Porto
The second biggest city in Portugal, which itself was named after Porto, is also known as the "granite city". Surrounded by beautiful beaches on the Portuguese "Costa Verde", and with a beautiful Old town classified as UNESCO's World heritage site, Porto is a favourite among tourists.
The already mentioned, UNESCO protected Old town is called Ribeira. This picturesque quarter is completely authentic and it seems as if time has stood still here since the 14th century, which gives the city a special charm and serenity.
While sightseeing in this area, you'll be amazed by the colourful tiles decorating many old buildings, especially at the main train station called Sao Bento, which is completely covered in white and blue tiles called "azulejos". Other special sights in the old town are the Romanesque cathedral, one of the oldest buildings in Porto and pre-romanesque, gothic and baroque churches. The 76 meters tall "Torre dos Clerigos" bell tower on the baroque church is a symbol of the city, and you can even climb to its top by a very narrow spiral staircase.
After visiting Ribeira, find the nearest steps to climb. The countless steps of this city may seem like a challenge at first, but when you reach the top, you'll have a perfect view of the city, which makes climbing totally worth it.
While you're enjoying the beautiful view, don't forget to get acquainted with Porto's most popular feature: sweet Porto wine or vinho de Porto. This part of the city offers many wineries which are always full of tourists who can enjoy wine tasting and traditional fado music.
Porto is located on the Douro River which just by itself is a wonderful experience, while along its banks, cafes and restaurants are swarming with tourists experiencing the beauty of Porto. Don't miss the opportunity to try Pastel de nata, the national dish of Portugal that locals like to eat at any time of the day.
Out of the many beautiful bridges on the river, the most famous one is the Luís I Bridge, recognisable by its steel structure which is irresistibly reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Perhaps because Teofil Seyrig, the designer of this bridge, worked closely together with the famous Gustav Eiffel.
Bookworms will love the Lello bookstore, which isn't just an ordinary bookstore. Books have been sold here since 1906, and the design of the bookstore is very unusual. The magical red stairs in the centre, a colourful glass roof and neo-gothic decorations will make you feel like you have wandered into a fairytale world.
Estadio do Dragao, or the Dragon Stadium is the largest football stadium in Porto, a pride to all residents of Porto and Portuguese who are known for their love for football and their national team.
There are many more things to experience in Porto. From the Porto Calem Wine Museum to the Crystal Park Palace and the Episcopal Palace all the way to Rua de Santa Catarina, Porto's main shopping street... Porto has something for everyone!
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