Catalonia Porto

Step back in time at the Catalonia Porto, which comprises a group of 18th-century buildings protected due to their historical importance. Just a 20-minute drive from Porto Airport, the hotel is surrounded by the old world charm of the Ribeira district and it’s only a 10-minute walk from the 12th-Century cathedral.

The hotel’s rooms are as sweet as Porto’s wines, and combine bright colours with the traditional patterns of the famous local tiles. You can switch off in the leafy courtyard garden, where an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi provide a refreshing escape on a hot day. If you prefer to work up a sweat, simply head to the on-site sauna or gym. 

Love to eat like a local? The hotel’s Douro restaurant offers traditional Portuguese favourites including partridge stewed with port wine, fish soup with prawns, and sweet potato cake. The relaxed Gastrobar, meanwhile, focuses on burgers, pizzas, and cocktails.

Grab this chance to explore Porto’s past, and make a bit of your own history, too… 

Just so you know, the outdoor swimming pool is seasonal, from May to the end of September.