Ready to cruise: A moored rabelo boat awaits anyone wanting to take a river cruise.

Brown rabelo boats with their pointed hulls nestle silently on the royal blue Douro River, indulging tourists with one of the most picturesque views in Porto, Portugal.

The city of port wine — Porto — justifies its title as one of the most respected tourist destinations in Europe with its beautiful scenery and historic tourist sites.

Just three hours from Lisbon, Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, offering not only tourist sites but also dazzling nightlife.

As you reach the city, the first place you are likely to see is the Ribeira district.

The Dom Luis I Bridge can be found here as a pedestrian walkway to connect people on each side of the river.

As one walks over the bridge, an array of houses and cafes run by families for generations’ line up.

The best of Porto’s cuisine can be savored in one of the small restaurants. Sardines are a delicacy that many of the cafes serve.

After lunch, one can take a boat tour of the Douro River right in front of the cafes. It may seem mediocre but the scenery is picturesque.

The next place to visit is the port cellars around the city. There are tours available inside the cellars.

Symington Family Estates has been producing exquisite wines for over five generations since 1882, with a collection of wines up to 70 years old.

The estate is located in the Douro area, continuing its presence through brands such as Graham, Cockburn’s and Dow.

On display: Wines are on display in a cellar in Porto, Portugal.

Their showroom has barrels of grapes stored until they are mature enough to be bottled. At the end of the tour, port and wine tasting is available for tourists, and the wines can be purchased.

The churches in Porto are also not to be missed. One of them, the Church of São Franscisco, was built in 1425.

Declared by UNESCO as a world heritage site, the church’s interior is noted for its Baroque design. The interior of the church is actually made of gold. Tourists are not allowed to take pictures inside.

Another place to visit is the Palacio Da Bolsa, the stock exchange palace of Porto. Also designated a world heritage site, Palacio Da Bolsa’s façade was built in a neoclassical style. The palace has different rooms displaying art works by noted Portuguese painters and was also used for receptions for state visits.

Portugal is probably not as popular as Paris and London because of a lack of publicity but for tourists, it’s a gem with many places to see.

— Photos by Aruna Harjani

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