HOTEL AND TRAVEL

TRAVEL

Venue

Centro de Congressos da Alfândega do Porto

RUA NOVA DA ALFÂNDEGA
EDIFÍCIO DA ALFÂNDEGA
4050-430 PORTO

T: +351 223 403 000/24
E: geral@ccalfandegaporto.com
ccalfandegaporto.com

Located along the banks of the Douro River in the historic centre of Porto, the Alfândega Porto Congress Centre is one of the city’s most distinctive event venues. The impressive neoclassical building was originally constructed in the 19th century as Porto’s customs house, supporting the city’s important maritime trade.

Today, after a careful restoration that preserved its historic architecture, the Alfândega has been transformed into a modern congress and exhibition centre. With spacious halls, flexible meeting rooms and beautiful riverside views, it provides a unique setting where Porto’s rich heritage meets contemporary event facilities.

Directions to the Alfândega Congress Center: MAP

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Discover Porto

Throughout the Congress, you will also have the opportunity to experience Porto at its finest. Located along the banks of the Douro River, Porto is one of Europe’s most charming and historic cities. Known for its colorful riverside houses, iconic bridges, and world-famous Port wine, the city combines centuries-old traditions with a vibrant contemporary culture.

Porto offers visitors an exciting mix of experiences, from historic landmarks and museums to lively cafés, restaurants, and wine cellars. Wander through the narrow streets of the UNESCO-listed historic centre, admire the azulejo tiles of São Bento Station, visit the famous Livraria Lello bookstore, or enjoy panoramic views from the Clérigos Tower. The city’s culinary scene is equally impressive, featuring traditional Portuguese cuisine, fresh seafood, and a thriving food and wine culture. Porto’s welcoming atmosphere and relaxed pace make it an ideal destination to explore before or after the congress.

For more information on things to do in Porto, please visit: https://visitporto.travel/

Official tourism website for Porto: https://www.introducingporto.com/

Guide to Porto and travel inspirations: https://www.introducingporto.com/

Walking tours in Porto: https://www.officialtoursporto.com.pt/english/

Local walking and food tours in the city: https://aroundporto.com/

Tours, cruices and experiences in Porto: https://www.portotourist.com/

Discover Northern Portugal

Porto is also the perfect gateway to explore the beautiful landscapes of Northern Portugal. Within a short distance from the city you can visit the breathtaking Douro Valley, famous for its terraced vineyards and wine estates, enjoy the Atlantic beaches around Foz do Douro and Matosinhos, or explore historic towns such as Braga and Guimarães.

Porto & Northern Portugal tourism: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/porto-and-north

Ideas and attractions around Porto: https://visitporto.travel/en-GB/experiences

Douro Valley tours and experiences: https://www.portotourist.com/douro-valley

Discover Portugal

For our international visitors, we encourage you to stay a little longer and discover more of Portugal’s diverse landscapes and cultural treasures. From the historic streets of Lisbon to the golden beaches of the Algarve, Portugal offers a wide variety of unforgettable experiences, world-class cuisine, and warm hospitality.

Discover more about Portugal and plan your extended visit here:

Official Portugal tourism website: https://www.visitportugal.com

Tours and travel ideas across Portugal: https://www.portugal.net

Visa application/ invitation letter

Upon request, the Chairpersons of the Congress will be pleased to send a personal Letter of Invitation to assist participants in obtaining supporting funds or a visa to attend the Congress. Please note that a Letter of Invitation does not constitute a commitment by the Congress organizers to provide any financial support.

Requests for invitation letters must be made during the online registration process.

Visa Requirements

More information

Portugal is a member of the European Union and part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of many countries may enter Portugal without a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period) for purposes such as tourism, business meetings, or conference attendance.

Participants who are not eligible for visa-free travel must apply for a Short-Stay Schengen Visa (Type C) before traveling. This visa allows visitors to stay in Portugal and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Applications should be submitted to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate (or its authorized visa center) in the applicant’s country of residence. In most cases, visa applications can be submitted between six months and 15 days before the planned travel date.

