Porto is full of surprises and best of all it's one of the cheapest cities in Western Europe. As it’s nothing like as popular with tourists as Lisbon, Portugal’s second city makes for a relaxed city break destination.
Steeped in history, Porto was once thought of as the edge of the world (well, in medieval times) and more recently has been an important industrial port. Nowadays the old docks have been reclaimed, totally renovated and the buildings painted in picture perfect pastel colours. With old the boats moored on the river Douro and the bridges arching gracefully over the harbour, it is easy to see why Cais da Ribeira, as it is named, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Congregados Church and the Sanctuary of Sameiro in the background - Braga, photo by Região de Turismo Verde Minho
Blessed with a dramatic location it sits on the River Douro, whilst the city’s historic district climbs the steep north bank of the river and is made up of busy, winding alleys and balconied houses and taverns – the perfect place to glimpse the real Portugal.
If visiting the city’s many Cathedrals isn’t your thing (The Gothic-Baroque church of São Francisco is a must-see for its richly gilded rococo interior), be brave and climb the giant steel bridge Ponte de Dom Luis I, over the south bank to Vila Nova de Gaia where you can do some port tasting at some of the countries finest producers.
Alternatively, take a boat cruise up the Douro to get an eyeful of some of the splendid countryside, or experience some nostalgia on an old-fashioned tram ride to Foz, where the River Douro meets the Atlantic Ocean. Or visit the great churches and monum.
Porto is also the perfect size for exploring on foot – just take a map and have a wander; you never know what you’ll find…
ATOP members: Castaways Unicorn Holidays, Destination Portugal, Keytel International, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, Sunvil Discovery
