Welcome to Porto

Welcome to a World Heritage

Porto is Portugal’s second-largest city, with 300 000 inhabitants, and the nerve centre of an area of great vitality with a population of 1.5 million.

This surrounding region is of major industrial and commercial importance, noted for its textiles, shoes, furniture and jewellery, while Porto itself is known for its cuisine, wines and the unique combination of tradition and modernity.

Porto is a city proud of its status as the founder of the Portuguese nation. It was here that the independent Portugal was born in the 12^th century.

The city lies on the right bank of the Douro river and the historic centre was awarded UNESCO World Heritage, in 1996, due to its numerous Medieval, Baroque, Neo Classic…churches and palaces.

However, it is in the narrower streets where the unique atmosphere of old Porto is to be found, where "cultural heritage" is an everyday fact of life for the local population.

The people of Porto are nicknamed "Tripeiros" and have been, throughout the history, ardently patriotic as regards their region and passionately liberal in their politics. The economic heart of the country and the seat of all but two of the many Portuguese revolts and revolutions. Porto is fiercely proud of its motto "The Invincible City".

The friendly welcoming cost effectiveness will give you something to remember in the future.

Porto, European City of Culture in 2001

Porto will be the host of the European Cities of Culture in 2001.

To be European City of Culture in 2001, is definitely the key element to face the new challenge to the renovation of our city.

In a joint partnership with the central government, the Municipality of Porto and private entities, Porto’s Historic Centre and the quarters bordering the river will face a complete rehabilitation.

Until 2001, further investment of over 135 million € will be made to upgrade cultural venues, such as museums, concert and exhibition halls and monuments whose original functions have been lost.

The perfect combination of tradition and modernity will be the new claim for Porto!