In Porto they work, in Braga they pray, in Coimbra they study and in Lisbon they play, goes the old adage. But these days the inhabitants of Porto, commonly known as ‘tripe eaters’ (due to a moment in the 15th century when the people gave their meat supplies to feed their army, leaving only tripe for themselves) seem to play as hard as they work. And what a playground Porto has become.
Seriously good restaurants have popped up all over the city and historical houses are opening as sleek boutique hotels, gentrifying the city’s granite landscape as they do. A handful of new museums are keeping visitors another day or two, allowing them to really get under the skin of this city which gave its name to the country from its Roman days as Portus Cale. Read on to discover the best boutique hotels in Porto for your stay.