(Photo: Carol^-^)

Porto is a City situated in North of Portugal. It is well connected with major world town by regular commercial Air line Service. Porto Airport is named Aeroporto Internacional Francisco Sa Carneiro having a distance of around 10 kilo meters from City Center. The main Air carrier is TAP Portugal besides many international airlines and low fare air lines are also operating their service to Porto.

Porto is also well connected by high way roads. It is also possible to reach Porto by sea route.  Cruises operate in Duoro river. One can enjoy the cruise and reach Porto.

From the Porto Air Port, one can use Bus Service or hire a Taxi.

Bus

The AEROBUS is a bus service ensuring quick and comfortable journey from Airport to major Hotels and City Locations. It has a service frequency of 30 minutes. The STPC ticket purchased is valid through the day in any of STPC bus.

Taxi Service:

There is very efficient taxi service from Airport to any destination in Porto and they charge by the Fair meter.

Rent-a-car

Rent a car service is also available from the airport and to avail the service reach its counter. There can be prior advance booking through travel agent, who books the flight service.

Travel to Porto by Land:

One can also reach Porto by local bus service, by train or by car.

(Photo: FreeCat)Roads

There is very efficient service in building new roads connecting towns within Portugal. There are three motorway routes leaving Porto connecting with other towns in Portugal like Lisbon, Mnho and Tras os Montes besides a motorway connecting Valenca.

Besides within Portugal routes a huge bus connection to other towns of Europe is there. Rede Nacional de Expressos, and InterNorte connect Porto to other towns of Europe through Paris.

Besides above many other bus companies also operate their service to Porto from North and south destinations.

Railway Transports

One can reach Porto by availing train service connecting all town of Europe. There are two railway stations in Porto Estação de Campanhã having access to Lisbon, Douro and Minho besides International locations. Estação de S. Bento railway station connects to Galicia, Douro and Minho, besides Aveiro and Coimbra.

Means of City Transport:

The prime means of transport in Porto city is by bus service by STCP and the underground Metro do Porto. Whole day ticket and three day open ticket are very convenient to travel as you like.

Porto City looking to the need and reduce the traffic on the roads has developed underground train service. It has made people movement convenient, creating partnership of bus and train service for the benefit of public.

Metro do Porto is capable of transporting thousands of persons each day on each of its routes. There are three routes at present operating Route A (connecting Estádio do Dragão – Senhor de Matosinhos), Route B ( connecting Estádio do Dragão – Pedras Rubras) and Route C (Connecting Estádio do Dragão – Fórum da Maia). A route D is also likely to be operational shortly ( Connecting Câmara de Gaia – Pólo Universitário).

(Photo: Rui Ornelas)Porto is Portugal’s second largest city and is considered cultural and economic center of the region. There is tremendous inflow of tourists to visit Porto city on business trips as well as to visit the historical monuments or just touch Porto city on their onward journeys.

There is great demand of Hotel Rooms to provide comfortable stay for the visiting guests fitting to their varied needs of services at affordable prices.

Following are prominent hotels of Porto City, which should satisfy the guests’ requirements of services and price:

Pestana Porto Hotel:

It is situated amidst historically region of Porto, and has a wonderful riverside location having a most appealing face frontage comprising of robust and grandeur looking building which has witnessed the period of 16th, 17th and 18th centuries and is retaining it’s original beauty.

The hotel area comes under the classification of World Heritage status and holds great prominence being on the banks of the river Douro.

Having cruise of river, exploring ancient streets and alleys of Porto, sight seeing of the Monuments having the taste of Porto Wine lodges for a peaceful evening Pestana Porto Hotel is most suited for a stay.

All the services are available in the hotel from Business Meeting Rooms, Bar and Restaurant offering variety of multi cuisine meals.

Hotel Tryp Porto Expo:

It is situated in proximity to Exhibition Area. International Airport, Beach and City Centre are very near.

The hotel has Restaurant with Bar Exclusive Non-Smoking Rooms, Rooms with Facilities for Disabled Guests, Family Rooms. The Hotel has a Fitness Centre and Outdoor Swimming Pool

Hotel has excellent Room Service, Business Meeting/ Banqueting service and Airport Shuttle.

Guests in their room has Wireless internet and the Guests can also avail free parking inside hotel.

HF Ipanema Park:

Rua De Serralves, 124, 4150-702 Porto

The hotel is situated between Boavista and Foz and is very near to City Centre as well as Motorway. Many varieties of Guest Rooms are available.

Has service of satellite and closed-circuit TV, mini bar, direct dial telephones, fax connection, broadband wireless Internet and 24 hours room service. The hotel has restaurant, bar.

