Having been born in Oporto, it will be difficult for me not to say how great and extraordinary this city is. However, I will try to be impartial and just tell, from my point of view as a local, what it is about Oporto that made it win this year's award for Best European Destination (repeating the feat from 2012).

When a foreigner thinks about Oporto the first idea that comes to mind is the Port Wine. Yes, we do have Port Wine, which is still one of the main iconic products of the city, but there is much more to the city than just that.

Where to begin?

Let’s start with the river. Its significance to the city is unquestionable, and it helped to mold the hearts and minds of the people of Oporto throughout the ages. During the Middle Ages some of the best shipyards of the Portuguese kingdom could be found on its shores, and merchants from Oporto could be found trading their goods on the main commercial centers of northern Europe and the Mediterranean sea. Trade was so important to Oporto that the king gave the city a unique privilege: no nobleman or man of high birth could stay in the city without the permission of the local council for more than three nights. This prevented the women, left alone for long lengths of time, from falling into the hands of unscrupulous and powerful men who might want to tempt them…

Religion is also deeply embedded on the city’s DNA. For some centuries Oporto belonged to the local bishop, and several kings had long quarrels with the Church, fighting for the important revenues generated from the taxes on trade. Still today it is hard to walk around in the old part of the city without stumbling on a church, chapel or shrine. The cathedral is the most imposing of them all, standing on the top of the main hill next to the river, but there are several others, some of which somewhat hidden. São Francisco Church is a precious gem. Its interior is considered one of the best European examples of the baroque style, with its interior all covered by gilded wood. Santa Clara church is one of the best examples of hidden treasures, as its entrance is easily mistaken by a narrow alley, next to a stretch of the old medieval wall.

But this unique building is a baroque church hidden inside a gothic church. It is definitely worth a visit.

Still on the subject of the baroque style constructions, I could not forget the Clérigos tower. It is probably the most important monument for the local people, along with Luis I bridge. This baroque construction was, for some time, the tallest building in Portugal, and it still is the tallest bell tower in the country. From its top it is possible to have one of the best views of the old part of town.

One of the several things that can be spotted nearby is the Lello Bookshop, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world. It is said that J.K. Rowling, who lived for some time in Oporto, got inspired here to develop some of her Harry Potter’s stories and ideas.

You must be hungry by now. Why not try the local dishes? Oporto is mainly known by two: Francesinha is a type of sandwich, but served on a plate, as it contains gravy. There are many different versions, but the most common one is made with two thick slices of bread, roasted meat, several kinds of sausage, cured ham, and then covered with gravy and melted cheese. Usually it is served with french fries on the side, but its secret is always on the gravy. It is definitely not a light meal, but is it worth trying.


The other alternative is also a heavy meal, which is Tripas à Moda do Porto (Tripes Oporto Style). It is served with beans and meat, with rice on the side. Legend has it that during the Age of Discoveries the people from Oporto gave all the meat to the caravels which went to conquer the city of Ceuta, keeping only the offal for themselves. Ingenuity gave birth to Tripas à moda do Porto – Tripes Oporto style. Its importance to the people is such that the informal nickname for people born in Oporto is “tripeiros”.

There is much, much more to experience in Oporto. We invite you to try it.
This information and much more can be seen at Oporto Insight, a new app, completely free, available for iOS and Android. We invite you to download it at www.oportoinsight.com, at Google Play or at iTunes and discover what other secrets can be found at Oporto.

GETTING THERE

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport or simply Porto Airport is the international airport nearest to Porto. It is located 11 km (6.8 miles) northwest of the Clérigos Tower in the centre of Porto.


São Bento Station is included among the World's Most Beautiful Train Stations because of it's beautiful blue & whilte tiles panals depicting landscapes, ethnographic scenes as well as historical events like the Battle of Valdevez (1140), the meeting of the knight Egas Moniz and Alfonso VII of León (12th century), the arrival of King John I and Philippa of Lancaster in Porto (1387) and the Conquest of Ceuta (1415). It still functions as a train station but only for local traffic.