PORTO EUROPEAN BEST DESTINATION 2017

Porto, Douro and the North of Portugal Region have been internationally distinguished in recent years. The city of Porto is the first worldwide to be considered three times as the European Best Destination (2012, 2014 and 2017) and was also named the best emerging destination in Europe and the third worldwide. Porto was the 2015 Best Under-the-Radar Romantic Destination by USA Today and The Guardian rates it as one of the obligatory destinations to visit. It is also the only Portuguese city on the Best Value City Index 2015 ranking by Trivago.

Porto combines tradition and modernity in a cosmopolitan atmosphere, where the best wines and irresistible gastronomy can be tested. From the maritime coastline passing by the banks of the Douro River, the ride to the city center is itself a real pleasure. Afterwards, there is an entire city that warmly welcomes all cruise passengers and lets itself discover among the most beautiful baroque and Romanesque churches, monuments, streets with mansions covered with Portuguese traditional tiles, bookstores and finally shops.

An hour distance from Porto other interesting cities and sites can be visited, such as the Historical Centre of Guimaraes, European Cultural Capital 2012 and also classified World Heritage site by UNESCO, as well as Porto city and Douro Valley; the cities of Braga, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima and Amarante; countless Castles, Manor Houses, Historic Hotels and Rural Guest Houses, the Douro Valley, the oldest wine region of the world, where Porto Wine is produced.

The Region comprises four World Heritage sites. For all this Porto and North Portugal is a multifarious and diversified tourist destination. For all those reasons, the Porto Cruise Terminal clearly meets the commitment of the Port Authority in boosting the cruise industry in the Northern Region of Portugal.