Hip, friendly Porto is a foodie's paradise boasting pretty tile-clad buildings, superb cafés and restaurants, and a plethora of interesting sights.
Porto travel guide
Vila Nova de Gaia: Taylor’s port house
I couldn't go to Porto without visiting one of the many port houses that dot the hillside of neighbouring Vila Nova de Gaia, so I took a tour of Taylor's, one of the oldest port merchants in the region.
Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia: Sé Catedral and Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
Of all the incredible ecclesiastical buildings we saw in Porto, two stood out – the Sé Catedral do Porto and the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Porto: Casa de Serralves and the Forte de São Francisco Xavier
Thanks to a contemporary art gallery and a 17th century fort on the Atlantic coast, it's worth venturing beyond the centre of Porto to explore the city's other sights.
Porto: Churches, bridges and bookshops
From a bookshop that wouldn't be out of place in Diagon Alley to a criss-crossed steel bridge and azulejos-clad churches, Porto is teeming with interesting sights.
A gastronomic guide to Porto
When I think of Porto, I think of sardines, pastries, the francesinha sandwich and lots of port. Here's a guide to some of the best cafés, bars and restaurants I visited...
Porto
Boasting interesting architecture, a maze of alleyways that are ripe for exploring, museums, parks, churches and fantastic food, Portugal's second city is the perfect place for a weekend break.
Lisbon: Calouste Gulbenkian Museum
You'll find some 1,000 artworks collected by the obscenely rich businessman Calouste Gulbenkian on display in this Lisbon museum.
Lisbon: Castelo de São Jorge and the Alfama
A tour of the 11th century Moorish castle perched high on a hill overlooking Lisbon and one of the city's oldest districts.
Sintra: Castelo dos Mouros
Built by the Moors in the 10th century, this sprawling, striking stone fortress, which sits high on a hill overlooking Sintra, is the epitome of a formidable defensive structure.
Sintra: Pena Palace
High in the hills overlooking Sintra, you'll find the kitsch, brightly painted Pena Palace. It's a magnificent, romantic building surrounded by 85 hectares of gardens.
Sintra: Quinta da Regaleira
Nestled in the lush green hills surrounding Sintra, the extraordinary Quinta da Regaleira is a stately home quite unlike any other.
Little Old World 