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Porto, Portugal’s second city, has become a leading destination for travelers seeking culture and adventure. It’s a place where history and modernity coalesce, leaving visitors enchanted. Here are some compelling reasons to visit this remarkable city.
Portugal’s captivating northern city, Porto, has its share of five-star hotels and Michelin-listed restaurants. However, it also offers good-value B&Bs and family-runtabernaswhere you can feast on Portuguese classics without draining your bank account. In fact, travel here can be surprisingly affordable, even during the high season.
Porto is a tough place to leave, with fascinating cobblestone districts, vibrant nightlife, and a wealth of great restaurants. However, there’s a whole world of intrigue just beyond the city.
Lisbon’s northern rival, Porto is a dynamic riverside city known for its medieval lanes, sun-dappled plazas, and breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the Douro River. This vibrant city showcases a passion for fine art, football, and wine, making it a perfect destination for culture enthusiasts.
Porto has been a captivating destination for centuries. Nestled between the Douro River and the coast, this ancient city in northern Portugal is known for its stunningmiradouros(viewpoints), medieval architecture, and Unesco-listed historic center. Moreover, it offers a wealth of cultural, culinary, and nightlife experiences waiting to be explored.
Hills, bridges, and the glittering expanse of the Douro River are all part of the scenic but sometimes challenging backdrop of Porto. Luckily, the city boasts an excellent transportation network for getting around, featuring a speedy metro system, charming trams, along with buses, taxis, and even a funicular for good measure.
A city of medieval lanes, hilltop neighborhoods, and wine lodges along the Douro, Porto isn’t well known for its beaches. However, if you zoom out from the historic center, you’ll find craggy wave-kissed shores, dramatic coastal promenades, and wide expanses of inviting golden sands.
One of Portugal’s most captivating cities, Porto can be surprisingly affordable to visit. You’ll find good-value lodging, inexpensive public transport, and plenty of budget-friendly places to eat and drink. Porto also offers a myriad of enriching activities you can enjoy without spending any money at all, from taking breezy walks along the seaside to watching the sunset from a charming hilltop garden.
When researching a trip to Porto, you’ll likely have a checklist of must-see attractions: Livraria Lello, the Café Majestic, and Palácio da Bolsa, to name a few. While each of these attractions holds merit, the true heartbeat of Porto is more palpable away from the holiday crowds. Its character seeps from the history-soaked buildings, echoing the highs and lows played out over centuries.
At first glance, Porto’s appeal may be in its old-school character, but interspersed between the city’s timeworn buildings is a scattering of hip and happening bars. These watering holes serve everything from Porto’s namesake drink, port, to specialty beers and cocktails, making them ideal spots to unwind after a day in the city.
Don’t let Porto’s architecture fool you. At face value, its slender buildings appear to house little more than pokey apartments or hole-in-the-wall cafés, yet many doors are rabbit holes leading to spacious living quarters (perhaps with a veggie patch and chickens out back) or modern dining spots harboring chilled-out terraces.
The warmth of Portuguese people prompted GoTravelDailyLocalEmily McAuliffe to plant roots in Porto in 2016. In search of culture and adventure, she found a city that wore its heart on its sleeve and elegantly showcased centuries’ worth of history and tradition along compact streets.
Visit Isola del Giglio, an idyllic Italian island just one hour from the mainland, for snorkeling, boating, hiking, and more.
There are so many fantastic and amazing things to see in Porto. I’d even go as far as saying it’s one underrated Portuguese gem.
As one of Portugal’s favorite northern cities, Porto is brimming with history and culture, and it is home to arguably one of the greatest sandwiches on earth. Moreover, this vibrant city is perfect for those looking to explore all the best things to see and do in one perfect day.
Imagine stepping into Livraria Lello in Porto, where every nook and cranny tells a story with its Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau vibes. Straight ahead is an incredible staircase that winds like the neck of a dragon and a stained-glass ceiling that could rival the beauty of a Gothic church. We just returned from Porto, fresh off a visit to the Livraria Lello, and we want to share our tips on getting in, purchasing tickets, and having the best experience at this beautiful bookstore.
Home to port wine, the city of Porto offers plenty to do in a picturesque setting by the Douro river. Take a walk along the historic riverfront while admiring views of Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto’s neighbor across the river. Dine on seafood or Porto’s gluttonous sandwich, the Francesinha, and see Portugal’s famous tiles,azulejos, while appreciating the churches scattered throughout the city.
Porto has come a long way since our first visit in 2013. It no longer stands in the shadow of its capital, Lisbon, and now attracts visitors from around the world to take in its views over the Duoro River, sample its outstanding port wine, and explore its Historic Center. A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, Porto is one of the best cities to visit in Portugal. If you are looking for things to do in Porto, look no further. This article outlines the top attractions, tips, and tours when visiting Porto in 2024.
Having visited Porto three times, we clearly love this beautiful city in Portugal. It truly is one of our favorite places in Europe. A lot of people pop into Porto for just a day, be it before their Douro Valley River Cruise or on a day trip on their Portuguese adventure. Because this city is so compact, Porto is very walkable, making it easy to see many of its top attractions in just one day.
Vila Nova de Gaia is located just across the Douro River from Porto (Oporto). This area is the true home of Port Wine, featuring lodges from historic port wine producers lined along the “Ribeira,” presenting their caves, aging tanks, and tasting rooms. Notice how the rooftops of lodges are adorned with English names while humble lodges belonging to local producers can often be found nestled in the lower slopes.