A New England Traveler’s Guide to Porto, Portugal

Terra-cotta-tile rooftops dominate the Porto skyline. / Photo via Getty Images

Often compared to San Francisco thanks to its steep, hilly terrain, Porto is getting renewed attention from travelers attracted to its thriving cultural scene, not to mention new direct flights. The country’s King Pedro IV once described the city as the “very noble, undefeated, and ever loyal city of Porto,” which is one indication of its romantic, chivalrous character. North of Lisbon, Porto is known for six architecturally significant bridges straddling the Douro River. On one side is Ribeira, where the historic district is located, and on the opposite bank, the city of Vila Nova de Gaia’s slopes are home to the many makers of the fortified wine that gets its name from the city. White buildings with red-tile roofs dominate the cityscape, which is largely free of skyscrapers, although contemporary, cutting-edge design is woven throughout. Whether you spend your time wandering the labyrinthine alleyways and streets or set out to see all the sights, be sure to take time to sit at one of the countless outdoor or rooftop cafés and admire one of Europe’s most visually stunning provincial capitals.

A sunset boat ride along the Douro. / Photo via CC by-NC-ND-Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR

PLAY

Both banks of the Douro warrant a visit. On the Gaia side, street vendors sell everything from fake Rolexes to cork baseball caps, while the Ribeira side is home to a long stretch of restaurants and bars. At the summit of the vertiginous hill stand the Porto Cathedral and Episcopal Palace, with their magnificent azulejo tile murals, while the city’s most striking modern buildings include the Rem Koolhaas masterpiece Casa de Música and the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art. The Funicular dos Guindais in Ribeira and the Gaia Cable Car not only help make tions on their own, though you’ll want to enjoy the views while crossing by foot on the Dom Luís I Bridge, designed by a disciple of Gustave Eiffel (who built the nearby Maria Pia railway bridge in 1877). The Clérigos Tower offers a spiral staircase up to comparably magnificent panoramas, and the surrounding area is home to splashing fountains, Rococo churches, plazas, and parks. A day trip to the wineries of the Douro Valley and a sunset cruise on the river are the stuff of romance, and it goes without saying that a Port tasting at any of the venerable producers is a must.

A selection of Port from its namesake city. / Photo by Maksym Kaharlytsky/Getty Images

EAT

While it’s difficult to have a bad meal in Porto, Ode Porto Wine House is a standout, helmed by its disarmingly charming owner, who serves traditional dishes made from his grandmother’s recipes. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Michelin-pedigreed chef Nacho Manzano operates 1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar, where the tasting menu creates a fun parlor game by giving vague adjectives rather than specific ingredients for each course. Be sure to stop into the granddaddy of Porto’s grand hotels, the Yeatman, for a cocktail with the city laid out like a diorama in front of you.

The bookstore Livraria Lello. / Photo via CC by-NC-ND-Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR

SHOP

Rua Miguel Bombarda is the area for art galleries and independent concept stores, but there are two unique retail experiences in Porto. Livraria Lello, often called “the most beautiful bookstore in the world,” is believed to have been the model for details of the Harry Potter series, and the neighborhood around it is full of funky home-décor and clothing boutiques. The Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine, meanwhile, is a chain of tinned-fish stores with wildly circus-like décor, providing both a source of souvenirs and a kaleidoscopic Instagram backdrop.

The Fantastic World of the Portuguese Sardine is a must-visit. / Photo via Geography Photos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

STAY

Kopke is the oldest Port producer in the world, but within its walls, the ultra-contemporary Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel opened in 2025. It features a swimming pool overlooking Ribeira, a world-class spa, a museum-worthy contemporary art collection, and the aforementioned 1638 Restaurant & Wine Bar. Rooms are small but luxurious, and the comfy beds and gorgeous vistas make it tempting not to leave.

GETTING THERE

TAP Air Portugal, the country’s largest airline, operates direct service between Logan and Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May through October.