Built on the right bank of the Douro River and famous for its distinctive Port wine, Oporto (or Porto), the capital of the north, is a city where the old features contrast with the new. Its winding, hilly, narrow streets in the old town are a complement to its wide modern avenues which spread out to the suburbs making it an excellent base from which to discover the beautiful north of Portugal.

See:

• Palacio da Bolsa – this remarkable building houses the modern stock exchange.
• Torre (Tower) dos Clérigos - a baroque masterpiece that has come to be the symbol of Oporto offering a panoramic view of the city and the Douro Valley to the Atlantic coast.
• São Bento station – known prominently for its azulejos, the tiled murals that decorate its interior.
• Mercado do Bolhão – an unforgettable market offering everything from seafood to honey.

Experience:

• Praça da Ribeira – the medieval quarter, is the heart of the city filled with a maze of colourful houses which are a picturesque attraction. Art galleries, boutiques and upper class restaurants can also be found here.
• Churches/Cathedrals – there are many churches to see including the Baroque gold cladded S. Francisco Church.
• Museums – Museu Serralves, the most influential modern art museum in Portugal is just one of many in this incredible city.
• Port Wine Tasting - across the river, in the southern suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia, some two dozen port-wine lodges are open for tours and tastings.

Secrets of the City:

• Foz do Douro – stands adjacent to where the River Douro empties into the sea, about 5kms to the northwest of Oporto. Foz is scenic, calm and mostly residential but is also known for its restaurant scene.
• Palácio de Cristal – translated to the Crystal Palace, was destroyed in 1951 and was replaced with the Pavilion of the Sports, Pavilion Rosa Mota. Explore the picturesque and romantic Gardens of the Crystal Palace and be sure to go all the way to the end as the views over the river are marvellous.