Located along the hills of the Douro River estuary, this charming UNESCO World Heritage city has the perfect size to explore by foot. The riverfront district of Ribeira is a remarkable tangle of streets and alleys, full of history and nostalgia. Traditional Rabelo boats, that traditionally transported the barrels of Port Wine, can be seen at the foot of the beautiful hillside, the visiting the vibrant Mercado do Bolhão, the ornate Bolsa Palace (the Arab room will blow you away!) or tasting its renowned Port wine, are just some of the many things you can do in this fascinating city.

Old Porto is really spoiled for choice, as on almost every street you will find buildings adorned with traditional azulejos (blue and white tiles). The painted tile mosaics that dress the buildings are the most captivating aspect of the city's architecture, and responsible for making the city pop so resplendently when the sun emerges and hits the grey granite buildings.

We can point to some amazing examples to look for, like the Carmo Church, with its stunning interior, or the amazing gem called the Capela das Almas (best seen from across the street). And the unique 20th century interior, of São Bento Train Station, is a real treat for those with an eye for design, with its more than 20,000 tiles adorning the walls, depicting a historical series of battles and hierarchy.

Firmly established as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, entering the Lello Bookstore for the first time will still take your breath away. Seeing the beautiful staircase with your own eyes, you can't help but marvel at the intricate details and how it captured J.K. Rowling's imagination for the popular Harry Potter franchise.

A nice way to familiarize yourself with a city is to spend an hour cruising down the Douro River by boat. It gives you a lovely view of the riverbank of the Riberia and the rest of Porto sprawled in the hills behind it, as well as a close-up look at the city's six famous bridges.

While you can easily find bars and places to taste Port Wine, in Porto's old town, the place to really learn more about the drink is in the famous port cellars of Vila Nova da Gaia, which is just across the Douro River (no, it's not a district of Porto - it's an autonomous city).

Look for some of the best views of the city. It offers not only excellent photo opportunities, but also provides useful insight into how its neighborhoods are stitched together. We recommend TORRE DOS CLERIGOS (this spiral tower offers exceptional views of the classic orange mosaic roofs of old downtown Porto) or SERRA DO PILAR, this viewpoint offers a classic photographic box perspective of Porto and the Don Luis Bridge - best enjoyed in the golden hours of sunset.

Porto’s Ribeira District is the oldest region of Porto and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ribeira is undoubtedly a major tourist center now and can often feel too busy, but if you take your time and explore on foot, then you may stumble upon an alley, an old restaurant, or a café that captures a slice of what makes Porto special - looking for your own moments is essential to making unique travel memories.