Popular European city introduces new late night alcohol ban
And where to find the 'wine theme park' in one of Europe's cheapest cities
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A POPULAR European city has introduced an alcohol ban for both locals and tourists.
Porto has stopped the sale of alcohol from supermarkets, convenience stores, wine cellars, and souvenir shops for nearly 12 hours in the evening
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Porto has banned the sale of wine from supermarkets and off licences
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The new rules have come into affect from this week
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The ban is in place between the hours of 9pm and 8am.
The rules came into effect on June 25 as part of the new regulations for nightlife in the city.
These restrictions are not city-wide, but they do apply to the entirety of Porto's 'Containment Zone.'
This zone includes the downtown area, including Rua da Galeria de Paris, a street that's very famous for its nightlife and bars.
Terraces will have limited opening hours, although there are some flexible for some in popular nightlife areas.
Filipa Correia Pinto, councillor for Economic Activities, explained to that the changes are aimed at combating 'botellons'.
She added: 'What justifies this is our conviction that this phenomenon in several parts of the city is causing harm and having an impact on urban security', as reported by Portugal News.
The rules have been put in place to stop people congregating in public areas where they socialise while drinking alcohol.
Inspections will be stricter and the sanctions heavier, including the closure of establishments that don't comply with the new rules.
You can still drink during the later hours hours, but alcohol needs to be bought in cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs.
Porto's Finest: Wine, Culture, and Nightlife
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Porto has colourful houses and cobbled streets
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The city is coastal and has beautiful beaches too
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Porto is a coastal city in northwest Portugal known for its beaches, bridges and of course, port wine.
If you fancy a drink, most of the port wine cellars are over the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia.
The city has rambling old towns full of colourful buildings with cobbled streets and steep hills.
The Ribeira district has lots of architecture to admire with colourful houses and the Dom Luís I Bridge.
The Douro River is in the heart of the city and flows right around Porto.
On the river you can hop on scenic cruises, wine tasting tours, and outdoor adventures.
As for beaches, Praia de Matosinhos is a large sandy beach located in the town of Matosinhos, it has strong waves so is a popular spot for surfers.
Praia do Senhor da Pedra in Miramar is popular with locals for its calm atmosphere and golden sands.
The city's speciality is a francesinha, similar to a croque monsieur, it's filled with ham, sausage and steak, doused in melted cheese and hot tomato sauce.
You can get to Porto in just over two hours from the UK.
Here's more on Porto with the world's most beautiful bookshop and very famous 80p treats.
And where to find the 'wine theme park' in one of Europe's cheapest cities.
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