Sustainable Regional Development AcademyFaculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (FEUP)
Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465 Porto Portugal |
2025 APDR CongressUniversidade Portucalense – Infante D. Henrique (UPT)
Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 541, 4200-072 Porto Portugal |
Getting to UPT and FEUP
For more information, check the lines and timetable on the STCP website or on the Metro do Porto website.
Buses
205, Campanhã 300, Av. Aliados 301, Sá da Bandeira 803, Boavista 603, Marquês Metro D - Hospital de S. João |
By plane (Sá Carneiro Airport)
The quickest way of getting to UPT and FEUP from the airport (if you do not have transport waiting for you or do not intend to catch a taxi) is to take Metro Line E (purple) into Porto. You will need to change at Trindade station and take Line D (yellow). Then follow the directions given in the option “By Metro”. |
Accommodation
Suggested hotels:
- Selina Porto - https://www.selina.com/pt/portugal/porto/
- Hotel ibis Porto Sao Joao - https://maps.app.goo.gl/3mcigKybxWX9kEDs9
- Hotel Star inn Porto - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YaH2LpvyHLV2g6Wy7?g_st=iw
- Eurostars Oporto - https://maps.app.goo.gl/wfV2P4c66ySEqmT76
- Axis Porto Business & SPA Hotel - https://maps.app.goo.gl/oAGqTBbFAparDg7j7?g_st=iw
- Hotel Portinari - https://maps.app.goo.gl/i86NB7iEGeAoWiPC9?g_st=iw
- Pousada Porto - Rua das Flores - https://www.pousadas.pt/pt/hotel/pousada-porto
- The Passenger Hostel - https://thepassengerhostel.com/
All you need to know about Porto
Porto is one of Portugal’s main cities. It has a very rich and ancient history, dating back to the Bronze Age some 5,000 years ago. As its name suggests, we are a commercial, port city with a well-developed mercantile and industrial dynamic throughout the centuries of history that have passed through us.
In more recent years we have been proud to be considered one of the main landmarks in the history of humanity, having been recognised as a World Heritage City by Unesco in 1996. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. To better find your way around the city, check-out one of the official Tourism Offices:
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Among the city’s most emblematic buildings are the (1) Cathedral (Sé) from the 12th-13th century, the (2) Church of São Francisco from the 13th century, but with several periods of new construction that go back as far as the 19th century with the start of the construction of the (3) Palácio da Bolsa in 1842 on the site of the former Franciscan cloister, severely affected by the Lisbon earthquake. But there's more, much more, and here we'll only mention the most emblematic, not forgetting (4) S. Bento Station, which began construction in 1900 on the site of the former S. Bento de Avé Maria Monastery and was designed by the great architect Marques da Silva. Not far away is Porto's ex-libris (no, not the McDonalds Imperial, considered the most beautiful in the world) the (5) Clérigos Tower and Church, begun in 1732 and the first work of what would become one of the great figures of the national Baroque, Nicolau Nazoni. He was the author of several landmark works such as the Freixo Palace and the Mateus Palace, two icons of Portuguese Baroque architecture. And, of course, part of Porto’s Unesco historic centre, the (6) Port wine cellars in the riverside area of Gaia, an unmissable heritage of the city that from a very early age has carried our name and fame across seas never sailed before.
Porto doesn't live by the past alone, as it has a wide variety of museums and wooded green areas. A great example of this are the (7) gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, designed around 1860 by the German Emile David to stage the Great International Exhibition of Porto, the first of its kind in Portugal. The unmissable (8) Soares dos Reis National Museum, housed in the Carrancas Palace, was the first public art museum in Portugal, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Regent Pedro in 1833. At the beginning of the 20th century, the (9) Serralves House of 1932, an unmissable icon of Portuguese Art Deco with a design by the architect Marques da Silva and gardens by Jacques Gréber, and in the last year of the century, 1999, the (10) Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art was born by the hands of Siza Vieira, which breathed new life not only into the institution, but also into the whole city, which currently hosts Europe's biggest non-stop cultural festival, Serralves em Festa! Not forgetting the fantastic (11) City Park, the largest in the country and with unique characteristics in Europe since it ends in a wooded area right by the sea on the beach.
