Travel Portland

Surrounded by natural beauty, Portland offers visitors eclectic arts, music, culinary and outdoor experiences, set against the majestic backdrop of Mt. Hood. With its thriving maker community, DIY drive and passion for sustainability, Portland’s urban buzz is waiting to be explored through every season.

A culinary capital of the US, Portland’s foodie scene is second to none, from award-winning restaurants to artisan coffee and craft beer and the world’s first vegan mini mall. The city is home to year-round food and drink festivals, including Feast Portland, the Portland Craft Beer Festival and I Love Gamay. A great way to explore Portland’s culinary offerings is to embark on a food and drink tour - on two wheels or walking - visiting food carts, microbreweries, urban wineries, cafés and, of course, doughnut shops.  

With more than 200 parks and gardens in the city offering hiking, running and biking trails, Portland is a must for outdoor enthusiasts. Also known as the City of Roses, you’ll find attractions such as the Portland International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden and Oregon Zoo in Washington Park just steps from downtown.

The city’s vibrant neighbourhoods each have a unique flavour and a host of independent eateries, bars and cafes. You’ll find contemporary art galleries in the Pearl District, independent boutiques and international chains in Nob Hill and whimsical street art in the Alberta Arts District. Hawthorne’s indie spirit is reflected in its vintage stores and the whimsical Bagdad Theatre and Pub. (Note to shoppers: there’s no sales tax in Oregon!)

Iconic attractions can be found throughout the city. Music venues such as the Doug Fir Lounge, Aladdin Theater and Mississippi Studios have seen many young bands rise to fame. Downtown, don’t miss Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest new and used bookstore that spans three floors and an entire city block, and the Portland Farmers Market where you’ll find local bounty from the region’s independent farms and food producers all year ‘round.

Getting into and around the city is easy with the MAX Light Rail system running from the airport to downtown and beyond for $2.50. Downtown is completely walkable and bike-friendly with a cycle-sharing scheme. Delta Air Lines serves Portland with a daily direct flight from Heathrow from May to October. Icelandair offers seasonal service from Glasgow, London and Manchester to Portland via Reykjavik from April to October.