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Portugal is growing in popularity and has had a record summer for tourism this year.
The Portuguese capital, Lisbon, has been the country’s most popular choice for tourists and digital nomads alike for years.
But now tourism is booming in the smaller coastal city of Porto.
New research shows that the number of overnight stays for tourists in the coastal city of Porto has increased more than twice as fast as in the capital Lisbon.
The number of hotel rooms available in Porto has increased rapidly, with 4,601 new hotel beds available in the last 12 months. And Porto has also seen an increase in air traffic over the past year.
Here’s why Porto is becoming increasingly popular with international visitors this fall:
Easy to get to with direct air routes
Destinations tend to become more popular if you can reach them via a non-stop flight. And that certainly applies to Porto. As the number of flights into the city has increased, so has the number of international arrivals.
United Airlines and American Airlines both offer seasonal direct flights to Porto. United, Delta and American Airlines also offer non-stop flights to Lisbon year-round, and from here you’re just a short hop from Porto.
The airline Azores Airlines has also expanded its flight schedule and now flies directly to Porto from two North American destinations.
These flights connect Porto to Boston Logan International Airport and to New York JFK. A third route flies to Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada.
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Cultural explorations
It should go without saying, but in autumn there are much fewer tourists in Porto.
The peak tourist season in the city ends in mid-September, so you can enjoy the city without the crowds.
Porto has a typical Mediterranean climate, which means it is very mild during the autumn and winter months.
In the beginning of autumn you can enjoy warm days and the weather is still warm enough for swimming in the sea and days on the beach.
For this reason, Porto is considered a year-round holiday destination, although it is not one of the best winter sun destinations in Europe.
That said, Porto has significantly better winter weather than most Northern European countries, and the cooler weather makes for more comfortable sightseeing.
If you are a culture lover and are thinking of heading to Porto to explore the city’s beautiful cathedral, climb to the top of the Clerigos Tower to enjoy spectacular views of the city or enjoy a tasting in the wine cellars of Porto, you will probably find this a much more comfortable experience in the fall than in the summer.
Brilliant options for a budget holiday
With Porto being such a high demand destination at the moment, the supply of hotel rooms exceeds demand during the peak summer months.
If you do not book in advance, it can be very difficult to find a room in Porto in July and August.
On the other hand, since demand is lower in the autumn months, it is not only easier to find a hotel room in Porto, but it is also considerably more affordable.
Prices for a single room for 2 people in a 3-star hotel in Porto start from $41 per night in October, while the cheapest 4-star hotel in the city can be booked for $95 per night during the same period.
In general, Porto is considered one of the most affordable cities in Western Europe. Public transport is affordable and easily accessible. You can expect to pay between $12 and 15 for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant. And for a beer you only pay $2 a glass.
If you’re not on a budget, head to the Ribeira district for a meal on Porto’s most iconic terraces.
This neighborhood is located on the river and consists of beautiful brightly colored houses that seem to be stacked on top of each other.
The views are spectacular, but the restaurant prices are not in the budget category.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
