“Antiga, Mui Nobre, Sempre leal e Invicta Cidade do Porto”
It is the city that gave Portugal its name.
Around (200 B.C.) the Roman Empire named it Portus Cale. It later became the capital of the Condado Portucalense, which later became Portugal. Today Porto is the second biggest city in Portugal.
The historic center of Porto has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It is described as a "place of great aesthetic value" and being an active part of the city, it became "an exceptional universal value", which is why it deserved the distinction.
In 2001 it was considered European Capital of Culture and in 2012 it was elected Best European Destination by the European Consumers Association. Famous also for the Port wine cellars, for its typical cuisine, including the famous specialties of the region, from Francesinha, to Tripas à Moda do Porto and Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá. There are several emblematic monuments of great historical, architectural and patrimonial value such as the Cathedral of Porto (Catedral do Porto), the Fernandina Wall (Muralha da Ferndinha), the Clerics Tower (Torre dos Clérigos) and many others. The city of Porto also has several cultural spaces of reference as the Serralves Museum, the House of Music (Casa da Música) and the unmissable Lello Bookstore, centennial bridges and the magnificent Douro River.
A city full of life that is also known for the arts, research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Porto was elected the Best City Break Destination in Europe in 2020, and the best European destination in 2017 for the third consecutive time.
Gaia is an important city in northern Portugal and is located on the south bank of the Douro River (opposite bank to the City of Porto), it is connected to Porto by 6 bridges (four road bridges - Arrábida, D. Luís, Freixo and Infante - and two railway bridges - S. João and D. Maria).
Originally formed from two distinct settlements, "Gaia" and "Vila Nova", becoming "Vila Nova de Gaia" in 1367, it was later elevated to a city in 1984.
The famous Port Wine cellars are located in this city, on the river bank, in a place called "Cais de Gaia". It is also the birthplace of fishermen, such as the fishermen of Afurada, known as a typical fishing village in the parish of S. Pedro da Afurada, where its inhabitants have their own accent and have long been accustomed to seeing women dressed in black.
Two cities full of enchantments and mysteries ready to welcome you!
Did you know that?
- The 1st attempt to implement the republic was in Porto. And that is why we have the famous street of January 31 (Rua 31 de Janeiro). It was on this day, in the year 1891, that the attempt was made to implement the republic in Portugal;
- The Casa da Música was considered by the New York Times "one of the most important concert halls built in the last 100 years";
- All beaches in the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia are recognized by the European Blue Flag Association.
WHERE TO STAY
Please contact info@splendidevasion.com if you need to book accommodation
Transportation
We leave here some links that will be important for your desolation for our country:
If you want to travel by METRO: https://www.metrodoporto.pt/
If you want to travel by TRABO: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/pt
If you want to travel by BUS: https://www.stcp.pt/pt/viajar/
If you want to travel by TAXI: 22 099 7336 or download the application at https://www.uber.com
Covid 19 – Updates
This information is updated every week
Last updated: 29 - 09 - 2022
To enter in Portugal (including Azores and Madeira), it is no longer required a proof of a negative COVID test or to present a COVID-EU digital certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate issued by third countries, accepted or recognized in Portugal.
Measures in force may be reviewed in accordance to the evolution of the pandemic.
IMPORTANT: Before traveling, it is important to confirm the entry formalities and procedures with the airline company and the Portuguese border service - SEF (www.sef.pt / gricrp.cc@sef.pt), the entity responsible for the border control. Please be advised that you should arrive at the airport beforehand and take into account the necessary procedures for domestic and international flights. If you're traveling during peak times like early morning, evening or summer, or during holidays and other events, please plan accordingly and allow for extra time.
GENERAL RULES
RULES IN MAINLAND PORTUGAL
- Mandatory mask in:
- Health facilities and services. - Use of a mask recommended by the DGS (Portuguese Directorate-General for Health), by anyone over the age of 10, in:
- Closed environments and people gatherings;
- Public and passenger transport, including air transport, taxis and similar transport (TVDE);
- Pharmacies;
- In confirmed cases of COVID-19, in all circumstances, whenever the person is out of the isolation place until the 10th day after the date of onset of symptoms or positive test. - General behavior guidelines
- Social distancing;
- Frequent hand washing;
- Respiratory etiquette.
Tests
If you are a foreigner visitor and want to do the test for Covid-19 shortly after arrival, before departure or at any time in mainland Portugal or Madeira you can do it:
- at the Airport. Information at https://www.ana.pt/en/corporate/ana/faq;
- in a laboratory approved by the Portuguese Health General Directorate. Find the list at https://covid19.min-saude.pt/infoadrpcc/;
- if you are in the Algarve, you find information about testing points at www.visitalgarve.pt