subject: Oporto City Guide [print this page] Oporto City Guide Oporto City Guide
Oporto is one of the most ancient European cities. It was born from the Douro river during the Middle Ages. The city was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996.
Oporto is the second largest city in Portugal and the capital of the north. Porto gave its name to Portugal and its language. The name derives from the Roman settlement of Portus Cale. The Douro, which comes from Rio do Ouro (River of Gold), has always been Porto's income.
You will find allot ofsurprises here. Porto is conservative, but also contemporary and artistic.
In the other side of the river the city is called Vila Nova de Gaia. By the river you will find many Port Wine Cellars which you can visit and taste the wine.
Oporto was the European Capital of Culture at 2001 and "Casa da Msica" was an architectural masterwork built at that time by Rem Koolhaas. Take a tour and listen to a concert.
So Francisco Church you really can't miss. From the outside it may look an ordinary church but the inside is one of Europe's most extraordinarily interiors that you will see in a church.
You must plane your trip all the way through:what you should see,when should youvisit, how the weather is, what to buy and other information and we can help you.
For transport information, see the transportation section, for places to eat check out the Eating and Drinking section, and for places to stay, see our hotels guide.
Visit Oporto is the right place for you before you come to Porto.
