<strong>This might just be Europe's hippest city: </strong>Portugal's second city, Porto, has been challenging Lisbon as the hottest new city-trip destination. Here are some of the reasons to visit.
This might just be Europe's hippest city: Portugal's second city, Porto, has been challenging Lisbon as the hottest new city-trip destination. Here are some of the reasons to visit.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Ribeira: </strong>Like Lisbon's Alfama area, Porto's Ribeira neighborhood is complete with winding alleys, flaking ochre facades and little squares overlooked by ancient churches.
Ribeira: Like Lisbon's Alfama area, Porto's Ribeira neighborhood is complete with winding alleys, flaking ochre facades and little squares overlooked by ancient churches.
Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte
<strong>Ribeira: </strong>Compared to Lisbon's Alfama -- which has been overrun by souvenir stores and bars -- Porto's old Ribeira district successfully retains much of its edgy authenticity.<strong> </strong>
Ribeira: Compared to Lisbon's Alfama -- which has been overrun by souvenir stores and bars -- Porto's old Ribeira district successfully retains much of its edgy authenticity.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Traditional grocery: </strong>A Pérola do Bolhão is one of the traditional grocery stores that still survive in Porto's Ribeira neighborhood.
Traditional grocery: A Pérola do Bolhão is one of the traditional grocery stores that still survive in Porto's Ribeira neighborhood.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>'A culture of tradition':</strong> "Ribeira has those old taverns, a culture of tradition, that's characteristic of an old people," says Maria Olinda Ramisio, a stall holder in another icon of old Porto, the Bolhão market.
'A culture of tradition': "Ribeira has those old taverns, a culture of tradition, that's characteristic of an old people," says Maria Olinda Ramisio, a stall holder in another icon of old Porto, the Bolhão market.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Tripe eaters: </strong>Porto's signature dish, tripas à moda do Porto -- a mess of white beans fortified with pig's ear, calves' foot, cow's stomach (aka tripe) and a cartload of other chewy bits -- reflects the city's admirable style: solid, no-nonsense and hardworking.
Tripe eaters: Porto's signature dish, tripas à moda do Porto -- a mess of white beans fortified with pig's ear, calves' foot, cow's stomach (aka tripe) and a cartload of other chewy bits -- reflects the city's admirable style: solid, no-nonsense and hardworking.
Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte
<strong>The best view: </strong>Many people's favorite view of Porto is from the miradouro fronting Nossa Senhora do Pilar. From there, you can see over the river, with the colorful houses of Ribeira and the city rising up beyond.
The best view: Many people's favorite view of Porto is from the miradouro fronting Nossa Senhora do Pilar. From there, you can see over the river, with the colorful houses of Ribeira and the city rising up beyond.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>The 'secret' viewpoint: </strong>Richard Zimler, a New York-born tripeiro who has lived in Porto for 27 years, recommends a viewpoint at the end of the rua São Bento da Vitoria. "From that one vantage point you can see the river, the wine houses, the barcos rabelos, and if you look to the left, you can see the cathedral and the upper town of Porto. It's a view that takes everybody's breath away."
The 'secret' viewpoint: Richard Zimler, a New York-born tripeiro who has lived in Porto for 27 years, recommends a viewpoint at the end of the rua São Bento da Vitoria. "From that one vantage point you can see the river, the wine houses, the barcos rabelos, and if you look to the left, you can see the cathedral and the upper town of Porto. It's a view that takes everybody's breath away."
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>View tower: </strong>Climbing the 76-meter (250-foot) baroque tower of the Clérigos church is another way to get a great view of Porto.
View tower: Climbing the 76-meter (250-foot) baroque tower of the Clérigos church is another way to get a great view of Porto.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Douro:</strong> Ponte Maria Pia -- a curving iron arc built in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel -- and the much-loved Ponte Dom Luís I (pictured here) are among the five bridges spanning the Douro in Porto.<strong> </strong>
Douro: Ponte Maria Pia -- a curving iron arc built in 1877 by Gustave Eiffel -- and the much-loved Ponte Dom Luís I (pictured here) are among the five bridges spanning the Douro in Porto.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Douro:</strong> Porto's colorful old neighborhood climb up on steep hills on both banks of the Douro. It's especially charming at sunset when rays of sunlight give the waters a gilded glow.
