The youth and gap year travel agency KILROY has recommended a lesser-known city break destination that rivals Sydney without the expensive and lengthy travel fares.
Located in north-eastern Portugal, the city of Porto can be reached in just two and a half hours, about a tenth of the time it takes to visit Sydney.
Jessica Bollinger, travel expert at KILROY, suggested that the city offers an incredibly similar experience to climbing Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge.
She advised: “Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge is an adrenaline-rush experience that’s hailed as a must-do activity when visiting Australia. But if you’re searching for that rush slightly closer to home, then Porto is the perfect destination dupe.
“The Portuguese town is home to the Arrábida Bridge, which offers a near-identical experience to climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. You’ll be attached to a harness as you ascend to the top, so you’ll be perfectly safe, and rewarded with breath-taking views across the town of Porto when you reach the summit of the arch.”
Whilst visitors are unlikely to find a Portuguese take on the Sydney Opera House, there are plenty of more unique attractions that can be found across Porto.
One of the top attractions in the city is the Porto Wine Cellars, where visitors are able to learn about the drink’s 400-year history in the area and how it is produced.
Naturally, tours of the cellars are typically concluded with a tasting session, where guests can sample the different variations produced on site.
Another popular attraction for history fanatics in Porto is Foz do Douro, often described as a unique town built within the city.
During the 1800s, many rich Portuguese and English residents would use Foz do Douro as a kind of holiday resort, spending time on the many beaches in the area and walking along the Avenida do Brasil.
Today, tourists can still go on a range of beautiful beach walks and the area has gained a very positive reputation for its wide range of independent restaurants and cafes.
Finally, one of the quirkier things to do during a visit to the city of Porto is to marvel at the architecture of the São Bento Train Station.
Whilst using public transport is not often the highlight of a holiday, São Bento Train Station is notable for having an interior decorated with 20,000 painted tiles.
These tiles come together to display various scenes depicting the history of Portugal, including the conquest of Septa.