19/05/2024
If Paris is the city of light, and New York is the city that never sleeps, Porto is the most underrated city break you can go on right now. There, we said it.
We named Porto the best city break in Europe for 2024, and if you were surprised, well, you’ve got a lot to learn.
Travellers have slowly but surely been catching on to the allure of this marvellous city, and Porto has stepped up to this new demand: its metro system is currently undergoing a massive overhaul, and a new brand-new Time Out Market has just opened at UNESCO World Heritage site Sao Bento train station, with 11 restaurant venues, a bar, and chefs with five Michelin stars between them cooking up a storm. But there is a whole lot more to cram into a city break here, and we tried and tested the top spots in the city. Here’s why Porto is the place to be this summer:
The food
You’ve probably come across the tinned fish trend, but Porto was doing it before it was cool, ever since Portuguese fishermen discovered its wonders in the 19th century. Porto’s first tinned fish factory opened in 1885, and now you’ll find it sold in most shops and delis, as well as at the historic two-floor Mercado do Bolhão, which underwent a renovation at the tail end of 2023.
The culture
Another recent renovation is Porto’s Museo de Photography, held in what was a prison until 1970, where you’ll find a huge collection of vintage cameras, photography and rotating temporary exhibitions.
From there, you’re in a prime spot for the magnificent Clérigos Tower, which you should climb if you can face the 200 steps to see Porto from 249 feet up. If you’re looking at the port town on the other side of the Douro River, you’re not actually looking at Porto anymore – that’s Vila Nova de Gaia across the bridge, which is well worth visiting for a ride on the cable car.
The vibes
Despite the (many) hills, Porto is a fantastically walkable city, and you’ll only see the really good bits if you slow down to match its pace.
(…)
But when you’re done, make time to explore as much of Porto as possible: backstreets, delis and wine bars included. Trust me, the hills are worth the climb.
Ella Doyle for Time Out April 2024
Since 2015 with ❤️
Identidade, memória, património, genes e gentes!
Meet our breathtaking love affair with Porto!!!
́lindodemorrer
