The Portuguese city offers a heady bouquet of wine, food and culture, says Lottie Gross
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1. Dive into the ball pit at World of Wine’s rosé-themed Pink Palace
A new cultural district overlooking the Douro and the Ribeira waterfront opened in 2020. World of Wine, set within the once-crumbling warehouses of the port industry, is a warren of well-executed exhibitions. The Wine Experience is the highlight, but there’s also The Chocolate Story, with guided tastings and a chocolate factory; a cork museum; and a flamboyant ‘Pink Palace’ dedicated to rosé (where you can drink the pink stuff and dive into a pink ball pit).
2. Discover rare books in the new Gemma Room at Livraria Lello
The world’s most beautiful bookshop, 116-year-old Livraria Lello, has opened a new state-of-the-art rare books basement. The Gemma Room houses gems including signed first-edition Oscar Wilde novels and a rare copy of Alice in Wonderland. While anyone can visit this gorgeous bookshop and its iconic staircase by booking in advance online, you’ll need to apply separately to get into the Gemma – but for bookworms, it’s well worth it.
3. Try the hearty francesinha sandwich at T&C
One of Portugal’s most fulfilling dishes is the francesinha, and it’s the must-order item on the menu at T&C, which opened within the World of Wine complex in 2021. Comprising bread, melted cheese, sliced ham, beef steak and chorizo sausage, it’s topped with an egg and covered in a piquant tomato gravy, with French fries on the side. If you can save room for dessert, the crème brûlée is an exceptional way to finish.
4. Eat traditional Portuguese dishes at Muro do Bacalhau
Traditional Portuguese food is having a moment in Porto’s restaurant scene and Muro do Bacalhau is one of the latest additions. Located in the heart of the Ribeira district, its small‑plates menu focuses on seasonal ingredients. Expect dishes such as cuttlefish with green wine sauce, veal cheek and codfish with potatoes and yolk sauce – alongside crowd-pleasing cheese and charcuterie boards.
5. Take a dip in the decanter-shaped infinity pool at The Yeatman
The Yeatman
For clients on a foodie trip, there’s nowhere better to stay than The Yeatman, located among the port wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, overlooking the Douro River. Wine is very much its USP, with guests able to indulge in wine-inspired Caudalie spa treatments, a 30,000 strong bottle collection championing Portuguese varieties and a decanter-shaped infinity pool.
Book it
TAP Air Portugal has two daily departures to Porto from Gatwick. Prices start at £76 return, including taxes (flytap.com). Rooms at The Yeatman start at €285, including breakfast (the-yeatman-hotel.com). For city tours, agents can book reliable guides for clients with ToursByLocals (toursbylocals.com)
PICTURES: Numo.pt; Andre Rodrigues; Miguel Pereira/Livraria Lello.
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