Portugal’s Carnation Revolution: 50 Years of Freedom
The Carnation Revolution, also known as the Portuguese Revolution of 1974, marked a pivotal moment in Portugal’s history, signaling the end of the authoritarian Estado Novo regime and the dawn of a new era of democracy. On April 25th, 1974, the country witnessed a peaceful military coup led by the Armed Forces Movement (MFA), initiating…
Best Ways to Get Around in Porto
The city of Porto, also known as the “Cidade Invicta,” is not only an economic and cultural center but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its well-preserved historic center and significant contributions to Portugal’s history and cultural heritage. Widely recognized for its historical and architectural heritage, narrow medieval streets, and iconic landmarks such…
The Best Free Experiences in Porto
Let’s get to know this city a bit more, and what better way than to travel back in time, from its centuries-old history to modern times? To understand the city’s history over these centuries, there’s nothing better than to visit its churches. To fully grasp this scope, there are more than 180 churches scattered throughout…
What to Do on a Rainy Day in Porto
The city of Porto, increasingly known and promoted worldwide, invites visitors to explore its cultural activities regardless of the season. Even on rainy days, there are numerous options to enjoy the city’s offerings, from gastronomic experiences to cultural activities and various transportation modes. With the advantage of its compact size, Porto facilitates easy movement between…
Wine & Travel Week and Essência do Vinho
Since the 19th century, Oporto has become a dynamic hub, as well as an important wine exporter, due to its long history of producing wine from the countless valleys that make up the Douro River region. What we know today as the Alto Douro Wine Region is a landscape representing the vast Douro Demarcated Region,…
Unlock the Essence of Porto with Cooltour Oporto’s APP
Everything you need to know in one Place! Known as the Cidade Invicta (Unvanquished City), Porto has earned prestigious awards, including Best European Destination in 2014 and, in 2022, Best City Destination in the World and City of the Year at the Food and Travel Reader Awards. These accolades reflect the city’s unique allure, annually…
Portuguese Azulejos: Porto’s Tile Treasures
Portugal is widely recognized today for its gastronomy, climate, hospitality, culture, and its commitment to preserving its history and traditions. One unique way the Portuguese celebrate these is through the art of the famous ceramic tiles, known as “azulejos” in Portuguese. Portuguese ceramics represent a strong expression of cultural heritage and stand as a unique…
Visit Braga
Discovering the best of northern Portugal involves visiting the beautiful bimillennial city of Braga, where the history of the distant past intersects with modern history and religion with tradition. Concerning infrastructure, Braga is the third city in Portugal, immediately after Lisbon and Porto. However, Braga is the oldest Portuguese city, with the most gardens and…
Visit Guimarães
Touring the North of Portugal will never be complete without visiting one of the most historic Portuguese cities, Guimarães, near Porto and Braga. Feel the fascination and absorb a millennium of history in the city’s path, whose roots stretch back to the Copper Age, between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age (c. 5000-c. 1000 BC)….
D. Afonso Henriques
Visiting Portugal is getting to know millennia of history and culture, but visiting Guimarães is getting to know part of the Portuguese DNA. Just 50 km from Porto, Guimarães offers historic streets, monuments, religious architecture, old manor houses, palaces and museums. The name Portucale derives from the Latin, which means Portus (port) and Cale (beautiful),…