Porto Holidays

Porto – northern Portugal’s biggest city – has been in the shadow of the country’s headline acts for some time. Fast-paced Lisbon and the beach-dominated Algarve have long hogged the holiday limelight, while Porto ticks along on the periphery. But avoiding the spotlight is exactly what makes this place so special – tradition still reigns supreme all over the city, and even the modern additions tastefully blend in. So when you visit, you can expect to get in line with how the locals live, rather than tap in to a just-for-tourists experience.

Tradition is a big thing in Porto – even the most modern parts of the city keep a close tie to their roots. You’ll see wine cellars that have been around for centuries in the Ribeira and Gaia areas, with terraces that nudge up against the Douro River. Look up, and you’ll see the arches of the mighty Dom Luís I Bridge, which has fast become one of the city’s signature sights. And when you’re roaming around the cobbled lanes of the old town, you’ll see everything from fast food restaurants designed like glitzy ballrooms to authentic cafés serving fully loaded francesinha sandwiches.

Grand Gothic architecture is a staple if you mosey along the Avenida dos Aliados, where spires, statues and ornate stonework crop up everywhere. The views from the Baroque Clerigos Tower – which has been around since the 1700s – span far and wide, and the ramparts of Porto Cathedral make it look like a castle crossed with a church. Even the city’s main train station is something to behold – it’s one of the best places to see iconic Azulejo tiles, which conjure up huge frescoes in every shade of blue imaginable. Keen readers, meanwhile, make a beeline for the Livraria Lello bookstore – its carved wooden interiors are said to have inspired the appearance of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter universe.

Despite being best-known for its urban credentials, Porto’s also got some beach credibility to boast about. The city’s parked on the coast, and there are loads of pockets of sand that are ideal for sunbathing. Praia do Carneiro beach, near the mouth of the Douro River, carries on the traditional theme – there’s an old lighthouse just off the shore, and the seafront’s backed by a 16th-century fortress. And if you fancy some more time on the water, there are boat trips that take you beneath seven bridges that span the Douro River around Porto.