Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Portugal : Porto - August 2009

Country Code: Dial 1 for Portugal

As the mercury rises, Porto moves into high summer mode: laid-back days and long, late nights. Those who can head for the river or beaches to enjoy the sunshine and sea breezes with a glass of port or plate of seafood. The main event of the month is the electro-dance party on the beach at Azurara (29 August), a 30-minute ride by metro from the city centre. Paul Blaney heads down there

Getting around

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport

Bus: The 601 bus runs to the city centre every half hour, the 602 runs every 15 minutes. The journey takes about an hour and tickets cost €1.30.
Train: The metro runs into the airport terminal and takes 25 minutes to reach the city centre. Tickets cost €1.35. Trains run from 6.00am to 1.00am.
Taxi: A taxi to the town centre costs about €20 and will take approximately 20 minutes.
Tourist information: 25 Rua Clube dos Fenianos (tel.//, www.visitportugal.com).

RIBEIRA (PORTO & GAIA)

This district of narrow alleys, bars and restaurants flanks the River Douro to the north (Porto) and south (Gaia).

Culture vultures – São Francisco (Rua do Infante Dom Henrique) is Porto’s sole surviving gothic church and comes complete with catacombs.

Must eat – O Cometa (87 Rua Tomás Gonzaga, tel. ) is a traditional tasca, or Portuguese chophouse, with a laid-back, local atmosphere and is open till midnight. It does a great monkfish curry.

Must drink – Bar O Cais (2 Rua Fontaurina) by Praça da Ribeira is a cosy bar that’s an ideal place to meet for a beer or whisky before heading on to the local clubs. Live music, no cover charge, wicked sangria and it’s open until 3am – what’s not to like?

Shop til you drop – Calem port wine cellars (344 Avenida Diogo Leite) combines a tour, tasting experience and adjacent wine store for those all-important alcoholic purchases.

BAIXA

Downtown Porto is made for walking and contains many of the city’s architectural highlights.

Sleep soundly – Oporto Poets Hostel (13 Travessa do Ferraz, tel. , oportopoetshostel.com, rooms from €40) has spacious rooms with big windows and a great garden with a view.

Must eat – Café Piolho (43-57 Praça de Parada Leitão) is where Porto’s young, late-night crowd fuels up for a night on the town.

Must drink – Head for Rua da Galeria de Paris and pick any bar. However, it’s hard to beat a Cintra beer on a warm night at Galeria de Paris Restaurante Bar (56 Rua da Galeria de Paris).

Shop til you drop – Rosa Malva (483 Rua Dom João IV) is an atelier specialising in contemporary handicrafts that’s a real gem. The space is shared by five women, each of whom has a unique eye for design.

BOAVISTA

The business district is the place to come if you’re planning a serious shopping trip.

Sleep soundly – Porto Palácio (1269 Avenida da Boavista, tel. hotelportopalacio.com, rooms from €230) is a thoroughly stylish address with a wonderful spa. Try to get the executive suite, with its dark wood and lemony-cool interiors.

Culture vultures – The newly opened Sea Life Porto (Praça Gonçalves Zarco) promises an up-close-andpersonal encounter with some 5,800 sea creatures.

Must eat – As the name suggests, Restaurante Kool (Casa da Música, 604-610 Avenida da Boavista, tel. ) is one very cool restaurant with an innovative menu to match. You can get an excellent meal for €30.

Shop til you drop – Rôti Dégustation (41 Travessa das Campinas) is a modern grocery selling gourmet Portuguese and international foods and wines. There’s an excellent takeaway service here, too.

FOZ

The city’s smartest area is all beautiful villas and seaside cafés.

Culture vultures – Casa do Cinema Manoel de Oliveira (Rua Arquitecto Viana de Lima) is a wonderfully asymmetric building with bulging, insect-eye windows.

Must eat – The recently opened Buhle (810 Avenida Montevideu, tel. ) is a restaurant, bar and teahouse all in one.

Must drink – I-Bar (Praia do Aquário, Avenida de Montevideu) nestles on a sheltered, beachfront terrace. It’s hard to imagine a nicer spot for a drink or snack in the sun.

Shop til you drop – The latest hot spot for men’s fashions is La Punta (69 Rua Marechal Saldanha), a concept store that’s part boutique, part magazine shop and part café. Pick up accessories, fragrances, teas and even homemade pastries.

Compiled by Paul Blaney