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Futebol Clube do Porto are based in Oporto, Northern Portugal.
FC Porto is the most lauded and successful international team in Portugal, with a national record of 6 international titles, becoming European and World Champions twice each in the 1987 and 2004 seasons. In 1987, FC Porto also gained the UEFA Supercup (another first for Portugal) and, in 2003, it brought Portugal's first UEFA Cup. In 1987, FC Porto became one of a few teams in the World to hold in possession 3 major international titles simultaneously (the only one in Portugal). Domestically they hold the best record of five titles in a row, having won the Portuguese Liga 23 times, the Portuguese Cup 17 times and Portuguese Supercup 15 times (55 national titles).
The 2004 season wil live long in the memory of most Porto fans; (and Manchester United fans) Despite a slow start which included a 1–3 loss against Real Madrid, Jose Mourinhos Porto never lost again in the Champions League, relegating Olympique Marseille to the UEFA Cup (where they reached the final), beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in the dying minutes of play, Olympique Lyon and Deportivo. Porto beat Monaco 3–0 in the Final played in Arena AufSchalke.
AIRPORT TO CITY CENTRE Porto is served by Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport which is located 15 km to the north-west of the city centre.
Subway: Line Violeta. Connection to city downtown Aeroporto - Casa da Música >23 minutes Aeroporto - Trindade> 28 minutes Aeroporto -Campanhã Station > 33 minutes Aeroporto - Dragão Stadium> 35 minutes
Bus: Buses 601, ZA, 602 and 604 Line link various parts of the city to the airport.
CITY AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Railways: Porto's main railway station is situated in Campanhã, located in the eastern part of the city (connecting to the lines of Douro (Peso da Régua/Tua/Pocinho), Minho (Barcelos/Viana do Castelo/Valença) and Norte (on the main line to Aveiro, Coimbra and Lisbon). From here, both light rail and suburban rail services connect to the city centre. The main central station is São Bento Station, which is itself a notable landmark located in the heart of Porto.
Subway/Light rail: Currently the major project is the Porto Metro system. Consequently, the Infante bridge was built for urban traffic, replacing the Dom Luís I, which was dedicated to the subway on the second and higher of the bridge's two levels. Five lines are open: lines A (blue), B (red), C (green) and E (purple) all begin at Estádio do Dragão (home to FC Porto) and terminate at Senhor do Matosinhos, Póvoa de Varzim (via Vila do Conde), ISMAI (via Maia) and Francisco Sá Carneiro airport respectively. Line D (yellow) currently runs from Hospital S. João in the north to D. João II on the southern side of the Douro river. The lines intersect at the central Trindade station. Currently the whole network spans 60 km (37 miles) using 68 stations, thus being the biggest metro system in the country.
Bus: The city has an extensive bus network run by the STCP (Sociedade dos Transportes Colectivos do Porto, or Porto Public Transport Society) which also operates lines in the neighbouring cities of Gaia, Maia and Gondomar. Other smaller companies connect such towns as Paços de Ferreira and Santo Tirso to the town center. In the past the city also had trolleybuses.
Taxi: Are everywhere to be found in the city, and relatively cheap compared to other major European citys.
City Centre to Estadio do Dragao - FC Porto The stadium is located app. 3.5km North-East from the city centre. Metro Station Dragao is next to the stadium.
TOURIST OFFICES Porto Tourist Board, Rua do Clube Fenianos 25
EMERGENCY SERVICES Police, Ambulance and Fire Tel:112
BRITISH CONSULATE Rua de Sao Bernardo 33, 1200 Lisbon, Portugal. Tel: 392 4000 or 392 4160. Fax: 392 4185.
BANKING HOURS Monday - Friday 0830 - 1430 Please note however that most do not have currency exchange desks.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Igreja de Sao Francisco Named after one of the area’s patron saints, the Igreja de Sao Fancisco was constructed in the 1200s. Visitors can admire the Roman and Gothic styles of the church as well as its wooden interior. The church is infamous for its Osseria. This section, under the floors of the church, holds the bones of the dearly departed.
Stock Exchange Palace One of Porto’s most popular tourist destinations is the Stock Exchange Palace. Constructed in 1841, the palace and its cathedral showcase exceptional architecture. Of particular interest is the Praca Infante de Henrique statue. This statue commemorates Henrique the Navigator who was prince of Portugal between the 1300s and 1400s.
Dom Luis Bridge The city of Porto is located on the Duoro River. The Dom Luis Bridge spans the width of the river and allows easy access to the city. The bridge’s builder, Theophile Seyring, is renowned for his stewardship with Gustav Eiffel. Porto Cathedral Not only is the Porto Cathedral located in the oldest part of the city, it is also one of the oldest churches in the area. The cathedral was constructed in the 1100s and its cloister in the 1300s. After centuries of wear and tear, the cathedral was restored to its original brilliance in the 1700s.
Paco Episcopal Travelers from all over the world visit the Paco Episcopal which was built in the 1400s. The palace is infamous for its architecture and its unique landscape.
Matosinhos One of the most popular villages in Porto is Matosinhos. This seaside community is renowned for its small beaches. Matosinhos also boasts a 14th century church, the Monastery of Leca do Bailio. The monastery offers visitors views of its Gothic style architecture as well as its unique rose windows.
Vila Nova de Gaia For travelers who are interested in Porto’s primary export, a visit to the Vila Nova de Gaia is in order. Visitors can see, first hand, the production of Porto’s infamous Port Wine.
Miramar For vacationers who like to spend time outdoors or for the golf enthusiast, a visit to Miramar is a must. This unique golf course opened in 1932 and is one of the oldest in Porto. The course is open to the public and vacationers can play a round of golf for a small fee.
Povoa de Varzim Since the early 1300s, the village of Povoa de Varzim has been a small fishing town. However, in recent years, Povoa de Varzim has become a top tourist destination due to its beachside community and casino.
Casa da Musica To experience part of Porto’s culture, a person should visit the Casa da Musica. This state of the art concert hall offers a number of performances that include local music and theater.
BARS
Bazaar, Cais das Pedras, 13 This great urban space functions as a DJ bar at night and is a pleasant lounge during the day. There are armchairs, chaise-longues, or bean bags for those who choose to sit and chat, and shopping area to browse through clothing and accessories. Another alternative is a tea room, completing this multifunctional space which also often organizes events and exhibits by young artists.
Ego Lounge, Rua de Monchique 15-16 A very pleasant atmosphere, with black and white colors, candles, and curtains inviting a prolongued stay. Sit on one of the bean bags by low tables and admire the photographs, paintings, and other artwork by young artists on the walls. There are several light snacks and drinks to choose from, but the caipirinha is the favorite here.
Era Uma Vez No Porto, Rua do Passeio Alegre, 550 Once upon a time in Oporto... that's the name of this bar, tea house, and clothing shop. In the tea room there is also the option for homemade dessets and light meals, and upstairs is a sitting area with light sounds. This is an intimate space during the day, as well as a relaxing bar at night.
Labirinto, Rua Nossa Senhora de Fátima, 334 This is both a bar and an art gallery. Progressive sounds mix with works by local artists providing an attractive and welcoming environment. There is also a small cafe-bar area where the mixed clientele (various ages, straight, gay, whatever) chats and drinks.
Marrakesh, Rua de Monchique, 66-68 Colored curtains and lighting mixed with some Arabic decoration create a warm and relaxing Moroccan ambience. It also serves dinners but it is worth coming here even if just to have a Moroccan tea over some conversation with friends.
Maus Habitos, Rua Passos Manuel, 178 “Alternative Space" is essentially a bar in an old building where local artists gather for various events related to literature, theater, and fine arts. It is a very informal place, with just some old sofas and chairs scattered around. During the day it serves vegetarian lunches.
O Meu Mercedes E Maior Que O Teu, Rua da Lada, 30 My Mercedes is bigger than yours. That's what the name of this almost-2-decades-old bar means (don't ask). It is divided into two floors and plays mostly rock music, often featuring live bands. International names such as Massive Attack, the Pixies, Placebo, and Radiohead have performed here before they went on to sell out larger venues. The upper floor is for drinks and the ground floor is for the concerts.
