The City

Located along the Douro river estuary in northern Portugal, Porto is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Along with being the second-largest Portuguese city after Lisbon, Porto is also one of the most prominent urban areas in Southern Europe. Its rich history which dates back to many centuries enriches its cultural wealth as the city is one of the oldest European centers. Varied historical monuments including the cathedral with its Romanesque choir, neoclassical Stock Exchange and the typical Portuguese Manueline-style Church of Santa Clara depict cultural richness. Right from its historical days Porto's shipbuilding industry has seen continuous growth. Its ports have been responsible for the production and export of the fortified wine to great extents. Port Wine, a gift to the world, is named after the city of Porto.

Climate

Porto enjoys Mediterranean climate resulting in plenty of variations. Best time to visit Porto is between May and September, when the weather is warm and sunny and the average temperatures are between 20°C and 28°C.

Transportation

In Porto, travellers have plenty of public transportation options. A number of buses, trams, metros and trains are always there to reach any local place with no effort. But if you are looking for a rapid service at a reasonable price, then hire a taxi.

Languages

The official language of Portugal is Portuguese, with English being understood and spoken by a great number of the inhabitants.

Currency, Electricity, and Time Zone

The euro (represented as a € symbol; ISO code: EUR) is the Portugal's official currency. Electricity is 220-240V, 50Hz. Plugs are 2-pin. Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time Zone (UTC+00:00).

Tips

Porto is one of the safest destinations in Portugal. It is a very touristic place where crime rate is very low, but small crimes do exist. Apply common sense and do not flash cash or valuables in public. Like other cities in Portugal, bus and train stations are busy spots in Porto. In case of emergency, dial 112. For any further information about Porto, please visit http://www.visitporto.travel/ or check with your hotel reception.