For most of us Portugal conjures up the sunny beaches and golf courses of the Algarve but tourist figures show that the country’s most popular destination is actually its capital Lisbon. And even its second city claims more foreign visitors than the south.

Porto, as it is now universally known (although older Brits might still call it Oporto), is a great place for a weekend city break. Barely two hours’ flight time from London, it’s easy and cheap to reach by air, and compact enough to explore on foot – if you’re fit enough to navigate its hilly terrain.

Built on the hills rising from the Douro river that winds through the centre, its gaily painted houses are picture-postcard pretty – the historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Centre - its architecture blends medieval and modern to stunning effect, it’s bursting with culture and packed with places to eat and drink.

Here are ten more reasons to visit Porto:

1. Port

The clue is in the name. The sweet fortified after-dinner wine was popularised by the English during the early 18th century, when it was discovered that mixing Portuguese red wine with brandy would make it last the long sea journey back to Britain, which was suffering a shortage of French wine due to war with our neighbours across the Channel. Porto’s port lodges are clustered along the river’s southern bank, known as Vila Nova de Gaia, and visitors can tour most of them, and indulge in tastings. You may leave with your head spinning – it’s strong stuff - but you’ll know your tawny from your ruby and your white. And remember, if you bring a bottle home, to pass it to the left at the dinner table – otherwise you may be asked the cryptic question: “Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?”

2. Sardines

View photos Sardines on the BBQ (Shutterstock / Vinnikava Viktoryia) More

There are, as we all know, plenty of fish in the sea. Especially sardines. They’re on almost every menu and there are entire shops devoted to the tinned versions, with their own sub-genre of artwork. For the most authentic sardine experience, it’s well worth taking a tram along the river from the centre of Porto. Get out just after the towering Ponte do Arrábida and take the little ferry across the mighty Douro to the sleepy fishing village of Afurada. A world away from the big city just a mile upriver, its little harbour is full of fishing boats bobbing by the jetty, and the streets are full of alluringly smoky smells from its colourful restaurants, barbecuing sardines – and bream, sea bass and prawns – on hot coals in front of your smoke-filled eyes.

3. Gold

Porto is full of baroque churches, whose often austere exteriors conceal some of the most OTT decor you’ll find this side of a pool party held jointly by Donatella Versace and Sir Elton John. Gilt is the word – literally everything inside is dripping in gold. There’s the elaborately gilded woodwork of the Igreja de Santa Clara (once a Franciscan convent) for one. But that’s just an appetiser for a trip to the Igreja de São Francisco, whose dull stone facade conceals an explosion of gold leaf (100kg of it, supposedly) covering what looks like an acid-crazed artist’s idea of Heaven. Watch out for the Virgin Mary impaled by a dozen spears for something seriously grotesque. Speaking of which, you can also visit the catacombs where Porto’s rich and famous were laid to rest – and watch out for the trapdoor to a pile of monks’ bones.

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