Porto is deeper into Portuguese tradition and more compact, Lisbon has more variety and immigrant scenes. Do both.

Three days. One for Ribeira and downtown (Bolhão market, francesinha at Café Santiago), one for Cedofeita and Foz do Douro (modern Porto dining, seafood at the beach), one for a Douro Valley wine trip.

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, located on the northern coast of the country. It sits on the banks of the Douro River, extending to the Atlantic Ocean, where the river empties. It is considered the “capital of the North” and it is close to the Douro Valley region (to the east) and the Minho region (to the north).

While Porto is a good base for a daytrip to the Douro Valley, the city makes for a diverting stay, with beautiful museums, palaces and cathedrals. Eat at a local tasca (homestyle restaurant), watch the sunset over the river, order fresh grilled fish (or a Francesinha!) and grab a cable car to Gaia.

The best time to visit the city is the month of June, when the most important celebration takes place: São João or Saint John’s Festival. It is a city-wide event that lasts the entire night of June 23rd, into June 24th. The weeks leading up to the holiday are filled with activities as well, and the city is full of decorations as well as folks grilling sardines. In June, the weather is usually warm (but not too hot), and the days are longer. We also have several big events around this time, like the Primavera Sound music festival, the FITEI theater festival and the Serralves em Festa arts/music festival. Other good times to visit, especially for milder weather, are spring/early summer, as well as September/mid-October.

Generally, the climate in Porto is moderate, influenced by the proximity of the Atlantic. Summers are usually pleasant and mild. Most days never get too hot, around 78 F, though on the rare occasion temperatures can hit 100 F.In winter, temperatures rarely drop below 40 and maximum temperatures hover around 57. It almost never snows – the last (small!) snowfall was almost 20 years ago, but it does rain a lot. In spring/fall months, the weather can be very unstable. Locals know to check the forecast before leaving the house, to always dress in layers, and prepare for “several seasons in a day.” Warm days are more common in May/June and September, but windy periods, drizzly mornings and chilly nights are not rare. Rain is a part of life in Porto, sometimes gracing us even in the summer (albeit usually weak and lasting for short periods of the day). However, if you are coming during winter or in wetter months (like April and November), we recommend a raincoat and shoes fit for our (wet) steep cobblestone streets.

Prices in Porto are lower compared to the United States and Central Europe.A café (espresso) costs less than $1, a glass of local beer is around $1-2, and you can have a nice, mid-range dinner for around $15-20 person. However, prices can be significantly higher in touristic areas and restaurants, so check out our Porto archive to find the best local tips.

Portugal consistently ranks in the top 4 of the safest countries in the world. You should still keep an eye out for your bag and phone in more crowded/touristic areas, but violent crime is rare, and people in Porto will usually go out of their way to help you and make you feel welcome.

Arguably, one of the most famous dishes of Porto is the meaty, sauce-covered sandwich called francesinha. Although it is part of the culture of the city (debating which is the best francesinha is almost a sport here), Porto has much more to offer than this heavy comfort-food. The dish that gives Porto natives their national nickname – Tripeiros – is a casserole-like bean stew called Tripas à moda do Porto. It consists of tripe as well as other meats, sausage, vegetables and white beans). Caldo verde is a soup made with Portuguese (or Galician) kale, flavored with a piece of chouriço. It is a simple but comforting recipe, that is a common first dish in many Porto (and Portuguese) homes. Fresh fish and seafood is a must in every coastal city in Portugal, and Porto is no exception. A simple grilled fish (like the famous sardines), or octopus dishes are one of the best things you can have in Porto.

If you’re visiting for a few days, the best option is to stay in the city center, as you will be in walking distance of the main attractions, restaurants and nightlife. However, the areas surrounding the center (like Constituição, Boavista or Bonfim) are very close and well connected, and may be an option if you want a quieter neighborhood or a base to explore other parts of the city.

Porto has an international airport (Aeroporto Francisco Sá Carneiro), and you can fly directly there from many locations worldwide. The city center is not far from the airport (around 10 miles – or a 20-minute car ride), and it is directly connected by metro and bus.

Porto has a diverse dining scene, ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants, trendy and innovative new venues to traditional down-to-earth eateries – it’s impossible to pinpoint just one. Check our top 10 essentials list for our latest tips.

Being a safe and friendly city, Porto is good for families with children. There are several parks and gardens, nearby beaches and many venues (like the Contemporary Art Museum or the Casa da Música concert hall) have dedicated areas and regular activities for children. Nevertheless, some of the areas of the city (especially in the most touristic areas) may be difficult to navigate with strollers, as they are hilly and covered in cobblestones. Families with children may want to avoid hotels in the busier (noisier) areas like the bar district (known as Galerias, around the Clérigos neighborhood).

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Porto has beaches within the city limits, located in the Foz district. Although very pretty, the beaches in this area are small and rocky, and locals usually go to this area to walk, jog or bike on the promenade, or to watch the beautiful sunset from one of the many bars, cafes and restaurants that overlook the Atlantic. The best beaches in the region are found in the adjacent towns of Matosinhos (to the north) and Vila Nova de Gaia (to the south), both a short car-ride away (15-20min), and easily accessible by public transport. At these spots, you can find large beaches with golden sand and waves suitable for surf and bodyboarding.

Culinary Backstreets runs two tours in Porto. Beyond the Barrel: From Decadent to Down-home in the Heart of Porto is the classic Porto food walk, francesinha, tripas, market visits at Bolhão, and tasca lunches through the historic center. Sardine City: Fish Tales and Tradition in the Porto Docks focuses on the working-fishing side of the city, from the docks and the Matosinhos fish market to the grilled-sardine restaurants that define coastal Porto.

Bolhão and downtown for the market and old-school tripe and francesinha shops. Cedofeita for young Porto chefs. Ribeira for classic tourist-fine but still-good spots. Foz do Douro for seafood at the beach. Vila Nova de Gaia across the river for port wine cellars

Francesinha (a Porto invention, a monstrous meat sandwich in beer sauce), tripas à moda do Porto, bacalhau à Zé do Pipo, sardinhas assadas, pastel de nata, and a proper glass of tawny or vintage port at a lodge tasting.

All three. Solo travelers do well at tascas and any Bolhão market counter. Families are welcomed everywhere, though the steep streets and stairs are strollers' enemy. Groups of four to eight are ideal for a Douro Valley wine-country lunch or a francesinha-and-vinho-verde afternoon