Travellers’ passports should generally:

Be valid for at least three months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen Area
Have been issued within the last 10 years
Contain at least two blank pages for visa stamps.

Additional documentation may be requested by the consulate or border authorities, including proof of accommodation, return travel tickets, travel medical insurance, and proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of the stay.

Participants are strongly advised to check the specific visa requirements applicable to their nationality well in advance and to apply for a visa as early as possible.

For detailed information and application procedures, please consult the official Portuguese visa website:
https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en

General information on Schengen visas for Portugal:
https://www2.gov.pt/en-GB/servicos/pedir-um-visto-schengen-de-curta-duracao

Important Notes

The Congress organizers can only provide an invitation letter to support a visa application and can only be issued after payment of the congress fees.
The organizers cannot guarantee that a visa will be granted and cannot intervene with embassies or consulates regarding visa decisions.
All visa application costs and arrangements are the responsibility of the participant.

How to get there

Getting to Alfândega do Porto by Car

If you’re being dropped off at Alfândega do Porto, the main entrance at Rua de Entreparedes is the closest. If you’re driving, there are several convenient nearby car parks:

Estacionamento Alfândega – directly beneath the venue
Estacionamento da Ribeira – a 5-minute walk along the Douro River
Mercado Ferreira Borges Car Park – a short walk from Alfândega

If you prefer secure underground parking onsite, the Alfândega do Porto underground garage offers flexible rates. It is recommended to book in advance to guarantee a spot.

Open map

Getting to Alfândega do Porto by Metro/Train

The closest metro station is São Bento (Blue and Yellow Lines). From the station, it is roughly a 10-minute walk through the historic city center to Alfândega.

For train travel from other cities, the Campanhã Station connects directly to Porto’s metro network, allowing easy access to the city center.

For timetables or trip planning, use the Metro do Porto Journey Planner: https://www.metrodoporto.pt/en

Getting to Alfândega do Porto by Bus

Several bus routes stop near Alfândega do Porto, including:

Bus 500 – connects Trindade Station to Ribeira
Bus 200 – central city route passing nearby

For bus timetables or trip planning, use the STCP (Porto Public Transport) Journey Planner:
https://www.stcp.pt/en

Getting to Alfândega do Porto by Taxi or Ride‑Share

Ask your taxi or Uber driver to drop you off at the main entrance at Rua de Entreparedes, right by the Douro River.

Nearby taxi ranks:

Ribeira – along the waterfront
Praça da Batalha – central city location

Getting to Alfândega do Porto from the Airport

Porto Airport (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport) is about 11 km from the city center. Options include:

Taxi or Uber – available outside arrivals, approximately 20–25 minutes to Alfândega.
Metro – take Line E (Purple Line) from the airport to Trindade Station, then walk (~15 minutes) along Rua das Flores and Rua de Entreparedes to Alfândega.
Airport Shuttle / Bus – Line 601 connects the airport to Praça da Liberdade, from where Alfândega is a short taxi or walking distance.

HOTELS

The hotels below have been selected for their proximity to the Congress venue and you are encouraged to secure your accommodation through the below links to ensure that you receive the negotiated competitive rates.

These rooms will be held up until 30 days prior to the arrival of the group, or until all rooms have been exhausted.

All prices are in euro.

Pestana Vintage Porto

Praza Da Ribeira No 1, Oporto, 4050-513, Portugal
Map: 12 min walk to Conference

Single room: € 170/night

Double room: € 185/night

City tax: € 3/night

Check-in: 3:00 pm
Check-out: 12:00 pm

Booking website: https://www.pestana.com/en/hotel/pestana-porto

Promotion code to use: LBP2026

Cancellation Policy:

Cancellations received before 48 hours from date of arrival, the 1st night of stay will be charged.
Cancellations received less than 48 hours from date of arrival or non arrival at the hotel (no shows) will be charged a cancellation fee equal to the entire length of stay.