Porto Pictures

Set along the Douro River in northwestern Portugal, the city of Porto is known for its stunning river views and port wine. mapics Shutterstock

Built between the 12th and 13th centuries, the Sé do Porto, or Porto Cathedral, is characterized by twin towers and its outward stone facade. Inside, you can see an elaborate stained-glass window and the silver altar. The terrace in front of the church also offers great views of the city. karnizz Shutterstock

The Stock Exchange Palace was once Porto's financial hub. Today, it's worth a visit to admire its architectural prowess. You'll likely be wowed by the striking golden Arab Hall. Hugo Cadavez Flickr

The detailed azulejos tiles in the São Bento Railway Station are the reason many travelers visit this top site in Porto. Bring your camera along to snap a photo for yourself. Yellow.Cat Flickr

A visitor favorite, the azulejos tiles in the train station depict different scenes of Porto's history. The entire piece of art took more than a decade to complete. Jose Ignacio Soto Shutterstock

One of the best ways to view the Dom Luís I Bridge (as well as the other bridges Porto is known for) is on a river cruise along the Douro River. 1shostak Shutterstock

The Serralves complex comprises a villa, a park and a contemporary art museum, all three of which sit on nearly 45 acres of land. Its art deco architecture is some of the most notable in Portugal, according to experts, and visitors describe the gardens and art within the museum as beautiful. Visual Cortex Shutterstock

Livraria Lello & Irmão is known for its intricate exterior and ruby red staircase. Plus, you'll find plenty of nonfiction and fiction books at this store — some are even available in English. Ângela Antunes Flickr

The Dom Luís Bridge is one of six bridges that span the Douro River reaching from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. Christian Mueller Shutterstock

The exquisite bridge is the handiwork of Gustave Eiffel's best student, Théophile Seyrig, and connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Pedestrians can walk on both the top and bottom levels of the bridge. Enrique Aznar De Pedro / EyeEm Getty Images

The Jardins do Palácio de Cristal feature flowers, fountains and fauna, and make for a nice stroll. You'll find plenty of photo opportunities, whether you're snapping pics of the garden or the Douro River. Anastasia Petrova Shutterstock

Peacocks roam the Crystal Palace Gardens, offering an exotic pop of color to the surrounding greenery. JENG_NIAMWHAN Shutterstock

The Clérigos church tower can be quickly identified in Porto's skyline as it's the tallest structure in the city. The tower features an impressive baroque facade and many visit to climb the 240 steep steps to the highest point (which costs €2 EUR, or about $2.75 USD). At the top, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and the Douro River. karnizz Shutterstock

Porto's main thoroughfare, Avenida dos Aliados, is lined with cafes, shops and banks. Standing tall at the tip of the avenue is city hall, characterized by its regal granite and marble elements. A wandering minstrel Flickr

Just west of downtown Porto lies Foz do Douro, which features a beach and this accessible pergola-covered walkway that runs along it. Henner Damke Shutterstock

Escape for the day to the beach to enjoy the surf, sand and sun. Plenty of beaches lie west and southwest of Porto in Foz do Douro and Vila Nova de Gaia. Spend some time playing water sports or splashing around in the Atlantic Ocean. Ângela Antunes Flickr

The bright lights of Vila Nova de Gaia beckon travelers to step inside one of the port wine lodges along the river and sample sweet cocktails. Martin Lehmann Shutterstock

The Ribeira area of Porto lies along the Douro River and is characterized by its bright, multi-colored houses. Thanks to the many cultural and historical sites found in this neighborhood, Ribeira was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. Shchipkova Elena Shutterstock

Visit Dragão Stadium, home of the F.C. Porto club, to catch a futebol (soccer) game. The stadium also offers tours and has an on-site museum that highlight's the club's history. Edgar Jiménez Flickr

Many of the houses and shops in Porto feature terra cotta-colored roofs, quite a unique trait. Sergey Peterman Shutterstock