Tiles, Bridges and the Douro Waterfront
Porto is a city in northern Portugal on the River Douro, close to the Atlantic, known for its steep historic centre, azulejo-tiled churches, the Dom Luís I bridge and the port wine that takes its name from the city. The Historic Centre of Porto, with the Luiz I Bridge and the Monastery of Serra do Pilar, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The setting is theatrical: pastel houses stack up the hillside from the Ribeira quay, and boats with barrels of port once drifted down the river to the lodges opposite.
Landmarks reward unhurried walking. São Bento railway station's entrance hall is lined with thousands of blue-and-white tile panels depicting Portuguese history, the Clérigos Tower gives a wide view over the roofs, and the Palácio da Bolsa dazzles with its Arab Room. Livraria Lello is one of the world's best-known bookshops, and the Sé, the cathedral, looks out over the river from its hilltop. Porto's character is also its warmth: small cafés, family-run shops and a famously friendly welcome.
Port Lodges, Francesinha and the Douro Valley
Across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, the historic port wine lodges offer tours and tastings, with the cellars of famous houses lining the quay. The Douro Valley, a wine landscape of terraced vineyards inscribed by UNESCO in 2001, lies a short journey upriver by train, road or river cruise, and makes one of Europe's loveliest day trips. Back in the city, the Foz do Douro district gives sea air and promenades, and the Serralves museum and Casa da Música bring modern design to the mix.
The food is hearty and proud. Francesinha, a toasted sandwich layered with meats and covered in a rich sauce, is the city's famous dish, tripas à moda do Porto a traditional stew, and bacalhau and fresh seafood are on every menu, followed by pastéis de nata. On the night of 23 June, the São João festival fills the streets with music, grilled sardines and the playful tradition of tapping passers-by with plastic hammers. A tourist board can use this living culture to attract short-break visitors.
Read the full Porto guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitPorto.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.