Some of the attractions mentioned above have a paid entrance fee, which is usually easily obtained at the door, except for the Palácio da Bolsa, which is visited by appointment with a guide from the institution that is still active as the Porto Trade Association.
Traditional food
Portugal is a country well known for its gastronomy around the world. Its mix of tradition and passion for food makes its dishes special, juicy and tasty. Portuguese gastronomy is very rich and varied, it can be said that many cities within the country stand out for some typical dish, in this case, Porto stands out for several. Here are five recommendations to experience the essence of Portugal through food.
The Francesinha is the star dish of this city, Oporto. It can be said that each family, each restaurant has its own way of preparing it, especially its sauce, which is one of the main characteristics that make this dish an emblematic dish in the city. The francesinha is a multi-storey sandwich filled with meat, cheese, sausage, hamburger and bacon. There are varieties of francesinhas, but they are all calorific meat-based dishes with an egg on top. They are always accompanied by gravy and chips. The sauces can be spicy or sweet. Several restaurants now offer a vegetarian option, making this traditional local dish available to more people around the world. One of the best places to try this dish is the Brasão restaurant.
In Portugal we say there is a cod recipe for every day of the year. Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo is a Portuguese recipe accompanies the cod with mashed potatoes and onions. In some restaurants they put the mashed potatoes on top of the cod and in others as an accompaniment. The cod is baked in the oven with milk and onion. Bacalhau com Broa is a classic in the gastronomy of Porto. It is baked cod, covered with a layer of crispy cornbread. Cod cooked in this way is juicy and tender. It has plenty of olive oil and black olives so that it does not dry out. In some places they also add bits of bacon, egg and potatoes. It is also a very hearty dish, consider it as an idea for a main course.
Bolinhos de bacalhau (or Pastéis de bacalhau) are a kind of croquette or fritter very typical of Porto’s gastronomy. They are eaten as an appetizer and are usually ordered by the piece. We recommend trying bolinhos de bacalhau at the local Bolhão market, where you can try several typical Portuguese starters, as well as being fairly inexpensive, you can also try several wines sold by the glass. There are also versions stuffed with queijo da serra (sheep’s cheese).
Bifanas, a bread stuffed with pork, is one of the most popular snacks in Porto. The meat, previously marinated, is boiled in a tomato sauce, slightly spicy. One of the best places to try this dish is the Conga restaurant. One last thing, it is near sacrilege to pair your bifana with anything other than a beer and preferably the local craft beer or the traditional SuperBock.
Port Wine
Port wine is a fortified wine. Fortified wines are wines to which, at a certain stage in the production process, a proportion of wine alcohol is added. In the case of port wine, the addition of wine alcohol takes place before the wine has completed its fermentation. This means that the wine retains some of the natural sweetness of the grapes and this makes it intense, round and smooth in the mouth. For many, Port wine is the best fortified wine of all. Its maximum expression, Vintage Port, always occupies a prominent place among the great wines of the world, alongside the best wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Port wine is traditionally served with cheese at the end of meals, as a dessert wine or as a digestif, although some styles, such as white Port, can also be drunk as an aperitif. Many creative chefs like to pair it with their main courses, and it is one of the best wines to enjoy with chocolate or a good sweet such as cream cakes. Port wine is considered one of the most sociable wines, helping to make any occasion a special occasion, whether it is a quiet evening, an informal gathering with friends or a formal and sophisticated meal.
