60 TRAVEL + L E I S U R E / M AY 2 0 1 7
Clockwise: The Dom Luís I Bridge;
Sao Bento Church, Ribeira Brava; the bar
at Pestana Vintage Porto.CLOCKWISE: JACK MALIPAN TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY; HEMIS/ALAMY; COURTESY OF THE YEATMAN HOTELPestana Palácio
do Freixo
An 18th-century palace
converted into a luxury
hotel, complete with
ornate interiors and
French-styled gardens,
the hotel has a prime
riverfront location near
the Freixo Bridge. The
rooms, housed in a former
warehouse next door, are
spacious and comfortable.
Breakfast is served in a
bright, airy restaurant with
restored 1850 frescoes on
the ceiling. pestana.comThe Yeatman Hotel
Mimicking the terraced
vineyards of Douro Valley,
The Yeatman’s suites and
rooms are spread over
different levels on the
Gaia hillside, and all of
them have a terrace or
balcony overlooking the
river. The two Michelin
starred-restaurant,
helmed by Chef
Ricardo Costa, offers a
contemporary Portuguese
menu. Must-try: Grape-
based spa treatments.
the-yeatman-hotel.comPestana Vintage Porto
Occupying six historic
buildings on the Ribeira
riverfront, this is a trendy,
design hotel. Choose a
room overlooking the
river for unparalleled
views of the Dom Luís I
Bridge, the hilltop Serra
do Pilar Monastery,
and the port caves of
Gaia. The restaurant
Rib, led by acclaimed
chef Rui Martins, serves
high-quality meat dishes
paired with excellent
local wines. pestana.comHotel Infante Sagres
Located in downtown
Baixa, it is an elegant
palace converted into a
luxury hotel. The rooms
are contemporary with
touches of antique
elements, and the Royal
Suite features original
19 th-century furniture.
Restaurante Book is
housed in a former
bookshop and retains
the original décor,
while the dishes have a
distinct literary touch.
hotelinfantesagres.ptRIBEIRA The oldest quarter
of Porto and a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, with snaking
alleys and multi-coloured
historical buildings.
BAIXA Downtown Porto, also
the nightlife hub of the city.
BOAVISTA A posh area with
luxury retailers, chain hotels,
and home to Parque da
Cidade, Porto’s equivalent
of Central Park.
FOZ Trendy sea-front area
with fashionable vintage
shops, sea-facing bars, cafes,
and restaurants.
VILA NOVA DE GAIA
Commonly known as Gaia,
across the River Douro
and connected to Porto by
the Dom Luís I Bridge.STAY
HISTORIC AMBIENCE WITH A MODERN TOUCHLAY OF THE LAND
GETTING AROUND
The blue-and-white STCP public
buses are the best way of navigating
Porto (though Ribeira and Baixa
are better explored on foot).
Porto Metro is another great
alternative, though it does not
serve all parts of the city yet.Guide
T
H
E
PORTOPorto River Aparthotel
If you’re travelling
with family, check
into Porto River
Apartments on the
Ribeira riverfront.
The historic 17th-century
building is divided
into 16 rooms—studios,
one- or two-bedroom
apartments, and
a suite—all of which
have river views.
The spacious two-
bedroom apartment
can accommodate
up to six. portoriver.pt62 TRAVEL + LEISURE / MAY 2017