Explora la cultura de Port: Tradición viva
Sumérgete en la rica historia y cultura de Port a través de sus museos y monumentos.
Porto, Portugal's second city, sits on the steep banks of the Douro River. It is a city with a strong character and a captivating atmosphere, where an old town declared a World Heritage Site coexists with contemporary architecture. World famous for its port wine, iron bridges and colorful Ribeira houses, Porto offers a mix of rustic charm, a rich commercial history and a thriving food and cultural scene.
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Culture & Heritage
Discover the rich history, art and traditions of Port
A vibrant and authentic culture, focused on wine, gastronomy and with excellent contemporary art spaces.
Best of local culture
Museums & Galleries
Ribeira neighborhood
The historic heart and soul of Porto. A labyrinth of narrow streets and colorful houses stacked on the banks of the Douro.
Sao Bento Station
A train station famous for its lobby, decorated with more than 20,000 tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history.
Stock Exchange Palace
The old Porto Stock Exchange, a luxurious neoclassical building with spectacular interiors, highlighting the Arab Hall.
Festivals & Events
Festival of São João
Night of June 23The most important festival in the city, a massive street celebration with unique traditions.
Queima das Fitas
Early MayThe end-of-year party for university students, with a great parade and concerts.
History
Origins
Its origins date back to a pre-Roman settlement. The Romans established two cities on opposite banks of the Douro: 'Portus' (the port, modern-day Porto) and 'Cale' (modern-day Vila Nova de Gaia). Over time, they became known collectively as 'Portucale', giving rise to the name Portugal.
Development
The city flourished in the Middle Ages thanks to shipbuilding and trade. From the 18th century onwards, its destiny became inextricably linked to that of Port wine, whose production and export, dominated by English merchants, brought great wealth and development to the city.
Modern era
Porto has a long history of fighting for freedom, earning the nickname 'A Cidade Invicta' (The Invicta City) after withstanding a siege in the 19th century. In recent decades, it has undergone a profound renovation, becoming an important European tourist destination without losing its authentic and hard-working character.
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Culture
A vibrant and authentic culture, focused on wine, gastronomy and with excellent contemporary art spaces.
Heritage
The place that gave its name to Portugal, a key center of maritime trade and cradle of the resistance.
Architecture
A unique urban landscape dominated by the river, spectacular bridges and an old town of decadent beauty.
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The best views are in Gaia
Although it is another city, Vila Nova de Gaia is part of the Porto experience. Walk along its riverbank and climb to Jardim do Morro to get the most spectacular views of the Ribeira, especially at sunset.
Walk through the Foz
Take the historic tram no. 1 to Foz do Douro, where the river meets the ocean. It is a beautiful walk to see a different and more elegant side of the city.
'Porto' vs 'Oporto'
The name of the city is 'Porto'. 'Oporto' is the exonym in Spanish, derived from 'o Porto' (the port). Locals simply call it 'Porto'.
Proud and kind people
The people of Portuá are known for their direct, hard-working and very welcoming character. They are proud of their city and their accent.
Tap Water
The tap water is drinkable and of good quality.
It is very safe
Porto is an exceptionally safe city. Normal precautions are more than enough.
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