PORTO DESCRIPTION
As a trading centre at the mouth of the River Douro the city of Porto is the second largest city after Lisbon. The city has a number of distinctive different atmospheres and this is very evident when comparing the various districts. The Quarter around the riverside known as the Ribeira is full of narrow twisting streets with houses once painted or tiled in colourful facades, and full of the bustling energy created by working people during the day and the liveliness of the busy "Tascas" and restaurants at night. The district around the Cathedral is composed of streets and monuments to past achievements. These are lined with houses built like layers of a cake and then crowded together with a maze of inter-connecting small alleys. The Cordoaria Quarter is for the students with steep streets and interesting shops. The civic centre of the city is in the "Central e Baixa Quarter" with broad avenues lined with Banks and outdoor cafés. In the Baixa there is the fascinating two-tiered covered daily market that teems with bustle and energy. Lastly, the Boavista Quarter is the arterial route in and out of the city past blocks of apartments and new hotels. As would be expected of such an important city it is also full of many fascinating and historic buildings.

The imposing 12th Century Sé (Cathedral) contains within many small-scale treasures from the past. Built in 1842 the inside of the Palácio da Bolsa is almost like being in an Arabian dream. The 14th Century Igreja de São Francisco has an 18th Century interior to amaze the traveller. In this church is the "Árvore de Jesse", a carved representation of the genealogy of Christ. Equally as amazing is the Igreja da Santa Clara whose opulent gilded interior has to be seen to be believed.

The Feitoria Inglesa built in 1790 is a private club restricted to the Englsih traders in Port Wine and is only open to the public by invitation. Its interior is designed around a typical period English townhouse with an impressive sweeping staircase. Crystal chandeliers containing hundreds of candles light the ballroom in which occasional balls are still held.

Other churches of note are Igreja da Misericórdia, Igreja dos Congregados, Igreja dos Clérigos, Igreja do Carmo and the Igreja de São Martinho de Cedofeita. Among the points of interest is the Terreiro da Sé with an original Manueline pillory complete with hooks in the corners; the São Bento Railway Station containing tiled pictures by Jorge Colaço depicting early modes of transport and other interesting scenes. Porto lies on the north bank of the Rio Douro and is connected to the south bank by several bridges, one of which is the Dona Maria Pia Railway Bridge built in 1886 by Gustave Eiffel. It is recorded that the many pieces left over after completion of the construction were used to both span the River Arade at Portimão in the Algarve, and also build the lift Elevador da Santa Justa in Lisbon.

To many people the City of Porto is immediately associated with their popular dish of "tripe". There exists a possibly true legend that when the King was equipping his fleet for the invasion of Ceuta in 1415 he stocked his ships with every available piece of meat and left the citizens to exist on all that remained - which was tripe. The inhabitants of the city now forced to continuously eat the offal so they discovered as many ways as possible to make the dish palatable. Tripe is now a traditional dish always associated with Porto.

A very attractive and interesting trip is to travel by boat up the River Douro and this can be booked in advance through your Hotel.

PORTO GOLF COURSES - Amarante : Estela : Miramar : Oporto Golf Club : Quinta do Fojo : Ponte de Lima : Quinta da Barca

GOLF ACCOMMODATION - Where to Stay

PORTO - EVENTS
10th to 29th June - Festa da Cidade
23rd & 24th of June - Festival de São João do Porto
Every day - Market Day

PORTO INFORMATION

Town Map	SOS	Support to Tourists	Detailed Information
Click Here	112	800 296 296	Click Here

PORTO AREA RESTAURANTS - Where to eat

Bull & Bear The restaurant that maintains its fame for serving well prepared regional cuisine with sophistication at the hand of chef Miguel Castro e Silva. Accepts Credit Cards and is always open.
Avenida da Boavista - Porto	226 107 669
Charrascão Gaúcho The menu is a mixture of traditional Portuguese dishes and Brazilian. The décor is a mixture of rustic with modern elegance. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Sundays.
Avenida da Boavista, 313 - Porto	226 091 738
Chinês An elegant atmosphere in which to enjoy Chinese cuisine. Closed Sunday and accepts Credit Cards.
Avenida Vimara Pires, 38 - Porto	222 008 915
Churrasco do Mar Located in an aristocratic home and with a fine décor. The restaurant menu is centred on sea specialities. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Sundays.
Rua João Grave - Porto	226 096 382
Dom Tonho Located on the river front this restaurant serves good traditional dishes from the region. Accepts Credit Cards.
Cais da Ribeira, 13 - Porto	222 004 307
Don Manoel Located in an old small Palace it offers a stylish cuisine which is a mixture of traditional Portuguese and International dishes. Accepts Credit Cards.
Avenida Montevideu, 348 - Foz do Douro	226 172 304
Largo do Paço The restaurant is to be found within a Relais & Chateaux Hotel. A homely décor with style accompanies "fine dinning" and a menu that compliments regional products and Portuguese cuisine. Accepts Credit Cards.
Largo do Paço, 6 - Amarante	255 410 830
Lider Although situated in a newer section of the City the décor is classical . Well know for its cuisine and good table service. Accepts Credit Cards.
Alameda Eça de Queiroz, 126 - Porto	225 027 002
Machado A restaurant with a regional cuisine and well know for its quality, quantity and value. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Rua António José de Almeida 467 - Nogueira - Maia	229 108 839
Mário Luso A rustic and regional décor compliments the elaborate and well prepared traditional cuisine. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Sunday evenings and Monday.
Largo França Borges, 308 - Carvalhos	227 842 111
Marisqueira Antiga Lively and popular. Essentially a restaurant for fresh shellfish and a good selection of wines from the north of Portugal. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Tuesdays.
Rua Roberto Ivens, 628 - Matosinhos	229 380 660
Mendi A restaurant that offers an Indian cuisine of quality which attracts the more adventerous diners. Accepts Credit Cards.
Avenida da Boavista, 1430 - Porto	226 091 200
Os Lusiadas A modern décor compliments the traditional regional cuisine based on the sea. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Sunday.
Rua Tómas Ribeiro, 257 - Matosinhos	229 378 242
Ó Macedo The décor is warm stone and rustic which sets the scene for the fish dishes that are the specialities of the house. Accepts Credit Cards.
Rua Passeio Alegre, 552 - Foz do Douro	226 170 166
Portacale The views over the City are impressive from the 13th floor. The cuisine is traditional and well balanced proving a popular restaurant. Accepts Credit Cards and closed Monday.
Rua da Alegria, 598 - Porto	225 370 717
Rincon do Mar Two levels for tables to serve everything fresh from the sea. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Tuesday.
Avenida Serpa Pinto, 204 - Matosinhos	229 385 639
Toscano As the name suggests this is restaurant for Italian specialities and homemade pasta. Accepts Credit Cards and closed on Sunday.
Rua Dr. Carlos Cal Brandão, 22 - Porto	226 092 430
COMPLETE LIST FOR PORTO Click here to see the complete List ►►►►	LIST

Symbol ratings shown against a restaurant are as follows:
Michelin Star (2004) - Rating for Comfort - Value for money