| Oporto lies in the north of Portugal, by the Douro river. It is highly recommendable discovering Oporto by rental car. Travellers can find cheap car rental companies, like for instance at the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport north of Oporto. The surroundings of Oporto are equally well explored by rental car. Oporto has a mild climate. In the city and around it there are numerous historic palaces and buildings which deserve a visit. Worthwhile places for an Oporto rental car tour are the old town “Ribeira”, the “Sé” cathedral with the bishop’s palace as well as the high bridges “Dom Luís” and “Maria Pia”. If you look at the steel bridge construction you might feel reminded of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which is actually not a coincidence. As a matter of fact they were planned by the same master builder, Gustave Eiffel. In the centre of Oporto stands the highest tower of Portugal, the “Torre dos Clerigos” which | can be climbed by anyone not suffering from vertigo. Many shops and restaurant give an opportunity to take a foot walk through the city. The region around Oporto is also famous for its winegrowing. The grapes and the special way of production create a sweet and also high proof wine, the Port wine. The centre of Port wine production is Vila Nova da Gaia, a city lying opposite Oporto by the river Douro. As everywhere else in Portugal, also in Oporto football is the most popular sport. The football team FC Porto plays in the “Dragon Stadium”, while the team of “Boavista Porto” has its domicile in the “Bessa Século XXI.” stadium. These stadiums can also be reached by visitors with a rental car from an Oporto car hire. A very nice destination for an excursion outside the city with an Oporto rental car is the “Castelo do Queijo” fortress. |