Solar do Vinho do Porto, Rua de Entre Quintas, 220, Quinta da Maceirinha, Jardim do Palacio de Cristal If you're a fan of port wine (and didn't have enough at a port wine warehouse during the day), this is the place to go. It has a sophisticated and romantic ambience and there are different types of brands of port to try. You may also buy vintages by the bottle. It is located by the Crystal Palace Gardens, and there is a superb panoramic view over the Douro.
RESTAURANTS
BACALHOEIRO Avenida Diogo Leite, 74 This restaurant located in a century-old granite building specializes in cod. Sit at one of the long benches under hanging chandeliers and choose one of the 15 cod dishes which vary throughout the year (it is said that there are 365 ways to prepare cod in Portugal -- one for each day). Many of the starters also include cod (of course), and the desserts often add some port wine.
BULL & BEAR Avenida da Boavista 3431 This restaurant is recognized around the country as one of Portugal's best. It serves creative and refined Portuguese contemporary cuisine by a chef who was selected for the coveted Larousse Gastronomique. The decor is just as tasteful as the menu, and both created by the chef (including the chairs). The wine list is extensive, with over 150 labels. There is also a bar serving wine by the glass and snacks.
CAFEINA Rua do Padrão, 100 Although over a decade-old, this restaurant continues to be one of the trendiest in Oporto. It's located in a 19th century manor house covered in yellow and black tiles close to the sea in Foz and has a sophisticated and cosmopolitan ambience. The decor consists of dark colors and warm lights, and the menu is modern or contemporary European. There is also a tea room open in the afternoon from 4PM to 7PM with several options of hot beverages.
CHEZ LAPIN Rua dos Canastreiros, 40-42 Don't be misled by the name and assume this is a French restaurant. This is as Oporto as you can get, serving traditional Portuguese and local cuisine. It is an emblematic Oporto restaurant, having served the city for 70 years. It is located in a 16th century building in the Ribeira district, and includes an esplanade where you can contemplate the river. The interior has a very charming and rustic look.
D’OLIVA Rua Brito e Cunha, 354, Matosinhos If you enjoy Italian or Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, it is worth stepping outside old Oporto to the seaside suburb of Matosinhos and this former warehouse that was transformed into one of trendiest places to eat in the Oporto area. Included in the well-designed space is a wall with wooden shelves where bottles of over 200 varieties of wine is stored. There are fresh pastas every day, as well as pizza. The tiramisu dessert is already a classic.
FOZ VELHA Esplanada do Castelo, 141, Foz do Douro This restaurant by the Douro in Foz is located in a centuries-old manor house, with the dinner tables occupying the former living rooms. The decor is classic and sophisticated and the menu is contemporary/international and Portuguese, with all the dishes beautifully presented on your plate.
GIROFLEE Rua Nova da Alfândega, 1. This modern and attractive restaurant in the old Ribeira district offers Portuguese cuisine mixed with international flavors. The space, decorated with exclusive furniture, occupies three floors and one of them is also an art gallery that hosts cultural events.
KOOL 22 609 2876 Inside Casa da Música This restaurant is located on the 7th floor of the city's iconic Casa da Musica. Decorated with sculptures by top contemporary artists, it is indeed a cool place, but the name was inspired by the famous architect of the building, Rem Koolhaas. The menu is also divided into concert-theme sections: overture, intermezzo, 1.º acto, 2.º acto, gran finale and encore. It consists of pastas, risottos, fish, meat and vegetarian options.
PORTUCALE Rua da Alegria, 598 This restaurant is "hidden" on a 13th floor but it is a treasure worth seeking. There are magnificent panoramic city views, antique furnishings, and instrumental background music enhancing the special and relaxing ambiance. The cuisine is Portuguese, and many see this as perhaps the best place for great traditional national dishes. The excellent wine list offers both Portuguese and international labels.
SESSENTA SETENTA Rua de Sobre-o-Douro, 1A This restaurant is somewhat secluded, but is worth the effort of finding it. It is inside a former convent, from where there are grand river views. The interior is very contemporary and refined, with black tables and chairs with satin upholstery. The menu is constantly changing but is contemporary international and always creative. Literally translated the name means "sixty seventy" but it's really a play on words to also sound like "se senta, se tenta" ("if you sit, you're tempted").
STAYING IN TOUCH – INTERNET CAFES Laranja Mecanica – Internet Rua de Santa Catarina, no 274-loja v, 4000 Porto