The city of Porto is built on steep hills that surround the mouth of the Douro River on the west coast of Portugal. Steeped in history, Porto is an ideal year-round holiday destination for visitors seeking more than just sun and beaches. Porto has an amazing mix of neighbourhoods, although most Porto holidays are centered around the riverside neighborhood of Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The historic city of Porto offers a great variety of architecture, a 12th century cathedral, old churches, the Maria Pia bridge which was built by Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame in Paris) and once the longest arch bridge of the world, medieval alleys leading off steep cobbled streets, an old riverside neighborhood, waterside bars and cafes, shops, parks and gardens. When it comes to relaxing, Porto has many traditional taverns and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine, fish and seafood dishes along with some local vinho verde. Enjoy some shopping in the traditional shops of the city and in the covered market or take in the culture, including the museums, theaters and galleries of art, furniture and pottery.
Climb the baroque Torre dos Clerigos for stunning panoramic views of the old city and a photo opportunity not to be missed. Visitors climb 240 steps to the top of this iconic site! A vacation in Porto isn’t complete without a stroll over the Dom Luis double-decker bridge to the suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you’ll find the famous Port wine lodges on one shore and the Ribeira on the other. Here, in the port accommodations, you can taste ports from the three sub-zones of the Douro Valley, the first demarcated wine region in the world. You can also shop at famous wineries like Sandeman and Taylor’s, which produce the fortified wine (port) named after the famous city of Porto.
Families will love exploring the maze of narrow alleys lined with brightly colored houses with white and blue tiled facades and flower-bedecked balconies. There are many interesting excursions available on your cheap Porto vacation, including those to coastal towns, small fishing villages, small towns and villages where you can explore ancient monasteries, churches, castles, forts and bridges. A great day out for the whole family is a Douro River cruise, winding through the picturesque Douro Valley against a stunning backdrop of terraced vineyards and quaint villages. Guimares is a World Heritage Site, where you can see beautiful medieval, Gothic, Roman and Baroque architecture.
A holiday in Portugal would not be complete without a day or two at the beach. The most popular seaside resorts near Porto are the Atlantic seaside resorts of Foz, Vila Cha, Povoa de Varzim, Santo Tirso and Cabadelo to the north and Esmoriz, Espinho (a long golden beach with a casino) and Cortegaca (excellent for surfing) to the south. .
Nightlife is mainly centered around the old waterfront area of Cais da Ribeira, the student bars of Cordoaria and also the trendier bars, clubs, Art Deco cafes and chic restaurants.
Porto enjoys long, hot summers with almost uninterrupted sunshine between June and September. Spring and Autumn are warm with plenty of sunshine and an ideal time to cruise down the Douro River and explore the many historic sites Porto has to offer.
