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Porto, Portugal
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is a World Heritage city and the commercial and industrial center for northern Portugal. It is world-famous for its port wine but also for a heritage that combines ancient churches, monuments, and stately bridges with modern architecture.
It was in Porto and the northern regions that Portugal was founded in the 12th century and the Portuguese became a people and a nation.
Bursting with charm and beautiful scenery, Porto lies along Portugal’s northwestern coastline, making it a picture-perfect destination. In the medieval Ribeira (riverside) district, narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and cafes. São Francisco Church is known for its lavish baroque interior with ornate gilded carvings. The palatial 19th-century Palácio de Bolsa, formerly a stock market, was built to impress potential European investors.
The city features a number of museums and architectural highlights, as well as unique shops and restaurants, nightlife, and family-friendly adventures. Located within a few minutes’ walk of the Hilton Porto-Gaia hotel is a new attraction in the area, WoW, or World of Wine. Opened in 2020, WoW pays homage to the region and shines a light on the most important Portuguese industries and traditions. It is an entire cultural district that includes seven museums, twelve restaurants, and a wine school. The Wine Experience is interactive and ends with a wine tasting. Also, quite popular is the chocolate museum.
The region is crossed by the River Douro which enters Portugal between the ravines and mountains of the interior to flow through the entire World Heritage landscape where the Port and Douro wines are produced. It is from here that the wine is sent to the wine caves at Vila Nova de Gaia, on the south bank of the Douro, where the Hilton Porto-Gaia hotel is located. One of the most beautiful views of the old city of Porto with its many seafood restaurants lining the banks of the Douro is from the cafes lining the river in Gaia…
Hilton Porto-Gaia Hotel
Address: R. de Serpa Pinto 124, 4400-307 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Phone: +351 22 244 9200
The Hilton Porto-Gaia hotel has a stunning and breathtaking location facing Porto UNESCO Heritage and the Douro River. It is a unique and contemporary hotel with 194 generous and spacious rooms with excellent Wi-Fi. The hotel has a pool, a spa and a fitness center. The chef oversees a menu that is both familiar as well as healthy and trendy. The hotel features an open concept restaurant and bar, and an exclusive panoramic bar on the top level with views across the Douro.
Recent Article
36 Hours in Porto (NY Times)
Transportation
Getting there from Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (Porto, Portugal)
Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is about 8 miles outside the city center and the airport offers service to destinations throughout Europe, as well as direct access to a number of public transportation options into Porto. The reliable, extensive network includes buses, trams, and light-rail options to shuttle passengers to the city’s major points of interest. Taxis are also readily available to bring conference participants to the Hilton Gaia Hotel.
Getting there from Humberto Delgado/ Lisbon Airport (Lisbon, Portugal)
Aeroporto Humberto Delgado, informally known as the Lisbon Airport, is located seven kilometers northeast of the historical city center of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
- High-speed train to Porto-Gaia:
From the Lisbon Airport, go to the METRO RED LINE and ride 2 stops to Lisboa Oriente Station
- Approximately 10-15 mins total.
- This is the most convenient rail connection for catching the high-speed train north.
- Oriente is the major long-distance rail station on the Lisbon side.
- Alternatively, take an Uber/ taxi to the Oriente station from Lisbon Airport.
At the Lisboa Oriente Station, board a CP Alfa Pendular train to Porto-Campanhã
- Typical journey: about 2h40 to 3h
- Book Alfa Pendular if you want the faster option
- Try to reserve in advance for better fares
- Disembark at the Campanhã station in Porto
From Porto Campanhã to Hilton Porto-Gaia there are two easy options:
- Uber/Taxi – approx. 10-15 minutes (best if you are arriving late)
- Take the local CP urban train to Vila Nova de Gaia-Devasas; get off a Devasas and take an Uber/ taxi to Hilton Porto-Gaia
- Take the local CP urban train to Vila Nova de Gaia-Devasas; get off a Devasas and walk to Hilton Porto-Gaia:
Walking Directions from Vila Nova de Gaia-Devasas to the Hotel Hilton Porto-Gaia.
- Rental Car.
Please be advised that parking is very expensive at Hilton Porto-Gaia and is not included in the conference fee. Contact the hotel directly for more information. - Bus
Taking a bus from Lisbon Airport to Porto is a direct, affordable option, with companies like Flixbus offering direct routs starting around €6- €19, taking approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.
Buses generally depart from Lisboa Oriente Station. Book tickets in advance on platforms like Flixbus or Rede Expressos.
From the Lisbon Airport, go to the METRO RED LINE and ride 2 stops to Lisboa Oriente Station
- Approximately 10-15 mins total.
- This is the most convenient rail connection for catching the high-speed train north.
- Oriente is the major long-distance rail station on the Lisbon side.
- Alternatively, take an Uber/ taxi to the Oriente station from Lisbon Airport.
At the Lisboa Oriente Station, locate the bus station. The bus will arrive at the Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã (TIC) in Porto.
- From the bus terminal, take an Uber/Taxi to the hotel (approx. 20 mins).
- Take the Metro (Line A, B, C, E, F) to São Bento Station and walk across the Dom Luis I Bridge to the hotel (approx. 40 mins).