Porto Tourism Office
Main Porto Tourism Office - Rua Clube dos Fenianos 25 open 9-5:30. Get a map of the city here.
Airports in Porto
Porto is served by the Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport. The AeroBus runs to Porto's main drag, Avenida dos Aliados, every half hour between 7am and 7:30 pm.
Train Stations in Porto
Porto, a hub for trains in north Portugal, has three train stations. You can buy tickets for any train originating at any station at the central São Bento station. (Be sure to see the azulejo tile murals while you're in the station.)
An IC train from Lisbon takes 3 1/2 hours, a regional train an hour more.
Driving Map
Michelin Map 940 covers only Portugal, so it's detailed enough to show smaller towns. I highly recommend a detailed and recent map of Portugal if you're driving (not including Spain, as that makes the map less detailed overal), since the influx of EU money has seemed to create a boom in road construction and re-routing. You can get one at most gas stations in Portugal fairly cheaply.
Interesting Lodging in Porto
The Hotel Ipanema is recommended by many guidebooks. A double will run you 81-90 Euros. It's air conditioned, has 140 rooms, and is located on the Rua do Campo Alegre 156 in Porto.
Cheaper is the centrally located Hotel de Bolsa, reopened in 1994 as a Beaux-Arts style three-star hotel.
Even Cheaper is the Hotel Peninsular on Rua Sa da Bandeira 21 in the Aliados district. Tel. 222 003 012/014. 38 Euro for a double (2002).
Staying Nearby in Nova de Gaia
Staying in Vila Nova de Gaia is an option, although not an altogether satisfying one. While you'll be closer to the port houses, they're mostly below the level of the main town, and hiking there for dinner can put quit a strain on your legs. There are some large, full service hotels here where you can stay quite cheaply, as this page points out.
A great place to eat in Vila Nova de Gaia is found at the Taylor Port works, where you'll find Restaurnate Barao Fladgate (review). Great food, wine, and view for around $50 a couple with a good wine.
