The city of Porto is set on the banks of the river Douro and it is reportedly Portugal’s most romantic city as well as being the home of Port wine. Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe and was outpost of the Roman Empire as is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. With that much history behind it, it is a city with a story to tell. You will see the old and new here, with extravagant old Baroque churches and then the old town which is mainly concentrated in the Riberia district which is home to old cobbled streets, winding lanes and the main residents here are the older people of Porto who still stand out front of their houses and shops and chat and watch the world go by.
More About Porto
Car Hire
Car Hire Porto is popular amongst tourists looking to see and explore Porto city, but also to get out the city and see more of what this region has on offer. It is a great location to start a trip to explore north Portugal and even into the Iberian Peninsula, or to simply do day trips in the Douro valley and see the beauty of the area and enjoy wine tours. Car Booker works with the main car hire providers in Porto airport and in the city, we look at their deals and offers and we find you the best prices on the biggest selection of hire cars in the area. It is also possible from Porto to hire a car and drop it back in another location, particularly if you are looking at doing a road trip or visiting a few locations but don’t need a car for your entire trip.
Top things to do
Within the city of Porto, the top things to do include visiting the Alvaro Siza Vieira Museum, the Casa da Mucica and the 12th century Cathedral. Porto is also home to one of the most lavish churches in Europe called the Sao Francisco church. For great views of the city, go to the Clerics Tower (Clerigos Tower), or to enjoy the water front, why not stroll along the Avendia D Carlos and you can pop into the Jardin do Passeio Alegre. For local markets check out the Bolhao market and you can even pick up a gift of two there for people at home. If you are interested in wine, port or tours to the vineyards, the these are along the Duoro river and can be organized through where you are staying or even better, jump into your rental car and drive to them yourself. For any type of nightlife, just head to the Foz district – that’s where the fun happens.
Road Trips
The best trips from Porto include heading along the Duoro Valley which is very impressive, you will be in an areas that has been producing wine for more than 2,000 years and the landscape there show all the signs of this human activity. In this World Heritage Alto Duoro Wine Region, you will find the most perfect examples of terraces, quintas (wine producing farms) and old villages. And for Port fans, you can stop off along the way and visit the most famous of Port Houses including Sandeman, Cockburn´s and Graham´s. Just make sure you have picked who is to be the designated driver beforehand. Also from Porto, there are a number of cities within easy reach including Braga, Guimarares and Vigo. And from Porto you can even drive in your hire car to the famous Santiago De Compostela.