The 50 best cities in the world in 2024 (and Porto is number 10!)

What makes a city great? Some would say it’s all about buzzing neighbourhoods, affordable food and drink and a mighty selection of things to do, from art galleries and museums to live music and theatre. Others might highlight things like the happiness of its locals, access to green space and strong community vibes.

Porto, in 10th place, "was one of the highest-scoring cities for romance" (Time Out)

#10. Porto
What makes us great: There’s good reason we chose Porto as this year’s best European city break. Portugal’s second city is a place where you eat well and drink better. In this wine capital, your glass will never be empty: check into a wine hotel like The Yeatman, The Lodge, or Wine & Books; sip and snack at stylish wine bars like Genuíno, A Certain Café, or Tia Tia; learn about all things vinho at the impressive World of Wine (WoW), a kind of wine-themed Disneyland; and see where the magic happens on a tour of one of the cellars in Gaia.

Visit now because: Time Out Market Porto opens in 2024 with the best of the city under the same roof. And what a roof – the market will be installed in a wing of the historic and pretty São Bento Station, a property of public interest, which was designed by local architect Marques da Silva. The tiles were created by the well known painter/art teacher Jorge Colaço.

The big numbers: With those azulejo-tiled buildings and Douro views, it’s no wonder 98 percent of locals would call their city beautiful. It’s also one of the highest scoring cities for romance, with 82 percent of locals saying it’s easy to find love in Porto. "Ooh o aaamooor!".