another unique structure for its time was the two-level metal bridge Ponte de Don Luis, erected in 1881-1886 according to the project of the student and companion Eiffel Theofil Seigrig.
Built by the student and companion Gustave Eiffel Theofil Seyrig in 1886. Named after King Louis I. 
Ponte de Don Luis is a unique symbol of the city of Porto. His image can often be found on the labels of the local port.
The bridge has a length of 385.25 m and weighs 3045 tons, the length of the arch passage is 172 m, and its height is 44.6 m. 
Directly on the course - Kliregush tower. 
Before us is the church of Do Carmo. This very nice temple in the architectural spirit of classicism and baroque was erected in the middle of the XVIII century according to the project of architect Jose Fgeiredo Seikas. The stone facade is decorated with sculptures of the prophets Elijah and Elisha and statues of four evangelists by the master of Italian Baroque Nicolaou Nasoni. Another notable part of the decor is a huge mosaic canvas of pale blue color depicting the scenes of the foundation of the Carmelite Order. 
Porto was the first city on the Iberian Peninsula where tram traffic was organized. Such small trams go to Porto and Lisbon. Others simply will not unfold in the narrow streets of cities. 
Clerigos Church was built by the architect Nicola Nasoni from 1732 to 1750. A church was built specifically for the Brotherhood of Clerics. Over time, the architect himself entered the Brotherhood, and after his death rests in a church crypt.
Clerigos Tower is located behind this church, but was not included in the frame from this angle. 
Church and Tower of Clerigos. 
The monument to Pedro IV, the first king of Brazil and Portugal, is located on Liberty Square in the city center. 
Monument to the newspaperboy 
The majestic and beautiful Se Cathedral in Porto rises above the city. This is the oldest cathedral in Porto, built in the Romanesque style.
The cathedral was built as a fortress and the whole city was built around it.
The most valuable thing in the cathedral is its altar, on which 800 kg of silver was used. A wonderful patio with azuleyush, a large area with a magnificent viewing platform, where there are viewing binoculars to admire the red roofs of houses and the Douro River.
An interesting feature of postal addresses in Porto: they do not have house numbers. Street names, as a rule, are also not written on houses, only at the beginning and at the end of the street. And it happens that just at the beginning of the street there is a column with a sign on which its name is written. All. Nowhere else is it mentioned.
Along the street, not the houses are numbered, but the front doors are the front doors. Continuous numbering along the entire street. In this picture it is visible - the numbers above the doors. Further, the address will read, for example: second floor, 1st apartment to the right.
And they find nothing.
There was a case. We took a taxi and went to look at the ocean (it is 7 km from the city), namely, at sunset - how beautifully the sun goes down into the sea. Taxis were released, they admired the sunset, and after that they decided to walk to the hotel and got lost. When we tried to orient ourselves on the map where we are, it turned out that this was completely impossible. We decided that it would be better if we did not look for the place of our current location, but immediately our hotel. Again a bummer - the Portuguese, very friendly people, waving their arms, enthusiastically told us the way, but keeping track of the narration in Portuguese and using the tips, as it turned out, is also unrealistic. Meanwhile, the matter moved towards evening, even towards night, and the question of returning home arose sharply. It’s impossible to catch a taxi just like that - you have to call to the specified address. We saw a ballet school, went "on fire" to ask them to call us a taxi to their address (at least they know him).
It ended up with one of the ballerinas taking us to the hotel in her car. Looking at the road from the car window, we realized that we ourselves would not have reached it in life, and upon arrival at the hotel there were no happier people. 
A characteristic feature of Portuguese architecture is the cladding of buildings. This is not only beautiful, but also very useful - in the summer tiles protect houses from heat, in the off-season - from dampness. Most often, houses in Portugal do not have heating, which is why all seasons dry clothes outside. 
In this photo we see the exit to the embankment of the Douro River. I will show it in another post, and at the same time on a boat we will ride on it. 
On the left is the Cathedral of St. Francis, on the right is the Bolsa Palace. Bolsa Palace is the Stock Exchange, as well as a place to go to admire the palace interiors created by local architect Joaquim da Costa Lima Juniordl for ordinary businessmen. Now it is a kind of museum, where exhibits: various sculptures, murals, paintings, furniture, dishes and others are specially selected and fit into the interiors of the halls. So, the most attractive are the Arab Hall with golden arabesques, the Courtyard of the Nations under an octagonal glass dome, the Hall of the Tribunal, the Hall of the Assembly, the Golden Hall and a staircase of granite and marble. Decommissioned from the Internet, because we did not go inside. Well, maybe one of the readers will be interested and visit.
Porto City `s history.
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal with 500 thousand inhabitants, gave the name not only to port, but to the whole country. Once on the left bank of the Douro was the Roman settlement of Portus (Latin "harbor"), and on the right - Kale (Greek "kalos" - beautiful). According to the names of these villages, the Moors began to call the country between Douro and Minho - Portucale. After the expulsion of the Arabs in the XI century, the Christian county of Portucalia appeared here, which later became the kingdom of Portugal.
Porto has always lived in commerce. In 1050, it became the most important economic center in the north of the country, in the XIII and XIV centuries it maintained maritime trade relations with England, Flanders and the cities of the Hansa.
Close relations with England, which the king hoped to support in the fight against hostile Castile, were strengthened by the 1386 Windsor Treaty and the marriage of King Joao I with the Englishwoman Philip de Lencastre, held at the Cathedral in Porto. In 1394, a son was born in Porto, who later became Henry the Navigator.
English merchants, who traded in colonial goods such as tobacco and sugar, have long felt at home in Porto. Even today, British influence remains in the city, the roots of which are in the infamous enslaving treaty with England in 1703. This agreement opened the English market for Portuguese wines and ensured English merchants a monopoly position in the sale of port wine. Until now, some large manufacturers of port wine have English names.
In contrast to Lisbon, the city's trade elite has always set the tone for Porto. From the early Middle Ages until the 17th century, a law was in force prohibiting aristocrats from building palaces here and generally staying in the city for more than three days. Even the king did not have his residence in Porto and lived as a guest in the Episcopal Palace. The city managed to recapture many civil liberties from the bishop, but resistance to the Lisbon authorities was, of course, unsuccessful. For example, a protest against a wine trading company founded by the Marquis de Pombal was suppressed by force, and Governor General Juan de Almad was sent to Porto. However, he and his son Francis did a lot of good for the city. It was to them that Porto owed the success of the work to improve and expand the city in the second half of the 18th century.
In the 19th century, Porto was a bastion of liberal forces whose activity led to the overthrow of the monarchy. Here in 1822 the first constitution was proclaimed. In Porto, the first, albeit unsuccessful, uprising of the Republicans took place. The dictatorial regime of Salazar from the very beginning did not enjoy any popularity in this city.
Porto is now an industrial center, and its harbor, Leusoix, is Portugal's second largest port. Citizens are distinguished by their hard work and unpretentiousness. Every Portuguese knows the proverb: "They hang out in Lisbon, work in Porto, study in Coimbra, and pray in Braga."