Based on Portugal’s northwest coast, Porto’s Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its bridges, port wine and stunning architecture, making it an ideal destination for group visits to Europe.
Based on the coast of northwest Portugal and famous for bridges and port wine, the Historic Centre of Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that makes a great option for group visits to the continent.
Essential sights
Cálem Port Cellar: there are more than 10 port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the southern banks of the Douro, with each one offering something a little bit different (Taylor’s, for example, has a rose garden for post-tour tastings).
Perched on the riverside, a few minutes’ walk from the Luis I bridge, Cálem is one of the most central port houses. Tours take visitors into the dimly lit cellars to see port pipes (barrels) big enough to fit Mini Clubman cars inside, and they end with a sampling in a modern tasting room.
The World of Wine: this district-sized attraction features seven interactive museums, all dedicated to wine and the role it has played in shaping Porto.
Exhibitions celebrate everything from cork to drinking vessels, but the stand-out museums have to be the Wine Experience and the Pink Palace. The former is a Tardis-like space that showcases how wine is made in creative ways. Visits here end with a tasting of three tipples. The latter pays homage to rose wines, and the informative displays are interspersed with photo op stops, including a pink ball pool.
Livraria Lello: with its stained-glass ceiling, intricate wood wall panelling, showpiece staircase, and glass cases full of priceless first editions, this 19th century book shop is regularly lauded as one of the most beautiful in the world. Large groups will need to split into parties of 15 to visit. Book a timeslot online to skip the queues.
Best for groups
Six Bridges Cruise: a sextet of bridges arch their way across the section of the Douro through Porto, and visitors can see them all on a 50-minute river cruise, departing from either side of the river, close to the Luis I bridge. Vessels from ferries to motorboats sail the route, but the most traditional way to cruise is on a rabelo, a type of wooden cargo boat that was used to transport port wine along the river as long ago as the 13th century.
Walking tour: the streets of Porto are laid out like spilled spaghetti, so the best way to get your bearings is on a walking tour. Companies like Porto Walkers and Hi Porto Walking Tours offer private group tours that can be tailored to take in everything from the best azulejo tiled buildings to its top tapas spots. Many streets are steep (an escalator runs up one of them), so if your members aren’t as mobile, a trip around the City Sightseeing bus circuit is a good alternative.
Like a local
If you’re visiting in the warmer months, make a break for the beach with the locals. Either hop on the vintage Tram Linha 1 at the Infante tram stop near San Francisco church or book a coach to coastal Foz where lidos and sea view restaurants await.
Food & drink
Porto’s signature dish is the francesinha. This multi-storey sandwich is filled with layers of steak, ham, and sausage, doused in melted cheese with a slick of gravy made from beer and tomato sauce. Accompanied by fries, it feels like weeks’ worth of calories on a plate, but it’s delicious.
Many of Porto’s restaurants, especially on the main riverside walkway of Cais da Ribeira, are very small and so can’t all accommodate large groups. Options for larger parties include Pip near the World of Wine and Barão Fladgate near Taylor’s port house. Both accommodate parties of up to 100.
Need to know
When to go: as with many European cities, spring and autumn are the prime times to visit Porto, with pleasant temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees. Visit in winter, however, and you’ll catch the city’s Christmas markets.
Trivia: many people think that the city of Porto spans both sides of the Douro River, but the area to the south of the water is technically another city, called Vila Nova de Gaia.
Where to stay
The Rebello: overlooking the river to the west of Vila Nova de Gaia’s Cais de Gaia promenade, this 103-room hotel occupies a restored 19th-century stone warehouse. Beyond the tastefully designed rooms, highlights include a rooftop bar, marble-clad spa, and a selection of meeting and event spaces.
Vincci Ponte de Ferro: the four-star Vincci Ponte de Ferro sits at the feet of the Monastery of Serro do Pilar, overlooking the Louis I bridge. Many of the rooms here have river views, as do the sun terrace and plunge pool, and the sleek Ponte de Ferro restaurant.
The Yeatman: this hillside hotel pairs its 109 rooms and suites with a two Michelin star restaurant, city view outdoor pool, and a wine spa where the treatment list features massages using ingredients from the vine. One for groups looking to go all out.
For more inspiration and ideas in Porto, visit visitporto.travel.
