Pastel-painted houses and Baroque churches bedecked in vivid azulejos. Medieval ramparts and splendid squares. Magnificent iron bridges silhouetted against Atlantic sunsets. A bustling waterfront lined with lively tascas and tabernas. And, of course, gracious port lodges that evoke the history of Portugal’s most famous export, port wine. With DK Eyewitness Top 10 Porto, the city is yours to explore.
Porto’s historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, and for good reason. Marvel at centuries of heritage in the Sé do Porto and climb the 240-odd steps to the top of the Torre dos Clérigos for the best views in town. Kick back at a riverside taberna on the colourful Cais da Ribeira and sip vintage port in a centuries-old wine lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia, where you’ll learn how the city grew from a tiny outpost to a capital of commerce. But Porto’s traditional charms are complemented by a distinctly modern outlook. Sample local flavours in markets that have been made over for the 21st century, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants where culinary traditions are given a modern twist, and listen to contemporary music at the Casa da Música, a futuristic monolith in the heart of Boa Vista.
From the intricate azulejos that adorn the city’s oldest buildings to contemporary marvels housed in the Museu de Serralves, there is beauty wherever you look. Take a break from city streets in the lush Jardim do Palácio de Cristal and head further afield to the breezy beaches of Foz do Douro or the rolling hills of the Douro Valley.
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a week, our Top 10 guide brings together the best of everything the city has to offer, from incredible art to a sunset river cruises along the River Douro. The guide has useful tips throughout, from seeking out what’s free to avoiding the crowds, plus seven easy-to-follow itineraries, designed to tie together a clutch of sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Porto.