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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Portugal > Porto

Local time Porto

Currency

€

Airports

Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport

Getting around Porto

Public transport

Porto has an excellent public transport network including metro, tram, bus, suburban trains and a funicular. The Metro do Porto (tel: +351 22 508 1000; www.metrodoporto.pt) has six lines, including the violet line which connects the city centre with the airport. Services are frequent, relatively cheap and reliable.

The city’s comprehensive bus network, as well as one tram route, is operated by STCP (tel: +351 808 200 166; www.stcp.pt). Suburban and local trains, including the ones linking the city’s two main railways stations, are operated by CP (tel: +351 707 210 220; www.cp.pt).

The electronic Andante Card (www.linhandante.com) allows holders to travel on the metro, the STCP buses and CP suburban trains and is available at Andante stores, Porto's tourism offices and STCP and train ticket offices. It operates on a fare by zone basis, with 24-hour cards also available.

Taxis

Reputable Porto taxi companies include Raditaxis (tel: +351 22 507 3900) and Táxis Invicta (tel: +351 22 507 6400).

Driving

As with any large city, traffic can be heavy at busy times and parking spaces are at a premium in certain areas. There are some car parks around the city centre, while hotels often have parking spaces too.

Car hire

Recommended car hire companies in Porto include Avis (tel: +351 22 539 0274; www.avis.com), Europcar (tel: +351 22 518 0723; www.europcar.pt) and Sixt (tel: +351 22 578 8199; www.sixt.pt).

Bicycle hire

Porto is hilly, so you need to be fit to consider cycling around. In the Old Town, Porto Tours, Rua Clube dos Fenianos 25 (tel: +351 22 339 3472; www.portotours.com), offers bicycle and electric bike hire by the hour.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Quality Inn Porto

Centrally located on Batalha Square (Praça da Batalha), the Quality Inn Porto is convenient, with the river and all the main attractions within a few minutes' walk. All guest rooms have air-conditioning as well as internet contact points.

HF Ipanema Porto

A short walk from the city centre, and close to several leading attractions, the HF Ipanema Porto offers comfortable accommodation at a very reasonable price. The aim is to provide a relaxing environment; the bar is quiet and the restaurant offers a range of international cuisine.

Sheraton Porto

This hotel opened its doors in 2003 and is one of the most luxurious hotels in Porto. Housed in an elegant 12-storey building it has 266 rooms and suites as well as an excellent restaurant and bar. The spa offers a range of health treatments, a high-tech gym, a Zen studio offering yoga classes, an indoor swimming pool and a mixed sauna and Turkish bath.

Hotel America

With 22 basic but comfortable rooms, the Hotel América is ideal for those seeking cheap hotels in Porto. It is situated in the heart of the main shopping district in the city centre, and despite its low prices, offers extras such as air conditioning, a mini bar in the room, security safes, a snack bar and pool room.

Hotel Ibis Centro Porto

Following the French chain's successful formula as applied over the whole of Europe, the Hotel Ibis Centro Porto is exactly what it says on the tin: a modern, budget hotel offering basic but clean and comfortable accommodation without the frills of luxury. It's a good choice either if you're on a budget, or simply don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room.

Grande Hotel do Porto

The Grande Hotel do Porto was designed by the architect Silva Sardina and opened in 1880. The hotel has 99 rooms, and they all have air-conditioning, broadband Internet access and beautifully tiled bathrooms. The hotel, and particularly the restaurant, has a distinct old world charm and atmosphere. It is located on Porto's main shopping street in the city centre.

Introducing Porto

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