november-2010

PORTUGAL Population 10,735,765 Currency Euro GDP
PORTO
† €15,645 Dialling code +351
Airport code OPO Flight frequency Daily Average temp (Nov) 12°C
The vibrancy of Portugal’s
northern capital steps up
a pace as the autumn
months advance. The
street art on Rua Miguel
Bombarda is a big draw,
but there’s plenty more
going on elsewhere in
the city. Kevin Rose is
our city guide
BAIXA
Downtown Porto is a tight mass
of streets, containing many of the
city’s historical highlights.
CULTURE The Rua Miguel Bombarda is
the heart of the city’s artistic community.
This is where you’ll see examples of the
Ricardo Dias street art project, which has
released 1,000 origami cranes into the
streets of Porto – a symbol of eternal
happiness, prosperity and longevity.
SHOP Choosing where to start among
the plethora of offbeat outlets along
this street is tricky, but Águas Furtadas
Design (285 Rua Miguel Bombarda),
which stocks everything from fashion
accessories, dolls and items for home
decoration to old-style toy taxis, is
a great sensory experience.
SLEEP Pensão Estoril (193 Rua de
Cedofeita, tel. 222 002751, pensao
estoril.com, rooms from €30) offers
fine cheap and cheerful accommodation.
LATER Hip Galeria de Paris (56 Rua
Galeria de Paris, tel. 934 210792) is
a restaurant and bar in a former fabrics
warehouse that the owners never
bothered clearing out – hence the place
is packed with interesting stuff. There’s
also a rarely found smoking room.
TIP The city’s Cinema Cycle features
classic filmmakers such as Welles and
Explore by night for a diff erent
perspective on Portugal’s
historic second city
INFO
Francisco de Sá
Carneiro Airport is
15km northwest
of the city centre.
Train Metro line E
serves the airport
from 6am-1.30am;
the station is
just outside the
terminal. The
journey to the
centre takes about
30 minutes and
costs €1,45.
Bus There are
regular buses
into the city,
costing €1,45.
Taxi Available 24
hours, the journey
costs about €20.
Tourist offi ce
25 Rua Clube
dos Fenianos
(tel. 223 393472,
portoturismo.pt).
Kubrick. Free entry and no dubbing are
dual incentives for the stroll up to the
Almeida Garrett Municipal Library (Rua
Dom Manuel II). The 1865 Palácio de
Cristal in which it’s situated is also
surrounded by spectacular gardens.
BOAVISTA
The aristocratic legacy of this area
is reflected in the leafy avenues
and palatial splendour of now
converted residences, which
contrast with the modernist
audacity of the Casa da Música.
CULTURE The Serralves Museum (210
Rua Dom João de Castro) is a cultural
pole of attraction for the region, with
a renowned contemporary collection.
This month features an exhibition
looking at the relationship between
the arts and politics. Make sure
you visit the gardens, too, which
are beautiful all year round.
EAT Grappa by Chakall (1277
Avenida da Boavista, tel. 226 086705,
around €20 per person) is testimony
to the gastronomic range of the city,
where Italian and Mediterranean
dishes are interpreted by the
Argentinean chef Chakall.
DRINK A relative newcomer, Creme
(Edifício Transparente, 365 Via do
Castelo do Queijo tel. 912 989541) is
a café (with seafront terrace) during
the day and a recommended restaurant
in the evening, before transforming
into a bar and disco that keeps pounding
until 6am at weekends.
FOZ AND MATOSINHOS
There’s a rather different feel to
these neighbourhoods, as the city
moves from its cramped riverside
location to ocean vistas.
SLEEP Delivering all the trappings of
a quality establishment, with a rooftop
swimming pool to boot, Hotel Boavista
(Esplanada do Castelo, 58 Foz do Douro,
tel. 225 320020, hotelboavista.com,
rooms from €80) has a seafront location
and is a serious contender for the ‘best
hotel in the city’ title.
SHOP Deep Senses (493 Rua de
Gondarém) is the place for relaxation;
try a Swedish or chocolate massage,
or a session of reiki.
EAT Cafeína Wine & Tapas (152 Rua
do Padrão) offers the best in local fare
as well as international produce; drop
in for a glass of wine, a gourmet snack
or to sample some local cheese and
smoked sausages from this store-cumrestaurant
concept.
€119 *
FROM JUST
RETURN ALL-IN
DISCOVER PORTO AND NORTHERN PORTUGAL...
Unique, exquisite and authentic, Porto is, like its wine, a treasure to
be slowly appreciated. DISCOVER IT, FEEL IT AND TASTE IT!
www.portocvb.com
Fly to Porto from
just €119* return all-in.
brusselsairlines.com
†PER COUNTRY PER CAPITA
*PRICES QUOTED ARE FOR A RETURN TICKET IN B.LIGHT ECONOMY FROM OR TO BRUSSELS, ALL TAXES AND FEES INCLUDED, IF BOOKED ON BRUSSELSAIRLINES.COM. TICKETS ARE NOT CHANGEABLE, NOR REFUNDABLE. PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE