Porto is one of Europe\u2019s oldest tourist destinations. The city unfolds along the river bank and the sea shore, to reveal charming views, inviting esplanades, and all the pleasures of the outdoors, framed by its green spaces. But setting out to discover Porto means bumping into surprise after surprise. Whilst maintaining its welcoming and conservative nature, the city is, at the same time, contemporary and creative. This can be seen in its streets, its architecture, its museums, its leisure spaces, its esplanades, and its shopping areas which run from the traditional to the modern and exclusive. Porto\u2019s Historical Centre was designated World Cultural Heritage in 1996 and its natural setting and its meandering streets give it a unique charm.<\/p>\n
Although the official language is Portuguese, English, and French are two other languages \u200b\u200boften spoken in Porto.<\/p>\n
As a member of the European Monetary System, the accepted currency is the Euro (\u20ac).<\/p>\n
The official time in Portugal is the Greenwich Meridian.<\/p>\n
European plugs are used with 2 pins with 220 volts AC at 50 cycles. Portugal uses the Europlug (CEE 7\/16). This is the plug used in most other European countries. Visitors from outside Europe will also need the appropriate adapters to use their electrical appliances in Porto.<\/p>\n
Porto has a maritime climate and can be generally deemed an all-season tourist destination, given air temperatures and other climatic parameters rarely reach extreme values. Porto receives warm and dry summers and mild and rainy winters. The website of the Portuguese Meteorological Service is:\u00a0https:\/\/www.ipma.pt\/en\/index.html<\/a><\/p>\n \u2013 Metro \u2013<\/b>\u00a0Buses \u2013<\/b>\u00a0Trams \u2013 Taxis Porto is a relaxed, artful city. With its dramatically hilly location on the Atlantic coast, Portugal\u2019s second city \u2013 best known as the historic home of port wine \u2013 has plenty it could shout about, not least an unrelentingly pretty old town with characterful winding streets, tiled churches, and World Heritage-protected status. Porto is one of the oldest cities in the country. Take the tram to the mouth of the river Douro and get to know the excellent beaches and the outdoor caf\u00e9s, visit admiring churches and monuments and encounter the non-conformist modernism of the new contemporary buildings of architects like Siza Vieira, Souto Moura, or Rem Koolhaas. Take the opportunity to admire the six bridges of the city, visit the Port Wine cellars and taste this characteristic wine in a cosy and refined atmosphere. Besides history and culture, Porto is also leisure, fun, and nightlife. The famous streets around the Galeria de Paris Street, the caf\u00e9s and its terraces, the Miguel Bombarda area, or the commercial Sta Catarina Street are reference points in arts, in culture, but also in leisure and shopping. Dont miss the Casa da Musica, the Historical Centre and the Ribeira Square, the Lello Bookshop, the Caf\u00e9 Majestic, the Port Wine Cellars and the Monastery of Nossa Senhora do Pilar, the Guindais Funicular, Miguel Bombarda Street, Galeria de Paris Street, C\u00e2ndido dos Reis Street, Serralves House, and Museum of Modern Art, the S\u00e3o Bento Train station, the Cathedral, the Cl\u00e9rigos Tower. And, of course, the contagious joy of the popular festivities, the excellent gastronomy, and the wine.<\/p>\n Major credit cards are accepted in most hotels, shops, and restaurants. Travellers’ cheques and currency can be changed at hotels or at a bank \u2013 these are open Monday to Friday from 08h30 to 15h00. Automatic changing and ATMs linked to international networks are also widely available.<\/p>\n In fact, there are no special health requirements, with the exception of vaccination certificates for persons coming from areas where yellow fever is endemic.<\/p>\n There are a wide variety of restaurants and caf\u00e9s in Porto ranging from elegant and sophisticated to casual and inexpensive. Take-away and fast food are also available from many outlets. Restaurants, bars, some with live music, and discos, can be found in this link\u00a0http:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/portugal\/the-north\/porto\/things-to-do\/top-things-to-do-in-porto<\/a>. Breakfast is normally served between 07.30 and 10.00 hrs, lunch from 12.30 to 15.00 hrs, and dinner from 19.30 to 22.00 hrs.<\/p>\n Clinics and hospitals provide round-the-clock emergency services. The national emergency phone number is 112. Hotels have a doctor on call through reception. Reciprocal E.C. cover is available in outpatient departments, otherwise, private consultation fees are charged.<\/p>\n Smoking is forbidden by law in public transportation and in closed public areas.<\/p>\n Tipping is optional, but normally 10% is customary in taxis, restaurants, and bars.<\/p>\n Sales tax (VAT) is included in the prices quoted. For non-E.U. residents, tax-free shopping schemes are available in many shops, which give substantial savings to visitors.<\/p>\n Crime rates in Portugal are among the lowest in the world. Hotels have their own security staff, which is sufficient for most events. Specialist firms are also available if necessary, and the police provide special protection for visiting dignitaries and high-risk individuals.<\/p>\n Important Phone Numbers:Public Transportation<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/b>The metro in Porto is the best, easiest, and most common way to travel. It covers most of the city both under and overground, all the way to the surrounding suburbs. Trains run from 6 AM to 1 AM, and stations are marked with a wavy blue \u201cM\u201d. Tickets (or in Porto\u2019s case, cards) are bought at vending machines and must be validated before you board the train, even every time you switch lines. The very first time you use the metro when you arrive in Porto you must purchase the metro card called \u201cCart\u00e3o Andante\u201d at those vending machines. That card is your ticket that is recharged at those same vending machines in future journeys. Visit https:\/\/en.metrodoporto.pt\/<\/a>\u00a0for the map of the network and additional information.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Porto has an excellent and extensive bus service (called STCP) that operates from 6 AM to 9 PM. After 9 PM the service is less frequent and after 1 AM it is reduced to the principal routes. You may purchase tickets from the driver, which must then be validated on the machine behind him or her. Buses show their number and final destination on the front, as do the bus stops, where there are also details of the routes. http:\/\/www.stcp.pt\/en\/travel\/<\/a>\u00a0is the website for Porto bus information.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>There are two short tram routes still in operation in Porto, No. 1 and No. 18. No.1 is a pleasant ride, as it goes through the riverfront all the way to Foz. Tickets are bought from the driver.<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Taxis in Portugal are inexpensive when compared to the rest of Europe. Most are beige, but there are also some older black and green ones. There are taxi stands by most of the main squares in Porto, or you may call the following numbers to have one pick you up at a certain location at a scheduled time:
\n\u2013 Raditaxis: +351 225 073 900
\n\u2013 Taxis Invicta: +351 225 076 400
\n\u2013 Taxis Unidos: + 351 225 029 898<\/p>\nEntertainment<\/b><\/h5>\n
Exchange<\/b><\/h5>\n
Health Requirements<\/b><\/h5>\n
Meals<\/b><\/h5>\n
Medical Care<\/b><\/h5>\n
Smoking<\/b><\/h5>\n
Tipping<\/b><\/h5>\n
Sales Tax<\/b><\/h5>\n
Security<\/b><\/h5>\n
\n<\/strong>Telephone access code: Portugal + 351
\nEmergency (Police, Ambulance, Fire Service): 112
\nTourism Police: +351 222 081 833
\nDr. Francisco S\u00e1 Carneiro Airport: +351 229 432 400
\nTourism Office: +351 223 393 472
\nDirectory Enquiries: 118
\nInternational Directory Inquiries: 177
\nLost Credit Cards (VISA\/MasterCard): 800 811 272
\nInternational Operator: 179
\nOperator Assisted International Calls: 171<\/p>\nPorto Tourism<\/strong><\/h5>\n