Vila do Conde

VILA DO CONDE, 27km north of Porto, has become quite a significant resort over recent years, but has lost refreshingly little of its original character in the process. In part, it’s because the villas and apartments overlooking the beach are set away from the rest of town; the old centre, 1km inland on the north bank of the Rio Ave, retains an active fishing port and an atmospheric medieval quarter, while the more modern town is a handsome place of boulevards, gardens and cafés. If you want more than just a beach then it’s the best day out from Porto, especially as you can zip up and down easily on the metro. The more developed sands of Póvoa do Varzim are just a few minutes beyond, at the end of the line.