4Porto, Portugal
Porto’s historic center is dramatically different from the polished elegance of many European old towns.
Here, colorful houses climb steep hills above the Douro River, with tiled façades, narrow stairways and centuries-old churches creating a wonderfully irregular cityscape.
The Ribeira district is the visual centerpiece, but the surrounding streets reward wandering without a strict itinerary.
Porto’s historic architecture also has a lived-in quality. Laundry hangs from balconies, cafés occupy tiny corners and locals move through streets that have been used for generations.
The combination of authenticity and dramatic scenery makes Porto particularly memorable.
