Porto City Breaks

Porto is a historical and cultural centre that is full of intrigue and charm. It is the second largest city in Portugal, behind Lisbon, and is known to the British as Oporto. Set on a striking hillside beside the Atlantic Coast with stunning views and miles of sandy beaches. It is one of the oldest European cities, originally being used as an outpost for the Roman Empire.

Situated in northern Portugal at the estuary of the Douro river, Porto was an ancient port, with the Ribeira neighbourhood at its rich historic centre. Visit elaborate baroque churches, wander along narrow medieval alleyways and discover the foundations of the famous sweet port wine. While in recent years with the introduction of a new metro system and bold rejuvenation projects Porto has taken on a new vibrant lease of life.

In 1996 it was named as World Heritage Site by UNESCO and in 2001 it held the title of European Capital of Culture, which is unusual considering there are no significant landmarks. There are however impressive monuments both historical and modern, by world renowned architects such as Gustave Eiffel's Dona Maria Bridge, Nicolau Nasoni's Clerigos Tower and Rem Koolhaas’ Casa da Musica, which attract a number of people keen to see their masterpieces.