In recent weeks, the city of Porto, Portugal, won the award for World’s Leading City Destination 2022 at the World Travel Awards, the “Oscars” of tourism. The small city in northern Portugal beat popular destinations such as New York, London, and Dubai.
At this point, you are probably wondering why we chose this destination and why you should visit Porto. With that in mind, we present you with 5 reasons to do so and offer you an important tip to make your experience complete: visit the Alto Douro Wine Region.
Travel along the Douro River from Foz to Trás-os-Montes and enjoy both city and countryside experiences in a single trip. Enjoy the best this region has to offer and get to know a little piece of Portugal. Find out why you should visit Porto and the Alto Douro Wine Region.
1. A unique food and wine experience
Portuguese cuisine is considered by many to be one of the best in the world. Porto’s cuisine is no exception. If you are planning to visit Porto and have not yet included experiencing the flavors of the city’s typical dishes, then we recommend that you do so as soon as possible.
The “Francesinha” is a must-try for any tourist visiting the city of Porto. It is a sandwich made with different meats, cheese, egg, and covered with a special sauce that you won’t find anywhere else. There are several restaurants and taverns scattered throughout the streets of Porto where you can taste this famous dish, but these are the places that offer the most popular recipes.
You cannot miss out on eating the traditional “Tripas à Moda do Porto” (Porto-style tripe) during your visit to Porto. This typical dish of the city, besides pleasing the palate, carries with it a strong piece of history. Several centuries ago, the people of Porto were forced to use the meat offal left over in the city to feed themselves, without knowing that they had ended up creating a delicacy. In addition, this same dish gave the people of Porto the nickname “Tripeiros.” Dare to try this combination of intense flavors during your visit to Porto!
Last but not least, the wine.
To visit Porto and the Upper Douro Wine Region without tasting the famous “Port Wine” would be a rookie mistake.
We recommend visiting the wine cellars located in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the Douro River, but don’t stop there. For a 360-degree gastronomic experience, travel to the Douro Wine Region, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you can learn about the origins of Port wine and taste it at the best estates. We’ll tell you how to get there below.
2. Memorable visits and stays in the Alto Douro Wine Region
If you are currently planning your itinerary for the weekend in Porto, don’t forget to include a visit to the Upper Douro Wine Region. Although this region is located 84 miles north of the city of Porto, both the journey and the destination will make every second of your time worthwhile.
The Alto Douro Wine Region is located in northeastern Portugal and covers around 26,000 hectares of idyllic scenery, producing some of Portugal’s finest wines. Interestingly, it is the oldest regulated wine region in the world! It was certainly no coincidence that, in 2001, UNESCO awarded this region World Heritage status.
With this in mind, there are countless reasons to visit the Douro Wine Region.
- Firstly, because you will have the opportunity to contemplate the magnificent Douro River from the many viewpoints in the region.
- From there, you can marvel at the vast vineyards and terraces on the banks of the Douro.
- Then, you can visit the farms in this region and experience the famous wine tastings in situ.
- In addition, if you visit the Douro Wine Region in September/October, you will be able to experience the grape harvest season and perhaps even participate in the grape harvest.
There are definitely strong reasons why you should visit the Alto Douro Wine Region. To get there from Porto, you can do so in three ways – by car/bus, by train on a cruise, and of course, with Deltatur. The latter option is one of the most popular among the thousands of tourists who visit the Alto Douro Wine Region throughout the year.
If you prefer a less crowded and more private tour, take advantage of this unique opportunity to sail up the Douro River and see the best estates in the region, with one of three options for seeing the Douro with Deltatur.
If you are in Porto, premium private transfers (Jaguars and/or Mercedes) will be available to take you from the pier to your accommodation. In addition, a pleasant wine tasting and a delightful meal with wine pairing in a restaurant serving signature cuisine await you with the Douro Luxury Tour.
Need more reasons to visit the Alto Douro Wine Region?
3. Stunning views and pleasant green spaces
Porto is an urban and metropolitan city, but at the same time, it has places that fill our eyes with wonder. To begin with, there is the Ribeira do Porto area. It is one of the most “Instagrammable” places, and when you are there, you will understand why. The view of the Douro River in front of you, with the Port wine cellars on the other bank and the D. Luís Bridge right next to you, is something that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime.
In addition, for a more panoramic view of the city, we recommend climbing the iconic Clérigos Tower. You may not find a better view of the city of Porto than this one. After that, we suggest a 15-minute walk to the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, where you can admire the Douro River and the Arrábida Bridge once again. All this together with the greenery of nature and the peacocks and ducks that live there.
Finally, for lovers of green spaces, we recommend a visit to Serralves Park, Porto Botanical Garden, City Park, and also Morro Garden, located on the Vila Nova de Gaia side, just after crossing the upper deck of the D. Luís Bridge.
4. Extensive cultural, historical, and architectural heritage
For a long time, the city of Porto has been sought after by people from all corners of the world for its historical, cultural, and architectural wealth. The city “Invicta”—a title given due to its invincibility in the face of invasion attempts in the 19th century—was even the European Capital of Culture in 2001.
To start, we suggest you cross the D. Luís Bridge, designed in the 19th century by Gustave Eiffel, the same engineer who was responsible for building the Eiffel Tower. Then, you can feast your eyes on São Bento Station, one of the city’s most iconic sites. After leaving the station, you will find Avenida dos Aliados, Torre dos Clérigos, and Porto Cathedral nearby. All of these places will be relevant to your visit to Porto.
If you want to go shopping during your visit to Porto and experience the usual hustle and bustle of the city’s shopping district, we recommend you visit Rua de Santa Catarina and the traditional but renovated Bolhão Market. Along the way, stop at Café Majestic and enjoy not only the menu but also the beauty and refinement of the place.
Finally, we strongly recommend visiting Livraria Lello, especially for architecture lovers, as it is a space that leaves anyone speechless. In addition, just below the bookstore, in the Galerias de Paris, you can enjoy the nightlife that the city of Porto has to offer, with countless bars and nightclubs open daily.
Take note:
- D. Luís Bridge
- São Bento Station
- Avenida dos Aliados
- Clérigos Tower
- Porto Cathedral
- Rua de Santa Catarina
- Bolhão Market
- Café Majestic
- Lello Bookshop
- Galerias de Paris
5. An accessible, safe, and welcoming city
The city of Porto is full of reasons for everyone to visit. In terms of transport accessibility, the city is located in a metropolitan area covering more than 2,000 km². In addition, Porto Airport is a 20-minute drive or 40-minute metro ride from the center of the city. If you want to leave the center of Porto, you can also take the train. All this at an affordable price.
In addition to transport accessibility, there is also the issue of financial accessibility. It is true when they say that Porto is one of the cheapest cities to visit. In 2021, the “City Break Cost Index” barometer ranked the city of “Invicta” as the seventh cheapest in the world to visit. Another strong reason to book your stay and visit Porto.
In terms of safety, according to the 2021 Global Peace Index, Portugal is the fourth safest country in the world, making Porto one of the safest cities to visit. In addition, the people of Porto are known for being friendly and hospitable, always ready to help visitors.
So, all these reasons have already made you book your visit to Porto and the Alto Douro Wine Region, right? Don’t wait for the right time, because every season of the year is excellent for this trip. Visit Porto and visit the Alto Douro Wine Region!