HOTEL HF Fénix Porto:

Rua Gonçalo Sampaio, 282, 4150-365 Porto

Situated in Porto’s

It is situated in Boavista district and is very near to Casa da Musica. The hotel has arrangements for comfortable stay of the guests just near to Porto’s great historic locations. There is very easy approach by public transports. The Guest Rooms are very spacious with large beds and other furniture in the rooms.

HF Fénix Porto has uniqueness of 1970’s designs and all latest facilities. In the morning there is buffet of assorted breakfast provided in restaurant.

There is attached business centre, a bar serving refreshing drinks with snacks.

Dom Henrique Hotel:

It is situated in locality of traditional centre of Porto only at a short distance from shopping zone also near the prime monuments as well as Metro Station Trindade.

Hotel Dom Henrique is the location, from where one can start to discover renowned places of Porto City.

There are plenty of Guest Rooms of varying dimensions and features. Hotel has super quality Além Mar Restaurant serving light snacks to plenty of dishes for serving Lunch and Dinner to the guests. The unique bar “Anrrique” is situated on the 17th floor, which is most suited for business and social gatherings. From the bar one can have glittering views of the Porto city. The Navegador room offers perfect setting for meetings, banqueting and celebration of great events.

HF Tuela Porto:

Rua Arquitecto Marques Da Silva, 200, 4150-483 Porto

It is located in centre of cultural, commercial and business Hub of Boavista for which the hotel is preferred by guests.  The other attraction is its presence amidst “Cidade do Porto” and “Península” shopping Arcade.

The hotel offers vicinity benefit in respect to locations like airport, the historical places, São Bento railway station. Port wine cellars are located nearby.

Places like “Casa da Música”) and sports stadium (the “Pavilhão Rosa Mota” are also very near.

Hotel Holiday Inn Express:

The hotel has comfortable Rooms in city of Matosinhos, which is very near to International airport.

Provides easy access from all major roads. It is also very near the Leça da Palmeira beaches of Porto City. There is free parking for the Guests owned car

Axis Porto Business & Spa Hotel:

Rua Maria Feliciana, 4465-283 Porto – Sao Mamede Infesta.

Axis Hotel one can find very near from the Metro and provides easy approach to Porto centre. Axis is a New Hotel, which came up in March 2009 and has unique latest décoration and superb service.

It is located in University Centre of Porto. The motorway and other Tourist Attraction places can be easily reached from here.

The restaurant in the hotel serves Italian Cuisine and there is a Terrace Bar.

Bessa Hotel:

Rua Dr. Marques De Carvalho, 111, 4100-325 Porto.

Located in Boa vista’s area, which has lot of prestigious surroundings. Guests stay here on business and leisure trip. One can conveniently go to places of tourist attraction like Casa da Música, Serralves Museum, City Park and Foz do Douro. Exhibition Center and Airport is very close by.

Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa:

Rua Tenente Valadim, 146, 4100-476 Porto

It is very centrally located. It forms Space of Light and Transparency in the midst of busy business area. The hotel came into existence in 2003 and has uniqueness in every sphere of its services. The hotel has above 200 Guest Rooms besides many conference rooms besides the Luxuries of modern SPA facilities.

(Photo: gcraig3si)Riberia the Bars:

At night time most of the local bar lovers and tourist make their move towards Ribeira a locality, which has relatively higher number of bars and easy on the pocket also. Many Bars in this area have outdoor seating facility.

Prioridade:

It is situated at Ribeira the location, where most of Porto’s bars serving great beers and drinks with very economical price tag besides being one of the best locations in the region. One can have few drinks here before going to a club and save money, because drinks prices at clubs are very exorbitant.

Cais de Gala Bars:

Just across the river an area named as Cais de Gala also has a number of cafes and bars people throng over there to have their favorite drink after the dinner. From the cafes and bars one gets an occasion to see the far away dazzling lights all over the city and the panoramic view of river on a full moon night.

Cais de Gaia:

It is located in bars locality near Vila Nova de Gaia and has river front space. The location is very modern suiting bars and clubs. One can enjoy river and Porto City view at its best.

Clubs with Bars:

Oporto also has the distinction of having few majestic clubs located in the Foz area or sea side Matosinhos area. To name few clubs and bars frequently visited by younger generation of Porto Bar Estado Novo, Industria, Twins and Act. Via Rapida and Bazaar offers great Music and Drinks and are trend setters

Atelier – Cafe Bar:

R. Dr. Barbosa de Castro, 56-58

In the vicinity of Palácio da Justiça, Museu da Fotografia and Torre dos Clérigos, which form the central region of Porto Atelier Café Bar has been opened, the uniqueness is that smoking is allowed here. There is plenty of Beer and Sangria a domestically produced stuff is served in a great measure.

The Bar has Saxophones and LED Lights producing amazing Psychedelic effect with change of color as fast as the music plays. The décor is mystified by Chrome steel Lamp and numerous Crystal Glasses.

