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.

There are cities you visit because everyone says you must, and cities you discover just before they become too popular. Porto (that's what I'm talking about) is still in that delightful in-between phase where you constantly wonder why not everyone is already sitting permanently on a terrace with a glass of vinho verde in hand. The city feels young, creative, and a bit unpolished, as if Lisbon has a hip little sister that tries a little less hard and is therefore just more fun.

What makes Porto dangerously attractive is that everything is close together. You walk from a great coffee shop to a wine bar, from a vintage store to a restaurant where someone with perfect eyebrows explains to you which sardines are “life changing” today. And meanwhile, a new hotspot pops up on TikTok almost every week that you absolutely have to go to. Like for example (you're about to take a screenshot of this page in 3,2,1)

Rosi Café is where everyone who looks good on vacation has breakfast

There are those addresses where you walk in and immediately think: yes, here oat milk is taken seriously. Rosi Cafe is such a place. Think fluffy pancakes, almond croissants, great coffee, and people who look like they've just done a campaign for Ganni and got to keep their clothes. It's located in the Rua do Rosário neighborhood, definitely an area that makes you very happy if you love galleries, small concept stores, and people with a carefully nonchalant clothing style, you know; where the Parisiennes are so exceptionally good at.

Shopping in Porto feels like you've received a secret tip

What makes Porto so nice is that you still find small shops where not everything feels like it comes from an algorithm. In the Miguel Bombarda neighborhood, there are great concept stores, vintage shops, and Portuguese brands that you don't come across everywhere at home. Here you suddenly buy handmade jewelry, an oversized blouse from a local label.

The rooftops of Porto

Yes, absolutely. Porto really has those rooftops where you think at seven o'clock, “we'll have one drink” and then suddenly at half past twelve you're still sitting there while someone next to you falls in love and the sky slowly turns dark blue.

17º Restaurant & Bar

On top of hotel Dom Henrique is 17º, and this is exactly the kind of rooftop where Porto shows itself from its most cinematic side. You look out over the terracotta roofs of the city while a DJ plays mellow house music and everyone looks just a bit too good. The cocktails are good, the atmosphere is sexy without becoming hysterical, and especially around sunset, it's truly amazing here. This is also the kind of place where you automatically start talking slower because everything suddenly feels chic.

Miradouro Ignez

This rooftop has been constantly popping up on TikTok lately, and rightly so. Miradouro Ignez overlooks the Douro River and has exactly that relaxed vibe that Porto is so good at. Not too polished, not too touristy, but with people who wear good sunglasses and know how to order a natural wine. Order a paloma or a vinho verde here and definitely stick around until the city lights come on.

PortoBello Rooftop

PortoBello feels like someone has set up a stylish beach club in the middle of the city. Lots of white, lots of plants, beautiful cocktails, and those comfortable sofas where you really don't want to get up. Especially popular with young locals and people who look like they are permanently creating content for a fashion brand. The view over Porto is stunning, and the atmosphere gets livelier later in the evening.

WOW Rooftop

In Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river, lies WOW, which stands for World of Wine. That might sound like you've accidentally ended up in a wine museum, but the rooftop is actually incredibly fun. You look out over the iconic bridges of Porto and the entire skyline of the city. Especially at sunset, this is the kind of place where everyone automatically pulls out their phone because the light becomes ridiculously beautiful.

Casario Rooftop

For a slightly quieter, more romantic vibe, you should go to Casario. Less “seeing and being seen” and more long conversations, good wine, and a view over the river. This is where you want to end up after wandering through Porto, a bit tipsy from the vinho verde and completely convinced that you should actually book a spontaneous city trip much more often.

If you want to eat after that out-of-hand aperitif, definitely check out the tips from Bart's Bookje for restaurants. They only post something if they have really eaten there themselves.

And if you want to do something cultural, here are the important historical sights:

• 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?

PS, if you want to go to Lisbon, we totally understand that too. These are our favorites there.