Fado
Fado is a word that comes from Latin and means ‘destiny’. Having at its root something as dense and serious as destiny marked its character. That is why Fado sings about strong emotions, love and heartbreak, betrayal, jealousy, revenge and misfortune. But, contrary to popular belief, Fado is not always sad. Often daring and bohemian, it knows like no other how to sing the grace of its people. Although Lisbon is the most renowned origin region of Fado, this music style can also be in other locations in Portugal, such as Coimbra or Porto, with slight differences in the way that it is sung/performed or in the song themes. The oldest fado is the ‘fado do marinheiro’, which set the model for all the others. From this common root, several paths emerged, resulting in different styles: fado ‘castiço’, fado aristocrat, fado ‘corrido’ and bohemian fado are some of the facets of this music tune. The golden age of Fado began in the 1940s. From that time until the mid-1960s, talents multiplied, and first-class stars were born, and in November 2011, Unesco declared Fado Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Porto doesn't live by the past alone, as it has a wide variety of museums and wooded green areas. A great example of this are the (7) gardens of the Palácio de Cristal, designed around 1860 by the German Emile David to stage the Great International Exhibition of Porto, the first of its kind in Portugal. The unmissable (8) Soares dos Reis National Museum, housed in the Carrancas Palace, was the first public art museum in Portugal, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Regent Pedro in 1833. At the beginning of the 20th century, the (9) Serralves House of 1932, an unmissable icon of Portuguese Art Deco with a design by the architect Marques da Silva and gardens by Jacques Gréber, and in the last year of the century, 1999, the (10) Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art was born by the hands of Siza Vieira, which breathed new life not only into the institution, but also into the whole city, which currently hosts Europe's biggest non-stop cultural festival, Serralves em Festa! Not forgetting the fantastic (11) City Park, the largest in the country and with unique characteristics in Europe since it ends in a wooded area right by the sea on the beach.
Some of the attractions mentioned above have a paid entrance fee, which is usually easily obtained at the door, except for the Palácio da Bolsa, which is visited by appointment with a guide from the institution that is still active as the Porto Trade Association.
Traditional food
Portugal is a country well known for its gastronomy around the world. Its mix of tradition and passion for food makes its dishes special, juicy and tasty. Portuguese gastronomy is very rich and varied, it can be said that many cities within the country stand out for some typical dish, in this case, Porto stands out for several. Here are five recommendations to experience the essence of Portugal through food.
The Francesinha is the star dish of this city, Oporto. It can be said that each family, each restaurant has its own way of preparing it, especially its sauce, which is one of the main characteristics that make this dish an emblematic dish in the city. The francesinha is a multi-storey sandwich filled with meat, cheese, sausage, hamburger and bacon. There are varieties of francesinhas, but they are all calorific meat-based dishes with an egg on top. They are always accompanied by gravy and chips. The sauces can be spicy or sweet. Several restaurants now offer a vegetarian option, making this traditional local dish available to more people around the world. One of the best places to try this dish is the Brasão restaurant.
In Portugal we say there is a cod recipe for every day of the year. Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo is a Portuguese recipe accompanies the cod with mashed potatoes and onions. In some restaurants they put the mashed potatoes on top of the cod and in others as an accompaniment. The cod is baked in the oven with milk and onion. Bacalhau com Broa is a classic in the gastronomy of Porto. It is baked cod, covered with a layer of crispy cornbread. Cod cooked in this way is juicy and tender. It has plenty of olive oil and black olives so that it does not dry out. In some places they also add bits of bacon, egg and potatoes. It is also a very hearty dish, consider it as an idea for a main course.
Bolinhos de bacalhau (or Pastéis de bacalhau) are a kind of croquette or fritter very typical of Porto’s gastronomy. They are eaten as an appetizer and are usually ordered by the piece. We recommend trying bolinhos de bacalhau at the local Bolhão market, where you can try several typical Portuguese starters, as well as being fairly inexpensive, you can also try several wines sold by the glass. There are also versions stuffed with queijo da serra (sheep’s cheese).
Bifanas, a bread stuffed with pork, is one of the most popular snacks in Porto. The meat, previously marinated, is boiled in a tomato sauce, slightly spicy. One of the best places to try this dish is the Conga restaurant. One last thing, it is near sacrilege to pair your bifana with anything other than a beer and preferably the local craft beer or the traditional SuperBock.
