Porto holidays

When the sun’s shining, lots of the locals flock to Praia de Matosinhos beach. It’s just 15 minutes’ drive away from town, and its thick belt of cheesecake-coloured sand’s as good as any you’ll see in the Algarve. And, as an added bonus, its waves are nicely set up for surfers.

Just out of town is the sand-and-pebble stretch at Praia do Carneiro. The beach is next to the mouth of the Douro River, and the old lighthouse and 16th-century fortress nearby are primed for postcard-worthy pictures.

Away-from-it-all beaches, don’t come much better than Praia do Paco. This compact spot’s around an hour’s drive north of the city, and its cream-coloured sand is backed up by rolling green hills and dunes, which keep it hidden away from the crowds.

Mercado de Bolhão – or Bolhão Market – has been selling essentials since the mid-1800s, from flowers to fresh fish and meat. Nowadays, it’s got a load more in its locker, too, with souvenir stalls that sell everything from handmade purses to clothes and shoes.

The Mercado do Bom Sucesso’s become one of the city’s trendier shopping spots in recent years. It started out as an indoor market back in the 1940s, and after years of neglect, it’s been restored to a hybrid space which includes a food court, fresh produce stalls, and even live music sets.

The Rua San Catarina runs right through the city centre, and it’s filled to the brim with big-name brands and smart cafés. There’s even an indoor mall – the ViaCatarina – which is loaded with more familiar faces and a sizeable food court.

The Ribeira neighbourhood’s a chilled-out area along the city’s waterfront, with front-row views of the Dom Luís I Bridge. The colourful buildings are filled with wine bars and restaurants which are illuminated after dark, and it’s a popular hangout for locals.

Partygoers like to make a beeline for Galerias Paris. It’s pretty unassuming during the daytime, but it comes to life after dark, with loads of party spots packed in a small area. Lots of the locals like to take their drinks outside, too, so it’s not just the inside of the bars that buzz here.

Porto’s signature dish can be found on restaurant and café menus all over the city, and although it’s technically a sandwich, it’s not one you can pick up with your hands. The bread’s filled with steak, bacon and smoked sausage and coated in melted cheese – but that’s just the start of it. A fried egg’s placed on top, and the whole thing’s served in a pool of tomato-and-beer-based sauce.

Two beers rule the roost in Portugal – Sagres in the south and Super Bock in the north. If you want to drink like the locals, then definitely go for the latter. There’s a low-key rivalry between the two, but the locals are pretty loyal to Super Bock.

These sweet treats are popular all over Portugal, and Porto’s no exception. This type of bite-sized custard tart is similar to egg custards back home, but with a flakier pastry. And the biggest difference – grab a freshly baked one while it’s still warm, and it’ll melt in your mouth.

This stew’s been a staple in these parts for centuries, and ordering a plate will certainly earn you brownie points with the locals. It originated in the 15th century, when the city’s best meat was shipped away, leaving the natives to get creative. The core ingredient is tripe, which is stewed with smoked ham, carrots, onions and spices to add more flavour, and served with a portion of rice.

This sweet red wine’s now famous the world over, but its origins go back to the city it was named after. Usually served with dessert, it’s easy to get hold of a glass at restaurants around town, and there are loads of wine cellars dotted around, too, if you fancy sampling some from the source.