No longer in the shadow of Lisbon, its bigger sibling to the south, Porto is a vibrant hub of arts and culture, with top-notch museums and galleries, Michelin-listed restaurants and a beautiful setting along the Douro.

Porto鈥檚 neighborhoods are as diverse as its attractions and encompass medieval cobblestone lanes, hillside bohemian districts, elegant avenues of the city center and even a beachfront locale. The city鈥檚 wealth of accommodation options further complicates things when deciding where to base yourself. To help you choose, we鈥檝e compiled an overview of the five best neighborhoods to visit in Porto.

1. Ribeira

Best neighborhood for sightseeing

Porto鈥檚 most famous neighborhood, Ribeira is packed with blockbuster sights. You can peer back in time on a visit to the looming medieval 厂茅 (cathedral), learn about 14th-century royals at the Casa do Infante, or see Porto鈥檚 finest Neoclassical architecture at the Pal谩cio da Bolsa.

Ribeira is also one of the city鈥檚 most atmospheric places for exploring. Narrow, cobblestone lanes wind past tall, slender town houses painted in bright pastel hues or covered in azulejos (tiles). Suddenly you round a steep downhill bend onto an elegant cafe-fringed square with views of the dramatic Dom Lu铆s I bridge arching over the river. Day or night, there鈥檚 much to do, from browsing indie boutiques and artisan shops to dining in some of the city鈥檚 best restaurants 鈥� or decamping to a wine bar when the weather turns sour.

Given its allure, Ribeira draws more tourists than other parts of Porto. Accommodation tends to book up fast, especially in the high season. Prices skew toward the high and low ends, with a mix of river-facing boutique hotels and designer hostels, along with some mid-range Airbnb rentals.

2. Baixa

Best district for nightlife

The heart of Porto is Baixa, a buzzing central district with some of the city鈥檚 most recognizable landmarks. Lined with grand beaux-art hotels and apartment buildings, the Avenida dos Aliados is an architectural masterpiece and a key gathering point for big events like the Festa de S茫o Jo茫o or New Year鈥檚 Eve.

Nearby, you can climb to the top of the 18th-century Torre dos Cl茅rigos for one of the best perspectives over the city. If you鈥檙e heading out of town, or just want a peek inside one of Portugal鈥檚 most beautiful train stations, don鈥檛 miss a visit to S茫o Bento.

The bar-lined streets west of Aliados (especially Rua Galeria de Paris) form the backdrop to Porto鈥檚 best nightlife. On weekend nights, the action spills out onto the streets and nearby plazas. You鈥檒l also find laid-back cafes, bookshops and eclectic restaurants catering to a wide range of budgets. The lodging scene is just as diverse, with both five-star options and budget-friendly guesthouses, as well as stylish hostels like the Passenger.

3. Cedofeita and Miragaia

Best neighborhood for galleries and street art

Just west of Baixa, Cedofeita and neighboring Miragaia are appealing destinations for those seeking a more local experience when visiting Porto. On Rua Miguel de Bombarda and neighboring streets, you鈥檒l find Porto鈥檚 arts district, with galleries, one-of-a-kind local shops and hidden street art.

Downhill from Cedofeita, Miragaia was once home to the medieval Jewish quarter, and its maze-like lanes and staircase alleys lead past impressive vestiges of the past, including a section of the 14th-century walls that once protected the city. As with Ribeira, you鈥檒l get a workout wandering these steep streets, which are dotted with both old-school tascas (taverns) and imaginative gastropubs.

There's a bohemian charm to these two districts, with hidden backyard cafes and stunning overlooks where you can join locals for BYO drinks at sunset. You鈥檒l also find good-value guesthouses and hostels that showcase the neighborhood鈥檚 creativity with local artwork on display and themed rooms.

4. Foz do Douro

Best neighborhood for families and beach escapes

If you start to feel claustrophobic in the compact lanes of the city center, head to the open vistas of seaside Foz do Douro. Porto鈥檚 westernmost neighborhood is best known for its rugged beaches, breezy promenades and oceanfront terrace restaurants facing the crashing waves. Although it looks far from the center, Foz is only a 25-minute bus ride from the heart of Porto.

Foz doesn鈥檛 have any must-see attractions 鈥� apart from riding the vintage No 1 tram to reach the area. But it鈥檚 a good option for a relaxing getaway near the beach and is one of the best neighborhoods for families in Porto. You can bookend your sightseeing with free time on the sand or check out some of the kid-friendly sights nearby, like the Sealife Porto aquarium or the imposing fortress of S茫o Francisco Xavier (aka Cheese Castle).

5. Vila Nova de Gaia

Best neighborhood for wine lovers

Stretching along the south bank of the Douro River, Vila Nova de Gaia has staggering views of Porto across the water. Historic port wine lodges also make the district a prime destination for wine lovers. Apart from tasting first-rate vintages and delving into vineyard lore at the , Gaia (as it鈥檚 more often called) has cobblestone streets dotted with photogenic buildings. You鈥檒l also find a wide variety of restaurants but limited nightlife.

By day, the riverside district fills with tourists, but if you spend the night, you鈥檒l experience a far more local side, as most visitors head back across the Douro come sundown. There's a small but diverse array of hotels, hostels and guesthouses. The best 鈥� like the Yeatman 鈥� have million-dollar views over the river and Porto.