Travel + Leisure India & South Asia — May 2017

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Porto’s nightlife revolves

around the three parallel

streets collectively called

Galerias de Paris in Baixa,

though there are standalone

bars elsewhere. The scene

picks up only after 11 pm

and most of the action is

on the streets.

FÉ WINE & CLUB

A trendy club and bar in

Downtown Baixa, FÉ plays

a range of music, hosting

everything from a fado

night to DJ night and jazz.

Apart from a large wine list,

the bar also has an extensive

gin collection. feporto.pt

CASA DO LIVRO

An old bookstore now

transformed into a literary-

themed café-bar, Casa Do

Livro is a trendy place for a

night out. The main room

has a baby grand piano and

cosy nooks, while the back

room pulsates with DJ beats.

Galeria de Paris 85;

+351-91/967-6969

BAR GALERIA DE PARIS

One of the pioneering bars

on the Porto nightclub

scene, Galeria de Paris has a

charming, albeit over-the-top,

ambience with hundreds of

vintage artefacts on display.

But the drinks are potent and

the atmosphere swinging,

especially on the weekends.

Galeria de Paris 67;

+351-22/201-6218

HARD CLUB

If you want to catch a concert

or attend an EDM party,

head to Hard Club in the city

centre. The mixed-use venue

has a cool terrace bar, and

also hosts art exhibitions,

cinema, and literature events.

hard-club.com

Douro Valley The majestic Douro Valley is dotted

with quintas or country estates, which have beautiful

terraced vineyards where the port grapes grow.

Drive to Pinhão (130 kilometres from Porto) and

stay at the upscale wine hotel, The Vintage House.

vintagehousehotel.com

Matosinhos The fi shing town of Matosinhos is the

dining room of Porto—this is where the Portuenses

come to feast on fresh sardines, clams, barnacles,

and bacalhau. Visit the Conservas Portugal Norte

factory to see how a variety of fi sh is canned. The

delightful B&B Casa Do Godinho is a good stay

option. casagodinho.pt

Aveiro-Ilhavo Seventy-fi ve kilometres from Porto

is the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro. The charming

town is criss-crossed by a network of canals, which

can be navigated on colourful moliceiro boats. In

the neighbouring town of Ílhavo, visit the Vista

Alegre Museum; the adjoining Montebelo Vista

Alegre Ílhavo Hotel is a stunning design hotel.

hotelmontebelovistaalegre.pt

Clockwise: Tapas bar Xico

Queijo; grape-picking in the

Douro valley; moliceiros

(traditional boats) in Aveiro.

AFTER DARK

FIND THE BEST PARTIES IN THE CITY

TRIPS OUT OF TOWN

SPOT ON

Start your evening at

Xico Queijo with tapas and

sangrias. Located on Galeria

de Paris, this bar is known

for its lovely vibe and

al fresco setting.

CLOCKWISE: HEMIS/ALAMY; CAMILLA WATSON/GETTYIMAGES; KEN WELSH/GETTYIMAGES

TRAVEL + LEISURE / MAY 2017 65