WINE drinkers considering a city break this year should head to one of the cheapest cities in Europe, with a whole complex centred around their favourite drink.
Europe is home to some of the world’s best wines, including Portugal, which has several famous wine-making regions like the Douro Valley and the Algarve.
One city in Portugal that is keen to celebrate its wine heritage is Porto, where a wine “theme park” offers visitors the chance to learn all about the drink, while also sampling it too.
The World of Wine is a complex in the city’s affectionately-named wine quarter that is home to seven museums, 12 restaurant, bar and café spaces, a wine school, several shops, an exhibition hall and event space.
It is housed in old port wine cellars and is said to “convey the history and feeling associated with winemaking in its many forms” according to Visit Portugal.
Among the seven themed museums are the Wine Experience, which promises to take guests on an “extraordinary journey from grape to bottle” but “in an interactive way”.
There’s also the Pink Palace, which is the most recent addition and immerses visitors in the concept of rosé wine.
It boasts an “extravagant and eccentric” experience with a bright pink ball-pit and inflatable flamingos involved.
It offers five different types of rosé for people to try, included in the €25 (£21) ticket price.
Time Out described World of Wine as ” basically a big theme park for those who like a tipple (or three)” and said it’s likely going to become “a major draw for vinho experts and novices alike”.
They added: “It was intended to become both a place to learn and a place to hang out with pals.
“Built around a central square, with several buildings occupying former port warehouses, it’s easy to imagine balmy summer evenings, grabbing cocktails at bar after bar.”
As well as wine tasting in the exhibits, the on-site bars and restaurants also serve some of the best wine the city has to offer.
However, wine isn’t the only produce on offer in the World of Wine, with a working chocolate factory also on-site.
The Chocolate Story tells the history of coca and shows guests behind the scenes of the factory – and of course offers them the chance to taste.
Meanwhile, there’s an “art of drinking” exhibit, containing more than 2,000 artefacts dedicated to drinking with some items dating back more than 9,000 years.
The 10 cheapest pints in the world
These 10 countries have the cheapest pints in the world
- Uzbekistan – 70p
- China – 90p
- Madagascar – £1
- Vietnam – £1.02
- Ukraine – £1.06
- Belarus – £1.07
- Philippines – £1.25
- Colombia – £1.28
- Azerbaijan – £1.29
- Kazakhstan – £1.34
Source: How to Order a Beer in Any Country in the World by Fraser Metcalf
Luckily for visitors, World of Wine is in one of the cheapest cities in Europe.
Introducing Porto explained: “Generally, prices in Porto are quite inexpensive, especially eating out and entry fees to museums and attractions.
“Keep in mind that in Porto, churches are free to visit and most sights are quite accessible.”
A beer in the city is between €1-2 according to Porto Sidecar Tours.
A room for two can be booked for around £27 per night.
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Meanwhile, another popular wine attraction can be found in another city in Europe.
And this wine-themed train is set to launch from Europe in 2026.