Porto

About Porto

Porto climbs steeply from the Douro, all tiled façades and laundry-hung balconies. Wander down through Ribeira to the river, cross the top deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge, and taste port in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia. São Bento station's blue-and-white azulejos are worth a detour, as is the restored Mercado do Bolhão. Eat a francesinha at least once, browse the shops of Rua das Flores, and finish at Foz do Douro where the river meets the Atlantic.

Best time: April–June, September–October

Highlights