Three Awesome Days in Porto

Portugal's second largest city is a hot commodity these days, a bucket list destination for travelers seeking a new, exciting and slightly different taste of Europe.

- JOE YOGERST

Porto has got all that and more. Located at the confluence of the Douro River and Atlantic Ocean in northern Portugal, the city has preserved its historic core and vintage Iberian atmosphere to an even larger extent than Lisbon.

The food is fabulous - especially the fresh-from-the-boat seafood. Port wine is named for the fact that it originates from Porto and the nearby Douro Valley. There are cool museums, gorgeous beaches, stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and even heritage trams similar to the cable cars of San Francisco.

What's the best way to discover the city? Check out this three-day itinerary.

Day One

An ideal way to start any Porto visit is getting out on the water on one of the many boat trips that ply the river between the Atlantic Ocean and the Douro Valley.

There are tons of choices, from narrated journeys in tourist boats with large picture windows to boozy party boats or reproductions of the traditional wooden rabelo watercraft once used to transport barrels of port wine from the vineyards to aging caves and cellars in the city.

For those who don't like to share their deck space with strangers, Feel Douro offers private sailboat and motor yacht excursions on the Douro. Their voyages range from two hours to a full day, the riverside scenery complemented by snacks, port wine and knowledgeable guides and skippers.

Stepping off the boat, it's time to dive into a sumptuous seafood lunch at the Taberna do São Pedro in Vila Nova de Gaia, the waterfront neighborhood on the south bank. Featuring a façade covered in vintage green tiles, the little restaurant is located on Rua Costa Goodolfim near Douro Marina. Grilled sardines, barbecue shrimp skewers and fabulous baked potatoes are among the house specialties.