Program
Porto, the country´s second largest city and one of Europe's most charismatic cities has carefully preserved its architectonic treasures. This is the city that originated and named Port Wine and Portugal, famed for its riverside hills, medieval alleys, Parisian-style plazas, historic monuments and churches and a rather enchanting atmosphere. Many leading tourist attractions and shops in Porto are to be found off the Avenida dos Aliados and the Rua Santa Catarina. To the South East of the Avenue is the Estacao de Sao Bento - Porto main train station, which is worth visiting to view the 20,000 azulejos.
Close by is rua das Flores - this small street which goes up towards the São Bento station is flanked by traditional businesses and houses from the 18C with emblazoned facades.
Close to the Avenida dos Aliados, there’s Torre dos Clérigos, a notable tower boasting exceptional views, prominent monument and the symbol of Porto dating back to the 18th century.
Praça (square) da Batalha is east of São Bento station and Avenida dos Aliados, one of the main squares in Porto and is near to popular attractions like the University of Porto (Universidade do Porto), the Crystal Palace Garden (Jardim do Palácio de Cristal), Music Hall (Casa da Música with a fantastic modern architecture).
The 12th-century Porto Cathedral – complex which also houses the Episcopal palace - resembles a fortress and enjoys a hilltop location from where you can get your first views of the Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia.
The cathedral is just a short walk from the Praça da Ribeira in the old medieval town that lines the River Douro and retains its medieval feel with lots of steep, narrow, cobbled streets lined with tall brightly painted houses all topped in terracotta roof tiles.
The Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) is a fine example of 19th century architecture with its famous Arabic Room featuring laminate gold decorations.
Sao Fancisco church was constructed in the 1200s. Visitors can admire the Roman and Gothic styles of the church as well as its ravishing gilt wood work in the interior.
The Dom Luis I Bridge dating back to the 19th century.
Vila Nova de Gaia where the view from the monastery of Serra do Pilar over the city and the river is outstanding. At Vila Nova de Gaia we’ll go to discover the secrets of Port wine.
Seeing Foz (mouth of Douro river), Boavista quarter and crossing Arrabida bridge makes part of our plans.
This tour will have a stop for lunch at a typical restaurant near Douro river, to taste the well-known Porto gastronomy, like bacalhau (codfish), ‘arroz de cabrito’ (goat and rice dish), ‘arroz de cabidela’ (game stock and rice) and the historical city favourite, tripe ‘à moda do Porto’. And you can take advantage of this stop to take a 50 minutes mini cruise on Douro river.