Breathing in the sea air at Foz do Douro

Although a little out of the way, this district is well worth a visit and can be reached by any means of transport. On foot, it's a 1 hour 10 minute walk, which should be avoided with children. By tram for the picturesque side, take line 1 (Historic Centre/Foz Do Douro). By bus with the number 500, which you can take from Ribeira to Matosinhos. By bike with a simple hire or accompanied by a guide for a tour of around 3 hours. A taxi can also take you there for a few euros.

Jardim do Passeio Alegre

Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Jardim do Passeio Alegre invites you to take a stroll. Created in the 19th century, it features sculptures, fountains, palm trees and shady paths. In summer, small concerts are given in the bandstand. You can get to the Garden by tram. The terminus is just outside.

Farol de Felgueiras

For a walk, to admire the view of the ocean and watch the waves hit the pier. This really is one of Porto's best photo spots. You can spend long minutes trying to capture the best shot. It's just beyond the Jardim do Passeio Alegre.

Carneiro, dos Ingleses, Gondarém and Molhe beaches

You can take advantage of the pedestrian promenade, which is lined with a green path for bikes and rollerblades, to stroll along and watch the ocean and the waves crash more or less hard against the rocks. There are plenty of café terraces and restaurants where you can stop for lunch or a drink at any time of day.

Castelo do Queijo

Also known as the Fort of São Francisco Xavier, this ancient 15th-century fortification was built to defend the Portuguese against the Spanish during the War of Restoration. Castelo do Queijo means cheese castle in Portuguese, and the fort takes its name from the resemblance between this food and the rock on which it stands. Inside you'll find a museum that isn't overly interesting, but does provide access to a very pretty viewpoint. The entrance fee is a modest 0.50cts, so it would be a shame to miss out.

Parque da Cidade

Created by landscape architect Sidónio Pardal in 1991, this park is one of Portugal's largest urban parks, stretching right down to the ocean. Its unique feature is that visitors can breathe in the sea air and smell the iodine of the ocean while strolling through green spaces made up of eucalyptus woods. Opening times: April to September, daily from 7am to midnight, and October to March, daily from 7am to 10pm.

Matosinhos beach

This beach can be reached via the Parque da Cidade and stretches as far as the port of Leixões. This is the beach for surfers and kite surfers, but you can also hire sun loungers, play volleyball and enjoy a whole host of other activities. It's one of the only sandy beaches without rocks, so it's perfect for swimming, but you'll need to be brave because even in summer the sea is cold. You can also admire a beautiful sculpture made from red fishing nets to pay homage to the fishermen of Matosinhos, the Anémona. It is 50 metres high and was created by Janet Echelman. It was named the Anemone because its shape changes with the wind, just as an anemone moves with the currents.

Mercado de Matosinhos

Matosinhos is famous for its fresh fish, which you can buy at the market. You'll need to get up early, as the market opens at 6.30am, to get the best choice at this market housed in a concrete half-cylinder built in 1946. Popular with the locals, there are also a number of cafés and restaurants where you can sample the specialities. You can even buy your own fish and ask a restaurant to cook it for you.

Serralves Foundation

Just 5 minutes by bus from Foz do Douro, the Serralves Foundation is well worth a visit. It houses the Museum of Contemporary Art, an 18-hectare park, the Manoel de Oliveira Film House and the Serralves Art Deco Villa. In summer, concerts are held in the gardens.