Discover Porto

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 230
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If you are like me and despair at the hordes of tourists who seem to be quite keen to visit the same destinations over and over again, then you will take heart from this news. Recent interest has been piqued by the Portuguese city of Porto. Internet companies that are more usually concerned with only the main tourist traps are opening up, with the likes of Octopus travel lining up to offer great deals on Porto Hotels.

In terms of geography, Porto lies on the Douro River just a few miles in from where the river runs into the Atlantic Ocean. It is Portugal''s second city after Lisbon and is surrounded by a number of smaller cities. Taken as a whole, this conurbation is the largest in Portugal, with some 1.9 million inhabitants.

Porto''s history goes back to Celtic times, and it was during the Middle Ages that it developed into one of Portugal''s most important trading cities. It was in the 18th century that Porto became an important link between the Douro Valley wine producers and wine importing countries like England.

Production of port wine became a huge deal, and tonnes of the wine was taken over to England ...
... on rabelos (traditional flat bottom boats) by way of the river to Porto. It was initially stored in large warehouses by the riverfront in Vila Nova di Gaia, the city opposite Porto on the south side of the river.

From here the wine was boxed up and taken out to buyers in other European countries and, increasingly, the rest of the world. Port wine, very much in the same way as French Champagne is internationally recognized and protected, and in this way can only come from the city of Porto.

The historical centre of the city was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 and this marked the start of the tourist trade in earnest. One of the favoured areas for tourists is down by the Douro River, with the wine cellars by the riverfront on the southern side, plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels on the north side.

The city centre is full of beautiful buildings (many of them with a faded look that paradoxically makes them even more beautiful) and a particularly dominant feature is the use of coloured tiles, azulejos, on the facades. Some of the finest tile murals can be found on the city churches and inside of the main city centre railway station.

Porto is one of those rare exceptions to the rule that cheap places tend to have been done before. Despite being as equally affordable as more traditionally visited areas in Spain and France it has not been spoiled by over visiting. It also still has that remarkable air of exoticism that is so missing from more touristy areas. It is most definitely worth a visit. Bonny Kominek is a freelance writer who was inspired to write this article by Octopustravel.com where you can book many different hotels including Porto hotels.