Word is out – Portugal is officially hip. Last year, the country reported a record number of overseas arrivals and it looks like things aren’t slowing down for the southern European country which has welcomed a slew of new hotels over the last 12 months.
While capital Lisbon has already established itself as one of Europe’s trendiest city destinations, the northern city of Porto is catching up fast and will now be easily accessible from Dubai as Emirates launches a four weekly service to the city from July 2.
Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, flights will touch down at Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Carved in two by the Douro river, Porto has medieval roots and a contemporary buzz. The city’s seaside suburbs have been undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years and are now home to some fantastic restaurants and bars.
Latin-American hospitality brand made its hotel debut in Portugal last year with the opening of the creatively-inspired Selina Porto. A second Selina property is scheduled to open in the city by 2020. Porto also welcomed the upscale Vila Gale Braga and the historic Pestana Porto A Brasileira hotels.
One of Europe’s most geographically diverse countries, Portugal has beaches, mountain ranges, national parks, vineyards and glacial valleys. It’s also home to multiple Unesco world heritage sites.
Travellers keen on visiting the northern Spanish cities of Vigo and Santiago de Compostela will also be able to make use of the new route thanks to their proximity to Porto.
