City Overview

Within the small country of Portugal, the city of Porto is second only to Lisbon in terms of importance. The name Portugal itself is derived from the city's name. Porto is located at the mouth of the Douro River along the Atlantic coast of Portugal, and for centuries has been a vital trading center. The charming city of Porto is renowned for its rich and varied architectural heritage, and based on this was declared a World Heritage City in 1996 by UNESCO.

Porto became a very important trading center during the 15th Century when trade started flowing in from Portugal's vast colonial possession. Many of the materials such as gold and exotic woods were brought in to construct exquisite churches, palaces, and other government buildings. Art flourished as nobility and wealthy merchants supported local artisans.

Porto in terms of architecture and its people are known for their character. The best way to discover the city is on foot. Walking through Porto offers the chance to admire the beautiful buildings and numerous monuments. Taking a ride on the trolley provides stunning vistas of the Douro and an opportunity to see the famous five bridges of Porto.

For many people around the world, Porto is associated with quality wines. There are a variety of excellent wines produced in the region, however the most famous style of wines are Port Wines. These wines are valued by connoisseurs the world over.

Today other wines from the Douro Valley region are gaining respect. Take some time traveling through this region to visit the various wineries and sample their product.

Regardless of what you do in Porto or the Douro area, you are sure to fall in love with this part of Portugal.

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