Portray of the Destination
The city is famous for its historical villages, which have been witnessed over 900 years of the
country’s history, and for its Port Wine, aged in wine cellars across the Duoro River. Porto is
also well known for its characterized people, culture and local cuisine. Nowadays, the city can be
defined as a modern cosmopolitan area, with several theaters, museums, concert halls, art
galleries, libraries, cinemas, and book shops to offer its visitors. Its historical center has been
declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and while visiting the city, you cannot miss the Porto
Cathedral, the Soares dos Reis National Museum (Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis), and the Casa da
Música, its concert hall space built in 2005.
We would like to thank "Instituto de Turismo de Portugal (ITP)" for the pictures provided.
Geography
Located at the mouth of Duoro River, the city is the second as regards importance of the country,
after Lisbon. It is situated in Northeast Portugal, between Barqueiros and Mazouco on the Spanish
border. Directly across the river to Porto is the town of Vila Nova de Gaia. On the coast to the
north of Porto are Vila do Conde and Póvoa de Varzim. To the east is the town of Penafiel. Further
to the east is the town of Amarante. To the southeast of Porto are the towns of Arouca, Castro
Daire, São Pedro do Sul and Vouzela.
Climate
In Porto you will find temperate dry summers (16ºC – 27ºC) and mild rainy winters (5ºC – 16ºC).
Spring and Fall are smooth transitions between the other seasons.
History
The official records of this city date back to the 5th Century. The Romans gave Porto the name of
Portus Cale (Port of Gaia) before its foundation and the country was called Condado Portucalense
(Portuguese county). Thanks to Bishop Dom Hugo, who talked the German, English and Flemish
crusaders into sailing on to Lisbon to help Dom Afonso Henriques, in 1147 the town was liberated
from the Moors. The Portugalense Bishop accompanied them and took part in the military adventure.
When the territory was recovered, Count Henry of Burgundy ordered the construction of a Cathedral.
In hands of the Christians, the city began to grow and develop, as well as its economic
importance. There were quarrels between the Bishops and the bourgeois, and often the king was the
peacemaker between them. During the 1383 – 1385 crisis, Porto gained the title of “Very noble and
always loyal city”, and it served the Mestre de Avis, who presented himself as the Portugal
Governor and Defender against the people of Castile.
During the Period of the Discoveries, Porto expanded and developed. At that time, Portugal was
the central point of Europe as regards trade and its ports served for its ships and cargo. In the
15th Century, the town was one of the ship building centers of Portugal, where most boats where
made and the place was cradle of many sailors. After having been under the realm of King Philip of
Spain, Portugal finally recovered its independence.
During the 18th Century, this rich city became a monument and, thanks to the Almadas, it was
highly modernized. In the 19th Century, Porto became the cradle of important poets and sculptors,
like Garrett and Soares dos Reis. During the second half of the 19th Century, the first Republican
representative in Portugal was elected.
In this city, João I and Philippa of Lancaster got married in 1387. This marriage symbolizes the
world’s oldest military alliance between England and Portugal, which is still present through the
NATO.
Porto is known as the city of work. Its people have always defended the nation and have
contributed to the discoveries and the economic development of the area. Although its inhabitants
are hard-workers, they have a hospitable and honest spirit.
Traditions
Porto International Film Festival: Fantasporto is the most important festival in the city. It takes
place during February. On February 27th the Zombies Ball is carried out (the genre of the festival
is horror movies).
Porto Religious Festivities: June is the month of the Popular Saints’ Festivities. S. João and
S. Pedro are the most important ones. S. João’s celebrations consist of the decoration of streets
and public places, the display of pottery popular figures and the sell of their typical plants.
Gastronomy
Some of the traditional dishes of Porto are the Porto-style Tripe (veal’s tripe with sausages),
Caldo Verde (soup with cabbage, potatoes and olive oil), Broa (corn and rye bread), Cabrito Assado
(a roasted lamb) and Pão de ló or Biscoito da Teixeira (different types of cakes).
The Vinho do Porto (Porto Wine), which is only produced in this area, always accompanies the
visitor’s dishes. It is a must of the city and you will surely enjoy it, with its sweetness and
color variety.
