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           ![Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Visit Porto](https://media.sheerluxe.com/xBmX_FypU1WnRBif4x-nt6aDxKk=/500x221/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-hero.jpg?itok=KBt1SeGY) 

  

 

 ![Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Visit Porto](https://media.sheerluxe.com/aoh3rTaNQglMJelfSj2CcylmqUc=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-mob-hero.jpg?itok=yL_DLcyh)

 

 

 



 

 [Europe](/culture/travel/europe)

 /  24 September 2025  

#  Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Visit Porto  


If you’re craving a city break that combines culture, great food and a slower pace, Porto should be top of your list. Autumn is when the city really comes into its own – the midday sun still lingers, the Douro Valley is in harvest and the best tables and hotels are easier to book. With direct flights from London via British Airways, now’s the perfect time to plan a trip. Here’s everything you should bookmark ahead of your arrival…  


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  Image: Pexels/Frederico Erthal 

 

 

 

 Created in partnership with British Airways

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/G2Kt3cgz-9gPpUb8gvDcRi563DA=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-portrait-3.jpg?itok=x3zPw4kd)

 

 ](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto) 

 The Largo 

 



 

 

 

 

 

## WHERE TO STAY 



  

Porto’s hotel scene has evolved dramatically in recent years, with a wave of boutique openings and heritage restorations that cater to the discerning traveller. The latest name to know is [The Largo](https://thelargo.com/) – a newcomer you might have already spotted on Instagram. Set in a restored townhouse next to the city’s oldest street, it’s a perfect mix of old and new. Expect contemporary interiors, thoughtful service and a sense of calm that feels worlds away from the bustle outside. It’s the kind of place where breakfast is served in a leafy courtyard and rooms are dressed in soft linens and warm wood tones.

For something a little grander, [Torel 1884](https://www.torel1884.com/) is a standout. Housed in a 19th-century palace just moments from Avenida dos Aliados, it’s a masterclass in themed luxury. Each suite draws inspiration from a different continent, with freestanding baths, velvet upholstery and a sweeping central staircase. The conservatory-style restaurant is a destination in its own right – ideal for tapas and local wines before heading out into the city.

Design lovers will also love [Cocorico](https://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/cocorico), a French-Portuguese guesthouse tucked away in central Porto. It’s home to ten individually designed rooms named after French-Portuguese artists. All have oversized windows and spacious bathrooms, while the terracotta-coloured restaurant serves classic French dishes with the odd nod to Portuguese cuisine. The bar offers a separate menu featuring petiscos (small sharing plates).

Then there’s [Mouco](https://www.outsite.co/mouco-hotel), a chic hotel with California-cool design. It’s a cultural hub with a performance area for live gigs and events, a bar with its own musical library and a restaurant with a small gallery space. Designed for creatives who want to mingle with likeminded guests, rooms and suites are home to vintage furniture and top-quality sound systems. There’s also a salt-water swimming pool in the garden and a record room with a 600-strong vinyl collection.

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ki0x5CdyPuDQYTeuguvqTeCSMAY=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-landscape-2.jpg?itok=GeIP4XT1)

 

 ](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto) 

 Cocorico 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

## WHERE TO EAT &amp; DRINK 



  

Porto’s culinary scene is one of Portugal’s best, with a new generation of chefs elevating traditional flavours and techniques. At the top of the list is [Cozinha das Flores](https://cozinhadasflores.com/), the debut Porto restaurant from Nuno Mendes of Lisboeta fame. Located in the city’s historic centre, it offers a tasting menu that’s both nostalgic and avant-garde – think giant squid noodles, shrimp and egg cake and turnip pastel de nata. The adjoining bar, Flor, is perfect for pre-dinner cocktails or a nightcap with a twist.

For Michelin-level dining, [Le Monument](https://www.maison-albar-hotels-le-monumental-palace.com/en/page/le-monument-restaurant-hotel-porto.3809.html) is a must. Set within the Le Monument Palace hotel, it’s headed up by Julien Montbabut, who reimagines Portuguese classics with French precision. The tasting menu is a journey through the country’s regions – from oysters with green strawberries to aged sirloin with marrow and bordelaise sauce.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/f3E6s3G0V53GyOsYA6vit6vby1Q=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-landscape-new.png?itok=vCROfuOb)

 

 ](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto) 

 Helder Burato Berto/Unsplash; Cocorico; The Largo; Yana Marudova/Unsplash 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seafood lovers should head to [Gruta](https://www.grutaporto.com/), a Bib Gourmand-awarded spot known for its elevated simplicity. The all-female chef team, led by Rafaela Louzada, whips up dishes like octopus carpaccio, langoustine bisque and cod fillet with olive oil – each one a celebration of local produce and technique. Perfect for a romantic meal.

