ToursGaGa

Beat the hills with an electric bike

Hilly it may be, but fitter visitors will enjoy racing around Porto and the surrounding area on two wheels. Blue Dragon Tours' (tel: +351 222 022 375; www.bluedragon.pt) cycling specialists offer guided city trips and for those that haven't the puff, don't fret: Porto Rent A Bike (tel: +351 912 562 190; www.portorentabike.com) has electric bikes that make the hills a breeze.

Cruise along in a piece of art

For a different and much more serene perspective of Porto, take a river trip. Short cruises, like the Bridges Tour, show off a beautiful, thriving cityscape, whilst a trip aboard Douro Azul's (tel +351 223 402 500; www.douroazul.com) Trafaria Praia is not your average journey - it's interior is decked out as a sparkling piece of art.

Find the fairway at one of Europe’s oldest golf clubs

If you want to tackle 18 historic and scenic holes, swing by one of Europe's oldest golf courses. In 1890, British wine exporters laid out a golf course in Porto, thus introducing the game to Portugal. It was christened Oporto Golf Club (tel: +351 227 342 008; www.oportogolfclub.com) in 1901 and is still highly regarded today.

Head to Vila do Conde beach

No seaside city trip is complete without a visit to the beach. Whether you sunbathe on golden sands, cool off in the Atlantic or want to surf, Vila do Conde is fantastic. It's only 33km (21 miles) from Porto; jump on the red Metro line and alight at Póvoa de Varzim.

Hike through the Douro Valley

Whether you're after a wild waterside walk along the Atlantic coastline or wish to escape the city to tread a path through the delightful Douro Valley, Porto's surroundings offer some special strolls. Trilhos (tel: +351 225 020 740; http://trilhos.pt), in the city centre, helps organise mountain treks for all abilities among plenty of other outdoor activities.