Summer, Sun and Port Wine.
Welcome to the second largest city in Portugal. In the port city on the Atlantic coast. In the home of port wine. Welcome to Porto - your lovely and sunny start and finish on your journey along the Douro! We have already taken a look at the highlights of the city for you.
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. The port town is considered the economic, cultural center of the northern part of the country. During a city trip through Porto, you will quickly notice that the city is located on a slope, on the banks of the river Douro and is known for its magnificent bridges, such as the oldest of all, the "Maria Pia". A total of 6 bridges, connect Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, the center of the port wine production, before the Douro flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
Enjoy your river cruise on the Douro and gaze at the landscape with its many steep slopes, before you stroll delightedly through the coastal town and soak up the romantic ambience, with its many small houses and sights.
Discover Porto with A-ROSA
Come on board the A-ROSA cruise ships and discover the port city of Porto from the river.
With the A-ROSA ALVA you will dock directly in the center of Porto during your trip on the river Douro. You can reach the heart of the port city on foot, with its many traditional stores, the third most beautiful bookstore in the world, the "Livraria Lello", and the historic old town, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
A-ROSA River Cruises to Porto
Excursions in Porto
2 excursions found
Visiting Guimarães is like stepping into the pages of Portugal’s history books. This city at the foot of the Serra da Penha is considered the place where Portugal was first established. Afonso Henriques was born here and in 1139, following a victory over the Moors, he became the first king of Portugal and declared Guimarães his capital. Today, you can still see what the city was like during its heyday. Our excursion will take you to sites such as Guimarães Castle, where Alfonso Henriques spent his youth. This fortress, built in the mid 10th century on the orders of the Galician countess Mumadona Dias, is considered one of the country’s best-preserved Romanesque castles. Just as impressive – and right next door – is the Paço Ducal, a French-influenced palace built in 1420 as the seat of the dukes of Bragança. In the old town, you’ll find small, lovingly restored town houses, grand squares and convents interspersed with modern buildings and cafes. The most attractive street is without doubt the Rua de Santa Maria, which takes you from the palace to the central Largo da Oliveira (‘Olive tree square’) – the perfect place to stop for a couple of original Portuguese pastéis de nata (custard tarts).
- port:
- Porto
- price:
- € 64.00 per person
- duration:
-
approx. 4 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Easy
Welcome to Porto, the city that gave its name to one of the finest wines in the world, Port Wine. The city tour takes us along the Douro river to the mouth of the river and further along the Atlantic coast past the noble villa town, Foz do Douro, right into the city centre. Photo stops and explanations at Porto Cathedral in the heart of the old town, at the Palace of Justice near the Clerigus bell tower and at the famous railway station will bring you closer to the city. Here in the middle of the old town, which has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1996, you will also have some free time. Then we cross the landmark of the city, the bridge "Dom Luís I", which was designed by Gustav Eifel, to Vila Nova de Gaja. This town is known for the old warehouses of the winegrowers which exist for over 100 years now. Here we will visit a typical wine cellar and taste the famous port wine.
- port:
- Porto
- price:
- € 65.00
- duration:
-
approx. 4 Hours
- transport:
- Bus and walking
- level:
- Easy
Tips for your trip to Porto
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOKSTORE IN EUROPE: LIVRARIA LELLO
From the outside, "Livraria Lello" is neo-Gothic. Inside, it is art nouveau. And it is beautiful through and through, as millions of bookworms worldwide know. It was built in 1869, has been renovated, and is listed as a historic monument. The narrow building with its even narrower, winding wooden staircase stretches over several floors, and each one awakens the feeling: magic does exist. And it's right here. Is that why so many claim that J. K. Rowling got inspiration for her Harry Potter novels here when she lived in Porto?
BRIDGE ROYAL: PONTE DOM LUIS I
How beautiful it is! We're talking, of course, about the view from the Ponte Dom Luís I, the arched bridge that connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia - similar to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, by the way. It was named after the former King Luis I, who inaugurated it in 1886. The bridge has two levels, one for cars and one for streetcars. Pedestrian walkways for strolling and reveling exist on both levels. To wallow in the past, you should take the streetcar. The oldest streetcar in Portugal still runs on three lines - also over the Ponte Dom Luis I.
MANY THINGS TO SEE: RIBEIRA
The old town of Porto is called Ribeira, which means "riverbank". Behind the simple name lies a terraced district full of culture and sights. An important part of the culture here is Bacalhau, or stockfish, and port wine. It's no wonder that UNESCO listed Porto's old town as a World Heritage Site in 1996.
AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL: THE TRAIN STATION OF SÃO BENTO
Waiting rooms of train stations are rarely an attraction. Not so in Porto, where the pretty hall is decorated all over with Azulejos. These weatherproof, blue-painted tiles are not only nice to look at, but also narrate important chapters in Portuguese history. A stop you should not miss.
HOME ADVANTAGE IN DEALING: PALÁCIO DE BOLSA
A trading city like Porto naturally also needs a representative administration. The Palácio da Bolsa, the stock exchange, was built in the 19th century exactly for this purpose. It was designed to convince European merchants of Portugal's trading power. If you look at the powerful building with its glass dome, the courtrooms and marble and gold ornaments in all nooks and crannies, you realize: it was successful. Let yourself be inspired by a guided tour.
HIGH AND SACRED: THE TORRE DOS CLÉRIGOS
Would you like to have a short overview first? Then the best place to visit is the Igreja dos Clérigos. The church from the 18th century in the middle of the city has the highest tower in Portugal. The church tower is 75 meters high and since it was built by Niccolò Nasoni, sailors have taken their orientation from it. Today you can climb to the top and enjoy the view over the old town, the Douro River and the neighboring town of Vila Nova de Gaia. And already choose which magnificent sight you will visit next.