Porto reached the end of the 20th century with aging infrastructure and was completely untouched by tourism.
Article from CruisesNews magazine
But the large investments made by the country have positioned it as one of the most fashionable tourist cities, and what were once old buildings are now beautiful shops, museums, or alleyways full of local character and authenticity.
Portugal, like Spain, was ending the 20th century emerging from dictatorships that had left both countries far behind the rest of Europe.
Thus began a process of development and modernization in both nations, starting with radial highways in Spain and the A1 motorway in Portugal, which connects Lisbon and Porto and wasn't fully completed until 1991. By 2002, it was possible to travel the country from north to south by motorway, and in late 2006, the new terminal at Porto-Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport opened, which was awarded the title of best airport in Europe in 2007. In 2011, the Port Authority of Leixões inaugurated a new cruise ship pier, and in 2015, the new cruise terminal. This is a brief history of the infrastructure that has positioned Porto as one of the most attractive tourist destinations today, but the secret to its success also lies in other factors.
While in Spain the modernization process swept away great architectural gems, markets, industrial buildings, and public spaces deemed outdated, in Porto, the mid-20th-century urban center and its monumental heritage have reached the 21st century virtually intact. And that is the secret of Porto's tourist success: the old trams still running and their garages converted into the Electric Tram Museum, the lovingly restored old buildings, both private and public, the wine cellars as luxurious spaces, and the old Ribeira del Douro as one of the city's most iconic and popular tourist areas, undeniably photogenic thanks to the equally old Dom Luís I Bridge and the old rabelo boats used to transport wine along the river.
Porto's tourist secret lies in the preservation and restoration of its old buildings, infrastructure, and industries. The historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
The declaration of the historic center as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, along with the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Serra do Pilar Monastery, undoubtedly contributed to this fantastic state of preservation. A special urban planning management entity is responsible for protecting the area and addressing day-to-day issues.
tourist
epicenter of Porto is, as we've mentioned, the Ribeira district, the area where the historic center meets the Douro River. Rabelo boats, a curious type of vessel used to transport wine along the river, adorn the docks and add to the city's character, while also providing a pleasant way to enjoy a sightseeing tour under the six bridges. There, you'll almost certainly be offered a taste of the famous Port wine, an industry established in the city by the British and which remains one of its economic pillars.
The Clérigos Tower offers us the best views of the city.
The colorful facades of Ribeira are home to a multitude of restaurants with terraces where you can savor excellent Portuguese cuisine, all with a view of Vila Nova de Gaia, the municipality on the other side of the Douro River, where the most famous Port wine cellars are located. Many of these cellars are within walking distance, simply by crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge, as they are very close to the docks for easy loading of the wine onto the boats. Sandeman and Ferreira are among the most renowned and beautiful, but Graham's is a little further up the street and boasts a lovely restaurant with the best views of Porto.
Returning to the Ribeira district, there are many other things to do. Not only can you stroll along the waterfront, but you can also explore its charming alleyways and surroundings, such as Praça do Infante D. Henrique, where you'll find the beautiful Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace). A visit is highly recommended to marvel at the Sala Dorada (Golden Room), covered in gold leaf, and the Sala Árabe (Arab Room), a 300m² Moorish-style room inspired by the Alhambra. In this same square, you'll find another example of Porto's architectural preservation: the Mercado Ferreira Borges, with a lovely industrial-style restaurant under the roof. Continuing uphill would take you into the historic district. Alternatively, at the foot of the Church of São Francisco, you can hop on one of Porto's historic trams, which will take you directly to the Museo do Carro Eléctrico (Electric Car Museum). This museum, located in the old tram depot, has been transformed into a beautiful space where you can see various types of trams and a large control room with antique electrical machinery.
The tourist epicenter of Porto is the Ribeira district, that is, the area where the historic center meets the Douro River and the Dom Luís I Bridge.
