Porto City Guide

I would like to advice that majority of the shops might be closed at sundays. Mainly shops of clothes, drinks, shoes, fishmonger or meat shops.

That's a fact. It is true the rivalry between these two biggest cities of Portugal: Porto and Lisbon. So, be carefull when you say good things about Lisbon to a Porto citizen! We may get ofended or jealeous.

orto's subway system is tight and useful, but does not cover the entire city. The 5 lines all stop at Trindade station and run every day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. If you plan on buying single tickets, they must be validated before each trip and they can be used for an hour on the whole network. You may thus change your mode of transportation without extra charges. Website: https://en.metrodoporto.pt/

Three tram lines are running in the city from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. approximately (shorter operating hours in winter). The most helpful is the 1 line, which runs alongside the Douro River until Foz do Douro. One single ticket costs EUR 2.50. Tip: If you plan on using public transport, it is recommended to purchase the Andante Gold card in one of the Andante stores. The card costs EUR 7 and allows you unlimited travel during 24 hours within your selected zone (package starting from EUR 4.15) Please remember to swap your card on the Andante terminal. www.stcp.pt/en/tourism/porto-tram-city-tour/

The bus network covers a lot. Main terminal stations are Jardim da Cordoaria, Praça da Liberdade and the São Bento station. Single tickets can be bought aboard the bus (EUR 1.90). If you use the Andante card, price goes down to EUR 1.20. To learn about line, price, plans and schedules, please visit the STCP Website: www.stcp.pt/en/travel/

Between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. (shorter operating hours in winter), the Funicular dos Guindais goes back and forth a very steep slope and offers an exceptional vista onto the Avenida Gustavo Eiffel and the Rua Augusto Rosa. A single ticket costs EUR 2.50. The Teleférico de Gaia brings passengers from the Vila Nova de Gaia quays up to Serra do Pilar, 115 feet high. It takes about 5 minutes to reach your destination (full price is EUR 5 one way and EUR 8 for a return ticket. Children under 12: EUR 2.50 for one way and EUR 4 for a return ticket).

Taxis are inexpensive and efficient, and drivers usually pleasant! Fares to the city centre are about EUR 5 to EUR 8 (count 20% increase at night). Expect an extra fee if you are travelling outside of Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia for example). You can find taxi stations almost everywhere in the city centre.

Driving around Porto may prove difficult, due to the topography, the narrowness of certain streets, hard luck finding a parking space and frequent traffic jams. The city counts numerous underground car parks (count between EUR 20 to EUR 27 per day).

With more than 70 kilometres of bike lanes (some of them along the Douro River and leading to the beaches), Porto presents great opportunities for bike rides. But some parts of the city are very steep (from Ribeira to Praça da Liberdade for example). Average daily rental is about EUR 12.

Walking is also a great alternative for visiting the surroundings. Exploring on foot is perhaps the best way to enjoy the spirit of this magnificent city! Contact me if you would like to have a Walking Tour in Porto. I will be more than happy to do it.

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Porto each year. The main ones are listed below. January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) April 25: Liberty Day (national holiday) June 10: National Day (Dia de Camões, national holiday) June 23-24: São João holiday(local) - On that day, tradition asks that sardines be prepared as a dish, as people joyfully hit each other with soft plastic hammers. October 5: Republic Day (national holiday) December 1: Dia da Independência (national holiday) December 25: Christmas (national holiday)