Porto or Porto Ribiera has gradually spread out from The Ribeira, the Medieval town that lines the River Douro, through the years. The old town.. with lots of steep, narrow, cobbled streets that wind down to the river - lined with tall brightly painted houses topped with terracotta roofs.. relays some of the steep history to you without asking. And perhaps because of this, the are now UNESCO listed.

The distinctive Ponte de Dom Luis I bridge connects the Ribeira to Vila Nova de Gaia which is the centre of port wine in Portugal.