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13th December 2019
10:07am GMT
Lisbon in Portugal has long been a firm favourite city break destination, but now those in the know are opting for the cooler, smaller city of Porto. It’s equally stunning but a lot cheaper and definitely a bit more rough and ready, with lots of winding cobbled streets and cosy wine bars dotted all over.
There’s a gorgeous riverfront too and you’ll get some fantastic views over the city from the top level of the Dom Luís I Bridge.
And speaking of views, a visit to one of Porto’s fab rooftop bars is an absolute must while you’re here. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourites – now all you’ve got to do is decide on which one…
On the top floor of the Porto Cruz building is the 360° Terrace Lounge with next level views over the river and the Dom Luís I Bridge.
Perfect for wine enthusiasts, the lower floors also house a Douro Room exhibition where you can learn all about the winemaking region, as well as a dedicated tasting room with prices starting from just €7.50 for three local wines.
They’ve got a live band playing jazz on the terrace most weekends and it’s got some spectacular views over the Douro River.
It’s got a great atmosphere thanks to the friendly staff and great music, though it’s fairly small so you’ll need to get there early in the evening if you want to grab a good seat.
If you’re looking to go all out, you’ll want to try the VIP Lounge at the five-star Porto Palácio Hotel. Up on the 19th floor of the hotel, it’s got an excellent classic cocktail menu (try the Negroni) with panoramic views of the city and the river.
My personal favourite on the list, this one’s usually in high demand during evenings and weekends so it’s worth booking a table for the outside terrace if you can.
It’s on the 17th floor of the Hotel Dom Henrique hence the name, and the adjacent restaurant is just as good for a few sundowners on colder and rainier evenings.
This one’s on the fourth floor of the lively Rivoli Cinema Hostel, by far one of the coolest hostels in the city. Graça has a lovely chilled out vibe, with plenty of sofas and chairs that are perfect for sprawling out.
According to the owners, the bar is designed for unwinding in with a local Douro wine in that time period right after dinner and before your night out officially starts. Cheers to that.
This one’s a little more off the beaten track, further west towards the Ponte da Arrábida bridge but it’s definitely still one for the Porto bucket list.
To make the trip worth your while, why not stop in for a drink after you’ve spent the afternoon taking in the sights at the gorgeous Jardins do Palácio de Cristal nearby.
READ MORE: When In Rome - Seven Stunning Rooftop Bars You Have To Visit In The Eternal City
