Porto, Portugal

Porto, Portugal
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Porto,_visto_de_Vila_Nova_de_Gaia.jpg
Author: Cornelius


Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, with a metropolitan area of 1.3 million people (2011 estimate). The city center, with a population of of 220,000, comprises 15 civil parishes. The city is within Porto District.


Dom Luis I Bridge, Porto, crossed by the Porto Metro
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Metro,_Ponte_e_Porto.jpg
Author: JFVP


The city of Porto is located at the estuary of the Duoro River in northern Portugal. Its historical center, which is a World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest settlements in Europe. Its Latin name, Portus Cale, is the source of the name of the country, Portugal. The Portuguese name for the city is written with a definite article, as "o Porto", meaning "the port", and hence it is often referred in English as Oporto.

The earliest settlement in Porto is believed to be that of the Celts, whose ruins have been discovered, dating to 275 BC. A proper settlement was established by the Romans. In AD 711 it fell under the control of the Moors. It was reconquered by the Portuguese in 868 under King Alfonso III.


Foz do Duoro, Porto
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pergola_Foz_%28Porto%29.jpg
Author: jpvargas


In the 14th and 15th centuries, the shipyards of Porto were instrumental in launching Portugal into the Age of Discovery. In 1809 the city was invaded by troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, an event in history remembered for the collapse of the pontoon bridge over the Douro by the weight of the fleeing populace. In 1891, unrest in Porto let to a revolt that created the Portuguese Republic in 1910.

Today Porto is a major port for Portugal. It is also internationally famous for the manufacture and explore of fortified wine, called port wine, which was named after the city.


Torre dos Clérigos, Porto
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Torre_dos_Cl%C3%A9rigos_by_B%C3%A9ria.jpg
Author: Beria Lima

Going to Porto

By Plane
The Porto Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is the main airport in northern Portugal and the third busiest in the country. From the airport, you can catch the AeroBus to downtown Porto at Praça da Liberdade, for €4.00. The airport is served by Ryanair with flights to several major cities in Europe.

By Train
There are regular trains from Lisbon, Madrid and even Paris.

Sights in Porto

Districts of Central Porto

Civil Parishes of Porto

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