Porto-Leixoes (Oporto, Portugal)

Leixoes is one of Portugal's largest seaports. The port is man-made (on Europe's Atlantic coast) and located approx 4 km (2,5 mi) north of the mouth of Douro River (close to Oporto / Porto City). Leixoes is Oporto's seaport as a sandbar prevents the city to have its own deepwater harbor waterway.

Following the COVID crisis, in 2022, Port Leixoes (locode PTLEI) had a record year for cruise shipping. A total of 112 ship calls (108,626 passengers) were handled at Porto Cruise Terminal's two facilities. For comparison, in 2019 were handled 101 ship calls. The cruise port's total gross tonnage/ship volumes in 2022 also recorded (6+ million GT tons, or +56% over 2019 and +33% over 2018). Of the 2022's 112 cruise ship calls, 22 were maiden (first-time visits) and 6 were turnarounds/roundtrips.

In 2023, the Port had booked 138 cruise ship berthings (eventually received 116) and expected ~180,000 passengers (eventually handled 148,889). Of all cruise calls, 14 were maiden and 4 were roundtrips. The passenger numbers showed a 37% growth (over 2022) and +27% (over 2018/the Port’s previous record year). Most cruise tourists were from the UK (44%), followed by the USA (23%), Germany (18%), Canada (5%), and Australia (~2%).

Oporto is Portugal's second-largest city (after the capital Lisbon, which is also the country's principal port) and one of Iberia's largest urban areas.  The city is located on the banks of Douro River, in the Costa Verde area - rich in history, ancient monuments, vast beaches and pine forests. The city has total area 41 km2 (16 mi2) and population around 240,000 (urban ~1,3 million, metro ~1,8 million).

From Port Leixoes, cruise ship tourists can visit Costa Verde and Braga (country's religious capital) to see the cathedral and Bom Jesus do Monte Sanctuary. Another popular attraction is Guimeres - ancient capital and birthplace of Portugal's first king (Afonso I The Conqueror, 1106-1185, reign 1128-1139).

Main sights in Oporto include the 12th-century cathedral, art museum containing some of the finest masterpieces in Portugal, Saint Francis Church, with interior covered in 18th-century carvings, and Stock Exchange with impressive Moorish hall. Visitors should try a visit inland to Costa Verde's heart to see the historic Braga and shrine of Bom Jesus. Guimeres, the ancient capital and birthplace of Portugal's first king is also worth a visit.

The history of Oporto (fka Portucale) dates as far back as the 8th century BC. During the 11th century, it was presented to Henri of Burgundy as dowry of Princes Teresa. Later renamed Porto, the town became a base of Portugal's shipping fleet, resulting in its maritime and wealth power.

Home of the famous Port wine and second largest city in Portugal, Oporto is situated on the banks of Douro River and lies in Costa Verde, an area steeped in history and ancient monuments with vast golden beaches and pine forests. Main sights include the 12th-century cathedral, art museum containing some of the finest masterpieces in Portugal, Saint Francis Church, with interior covered in 18th-century carvings, and Stock Exchange with impressive Moorish hall. Visitors should try a visit inland to Costa Verde's heart to see the historic Braga and shrine of Bom Jesus. Guimeres, the ancient capital and birthplace of Portugal's first king is also worth a visit.

The history of Oporto, known formerly as Portucale, dates as far back as the 8th century BC. During the 11th century it was presented to Henri of Burgundy as dowry of Princes Teresa. Later renamed Oporto, the town became a base of Portugal's shipping fleet, resulting in its maritime and wealth power.

On May 24, 2017, here was hosted the "Porto and Douro Cruise Forum" event. It brought together national and international cruise shipping industry professionals, travel agencies, auxiliary industries representatives, tour operators, as well as hotel-, restaurant- and shop owners which all benefit from Douro River cruise ship tourism.. The event was organised by "Cruises News Media Group".

For the 1st half of 2017, Port Leixoes reported a record 29% increase in cruise ship visits and 64% in cruise passengers over 2016. Between January and June 2017, the cruise port handled a total of 45 vessels (including 6 maiden calls) and 40,917 passengers. The majority of tourists were from Germany, UK, USA and Japan.

Porto-Leixoes cruise terminal