This Portuguese city is cheaper and prettier than Lisbon

Do you think Lisbon is the end? So do we. The tram, the narrow and steep streets, the delicious food – hello pastel de nata. And then those nice people, those handsome buildings and the atmosphere. And the sun that shines. Lisbon is really a city that you can perfectly do as a city trip: not too far, nice weather and not too expensive. But it can be even cheaper AND nicer, it turns out.

There is now another Portuguese city that steals the crown from its big sister.

And that is Porto. In terms of architecture, it beats many European cities.

Important historical sights include:

• Dom Luís I Bridge: An iconic double bridge over the Douro River, designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel.
• Sé do Porto (Cathedral of Porto): An impressive cathedral with a mix of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles.
• Torre dos Clérigos: A tower that offers a beautiful view over the city.
• Palácio da Bolsa: An impressive neoclassical building that was once the stock exchange of Porto.

But even if you’re not into looking at buildings, it’s a great place to be. Many museums, many nice terraces, many cozy restaurants. Everything is reasonably priced and you can definitely toast well there. Porto is world-famous for its port wine, a sweet fortified wine produced in the Douro Valley and aged in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro River. Be sure not to skip a wine tasting. There is so much to see if you just go for a nice walk and explore. Taste local bites and you’ll immediately feel those happy city trip vibes after the first day. Everything is cool, hip, and beautiful. The center is so charmingly colorful: all those houses are yellow, orange, or pink. And pssst, last tip from us: visit the bookstore Livraria Lello: you’ll fall in love right away. Porto is your new destination, who are you going with?