The 2nd city of Portugal and the world centre for Port production, Porto occupies a dramatic location on the steep terraces over the Douro River. The riverside quays throng with activity, as are the atmospheric, tiled city streets and squares. Bridges span the river throughout Porto, offering great access points and superb vistas.
Porto is also a coastal city and its northern beaches are a magnet for locals during the summer months. Behind the golden sands are concert venues, artworks and some seriously good fish restaurants in the newly gentrified industrial northwest suburbs.
Few cities in Europe have the physical drama of Porto. To the south of the city, there is the Douro River, which effectively separates Porto and the Porto Metropolitan district of Vila Nova de Gaia. For the visitor, this represents an administrative boundary rather than anything noticeable. Porto descends towards the Douro River on steep terraces, offering dramatic views over the river and vantage points with views to the east and west of the city.
The Quayside area of Porto is fascinating, with entertainment, bars, and restaurants, while the bridges offer stunning/precipitous views over the river and the undulating city. The city centre of Porto, around the São Bento ornate central railway station and the Praça da Liberdade central square, is a labyrinth of streets with restaurant terraces, shops, and bars.
Vila Nova de Gaia, on the southern shores of the Douro River is home to the leading Port wine warehouses of Porto, these days acting as large tasting attractions for visitors who flock to them. The eastern reaches of the city eventually give way to the Douro wine country which can be accessed by river cruise or scenic train. Far removed from the hustle of Porto, these villages cling to the river valley and host numerous vineyards.
To the west of Porto are the coastal areas, with a highlight being the city beach at Matosinhos. Here the long sandy beach hosts beach & water sports, as well as open air music on the boulevard and the ‘She Changes’, (known locally as anémon) giant art installation. This recently gentrified suburb is also a fish restaurant Mecca with smoking grills filling several streets in this historic fishing neighbourhood.
No incentive trip to Porto is complete without a deep dive into the world of Port Wine. Porto Quayside is a hub of tasting activity, while river cruises can access the vineyards in Porto's east.
The Atlantic coast is to the west of Porto, offering a range of beach activities, including surfing lessons.
Central Porto is a profusion of coloured ceramics and intimate bars, shops, and restaurants. Walking and food tours of the centre are a great way to discover the city's soul.
Porto is culturally rich, with many museums and galleries to explore. Another fascinating feature of Porto is the bridges over the Douro River. There is the chance to scale the bridge's underside as part of an incentive trip activity.
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Fish dominates the menu in Porto, with the Atlantic Ocean having delivered centuries' worth of fish and seafood. Once a giant fish processing suburb, Matosinhos is now home to a wide range of high-quality fish restaurants, offering fish cooked on open grills in their street-side restaurants. There are several Michelin-starred restaurants located across Porto, as well as a couple on the southern side of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Along with the wonderful fish dishes that define Porto gastronomy, the venues can be equally enviable. Riverside locations offer views over the Douro River, witnessing its changing natural light and river traffic, while higher up in the city, rooftops and terraces provide stunning skyline views. No dining experience in Porto is complete without Port Wine from the nearby vineyards.
One of the most iconic locations in the region is just across the Douro River in the quayside area of Vila Nova de Gaia. Here on the banks of the river is located the Port Wine district, which hosts famous brands such as Taylors, Sandeman, and Ferreira. This whole area to the south of the river is made up of Port Wine bottlers and warehouses, with terrace bars where you can taste their range of Port.
Throughout Porto, there are historic and contemporary venues to enjoy life beyond Port. Ceramic walls are striking and commonplace, and Porto is stylish, with street-side terraces and funky indoor and rooftop bars filled with energy. There are further opportunities to drink by the river along the Porto quayside, while the suburb of Matosinhos offers bars and terraces on the Atlantic coast.