Port Wine
Port wine is a fortified wine. Fortified wines are wines to which, at a certain stage in the production process, a proportion of wine alcohol is added. In the case of port wine, the addition of wine alcohol takes place before the wine has completed its fermentation. This means that the wine retains some of the natural sweetness of the grapes and this makes it intense, round and smooth in the mouth. For many, Port wine is the best fortified wine of all. Its maximum expression, Vintage Port, always occupies a prominent place among the great wines of the world, alongside the best wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy.
Port wine is traditionally served with cheese at the end of meals, as a dessert wine or as a digestif, although some styles, such as white Port, can also be drunk as an aperitif. Many creative chefs like to pair it with their main courses, and it is one of the best wines to enjoy with chocolate or a good sweet such as cream cakes. Port wine is considered one of the most sociable wines, helping to make any occasion a special occasion, whether it is a quiet evening, an informal gathering with friends or a formal and sophisticated meal.
Fado
Fado is a word that comes from Latin and means ‘destiny’. Having at its root something as dense and serious as destiny marked its character. That is why Fado sings about strong emotions, love and heartbreak, betrayal, jealousy, revenge and misfortune. But, contrary to popular belief, Fado is not always sad. Often daring and bohemian, it knows like no other how to sing the grace of its people. Although Lisbon is the most renowned origin region of Fado, this music style can also be in other locations in Portugal, such as Coimbra or Porto, with slight differences in the way that it is sung/performed or in the song themes. The oldest fado is the ‘fado do marinheiro’, which set the model for all the others. From this common root, several paths emerged, resulting in different styles: fado ‘castiço’, fado aristocrat, fado ‘corrido’ and bohemian fado are some of the facets of this music tune. The golden age of Fado began in the 1940s. From that time until the mid-1960s, talents multiplied, and first-class stars were born, and in November 2011, Unesco declared Fado Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Moving around in the city
Although Porto is relatively small and you can explore most of it on foot, it is always a good idea to read about its public transport.
Metro
Porto’s Metro has 6 lines and 81 stations, but if you’re planning to use it as a means of transport, take into account that it doesn’t make it to most of the tourist attractions in the city.
Porto’s metro lines
Line A (Blue): Estádio do Dragão - Senhor de Matosinhos.
Line B (Red): Estádio do Dragão - Póvoa de Varzim.
Line C (Green): Estádio do Dragão - ISMAI.
Line E (Purple): Estádio do Dragão – Airport.
Line F (Orange): Fânzeres - Senhora da Hora.
Out of all the stops, the most important is Trinidade. It is where all the lines meet, including the yellow line.
Operating times: Porto Metro opens every day at 6 am and the last train departs at 1 am. Depending on the time of day, the metro can pass every 4 to 15 minutes.
Price: A single ticket costs € 1.20 (US$ 1.30). If you purchase the Porto Card or the Andante Tour Card, you’ll have unlimited access to the city’s metro system.
Tram
With the passage of time, trams in Porto have become a popular tourist attraction more than a means of transport, especially with the arrival of the underground system, buses and regional trains. With the passage of time, trams in Porto have become a popular tourist attraction more than a means of transport, especially with the arrival of the underground system, buses and regional trains. Currently, only about a dozen vintage trams run down the three remaining tram lines in Porto. A great way of discovering this delightful city, is to take a heritage streetcar down Porto’s cobbled streets in the city centre, or as the Portuguese call them ‘carros elétricos’. If you’d like to delve into the fascinating world of the tram, we recommend you visit the Museu do Carro Eléctrico (Tram Museum). It features interesting trams from various periods of Porto's history.
Lines: If you want to explore the city on this charming means of transportation, you can take either of these three lines:
Line 1: Infante-Passeio Alegre. It runs from 9:30am – 6pm.
Line 18: Massarelos-Carmo. It runs from 9:15am – 7pm.
