Is Porto a safe place? Is Porto nicer than Lisbon? How do I order a beer in Porto? Today I’m giving you a personal tour of what’s up with my place and my peeps.
FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PORTO
First things first: What’s my real name? Porto or Oporto?
Let’s clear this out for once! Porto is the Portuguese word for Porto, but I’m also known as Oporto.
– Oporto: as visitors call me;
– Porto: like my peeps call me.
How did this happen, right? Well, when the Portuguese refer to Porto, they precede it with the male article “O” which means “The”:
The Porto = O Porto
Since the XVIII century, there has been a strong investment and settlement of English companies in town with the goal of trade. When traders (and non-Portuguese speakers in general) referred to Porto, they would imitate phonetically as they heard it: O Porto (assuming that my actual name was “Oporto”). And this is how the word “Oporto” got into the dictionary.
That being said, feel free to call me Porto – as my locals do!
What is the weather like?
Ok, so very often I am asked what is the best time of the year for a visit. It’s easy: from January to December… but you know me: I love travelers all year-’round! Then again, this question got me thinking about which time of the year would be the best for a visit from a visitor’s point of view.
I have to say that late spring/early summer is an amazing time for a visit. The weather is perfect with mild temperatures (between 22ºC to 30ºC), the public gardens look like paintings with all the colors of a rainbow and you can also enjoy the sandy beaches nearby. The cherry on top of the cake for this time of the year is my good fellow Saint John – the biggest party in Porto.
Who the heck is Saint John?
So, June is the month when people in Portugal celebrate the patron saints of their cities. The saint differs from city to city: we celebrate Saint John (Festas de São João) on the night of the 23rd to 24th of June, in a citywide event. My peeps call it “the longest night of the year” (which is pretty self-explanatory of what this party is all about, right?):
– Thousands of people roaming the streets of the city, with friends and family, chatting and looking for good times (and food);
– Small colored flags being hung on the streets and main squares;
– Little vases of basil placed in window sills;
– Sardines being grilled in front of houses;
– People having fun all night long till the break of dawn;
– The fireworks taking place down by the river;
– And, overall, a truly happy feeling floating in the air.
PS: If you are into music festivals, I got a feeling you’ll like Primavera Sound as well. Primavera Sound is one of the best music festivals I know, it takes place in Parque da Cidade and is a true parade of stars, featuring both local and international musicians and much, much more. If you are in town during the month of June, don’t miss it!
How many people speak English in Porto?
If you have been here already, you know Portugal is a country where you’ll easily find people speaking English. If you haven’t, believe me when I say that it is. Everyone, from the young to the elder, speaks at least some English and will be happy to talk to you. Come to think of it some elders might not, but there will always be someone else nearby. Don’t worry!
What’s the name of the airport?
Porto Airport, also known as Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. This is the second-largest airport in Portugal. There are 5 major airports located in the main cities of Portugal: Lisbon, Porto, Faro, and the two others situated outside the mainland (Funchal, in Madeira, and Ponta Delgada, in The Azores).
How do I get from the city centre to the airport?
The airport is located around 11km from the city centre, and the journey by car should take around 20 minutes in normal traffic. You can easily get to the airport by metro. It will take you no more than 30 minutes. Line E (Purple) runs every 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the time and day of the week. The metro journey from the airport to the city centre passes through four fare zones and a Z4 ticket is required. You can either look for an Andante shop or buy a ticket at the automatic machines inside the metro station.
Is Uber available throughout the city?
Yes.
Is Portugal safe for tourists?
Yes. Portugal was considered the safest country in the EU and the third safest country in the world. Come and see it with your own eyes!
Does it snow in Porto?
No. The snow in Portugal can be found in Serra da Estrela – a winter wonderland right in the heart of Portugal.
What other cities should I explore?
If you have the benefit of time, I recommend that you explore some of my closest friends: Aveiro, Braga, Guimarães, and Coimbra.
What is the difference between Tapas or Petiscos and why do the Portuguese care what word I use?
Ok, this is a very serious topic. Pay close attention! While you may see the word “Tapas” used on menus in Portugal, do not be deceived: they are most likely serving… “Petiscos”. Allow me to explain!
The word tapas comes from:
– The Spanish verb “tapar”, which means “to cover”;
– Or the noun “tapa”, which means “cover”.
The legend goes that in order to keep dirt and insects out of their drink, the Spanish would cover (or “tapar”) their drinks with a piece of bread. But if you have a piece of bread why not toss on some ham and cheese…? And now you have a snack!
