Porto or Oporto is Portugal's second largest city with a population of approx. 250,000 and is for the most part best known for port wines and football - FC Porto, but it is much more than that. The beautiful city located on the river Doura and the whole area by the river is today on the UNESCO World Heritage List and for obvious reasons.
You can fly directly to Porto from many countries, but you can also take the train from Lisbon, if you are on vacationing in the Portuguese capital. The high-speed train connects Portugal from north to south and a trip from Lisbon to Porto is relatively quick. The distance is approx. 330 km. and it takes about 2 hours with the fast Alfa Pendular train. The train is well equipped and offers modern comforts on board all the way from Porto to Lisbon. Every day, more than 5 high-speed trains depart from Lisbon's Oriente Station to Campanha Station in Porto - both stations are easily accessible by public transport. The price for a single ticket is approx. 20 Euros in 1st class and it must be said to be touchingly cheap.

In the old days, port wine was sailed down the Douro River and on to England - Nowadays, boats are mostly used for tourists - Spring 2017

Porto has a lot to offer - lively streets, beautiful parks, countless museums and beautiful churches - but most people will probably find the area around the river most interesting. This is also where most tourists stay and the cafés and restaurants along the river are also used extensively.

Wanted

A restaurant by the Douro river - Spring 2017

Port wine also known as vinho do Porto is a wine that is produced in the Douro Valley in abundant quantities. The port wine dates from the late 17th century and was then rich in acid, very powerful and made without the use of brandy. Brandy was later added to the wine so that it could survive the journey down the Duoro River and on to England. Subsequently, it has been refined by English port wine houses into what we know today as port wine.

Portos byvåben - Antiga mui noble, Sempre leale, Invicta cidade do porto - Gammel, meget ædel, altid loyal og ubesejret

The profits from the wine trade and gold from Brazil abundantly filled the city's coffers in the 18th century. It was during this period that Porto got the look we know today. It grew far beyond the old defensive walls, and the city center shifted to Praca de Liberdade, a process involving the demolition of entire blocks of houses. Real palaces emerged as dwellings for the prosperous bourgeoisie. Even churches and monasteries were built to the taste of the time.