Porto

Strategically settled alongside the hillside landscape that overlooks the Douro River, Porto has undergone continuous, steady growth as an important port city for over 2,000 years. During the Middle Ages, Porto became a center for shipbuilding, while many famous explorers embarked on expeditions from Porto to Africa and initiated the Portuguese Age of Discovery. The favorable seafront location along the Atlantic Ocean has made Porto a crucial economic center of trade with its world-famous port wine one of its hottest exports since the 18th century. While Lisbon may have the upper hand when it comes to economic and political power, Porto comes in as an unbeatable charismatic and cultural destination.

From the sinuous cobblestone streets that make up the ancient Ribeira district to the grand plazas of the Avenida dos Aliados, Porto is a dynamic city bubbling with lively culture and inspiring architecture. The eclectic mix of buildings range from Romanesque cathedrals to the stock exchange that is built in a Neoclassical style to the Manueline-inspired Church of Santa Clara. Constructed in the late 19th century, the magnificent Dom Luís I Bridge leads over the Douro River to join Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Across the bridge you’ll find the wonderful the 16th century Monastery of Serra do Pilar that once belonged to the Order of Saint Augustine and provides unequalled views of Porto. The architectural landscape of Porto is a living ensemble of thousands of years of human development, societal evolution and artistic achievement.

For foodies, it doesn’t get much better than Porto. The banks of the Douro River are famously lined with wonderful villas and countryside wineries that bear the world-renowned Port Wine, while the contemporary scene is filled with some of the best fusion chefs in Europe. If you plan to visit during the summer, the date to mark on your calendar is June 23 where the São João celebrations and a spectacular display of fireworks takes place at night.