Parque Municipal das Virtudes, Porto

Parque Municipal das Virtudes unfolds as a garden of terraces descending through a valley towards the Douro. As you walk along its paths, the stepped lawns open into a wide river panorama, with tiled houses running down the hillside around you. You reach it by the Passeio das Virtudes or by the steep Calçada das Virtudes, beside the rear of Porto’s courthouse.

Look for the old fountain within the garden: the Chafariz das Virtudes holds national-monument status. For years, this place faded from local attention, but it has returned to everyday life. The promenade along the garden’s upper edge now draws people after work, while the lawns welcome picnics, quiet reading and gatherings with drinks from the small café nearby. The river view stretches towards the Atlantic, making the promenade a fine place for sunset.