Douro: Porto's colorful old neighborhood climb up on steep hills on both banks of the Douro. It's especially charming at sunset when rays of sunlight give the waters a gilded glow.
Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte
<strong>Bookshop: </strong>There's nowhere quite like Porto's Livraria Lello, perhaps the world's most beautiful bookshop.
Bookshop: There's nowhere quite like Porto's Livraria Lello, perhaps the world's most beautiful bookshop.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Livraria Lello: </strong>Crimson curved staircases, wood-carved handrails, a stained-glass skylight and Art Deco detailing on walls are some of the features that make Lello a city icon for more than a century.
Livraria Lello: Crimson curved staircases, wood-carved handrails, a stained-glass skylight and Art Deco detailing on walls are some of the features that make Lello a city icon for more than a century.
Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte
<strong>Cafe Majestic:</strong> Opened in 1921, the Majestic is a classic Belle Epoque-style coffee house that remains a must for anybody passing through Porto.
Cafe Majestic: Opened in 1921, the Majestic is a classic Belle Epoque-style coffee house that remains a must for anybody passing through Porto.
Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte
<strong>Café Society: </strong>For those looking to experience Porto's splendid old cafés, Avenida dos Aliados is home to the Cafe Guarany, an Art Deco delight.
Café Society: For those looking to experience Porto's splendid old cafés, Avenida dos Aliados is home to the Cafe Guarany, an Art Deco delight.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>Amazing nightlife: </strong>"The nightlife is amazing here. There are new places opening all the time, a bar on every corner. The atmosphere is really special," says Teresa Campos, a student at the University of Porto who is in a folk troubadour band.
Amazing nightlife: "The nightlife is amazing here. There are new places opening all the time, a bar on every corner. The atmosphere is really special," says Teresa Campos, a student at the University of Porto who is in a folk troubadour band.
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>The ultra-hip area: </strong>Teresa Campos recommends the happening bars around Praça dos Leões and the ultra-hip Galerias de Paris area pictured here.
The ultra-hip area: Teresa Campos recommends the happening bars around Praça dos Leões and the ultra-hip Galerias de Paris area pictured here.
Município do Porto
<strong>Foz: </strong>Porto boasts some of the best urban beaches in the country. The resort of Foz sits within the city limits, where the Douro meets the ocean.
Foz: Porto boasts some of the best urban beaches in the country. The resort of Foz sits within the city limits, where the Douro meets the ocean.
Jose Manuel/Turismo de Portugal
<strong>Matosinhos fish market: </strong>The Yeatman Hotel's Michelin-starred chef Ricardo Costa says, "The fish market in Matosinhos is a great experience. It starts at about 5 a.m., but if you're a foodie it's a morning well spent." Late-risers can always sample Matosinhos' seafood over lunch: The ocean-front suburb is packed with superlative marisqueiras (seafood restaurants).
Matosinhos fish market: The Yeatman Hotel's Michelin-starred chef Ricardo Costa says, "The fish market in Matosinhos is a great experience. It starts at about 5 a.m., but if you're a foodie it's a morning well spent." Late-risers can always sample Matosinhos' seafood over lunch: The ocean-front suburb is packed with superlative marisqueiras (seafood restaurants).
Paul Ames/CNN
<strong>The Yeatman Hotel: </strong>In addition to its two-Michelin-star restaurant, The Yeatman Hotel also has an infinity pool overlooking the city.
The Yeatman Hotel: In addition to its two-Michelin-star restaurant, The Yeatman Hotel also has an infinity pool overlooking the city.
Laurence Brandjas/Visit Porto and the north