ABOUT PORTO

The city of Porto, known as Cidade Invicta (invincible city), is the second largest city of Portugal, the capital of the Porto district and of the northern region of the country. Porto is built along hillsides overlooking the mouth of Douro River and it is an outstanding urban landscape with a 2,000-year history. Its continuous growth is related to the sea (the Romans gave it the name Portus, or port). It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996 and considered the European Best Destination in 2014 and 2017.

Detailed information about accommodation, public transport, sightseeing tours, gastronomy, nightlife and culture may be found in the Official Portal of Porto Tourism and Visit Porto and the North Portal.

 

cais de gaia  Ribeira_Sé  casa da musica

 

PORTO TOP ATTRACTIONS

• Cais de Gaia (Gaia’s Pier) - The city’s postcard skyline and the birthplace of one of the World’s most famous wines. A place with wonderful esplanades, restaurants and bars, with a great view over the Porto’s historic centre. It is the destiny of wine production to be aged in the Cellars of the more than 50 wine companies. The famous Douro River Cruises depart nowadays from the Gaia quay.
• Serralves Museum - Two buildings that are as much a work of art as the collections they exhibit inside, surrounded by a magnificent park.
• Casa da Música (House of Music) - An architectural masterwork by the world-renowned architect R Koolhaas.
• São Francisco Church - One of Europe’s most extraordinarily lavish church interiors, completely covered in gold.
• Ribeira - Atmospheric, colourful, World Heritage riverfront medieval district.
• Sé Catedral (Porto Cathedral) - One of the main and oldest monuments of Portugal, this 12th-century fortress-cathedral is located in the heart of the historical centre.
• Clerigos Tower - Designed by the Italian architect Nasoni, this iconic baroque church is a popular tourist attraction to overlook the city (76 meters up, after climbing 240 steps).
• Palácio da Bolsa - This 19th-century building with a vast neoclassical front is the former Stock Exchange Palace, where the ornate Arab Room could be taken by a royal place.
• Dom Luis Bridge - Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this Porto's iconic bridge opened in 1886. The lower level can be used by pedestrians to cross the river between the centre of Porto and Gaia, providing a great view of Ribeira and port wine warehouses.
• Soares dos Reis Museum - A notable national art museum named after one of the country top artists.

PORTO TOP EXPERIENCES

• Lello Book Store - Go inside the Lello & Irmão bookshop, a historic space with a Neo-Gothic interior where J.K. Rowlings inspired herself to write Harry Potter.
• Majestic Café - Have a drink at Café Majestic, a classic European Art Nouveau café and a city landmark.
• Gigantic Tile Murals - Admire the gigantic tile panels inside São Bento railway station and on the façades of Carmo and Capela das Almas churches.
• Douro Cruise - Take a cruise or a tour down the World Heritage Douro Valley.
• Art Galleries Street - Check out the art galleries down Rua Miguel Bombarda.
• The Atlantic - Take a stroll by the sea in Foz.
• The Monumental Heart of the City - Watch the world go by on Avenida dos Aliados.
• Parque da Cidade (city park) - is the biggest urban park in Portugal (more than 80 hectares) and the ideal place to have a nice relaxed walk, do your workout, have a picnic or even some birdwatching. It is located on the western end of Avenida da Boavista, facing the ocean and with a direct access to Praia Internacional (the beach).
• Palácio de Cristal gardens - This beautifully landscaped park is dominated by a huge domed pavilion built in 1956 which replaced the 19th century iron-and-glass "Crystal Palace" (1865 — 1951), modelled on London's Crystal Palace and authored by the English architect Thomas Dillen Jones. Today's pavilion serves as a venue for concerts and sporting events. It is surrounded by a lake, flowerbeds, and roaming peacocks, all overlooking the Douro River, of which there are superb views.
• Romantic Museum - Located next to Palácio de Cristal gardens, this 19th century mansion recreates characteristic interiors of the bourgeoisie of the time.
• FC Porto Museum and Estádio do Dragão - The FC Porto Museum traces the history of the football club since its formation in 1893. Estádio do Dragão is a great stage of otions, entertainment, spectacle, and an unavoidable reference of the city of Porto.
• The Local Market - Browse through the colourful Mercado do Bolhão.
• Bom Sucesso Market - An urban concept that combines a fresh market, diversified gastronomic offer (44 coloured stalls with a wide variety of gastronomic delights from various Portuguese regions and from other parts of the world) and cultural activities.
• Hard Rock Cafe - Located near the vibrant town square Avenida dos Aliados, Hard Rock Cafe Porto is housed in a 19th century building, combining Porto’s strong sense of history with the irreverence and character of Hard Rock brand.
• Time-warp Shops - Shop at the retro shops downtown, many preserving wonderful Art Nouveau façades. Recommended: A Vida Portuguesa and Pérola do Bolhão.


Cancellation policy:
The cancellation is free of charge up to the 15th September 2019. Up to the 30th September 2019, a 50% rate upon your registration fee will be charged. After this date, cancellation will not be refundable.

25th October 16.30-17.15 OPEN SESSION: The urgent need for microbiology literacy in society, Kenneth Timmis