A European tiled-roof seaside locale isn’t exactly a difficult sell. But Porto, Portugal’s second largest city, is finally getting a little more (long deserved) attention. Steeped in history, Lisbon’s little sister is a now a haven for the design and food obsessed. You should absolutely stop by the old stock exchange and take note of the beautiful bridges, but perhaps the most exciting part of the city is the way much of the architecture and design blends traditional taste with contemporary innovation. And, fortunately, the same can be said for Porto’s serious foodie scene. So for those planning a summer getaway, look east—Porto is the first and last Atlantic destination you should see.

Design Central

From traditional textiles to contemporary pieces, the cork capital of the world—and Porto, in particular—has always been as creatively rich as the nation is small. First and foremost, stop by the Clérigos location of A Vida Portuguesa, a shop with everything from lettuce ware dishes to its signature ceramic swallows. From there, head down the Rio Douro to Lobo Taste, a store bringing back rare and beautiful finds from the city’s yesteryear. For those with more functional design in mind, travel a little farther afield to Boca do Lobo, a worldwide purveyor of exquisite furniture, and consider a stay at Rosa Et Al Townhouse. This charming bed-and-breakfast has a store below, while Pensão Favorita offers an equally stylish yet less shoppable stay.