Flights to Porto from €99.75

Porto – a wine house by the golden river

The second largest city in Portugal, Porto surrounds the golden river of Douro from both sides. Porto’s name refers both to the origin of the name “Portugal” and “port wine”. The colourful and cosy city beckons with its cultural heritage monuments that are also adorned with contemporary symbols. This is why a weekend spent in Porto will leave no one unsatisfied.

How to travel?

Cheap flights to Porto reach their finish at the international Francisco de sa Carneiro airport. The 10 kilometre distance to the city centre can be quickly crossed using a bus, metro, or a rental car. Porto also offers heritage tram and funicular public transport services. Most tourist attraction objects can be easily reached on foot.

What to taste?

Porto welcomes its guests with plenty of cosy and luxurious restaurants, where you can taste any popular local dish. Porto is especially proud of its traditional dishes of tripas, consisting of fragrant soups and stews with vegetables, prepared in animal insides and organs. Another great dish on the menu is brined and dried cod, or bacalhau.

You can also choose to try two unique pork dishes in the form of meat stew rojoes, or pork with rice and blood, called sarrabulho. Various kinds of meat, including pork, are used in preparation of a brilliant stew that locals call cozido a portuguesa. Seafood lovers will be happy with an order of caldeirada fish stew.

While visiting Porto, you should also try some street food; for example, filling francesinha sandwiches or buns with cream. Tasting different sorts of original Porto wines is simply a must, both red (that’s usually valued higher) and white. What’s even better: chocolate confections go perfectly together with it.

What to see?

The elegant Porto city is split in two parts: the first, and the older, one occupies the southern city side. Here you will be able to find and visit the Romanesque Porto Cathedral, the Episcopal Palace, Saint Francis and St. Martin’s Churches, as well as the most beautiful Portuguese theatre of São João (the National Theatre of St. John). Finally, pay your utmost attention to the amazing Church of Saint Francis and its beautiful gilt woodwork.

Moving on to the more modern city symbols, you will found the striking bridges of Dom Luis I and Ponte de D. Maria Pia. These create a harsh opposition to the authentic Ribeira district, adorned with exquisite glazed azulejo tiles. Also worth your attention are one of the main streets, called Avenida dos Aliados, and the Sao Bento station.

What to do?

Follow the calls of port wine and go on a fun degustation tour. Pay a visit to Port Wine, Military, and Contemporary Porto Museums. In the evening, head over to clubs and bars and take a closer look at the locals spending their evenings together. Every year, Porto organises several cinema, rock and jazz festivals that provide a great source of entertainment, so do not miss out on them.

Porto is definitely worth being called the second capital of Portugal. We have no doubts that great drinks, bright-coloured districts, and relaxing beaches will only leave you with warm and pleasant memories.