After four wonderful nights in Lisbon earlier this summer, we found ourselves with an unexpected gap in the diary. The obvious question followed: should we return to Portugal and see whether Porto could match—or even surpass—the charm of Lisbon?
The answer came remarkably quickly.
After a little research into flights and hotels, we once again opted for a British Airways Holiday. Flying out on a Monday afternoon and returning on the final Friday evening flight to London Gatwick proved to be an excellent decision, giving us almost four full days to explore one of Europe’s most characterful cities.
Where We Stayed – PortoBay Flores
Choosing the right hotel can make or break a city break, and PortoBay Flores certainly didn’t disappoint.
Situated in the heart of Porto’s historic centre, this elegant five-star hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the city on foot. Almost every major attraction, along with countless restaurants, bars and cafés, is within easy walking distance.
A short stroll downhill brings you to the beautiful Ribeira waterfront, one of Porto’s most photographed districts. Here you’ll find colourful buildings lining the Douro River, lively terraces, traditional restaurants and spectacular views across to Gaia. It’s also home to the magnificent Dom Luís I Bridge, perhaps Porto’s most iconic landmark.
The hotel itself offered everything you’d expect from a luxury property, with attentive service, comfortable rooms and an excellent spa that would become the perfect ending to our holiday.
Porto’s Bridges – A City Built on Engineering
One of Porto’s defining features is the series of bridges spanning the Douro River, each telling part of the city’s engineering story.
The most famous is the Dom Luís I Bridge, opened in 1886. Although many people believe it was designed by Gustave Eiffel, it was actually created by Théophile Seyrig, one of Eiffel’s former engineering partners. The bridge’s distinctive two-level design carries both road traffic and pedestrians on the lower deck, while the upper deck is home to the Porto Metro and offers spectacular panoramic views.
Gustave Eiffel did, however, leave his mark on Porto. His Maria Pia Bridge, completed in 1877, was a groundbreaking railway bridge whose innovative iron arch helped establish the engineering techniques that would later be used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Today, six bridges connect Porto and Gaia, each representing a different era of engineering. A seventh bridge, currently under construction for Porto’s expanding Metro network, will provide a new crossing for trains, cyclists and pedestrians, ensuring the city’s tradition of innovation continues well into the future.
First Impressions of Porto
One thing quickly became clear…
Porto is built on hills.
Lots of them.
Fortunately, every climb is rewarded with another stunning viewpoint, another hidden church or another inviting café waiting to be discovered.
Our first full day was dedicated to simply wandering the city and soaking up the atmosphere before crossing the Dom Luís I Bridge into Gaia.
Rather than walking back, we decided to take the Gaia Cable Car for a one-way ride back towards the bridge. The views over the Douro are excellent, but we’d recommend buying the return ticket instead. For only a few extra euros, it offers considerably better value, especially as the journey itself is relatively short.
Discovering the Port Wine Cellars
No visit to Porto would be complete without learning about the city’s most famous export.
We chose a guided tour of the Ferreira Port Cellars in Gaia, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.
The tour was fascinating, explaining both the history of port production and Ferreira’s important place within it. Better still, everything concluded with a generous tasting of three different styles of port.
Excellent value, informative and highly recommended.
Dinner at Chama – Trust the Chef
That evening we visited Chama, a restaurant recommended to us before travelling.
Unlike most restaurants, there is no menu.
Instead, every guest enjoys a five-course tasting menu entirely chosen by the chef.
It might sound daunting, but it was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences of the trip. Every course brought something unexpected, the cocktails were superb and the relaxed atmosphere made for a thoroughly entertaining evening.
Sometimes putting yourself entirely in the chef’s hands really does pay off.
A Day Exploring the Beautiful Douro Valley
Our second full day became the standout experience of the holiday.
Thanks to the excellent concierge, Mafalda, at PortoBay Flores, we booked a small-group excursion with Douro First Tours.
Our guide, Miko, collected us directly from the hotel before beginning the ninety-minute drive into the spectacular Douro Valley alongside three other guests.
Along the journey we stopped at several breathtaking viewpoints overlooking the winding river below before arriving at one of the region’s many vineyards for a guided tasting of three locally produced ports.
From there we continued to a nearby riverside town before boarding a traditional boat for a leisurely one-hour cruise along the Douro. With port and snacks provided on board, it offered a wonderfully peaceful way to experience one of Europe’s great wine regions.
The final stop was a late lunch at Royal Fraga do Douro, a charming local guesthouse where our group enjoyed generous servings of steak, potatoes, local wine and dessert.
It was a long day, but an unforgettable one.
Special mention has to go to Miko, who somehow managed to drive, guide and entertain the group throughout the entire excursion with endless enthusiasm and local knowledge.
Crystal Palace Gardens – Porto’s Hidden Oasis
After the excitement of the Douro Valley, our final full day was intentionally more relaxed.
A pleasant thirty-minute walk brought us to the Crystal Palace Gardens, one of Porto’s finest green spaces.
The beautifully landscaped gardens offer panoramic views across the Douro River and provide a welcome escape from the busy city centre.
We stopped for lunch at Negra Café, located within the gardens, where we enjoyed a light meal accompanied by what can only be described as an exceptionally generous jar of white sangria.
Sometimes slowing down and simply watching the world go by becomes one of the best memories of a holiday.
Another Restaurant Worth Visiting – Viva Creative Kitchen
Our final evening meal was at Viva Creative Kitchen, just a short walk from the hotel.
The food and service were exceptional throughout.
One standout dish was the burrata filled with port—a wonderfully creative starter that perfectly reflected Porto’s culinary identity.
This was undoubtedly one of our favourite restaurants of the trip.
Seeing Porto from the River
To round off our final evening, we took a taxi to Gaia Marina for a private two-hour boat cruise along the Douro.
Including food and wine, the trip offered a completely different perspective of Porto.
Passing beneath many of the city’s famous bridges while watching the historic waterfront gradually light up as evening approached was a wonderful way to say goodbye to the city.
If you’re celebrating a special occasion—or simply looking for a memorable experience—this is one excursion we’d happily recommend.
Our Final Morning in Porto
Before heading home, we spent our remaining hours exploring several of Porto’s magnificent historic buildings.
Highlights included:
- Clérigos Church and Tower
- Church of Saint Francis
- Palácio da Bolsa
The highlight inside the Palácio da Bolsa was undoubtedly the extraordinary Arab Room, whose intricate decoration has to be seen to be believed.
Before our evening transfer to the airport, we returned to PortoBay Flores to make full use of the spa facilities. It proved to be the perfect, relaxing end to what had been a thoroughly enjoyable city break.
Porto or Lisbon?
This was the question we asked ourselves before booking.
The answer?
They’re completely different cities, and that’s precisely why we loved Porto.
Lisbon feels cosmopolitan, expansive and energetic.
Porto feels slightly smaller, more intimate and perhaps just a little more authentic. Its steep streets, colourful riverside, exceptional food, world-famous port wine and easy access to the Douro Valley make it an outstanding destination for a four-night break.
Would we return?
Without hesitation.
And if you’re already planning a trip to Lisbon, we’d strongly recommend adding Porto to your Portuguese adventure.