Portugal has long been a favourite holiday destination of mine, and here's why I think you should go to Porto.
The Algarve has always been a popular choice for a beach break, Lisbon for the capital city vibes and Cascais for surfer chic but out of the many Portugal holidays destinations, Porto is a great choice. It's chic, relatively small for a city and has beautiful views and things to see.
Why you should go to Porto
Full of stylish boutique hotels and stunning coastline, Portugal works hard to deliver low-impact tourism that scores high for quality. The historic hillside city of Porto is leading the way, with the local authorities investing heavily in electronic mobility and LED technology to reduce Co2 emissions and help fight climate change. How great is that? So Porto (sometimes known as Oporto) is not only a very beautiful Portuguese city but also a very sustainable holiday destination. This article showcases even more of their efforts, which I found extremely impressive.
Where is Porto?
Porto is in Northern Portugal on the banks of the Duoro River near the Atlantic Coast. It is the second-largest city in Portugal and an old outpost of the Roman Empire. Porto is steeped in history and its core was pronounced a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.
Where to stay
Porto is full of charming hotels, use this map of Porto to search by location. I think that city breaks will be the best value this year as the hotels will have been accustomed to business as well as tourism income (both of which has evaporated) and therefore you'll probably find a lower rate than usual! I am a huge lover of small stylish hotels that deliver an authentic experience and the Torrel Palace Hotel is on my hit list for my next trip.
Booking.comHow to get around
Porto is a small city so you can mainly get around on foot, but it also has a very good public transport system including their beautiful old trams which are a tourist attraction in themselves. You can find out more information about tickets here.
Things to do
Porto's cobbled streets and tiled roofs are a riot of charm and colour and with 4 Michelin starred restaurants; it's a dream for a foodie! Find organic, fresh produce, most of which is sourced within 50 kilometres from town, further reducing this Portuguese holiday destination's carbon footprint.
In addition to the cuisine, you could also visit Clérigos Church with its baroque tower, wander around the museums or take a river tour. If it's hot and you fancy a swim, go for a dip in Marés Pool, carved into the rocks next to the ocean and designed by famed Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira.
Arguably the real star of Porto is the Port wine produced there and any trip to this part of the world is incomplete without a cellar tour and tasting. Taylors is one of the best, and you can find out more here on how to visit their cellars.
What is the weather in Porto?
July is the hottest month to visit Porto, with January being the coldest. From April through to October you'll find pleasant warm sunshine.
Are you planning a holiday to Porto? I think it's a chic and stylish city and Portugal is one of my favourite countries in the world. The people are friendly, their hospitality is wonderful and the food and wine is delicious. What more could you ask for? If you book a holiday to Porto please let me know below, I'd love to hear your picks.
For more travel inspiration check my other travel blog posts!
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