Basic Dictionary
YES: Si ; NO: Não ; HELLO: Olá, ; GOOD BYE: Adeus ; GOOD MORNING: Bons dias ; GOOD AFTERNOON: Boas
tardes ; GOOD EVENING: Boas noites ; PLEASE: por favor ; I'M SORRY: lo siento ; THANK YOU: Brigado
; DOCTOR: Médico ; PHARMACY: Farmacia. NUMBERS: 1: Um, 2: Dois, 3: Trés, 4: Quatro, 5: Cinco, 6:
Seis, 7: Sete, 8: Oito, 9: Nove, 10: Dez, 11: Once, 12: Doze, 13: Treze, 14: Catorze, 15: Quinze,
16: Dezasseis, 17: Dezassete, 18: Dezoito, 19: Dezanove, 20: Vinte, 21: Vinte a um, 22: Vinte e
dois. , 30: Trinta, 40: Quarenta, 50: Cinquenta, 60: Sessenta, 70: Setenta, 80: Oitenta, 90:
Noventa, 100: Cem, 1000: Mil. DAYS OF THE WEEK: MONDAY: Segunda-feira, TUESDAY: Terça-feira,
WEDNESDAY: Quarta-feira, THURSDAY: Quinta-feira, FRIDAY: Sexta-feira, SATURDAY: Sábado, SUNDAY:
Domingo. USEFUL WORDS: SMALL: Pequeno / BIG : Grande; HOT: Quente / COLD: Frio; OPEN: Aberto /
CLOSED: Fechado; GOOD: Bom / BAD: Mau; NEW: Novo / OLD: Antigo; PUSH: Empurrar / PULL: Atirar;
ENTRANCE: Entrada / EXIT: Saída; LADIES: Senhoras / GENTLEMEN: Cavaleiro; FAR: Longe / NEAR: Cera;
LEFT: Esquerda / RIGHT: Direita; TAXI: Taxi; BUS: Autocarro. MEALS: BREAKFAST: Desjejum or Café da
manha; LUNCH: Almoço; DINNER: Ceia; WINE: Vinho; DESSERT: Postre; MENU: Menu or la lista; BILL:
Conta. USEFUL SENTENCES: DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH: ¿Fala inglês?; I DON'T UNDERSTAND: Não compreendo;
WHERE IS IT: ¿Onde fica?; HOW MUCH IS IT: ¿Quanto custa?; WHAT TIME IS IT: ¿Qué horas são?; COULD
YOU HELP ME: ¿Pode ajudar-me?
Currency
As an European Union member, the country's currency is the Euro. There are 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 EUR notes. And 1 and 2 EUR coins, as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cent coins.
Currency Exchange
1.00 American dollar = 0.82 EUR; 1.00 Sterling pound = 1.45 EUR.
Useful Info
Official namePorto
CountryPortugal
Time ZoneGTM +1
Official LanguagePortuguese
Surface area41.3 km² (16 sq. mi)
Population238,954 inhabitants
Political RegimeParliamentary democracy
Public holidaysJanuary 1st: New Year’s Day/Holy Mother of God; April 25th: Liberation Day; May 1st: Labor Day;
June 10th: National Day; August 15th: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin; October 5th: Republic Day;
November 1st: All Saint’s; December 1st: Restoration of the Independence; December 8th: Immaculate
Conception; December 25th: Christmas. Movable holidays: Carnival, Good Friday, Easter and Corpus
Christi.
ReligionMainly Roman Catholic, but there are also Muslins, Hindus, Buddhists and Jews.
ReligionMainly Roman Catholic, but there are also Muslins, Hindus, Buddhists and Jews.
Arrival / DepartureBy air: There are several airlines that reach the city through the Francisco Sá Carneiro
Airport.
By bus: There are several bus companies that offer national and international services, such
as Eurolines, Internorte, REDM and Arriva.
By train: Through Contumil, S. Bento or Campanhã Railway Stations.
By car: Through the A1, A3 and A4 motorways.
By boat: Through the Leixões Harbor.
