The city of Porto is built on steep hills that surround the mouth of the Douro River on the west coast of Portugal. Steeped in history, Porto is an ideal year-round vacation destination for visitors seeking more than just sun and beaches. Porto has an incredible mix of neighborhoods, although most Porto vacations focus on the Ribeira riverside neighborhood, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The historic city of Porto offers a great variety of architecture, a 12th century cathedral, ancient churches, the Maria Pia Bridge, which was built by Eiffel (from the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris) and once the longest arch bridge in the world, medieval alleys leading alongside steep cobbled streets, an old riverside neighborhood, waterside bars and cafes, shops, parks and gardens. When it comes to relaxing, Porto has many traditional taverns and restaurants where you can enjoy local cuisine, fish and seafood dishes along with some local green wine. Enjoy some shopping in the traditional shops and covered market of the city or enjoy some culture, including museums, theaters and galleries of art, furniture and ceramics.

Climb up to the baroque Torre dos Clerigos for incredible panoramic views of the old city and a photo opportunity not to be missed. Visitors climb 240 steps to the top of this iconic monument. A Porto vacation isn’t complete without a stroll over the two-level Dom Luis Bridge to the suburb of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you’ll find the famous Port wine lodges on one bank and the Ribeira on the other. Here, in the port hostels, you can sample the ports of the three subzones of the Douro Valley, the world’s first demarcated wine region. You can also shop at famous wineries such as Sandeman and Taylor, which produce the fortified (port) wine named after the famous city of Porto.

Families will love exploring the maze of narrow lanes that are lined with brightly colored houses with white and blue tiled facades and flower-adorned balconies. There are many interesting excursions available on your cheap Porto vacation, including coastal cities, small fishing villages, small towns and villages where you can explore ancient monasteries, churches, castles, fortresses, and bridges. A great day out for the whole family is a cruise on the Douro River, which winds through the picturesque Douro Valley with a stunning backdrop of terraced vineyards and picturesque villages. Guimares is a World Heritage site where you can see fine medieval, Gothic, Roman and Baroque architecture.

A vacation in Portugal wouldn’t be complete without a day or two at the beach. The most popular spas near Porto are the Atlantic spas of Foz, Vila Cha, Povoa de Varzim, Santo Tirso and Cabadelo to the north and Esmoriz, Espinho (a long golden beach with a casino) and Cortegaca (excellent for surfing). the South.

The nightlife is mainly centered around the old waterfront of Cais da Ribeira, the student bars of Cordoaria and also the trendiest Art Deco bars, clubs, cafes and elegant restaurants.

Porto enjoys long, hot summers with almost uninterrupted sunshine between June and September. Spring and fall are warm, with plenty of sun and an ideal time to cruise the Douro River and explore the many historical sites that Porto has to offer.