Line 22: Carmo-Guindais Batalha. It runs from 10am – 7pm.
Funicular dos Guindais
The Funicular dos Guindais, also known as The Guindais Funicular, is an elegant and unique way of getting from one part of the city to the other. The funicular runs along a steep hill connecting the Ribeira neighbourhood, located on the riverbank, and Batalha, at the top of the city. One of the highlights of taking this means of transportation are the views you get of Dom Luís I Bridge, Porto’s medieval city walls and the various wine cellars on the waterfront. The city’s funicular railway system was inaugurated in 1891 and later renovated in 1994.
Price: Don’t miss taking the Funicular dos Guindais. For just € 3.50 (US$ 3.80) you can take a one-way journey either up to Rua da Batalha or to the city’s riverbank. If you take it up to the top, you’ll save yourself from walking up a steep hill.
Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
Porto has various city sightseeing bus tours. All sight-seeing open-top double-decker buses for tourists include individual headphones with commentary in English and other languages. The most famous are Yellow Bus and the City Sightseeing Portugal.
The City Sightseeing buses in Porto are red. A bus tour ticket is valid for 48 hours after you first validate it, and you can hop off and back on as many times as you want. As the name indicates, Yellow Bus’ sightseeing tourist buses are yellow. You can either get a 24h or 48h ticket and hop off and back on as many times as you want during the validity of your ticket, as well as switch routes. The Yellow Bus ticket is also valid for the local buses in Porto.
Metro
Porto’s Metro has 6 lines and 81 stations, but if you’re planning to use it as a means of transport, take into account that it doesn’t make it to most of the tourist attractions in the city.
Porto’s metro lines
Line A (Blue): Estádio do Dragão - Senhor de Matosinhos.
Line B (Red): Estádio do Dragão - Póvoa de Varzim.
Line C (Green): Estádio do Dragão - ISMAI.
Line E (Purple): Estádio do Dragão – Airport.
Line F (Orange): Fânzeres - Senhora da Hora.
Out of all the stops, the most important is Trinidade. It is where all the lines meet, including the yellow line.
Operating times: Porto Metro opens every day at 6 am and the last train departs at 1 am. Depending on the time of day, the metro can pass every 4 to 15 minutes.
Price: A single ticket costs € 1.20 (US$ 1.30). If you purchase the Porto Card or the Andante Tour Card, you’ll have unlimited access to the city’s metro system.
Tram
With the passage of time, trams in Porto have become a popular tourist attraction more than a means of transport, especially with the arrival of the underground system, buses and regional trains. With the passage of time, trams in Porto have become a popular tourist attraction more than a means of transport, especially with the arrival of the underground system, buses and regional trains. Currently, only about a dozen vintage trams run down the three remaining tram lines in Porto. A great way of discovering this delightful city, is to take a heritage streetcar down Porto’s cobbled streets in the city centre, or as the Portuguese call them ‘carros elétricos’. If you’d like to delve into the fascinating world of the tram, we recommend you visit the Museu do Carro Eléctrico (Tram Museum). It features interesting trams from various periods of Porto's history.
Lines: If you want to explore the city on this charming means of transportation, you can take either of these three lines:
Line 1: Infante-Passeio Alegre. It runs from 9:30am – 6pm.
Line 18: Massarelos-Carmo. It runs from 9:15am – 7pm.
Line 22: Carmo-Guindais Batalha. It runs from 10am – 7pm.
Funicular dos Guindais
The Funicular dos Guindais, also known as The Guindais Funicular, is an elegant and unique way of getting from one part of the city to the other. The funicular runs along a steep hill connecting the Ribeira neighbourhood, located on the riverbank, and Batalha, at the top of the city. One of the highlights of taking this means of transportation are the views you get of Dom Luís I Bridge, Porto’s medieval city walls and the various wine cellars on the waterfront. The city’s funicular railway system was inaugurated in 1891 and later renovated in 1994.