SafetySecurity conditions in Portugal are very much like Spain’s. However, it is advisable to be careful
in tourist zones because of the robberies that may occur, as in any crowded place.
VisaFor stays up to 90 days, everybody needs a visa except for:
- Nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, USA, Japan and nationals mentioned under passport
exemptions.
- Nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Israel, Rep. of
Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland,
Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela.
- Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided
holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. However, nationals of certain
countries always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the airport transit area.
Electricity220 V, 50 Hz
Radio and TelevisionThe main radio stations are Radio Comercial; Super FM - 96.2/99.1 FM; TSF Rádio Notícias - 89.5 FM.
The most important TV stations are: RTP Canal 1 - Radiotelevisao Portuguesa; RTP TV 2; SIC –
Sociedade Independente de Comunicacao; TVI – TV; Independent y CNL - Canal de Notícias de Lisboa
Live.
TelephonePortugal’s country code is 351. Porto’s code is 22.
Police222 092 000
Ambulance112
Fire Brigade226 106 886
Newspapers and MagazinesThe most important newspapers in Portugal are “Diario de Noticias” and “Publico”.
The most important magazines are “A Batalla”, “Acção Socialista” and “O Independente”.
Postal ServiceThe Main Post Office is located in Praça General Humberto Delgado. Telephone number: 223 400 200.
Post offices in Portugal:
www.ctt.ptHealth Care ServicesAs in any European Union member country, in Portugal you will find an efficient medical service.
Most of the European countries have mutual agreements as regards health care resources. European
Union citizens traveling to Portugal may benefit from this mutual agreement asking for the
E-111 form at any Social Security Office. You need your ID and the Social Security medical card.
Sub-Região de Saúde do Porto
Address: Rua Nova de S. Crispim, 380/ 4, 4000 Porto
Tel: 225 192 100 / Fax: 225 100 484
S. João Hospital
(22 502 71 51)
Santo António Hospital
(22 207 75 00)
AirportFrancisco Sá Carneiro Airport is located 11 km (6.8 mi) away from Porto. It is a modern building,
fully equipped.
Public TransportMetro: In order to travel by metro, you have to purchase the “Andante”, a rechargeable
ticket you buy in advance. There are five metro lines and they work the 7 days of the week, from
6.00 am to 1.00 am.
Bus: There are several bus lines that connect the main spots in Porto. You have to buy the “
Andante” to travel by bus as well. The bus network is run by the Sociedade dos Transportes
Colectivos do Porto (Porto Public Transport Society).
Tram: There are three lines of tram and they work the whole week, from 9.15 am to 7.00 pm.
The same “Andante” you acquire for other transport services also works for the trams.
Taxi: There are radio and regular taxis.
RailwayThere are three main Railway Stations in Porto.
- Contumil, located in the north.
- S. Bento, located in the center of the city.
- Campanhã, located in the east.
The three of them offer suburban services, while Campanhã also includes international services
and S. Bento also offers services between regions.
BusSeveral bus companies offer both national and international services to travel to and through
Porto.
CarYou can reach Porto by car through its three main motorways. The A1 connects Porto and Lisbon; the
A3 connects the city with Minho, and the A4 connects it to Trás-os-Montes.
Car RentalsThere are several companies that operate throughout the city, like A. A. Castanheira/Budget, Auro
Rent, Auto Jardim, Avis, Europcar, Hertz, National/Alamo y Sixt.
Avis in Porto
Porto Airport
Avis Building
4470-995 Maia
(351) 22-9436900
Sun - Sat 7.00 am to 12.00 am
Europcar in Porto
Porto Airport
Francisco Sa Carneiro
4470-827 Maia
+351 (22) 9482452
Fax: +351 (22) 9487072
ShipThe Porto de Leixões (Leixões Harbor) is about 5 km (3 mi) away from the Duoro River, northwards.
This is the third most important harbor of Portugal. It has 29 docks and receives passenger and
freight ships.
See climatewww.worldweather.orgCurrency converterwww.xe.com/uccThe Bus0.50 € (ticket bought in advance) or 1.00 € (ticket bought on the bus).
