European Cities · Destination Guide
Porto
Portugal
Porto is one of those cities that people visit planning to stay two days and end up wishing they had booked a week. Stacked up along the steep banks of the Douro river, with its extraordinary tiled buildings, ancient wine cellars and genuinely warm people, Porto has a soul that is harder to find in more polished European destinations. It feels real in a way that really matters when you are travelling.
Porto is smaller than Lisbon, which makes it feel immediately manageable. But it packs an enormous amount into a relatively compact area.
The Ribeira, the riverside historic district and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the most atmospheric neighbourhood to stay in. The colourful townhouses, the waterfront terraces and the views across to the wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia are what most people picture when they think of Porto. Aliados, the central boulevard area, is well located and has some excellent hotels. The Bonfim neighbourhood to the east has become increasingly popular, with a more local feel and a brilliant selection of independent cafes and restaurants.
Cross the iconic Luis I Bridge on foot for extraordinary views over the Douro. The upper deck takes you to Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the great port wine lodges. A tour and tasting at Graham's or Taylor's is one of the great pleasures of visiting Porto, and the cellars themselves are fascinating. Back across the river, the extraordinary Livraria Lello bookshop is worth queuing for, with its theatrical Art Nouveau interior.
A boat trip along the Douro through the dramatic Douro Valley wine region is one of the best excursions in Portugal. The terraced vineyards, quintas and medieval villages make for an unforgettable day.
Porto is the best food city in Portugal. Francesinha, a gloriously indulgent meat and cheese sandwich in spiced tomato sauce, is the dish the city is most famous for. You have to try it.
Porto is a year-round destination. Spring and autumn offer the best weather with fewer tourists. The Sao Joao Festival in late June is one of the most joyful street festivals in Europe, with music, dancing and the peculiar tradition of hitting strangers with plastic hammers. Summer is warm and busy. Winter is mild and the city has a lovely, unhurried pace.
Direct flights from major UK airports year-round, with journey times of around two hours. Porto's airport is well connected to the city centre by metro.
Destination guides, travel tips and ideas. No spam, just the good stuff.
No spam ever. Unsubscribe any time.