Porto

Portugal·Europe

Currency

EUR

Language

Portuguese

Timezone

Lisbon

Continent

Europe

Our guide

Discover Porto

Porto is a vertical city set on the Douro, and you descend it more than you stroll it. São Bento station with its twenty thousand azulejos, the Lello bookshop, the cathedral and the Palácio da Bolsa all sit inside the listed historic centre. Across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia are the port lodges — the wine carries the city's name but ages on the opposite bank.

When to go

May to June, and September. Porto is wetter and cooler than Lisbon; the Atlantic makes itself felt all year. Winter is mild but grey and damp.

Getting around

The centre is walked, but prepare for the gradients — the city climbs and drops constantly. The metro links the airport to the centre for a few euros. The Dom Luís bridge crosses on two levels, and the upper one gives the best view of the city.

Where to eat

The francesinha — a melted-cheese sandwich drowned in beer sauce — is the local speciality, and it is exactly as excessive as it sounds. Douro cooking is plain and generous: salt cod, grilled fish, tripe Porto-style. Nearly all the Gaia lodges run tastings.

Good to know

Admission runs from 1 to 45 €, the lowest range of any of our destinations. The Lello bookshop charges entry, redeemable against a purchase. Only four halal addresses are listed.

Smart Planning