Best places to stay in Porto

Whether you’re jetting into town for a long weekend or looking for an atmospheric place to write that best-selling novel, Porto is a fascinating city to explore. You’ll find cutting-edge art, medieval streetscapes and an overflowing bounty of great food and wine. 

We scoured the globe in search of destinations offering that dazzling combo of great value and serious vacation appeal in 2017.

On April 15th, 2019, the whole world watched in shock as Notre Dame burst into flames. Thankfully, much of the cathedral’s structure, including its iconic bell towers and flying buttresses, survived the blaze. It will likely be closed to tourists for years, but a flood of donations has already put restoration plans in motion.

If you’re looking to find the least expensive accommodations in a destination regardless of what kind of accommodation it is, you might be surprised to learn that Airbnb isn’t always the cheapest. A new study from Compare the Market shows that hotels can sometimes beat Airbnb prices. The study covered the average Airbnb vs. hotel rates (per night) in 52 important destinations around the world.

Situated on the Douro River in Northern Portugal, Porto is one of Europe’s most underrated cities. From the medieval Ribeira district, with its narrow cobbled streets, modern buildings and bustling arts scene, and stunning coastline, there’s a lot to do in Porto. It’s, of course, home to world-renowned Port wine and an exciting food scene. When it comes to accommodation, there’s a lot of hotels in Porto to get excited about. The city is adorned with historic properties and cool boutiques from luxurious five-star establishments to more quirky budget-friendly options. You can explore Porto fairly easily on foot, or if need be public transport, so these hotels have been selected for their location. They are also some of the most top-rated in terms of service, amenities, and over-all guest experience.

Dreaming of being on a dreamy European beach—or already on one and wondering if you can do even better? Then look to the Iberian Peninsula. European Best Destinations recently announced its ranking of the top 15 beaches in Europe, as voted on by thousands of travelers from 83 countries. This year’s No. 1 is Torrente de Pareis in Mallorca, Spain. Rounding out the top three are Bordeira Beach in Alzejur, Portugal and Amio Beach in Cantabria, Spain.

Prepare for an assault on the senses. Southeast Asia has a bellyful of thundering motorbikes, fiery volcanic peaks, seething jungle temples and pungent markets. Yet we also love it for its squeaky-clean sands, barely believable islands and pagodas overlooking lily-topped lotus ponds. From temples to tropical rainforests, here are the top ten places to visit in Southeast Asia – as voted for by you.

Undiscovered Portugal is remarkably easy to find. Head east instead of west from Lisbon Airport. Drive over the Vasco da Gama bridge. And in no time you're in a landscape of cork trees, vineyards and nesting storks. Matthew Hancock, co-author of The Rough Guide to Portugal reveals his favourite places to get off the tourist trail and into undiscovered Portugal. All information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Portugal, your travel guide for Portugal.

Porto versus Lisbon? Both Portugal's main cities have a lot in common. And they both make great city breaks. But which city should you visit first? Here’s the lowdown. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Portugal, your essential guide for visiting Portugal.

Spring lifts the spirits of travellers all around the world, with its big blue skies and flowers in bloom. For many, there's no better time to travel. If you're thinking about getting away, here are our editors' picks of best places to visit in spring. Planning a British break? Discover the best UK places to visit in spring.

Lisbon is one of the most beautiful places in Portugal. But it's not the only one. We’ve rounded up some of the other best places to visit in Portugal. Take a look. The information in this article is taken from The Rough Guide to Portugal, your travel guide for Portugal.