Flights land at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, about 11 km north of the city centre. Allow time for baggage collection and car hire. Book your car → for a week of exploration through the Douro Valley and northern coast. The drive into Porto takes about 20 minutes via the A3 motorway.

Settle into your accommodation in the historic Ribeira neighbourhood, a UNESCO World Heritage site with narrow cobbled streets, terracotta roofs, and the Douro River below. Walk down to the riverfront to get your bearings and watch the afternoon light catch the azulejo tiles on the buildings. Search hotels → in Ribeira for character and convenience.

Cross the iconic Dom Luís II bridge on foot and head to one of the major port wine lodges on the south bank in Vila Nova de Gaia. Both Taylor's and Graham's offer guided tours through their cellars with tastings of tawny and vintage ports, explaining the ageing process and styles. Tours typically last 90 minutes and reveal the cool, dark corridors where barrels rest for decades.

Search Port cellar tours in Porto on GetYourGuide →

Return to Ribeira for dinner at a local tasca or restaurant with views over the Douro. Many venues host live fado performances in the evening, the mournful folk music that feels quintessentially Portuguese. Enjoy grilled fish, francesinha sandwiches, or pastéis de bacalhau while musicians play.