Tradition and Modernity in Porutgal's Second Largest City
Young or old this renewed city offers the best of both traditional and modern worlds.Porto's historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage zone and this hilly riverside city at the mouth of the Rio Douro is easily reached from London Gatwick. Tradition lives on in its mediaeval alleyways, baroque churches, small squares and wide boulevards, although Porto has renewed itself through its efficient metro system and urban renewal. The city is a must for lovers of architecture with two new buildings, the Alvaro Siza Vieira's Museu de Arte Contemporanea and Rem Koolhaas' Casa da Musica.
Porto also caters for the younger crowd with many new galleries and boutiques, along with fine cuisine, and the city regularly attracts Europe's top DJ's. On warm summer nights, the riverfront can seem like one long party.
Porto is ideal for tourists and a river cruise is recommended to study the stunning landscape. A helicopter tour is available and is an ideal way to view the city as a whole but for the more energetic a self guided walking tour is best to view the city's varied architecture, but take note the city is hilly with many buildings built into the cliff face overlooking the river. Highly recommended is the port wine tour as Porto is the capital of port making. The cellars are in Gaia, across the river, but buses run regularly up the winding hills, where you will find several free tastings.
After a hectic day of sightseeing and wine tasting, the city offers fine restaurants and bars to relax in, along with bakeries and pastry shops. If still feeling energetic, there is a great choice of dance clubs, most of which open around 1am and close around 7.30 am.
