Cheap flights to Porto from EUR30*

As locals will gladly tell you, “O Porto é uma nação” (“Porto is a nation”). And a rather eclectic one at that. Porto, also known as Oporto, the capital of Portugal’s industrial northern region, has been a buzzing commercial hub since the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. As busy as it is, the country’s second city certainly maintains a healthy work-life balance. Laid out on the hilly banks of the River Douro, Porto is hard on the feet but soothing to the soul and is an absolute treat to the senses. The wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia and the steep vineyard terraces of Douro Valley merit a trip on their own, while Ribeira, Porto’s medieval maze of a centre makes a dazzling addition to any Instagram feed. And Mercado do Bolhão, with its smells, noises and colours, reveals Porto’s very heart and character.

 

An explosive sensory experience set against dramatic landscapes

First inhabited by Celtic tribes around 300 BC, Porto serves up a generous dose of history with a glass of fortified wine. The city gained significant clout during the Roman occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, when its conquerors turned it into a key commercial port by the name of Portus Cale. The name later evolved into Portucale and eventually, Portugal. The city briefly fell under Moorish rule before becoming the focus of the Reconquista, and the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese Age of Discovery in the 15th century. Today’s Porto is no less action-packed – and people are starting to take notice. Thanks to its throbbing nightlife, thriving culinary scene and postcard-perfect setting, the city has topped the Best European Destinations list three times over the last decade.

 

Harry Potter and a bookshop to remember

Stretching along the Douro river right up to the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, Porto’s cityscape, culture and history have been sculpted by waves. Admire Porto's grandiose architecture, evidence of the incredible wealth the city has amassed from wine trade along the aptly named Rio Douro (River of Gold). Discover the UNESCO-listed triumvirate of the Historic Centre of Oporto, the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Monastery of Serra do Pilar. Stand in awe in front of the Neoclassical São João National Theatre and Palácio da Bolsa, and follow Portugal’s whirlwind of a history laid out across a 20,000-piece azulejo tilework on the walls of the São Bento Railway Station. Stopping by Livraria Lello at Praça de Lisboa is an absolute must. First opened in 1906, it’s one of the world’s oldest and most spellbinding bookshops. Quite literally, in fact: its Neo-Gothic, Art Nouveau and Art Deco interiors have allegedly been a huge source of inspiration for J. K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series. It’s also one of the few bookstores in the world that charge an entrance fee. On the plus side, it’s easily the best 5 euros ever spent and redeemable against your bookstore purchases. Porto has also contributed to Portugal’s contemporary cultural landscape. Ranking among the top 100 most visited museums worldwide, the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art displays over 4,000 artworks from the 1960s to the present day in a striking modernist building.

 

Porto food: an adventure in its own right

Meatlovers, buckle up: Porto’s signature sandwich, francesinha, is made with at least four types of meat, including wet-cured ham, linguiça, fresh sausage and steak or roast meat. Oh, and it’s drowned in melted cheese. Plus a thick tomato and beer sauce. On a bed of french fries. Hungry yet? Rise to this culinary challenge at Lado B Café that serves what they modestly call ‘The Best Francesinha in the World’. The story of Tripas à Moda do Porto, the city’s all-round signature dish is just as exciting as its flavour combo of tripe, pigs’ feet, sausages, white beans and rice. Legend says that as Henry the Navigator was preparing for the conquest of Ceuta, he asked the people of Porto to stock his ships. They made such a generous donation that all they were left with was tripe – and a recipe for the ages. And then there’s the wine, of course. Believe us, the best way to taste Porto wine is to make a full road trip — or river cruise — out of it. The emerald green hillsides and endless wine terraces of the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley make for an unforgettable backdrop to your wine tasting. Follow any of the myriad wine trails and get to know your rubies and tawnies.

 

The fancy, the indie and the noisy

If there’s still some space left in your luggage next to the bottles of Port, hit Rua Santa Catarina, Porto’s busiest shopping artery. Looking beyond your usual retail brands? Drop by Coração Alecrim. “Green, indie and vintage” is the name of the game in this Cedofeita-native store that proudly stocks sustainable, ethically sourced and locally made goodies. Hit pause on your shopping spree at Porto’s legendary Café Majestic. It more than lives up to its name: once a melting pot of local socialites, bohemians and intelligentsia, the lavish café still retains the charm and character of La Bellé Époque. Porto’s after-dark action congregates in the city centre. Jam-packed with cafés, restaurants, pubs and clubs, it’s a perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink or a full-on pub crawl – and everything in between.

 

Mild weather, wild waters

Porto is an excellent base for exploring Portugal’s Região do Norte, home to some of the most breathtaking sites of the country. Visit Braga, Portugal’s third-largest urban hub and religious centre, and the region’s most famous landmark and pilgrimage site, Bom Jesus do Monte, just outside the city. Viana do Castelo, sitting right where Rio Lima flows into the Atlantic Ocean, is part charming beach town, part medieval treasure trove. Marvel at the Byzantine structure of the city’s iconic Templo-Monumento de Santa Luzi, and watch or ride the monstrous breaking waves at Praia Norte. For hiking enthusiasts with a liking for medieval history, Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês is definitely a must-visit. Stretching over almost 73,000 hectares in the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga and Vila Real, Portugal’s only national park is home to undisturbed wildlife, rugged scenery and rumbling waterfalls.

 

Porto airport

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, or simply Porto Airport, is situated 14 kilometres to the north of the city. Line E of Porto Metro connects the airport to the city centre, running every 20-30 minutes. Buses operated by Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP), GetBUS shuttles, as well as taxi and car rental services are also available.

 

Porto weather

Porto and its greater surroundings have a cooler and wetter climate than the rest of Portugal. High season starts in early May and lasts until the waning days of October, with most tourists flocking to the city from June to August. Mild spring and autumn days make Porto a perfect destination for quick pre- or post-summer getaways, too.