All the time one can enjoy mouth watering snacks famous being Roast Pork sandwich and great soups.

Porto Praga – Global Food & Connoisseur Bar:

Stefana Okrzei 23, Warsaw:

The bar is famous for serving European, International, Mediterranean Seafood.

It is the brain child of Richard Winkler, an experienced Warsaw restaurant owner. The Interior decoration has been designed and executed by Bazyli Piątkowski, a sophisticated Polish Interior expert.

Visitors experience charming effect from the entrance onwards. The theme of the interiors depicts a 2 century old mill. The bar houses a Restaurant, a Connoisseur Bar and Cocktail Club Bar serving best Malt Whisky and Cigars, making it a favorite destination to mix with clients and friends.

Porto Praga has rare distinction of serving delicacies made of lobsters and shrimps.

Ryan’s Irish Bar, Porto:

There is availability of Select Beers and Whiskies, which are served with great perfection in addition to the sets of Live Music play. A Heart Winning Environment created all just in Centre of Porto town and very Close to the River.

It remains open till 4am. The Location is Hot Spot for International Gathering of tourists and Porto locals. The bar is spread on two floors, the upstairs is exclusively comfortable and has great Carved Stone archway with Dim lighting. It is very light on the Pocket of the visitor also.

Trintaeum:

It is situated in the Foz locality very close to the lighthouse, it is small sized but has very enticing decoration decent gentry and prices are reasonable and bar remains open till the midnight is over.

Praia do Ourigo:

It is a Beach bar located in Foz area. The bar presents best view of Porto Town. The bar has been set on the stilts on the beach with the service of a restaurant.

(Photo: quevedoports)FCP is short form of Futebol Clube do Porto the Portuguese pronunciation of it’s sports club, mainly supporting football sport in existence for the last two centuries.

CP Porto is highly respected team in international circles having won six International titles of European and world Championships and also won UEFA Supercup, UEFA Cup bringing FC Porto a Club of international fame. There are very few teams having Triple prestigious International Titles. At domestic front also the team has the distinction of achieving five sports titles, in continuity every time and have accumulated 57 titles.

The Winning Track Record:

Porto had the winning of Champions League two times. It has again the distinction of being first team since the Liverpool FC 75-77 squad to win the Champions League after winning the UEFA Cup.

The domestic ground for foot ball game is Estádio do Dragão, which superseded previous play ground of Estádio das Antas. Now FC Porto team is playing Hand ball and Basket Ball games and fighting tough for National Titles.

In world wide scenario roller hockey is wonderful sport. Meeting the present sports needs multi sport function playground is nearing completion. Till now these games were played in unprofessional grounds in neighboring cities of Gondomar, Matosinhos and Santo Tirso. These players bear the nick name of Portistas.

FC Porto establishment dates back to September, 1893, when António Nicolau de Almeida a wine salesman by profession, had the occasion to visit England and witnessed the football game there. The Club witnessed revival in 1996 with the efforts of Monteiro da Costa.

The FC Porto Club has its commercial stores present at many locations in  Porto City bearing the name Loja Azul and Nike is enjoying the status of Official Supplier.

FC Porto club Fair:

Every year a Fair is organized by FC Porto Club fondly called Portomania in the beginning of the season, where the sports goods are exhibited and sold to the Sport Lovers of Porto City. To commemorate the Fair a Full Color Magazine name Dragoes is released a practice of three decades.

FC Porto has the record of having played the Portuguese Championship for more than 74 times, in total played above 2000 games and winning 1333 games with draw record of 375, losing in 340 games and having scored total 4542 Goals. FC Porto is a founding member of G-14, which is no more in existence.

FC Boavista:

Boavista Futebol Clube is most commonly known as Boavista Sports Club, which came into being in the year 1903. Boavista expanded its portfolio of sports from just football to include Chess, Gymnastics, bicycle racers and futsal and in a short period became Portugal’s fifth largest sports club yet the prominent sport played was football.

The team players are wearing uniformly white and black check shirts. The club built its stadium Estádio do Bessa in 1973, which was again renovated in to accommodate UEFA Euro 2004 games.

From just a small team Boavista very rapidly expanded its capabilities and became a regular contestant in Europe from 1970 onwards. This was seen as a first challenge to the dominance of Big three title during the period 1975-76 under the leadership of  José Maria Pedroto attaining Second status and maintaining the same next year also.

Year 200-01 saw Boavista winning Superliga defeating Desportivo das Aves by 3-0 and finished Second to Sporting in 2002.

Biavista has adopted Panther as its symbol. Magnificient ULFA Cup found Boavista knocked by Celtic in 2003. The situation would have been great if they had won making the event as All Portugal, because Porto lifted the trophy that year in the event. There had experienced mixed luck of wins and defeats and always displayed tough fights.