At the foot of the Dom Luís I Bridge is the Guindais Funicular, which saves us the effort of walking to the upper part of the city, where we'll find must-see sights such as Porto Cathedral (Sé de Porto), São Bento Station, whose lobby, decorated with more than 20,000 tiles, tells the story of Portugal, and the Clérigos Church and Tower, which we can climb for the best views of the city. Nearby is the grand Praça da Liberdade, made up of beautiful buildings and presided over by Porto City Hall.
Another of Porto's wonderful treasures is the Lello & Irmão Bookstore, considered the most beautiful bookstore in Europe. It's located inside a neo-Gothic building very close to the Clérigos Tower, and the charm of its shelves and carved wooden staircase has even served as a filming location for scenes in Harry Potter.
Beyond the historic center, Porto is full of attractive monuments and gardens, such as the Casa da Música (House of Music) and the Crystal Palace Gardens, and the Rua Santa Catarina for shopping. Cruise excursions often also offer visits to the surrounding areas, such as Guimarães, Braga and the Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary; or Aveiro, the "Portuguese Venice.".
The Lello & Irmao bookstore is considered the most beautiful in Europe and scenes from Harry Potter were filmed there.
It's important to remember that Porto is a major European hub for river cruises, as all the major companies have one or more ships here, sailing up the Douro River to the Spanish border, where navigation is abruptly halted by the Saucelle Dam. These week-long cruises offer the opportunity to visit Salamanca, but above all, to experience the spectacular Douro landscape, which transforms with every bend, from vast vineyards to pristine mountain areas, from the verdant greens of spring to the warm, golden hues of autumn.
Cruise Routes 2019:
Porto receives cruise ships practically year-round, from February to early December. German cruise lines AIDA and TUI will visit frequently in 2019, as will British lines such as P&O, Saga, and Fred Olsen. Pullmantur has scheduled a call for the Horizon on April 10th on its route to Northern Europe, and another on October 30th on a turnaround from Malaga. As for major international cruise lines, calls are expected from Costa Pacifica, Costa Favolosa, Brilliance of the Seas, and MSC Orchestra. Furthermore, it appears to be a highly valued port for premium and luxury cruise lines, with calls from Holland America Line, Oceania, Azamara, Regent Seven Seas, Viking, Silversea, SeaDream, and Hapag-Lloyd, among others.
It should not be forgotten that Porto is a powerhouse in river cruises, with week-long routes practically reaching Salamanca.
The cruise terminal
is celebrating its third anniversary with spectacular growth figures. Inaugurated in July 2015 after a €50 million investment, it helped to significantly increase passenger numbers, from 64,440 in 2014 to 79,065 in 2015. In 2016, Porto maintained virtually the same number of port calls, but passenger numbers remained at 71,799. However, in 2017, the number of port calls reached 100,000, with 95,562 passengers. 2018 is projected to close with 110,000 passengers across 105 port calls.
The cruise terminal, awarded for its impressive architecture, can perform turnaround operations for 2,500 passengers.
At the end of March, the terminal experienced its first passenger disembarkation and the initial embarkation of a new itinerary with the MSC Magnifica. The building, designed by architect Luis Pedro Silva, features curves that extend the structure itself in the form of three exterior tentacles and a fourth that descends inwards, forming a helical ramp that connects the interior functions within a four-story space.
In 2015, Porto received the Seatrade Award for Best Port of the Year, and the terminal has received several architectural awards. In addition to its functions as a cruise terminal, it houses the University of Porto's Marine Science and Technology Park and several maritime research units. It is also home to CIIMAR – the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine Research of the University of Porto. The 340-meter-long pier it serves was inaugurated in 2011. It can accommodate cruise ships up to 320 meters in length on one side, while the opposite side, in the space up to the breakwater, allows for the transit of research vessels, tourist boats, and a marina for 170 boats, which is still under construction. The terminal can handle turnaround operations for 2,500 passengers and even has underground parking.
The opening of the new cruise terminal in 2015 completed a long process of infrastructure modernization in Porto. 110,000 passengers and 105 port calls were planned for 2018.