Tapas have obviously evolved far beyond their humble origins and now include a variety of flavors and combinations, though at their core they are a bite-sized piece of bread topped with something delicious.
Now that you know what “tapas” is, let me explain “petiscos”. Petiscos are, generally, small versions of large plates. The genius behind this model is that you can then order and taste more dishes by ordering smaller versions than you would if you ordered full-size dishes. How brilliant is that? My peeps even have a word for it: “petiscar”; which means eating and savoring these small-sized dishes, generally best done with friends, just like tapas.
How is Portuguese food different from Spanish food?
Portuguese cooking is said to be more nuanced, florid, buttery, richer, and creamier in comparison to Spain’s cuisine. The use of spices (cinnamon and cumin) and exotic fruits (and vegetables as well) comes from Portugal’s early maritime and colonial history, and of its global trade routes. This has been differentiating our cuisine over the centuries and, to this day, makes it stand out from the neighbors.
What kind of food do your locals eat?
I have to be honest with you: my people do food pretty well. There’s the world-famous Francesinha, of course. But there are plenty more amazing dishes to be discovered: there’s the Porto-style tripe, white bean stew; there’s “prego” (rump steak with ham and a fried egg), “chanfana” (slow-cooked goat with wine and spices), “moelas”, “patanisca”, “bacalhau”… and the list goes on forever.
Are there any Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Porto?
While it is true that most restaurants in the city are not vegetarian (or vegan), in fact, a lot of regular restaurants and cafés now offer vegetarian options. I recommend: Kind Kitchen, Essência Restaurante Vegetariano, Em Carne Viva, Época, and Árvore do Mundo.
What is the national dish in Portugal?
Well, whenever I want to show what Portuguese cuisine means in only one dish (a task which is both difficult and stifling) I think of … “Cozido à Portuguesa” (literally translated: “Boilt a la Portuguese”). Do not be fooled by its simple name though, this is considered by many to be the national dish (I cannot say 100% of Portuguese agree with this, but then again, try getting two Portuguese to decide what is the best sweet made in Portugal and you could be in for hours of discussion).
Anyway, have you ever tried my namesake dish? Porto Tripe or, as we say in portuguese, “Tripas à Moda do Porto”. You are going to love it!
Why do foreign tourists prefer Porto in Winter?
I’m not as cold as most locations in Europe. In fact, I heard that winter here is just like summer in a lot of countries.
How to move around?
The best way to get around Porto is by metro, bus, or on foot.
How many days should I stay in town?
Stay here forever. I like you!
Where is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and how to get there?
Just an hour and a half away from Porto, you can find the Douro Valley, one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. There are plenty of options to get there:
– By cruise: They depart from Vila Nova de Gaia’s pier located just across from Porto’s Ribeira/riverside. You can easily access it by crossing the D. Luis bridge. These cruise ships take you on a six-hour journey up the Douro river. It’s quite a time-consuming trip, mostly due to the river locks crossing, which was built to tame the river. It might take a big chunk of your time, but it is also the mode of transport that unveils the Douro Valley’s stunning landscapes in the most spectacular way.
– By train: Another popular travel option is the train from Porto’s railway station, São Bento. The journey is faster, taking about two hours and a half to get there. It also provides an amazing travel experience as the track follows a path through the Douro river bank. By the way, the Linha do Douro/Douro Line route is considered one of the most picturesque railways in Europe.
Where is the National Park?
The only Portuguese National Park (Peneda-Gerês) is just a couple of hours away. Here you can enjoy amazing landscapes and natural waterfalls.
When is the rainy season?
Portugal’s rainy season begins in November and December. Bear in mind that it rains a lot in April as well. There’s a saying that goes like this: “In April, waters one thousand, may they all fit in a barrel.”
What is the distance between Porto and Lisbon?
It’s only 313 kilometers (about 195 miles). The easiest way of traveling from Porto to Lisbon is by train. There are frequent connections between the capital, Lisbon, and the second biggest city in Portugal, myself. The journey time is between 2 hours and 40 minutes and 3 hours and 10 minutes, depending on the train you take.
What is the main train station in Porto?
Campanha Train Station. I know, you were expecting me to say: Porto’s São Bento Train Station – probably more famous for its tiles than for the trains. São Bento is not the main train station of the city, but it is the prettiest.
Best conventual sweets names?
Drooling Alert! These are some of the sweet treats that kids love when they visit me: Limonete, Jesuíta, Bean Tart, Custard Tart, Clarinhas de Fão, Pudim Abade Priscos… Sorry, I have to go now! My favorite bakery is almost closing!
Feel free to reach out if there’s anything else you need assistance with!
Yours truly,
Porto