Price: Don’t miss taking the Funicular dos Guindais. For just € 3.50 (US$ 3.80) you can take a one-way journey either up to Rua da Batalha or to the city’s riverbank. If you take it up to the top, you’ll save yourself from walking up a steep hill.
Porto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
Porto has various city sightseeing bus tours. All sight-seeing open-top double-decker buses for tourists include individual headphones with commentary in English and other languages. The most famous are Yellow Bus and the City Sightseeing Portugal.
The City Sightseeing buses in Porto are red. A bus tour ticket is valid for 48 hours after you first validate it, and you can hop off and back on as many times as you want. As the name indicates, Yellow Bus’ sightseeing tourist buses are yellow. You can either get a 24h or 48h ticket and hop off and back on as many times as you want during the validity of your ticket, as well as switch routes. The Yellow Bus ticket is also valid for the local buses in Porto.
Emergency contacts
Emergency number: 112
In Portugal, the emergency contact number for tourists are the same as those for residents. This number can be dialled for police, medical (including ambulances), or fire emergencies, no country code required.
In Portugal, the emergency contact number for tourists are the same as those for residents. This number can be dialled for police, medical (including ambulances), or fire emergencies, no country code required.
Useful tips
We remind you of a few must-haves you should not forget when packing your suitcase for traveling to Portugal:
Euros can be obtained at banks, currency exchange offices, and ATMs throughout Portugal. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Portugal, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted, followed by American Express. ATMs (Multibancos) are widely available in cities and towns. They offer a convenient way to withdraw Euros using your debit or credit card. Be sure to check with your bank about any foreign transaction fees or withdrawal limits. Banks in Portugal typically operate from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Some may close for lunch between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. ATMs are available 24/7.
Prices displayed generally include Value Added Tax (VAT) known as IVA. Prices displayed generally include VAT. Non-EU residents may be eligible for a VAT refund on certain purchases. Look for shops displaying the "Tax-Free Shopping" sign and inquire about the process.
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is a common practice in restaurants or cafes. Rounding up the bill is appreciated. Bargaining is not a common practice in Portugal. Prices in shops and restaurants are usually fixed.
In the city centre (besides the airport), you can exchange money at the following places:
- Travel documents: ID, Passport, visa, insurance, …
- Electronic devices, chargers and power adapter: Portugal uses the europlug (Type C) electrical outlet. Make sure to bring the appropriate power adapter for your electronic devices.
- Medications: Bring any necessary prescription medications and common useful meds, such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Feel free to bring a reusable water bottle to refill throughout the day, as tap water in Portugal is high-quality.
- Money and cards: Portugal uses the Euro (€), so make sure to have some cash on hand and inform your bank about your travel plans to avoid any issues with your credit/debit cards.
Euros can be obtained at banks, currency exchange offices, and ATMs throughout Portugal. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Portugal, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted, followed by American Express. ATMs (Multibancos) are widely available in cities and towns. They offer a convenient way to withdraw Euros using your debit or credit card. Be sure to check with your bank about any foreign transaction fees or withdrawal limits. Banks in Portugal typically operate from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Some may close for lunch between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM. ATMs are available 24/7.
Prices displayed generally include Value Added Tax (VAT) known as IVA. Prices displayed generally include VAT. Non-EU residents may be eligible for a VAT refund on certain purchases. Look for shops displaying the "Tax-Free Shopping" sign and inquire about the process.
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is a common practice in restaurants or cafes. Rounding up the bill is appreciated. Bargaining is not a common practice in Portugal. Prices in shops and restaurants are usually fixed.
In the city centre (besides the airport), you can exchange money at the following places:
- Portocâmbios – R. de Rodrigues Sampaio, 193
- Unicâmbio Porto/ Western Union – R. de Sá da Bandeira 7
- NovaCâmbios - Porto Casa da Sorte – R. de Sampaio Bruno, 37
- NovaCâmbios - CP São Bento – São Bento Railway Station, Praça de Almeida Garrett