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Oceania Regatta
Dover-Barcelona Cruise

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ABOVE: The Regatta (left) is joined by the Costa Romantica in the port of Leixoes. Cunard's Caronia was also in port during our visit.

Port of Oporto (Leixões)

Continued from: Bordeaux shore excursions

Contrary to popular assumption, cruise ships that visit Oporto don't sail up the River Douro. They moor several miles north of the river mouth in the commercial port of Leixões, which is pronounced something like "Leh-shoys" (try for a nasal intonation).

Porto is easy to reach from the port: Simply walk across a short drawbridge into the business district of Matosinhos, where you'll immediately see the Sr. de Matosinhos Metro station. Buy a roundtrip ticket, hold it up to the circular sensor on the ticket reader, and board the next train for the 30-minute trip into Oporto.

Another transportation option, if your cruise line doesn't provide a shuttle, is public bus 76. Catch the bus at the shelter just outside the port entrance; the fare was € 1 during my visit.

Finally, a taxi between the port and central Porto shouldn't cost much more than € 10. If you can't find a taxi on the pier, walk across the bridge to Matosinhos and look for a cab or--better yet--ride the Metro.

For more information on the port and transportation, see:

Manorhouses.com: Leixões

Metro do Porto

Next page: Oporto shore excursions


Oceania Regatta
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Dover-Barcelona cruise: ports and sights

Dover Cádiz
Guernsey (St. Peter Port) Málaga
Bordeaux Palma de Mallorca
Oporto (Leixoes) Barcelona
Lisbon