Vila Galé Porto Ribeira ★★★★

Your first impression of the Vila Galé Porto Ribeira ****, nestled right in the riverside area, is that it’s reminiscent of a Donatello painting, gazing out over the eternal water flowing under Porto’s bridges, Rabelo boats, in their picturesque moorings, and little hillside houses tumbling down to the opposite shore.

Welcome drink in hand, as you enter the peace and comfort of your room, the image of a beautifully lit interior from the Dutch Golden Age comes to mind, but in this case, you are also surrounded by all the modern comforts you could wish for. In the morning, the breakfast buffet, shimmering with fresh fruit colours, meats and cheeses, recalls a Cézanne still life and, if you take your delicious repast onto the river terrace, you are greeted with Monet-like ripples of water and bright splashes of gaily painted facades in the distance.

When you set out to explore the riot of artwork that is Porto, your senses will be delighted with the traditional Azulejo blue tiles everywhere – some whole houses are covered in their delicate patterns. The contrast with the contemporary street art you see seemingly on every available space is striking. This living painted canvas, this city of stunning scenic vistas, will imprint itself in your mind’s eye long after you return home.