Another standout is [Euskalduna Studio](https://www.euskaldunastudio.pt/) – a smart, intimate space where the tasting menu changes daily and the open kitchen brings guests into the heart of the action. Expect bold flavours, seasonal ingredients and a level of detail that rivals Europe’s best. It’s ideal for those who want to experience Portuguese cuisine through a modern, elevated lens.

For something more atmospheric, head to [Casa de Chá da Boa Nova](https://www.casadechadaboanova.pt/en/). Set dramatically on the rocks above the Atlantic, this two-Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Rui Paula offers panoramic ocean views and a menu that celebrates the sea. Dishes are precise, poetic and deeply rooted in Portuguese tradition – all served in a building designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, one of the country’s most celebrated architects.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Y0Yp4olaCcUychdYnnwUqWmOvmk=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-landscape-1.jpg?itok=aD97MCGh)

 

 ](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## WHAT TO DO 



  

Porto’s cultural offering is as rich as its wine, and there’s no shortage of high-end experiences to fill your itinerary. Start with a visit to [Serralves](https://www.serralves.pt/en/), a sprawling cultural institution that includes a contemporary art museum, 1930s art-deco villa and 45-acre landscaped gardens. The treetop walk offers sweeping views of the city, while the exhibitions showcase both Portuguese and international artists.

For a deeper dive into the city’s heritage, explore the Old Town – a Unesco World Heritage Site where neoclassical buildings tumble down towards the river. São Francisco Church is a highlight, with its gilded interiors and baroque flourishes, while the Dom Luís I Bridge offers one of the best views in town.

No trip to Porto is complete without a port wine tasting and autumn is harvesting season in the Douro Valley. This is the oldest wine-growing region in the world, where terraced vineyards blaze with colour and port wine houses open their doors for tastings and tours.

Head to [WOW](https://www.wow.pt/) in Vila Nova de Gaia for a deep dive into Portuguese wine culture. For those venturing into the valley, [Quinta do Crasto](https://www.quintadocrasto.wine/en/) and [Quinta da Pacheca](https://quintadapacheca.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqr3J9dVyqC3MiDaJAN3yMKyrpDW1X7Nh6LBK9VUGdaUSGYVWQ3) offer vineyard walks, cellar lunches and a front-row seat to the winemaking process – all best enjoyed with a glass in hand.

If you’re craving nature, the Crystal Palace Gardens are a serene escape. Set on a hill in the city centre, they offer panoramic views, ornate fountains and a diverse range of flora, from olive trees to giant magnolias. It’s the perfect spot for a morning walk or an impromptu picnic.

 

## BEYOND THE CITY... 



  

For those who want to venture further, continue your trip to Matosinhos, a coastal city known for its beaches and seafood. Walk the Avenida da Liberdade coastal path, stop for grilled fish at a local restaurant, and soak up the relaxed, sun-drenched vibe. During a longer trip you might also want to explore [Peneda-Gerês](https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/parque-nacional-da-peneda-geres "https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/parque-nacional-da-peneda-geres"), Portugal's only national park, where dramatic peaks give way to lush valleys, centuries-old villages cling to hillsides, and wild horses roam freely through forests dotted with waterfalls and thermal springs.

And there are the charming cities of [Braga](https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/73738 "https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/73738") and [Guimarães](https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/guimaraes "https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/guimaraes"), both rich in history, heritage and architecture. Expect baroque churches, leafy squares and centuries-old facades, all wrapped in a distinctly modern energy. Both are an easy day trip from Porto – less than an hour by train or car.

 

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/1URjwcg-fBiwetgaMC_4DfHBdhs=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-portrait-2.jpg?itok=eQ_em6bq)

 

 ](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto) 

 The Largo 

 



 

 

 

 

## WHY FLY WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS? 



  

For a destination as stylish and sensory as Porto, flying with British Airways ensures the journey matches the experience. With direct flights from London and a choice of cabin classes – including Club Europe (business) for elevated comfort – travellers can arrive refreshed and ready to explore. Generous baggage allowances mean there’s room for souvenirs, ceramics and all the extras.

Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a girls’ weekend or a solo adventure, Porto offers the kind of high-end city break that feels both exciting and restorative. And with British Airways, getting there couldn’t be easier…

*Book your trip now at* [BRITISHAIRWAYS.COM](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto)

 

 

 [ ![](https://media.sheerluxe.com/Lowkcja1Nc2QpPtwmPY4ThVCOSk=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fba-porto-portrait-1.jpg?itok=mR6P1Ivy)

 

 ](https://www.britishairways.com/content/holidays/portugal/porto) 

 Roya Ann Miller/Unsplash 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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