PORTO There’s more to the secondlargest city in Portugal than a glass of the good stuff, and its rising popularity as a must-see city break destination is why we have created this Porto city guide. Beyond enjoying a glass of the eponymous fortified wine, Porto offers innumerable attractions. Spread over attractive hills that stretch away from the calm waters of the Douro River, its medieval heart is dotted with memorable sights. You’re never far from a high-end boutique offering the latest fashions or a creamy Portuguese custard tart. Porto blends its oldest sights with a freshness other cities lack; if the ‘city of bridges’ is on your bucket list, then we have you covered. When to Visit With temperatures that rarely drop below double digits Celsius and average hours of sunshine that beat the likes of Rome even during the winter months, it’s fair to say there’s no bad time to visit Porto. However, Porto is also one of the wettest cities in southern Europe, with the highest amounts of rain falling between October and the end of January. In the summer months of July and August, peak season is in full swing. The city and its beaches see the highest number of tourists. This is because of its balmy temperatures and long hours of daylight. Straddling the summer months are two shoulder periods in late spring and early autumn, when the climate is still welcoming, but tourists are fewer on the ground. Come at the end of June, and you’ll also see the city in full party mode as it celebrates the festival of Santos Populares, which is one of the highlights of the year. Amazing Destinations 107
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