The Trending Porto
When you think of a city break in Portugal, there is definitely one obvious answer – Lisbon. However, there is now a new destination that is becoming a more popular place to visit for a short break – Porto. It is located on the Atlantic coast and it seems to tick all the boxes. Only a short flight away from the UK, it offers history, stunning sights, delicious food plus quirky narrow street, the majestic river and even a beach.
The Old Porto
There is so much to see in Porto. All the sights are located in the historic district of the city. If you want to find out the history of the city and some other interesting facts, you can always book a free guided tour of the city which is run by the passionate locals who will share the history and tips where to eat and what to do in the city. Just don’t forget to tip them at the end.
Porto is famous for its six bridges over the river Douro. The best way to see them is on a river cruise which is run regularly throughout the day. The bridges vary in the architectural style but the most photographed one is the Luis I bridge which was designed by Gustav Eiffel. If you go in summer, you will see the teenagers jumping off the lower tier of the bridge into the river. Apparently, it is a local tradition and a rite of passage for the young ones but a hair raising sight for the spectators.
The Blue Porto
Porto is known for the production of port wine, its bridges, bacalhau (cod) based dishes but also for the beautiful azulejo tiles which adorn so many buildings in the city. The blue and white tiles go back to the Middle Ages where the blue colour was seen as a synonym of power and wealth. The most popular places to see the azulejo tiles is at the Sao Bento train station, the Carmo church and the Chapel of the Souls on the Santa Catarina street. These tiles depict scenes from Portuguese history, landscapes or the lives of the saints and ordinary folk. The colours are especially vibrant in the Portuguese sun so no wonder these attract so many tourists.
The Steep Porto
When in Porto, you need to be prepared that you are either going up or going down. There are numerous steps to climb, cobbled streets to watch your footing on, various gradients to navigate. It is something you feel in your quads the next day. If you don’t mind climbing though, then there are a few other activities in Porto I would recommend.
The obvious one is the Clerigos Tower. It is a 76m high tower located in the historical city centre and if you want to see the views over the city, there are 240 steps to climb first. The entry is staggered as the staircase is pretty narrow. From the top, you might be able to see the queues to the Livraria Lello, the famous bookshop which apparently inspired J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter.
If you are more of a thrill seeker, I would recommend climbing the Arrabida Bridge. You are fully harnessed and attached to a wire and you climb up to an equivalent of 18 floors. Once at the top of the arch, you can see some nice views of the city on one side and the Atlantic coast on the other side. The guide is full of stories and you are also given a little surprise treat of a chocolate cup filled with port wine.
The other climbing activity is the 360 views of Porto from the Superbock Arena, located in the beautiful Crystal Palace gardens. Before you climb the dome like arena, make sure you wander round the gardens which date back to the 19th century. The climb to the top of the arena is less challenging and the views from there are stunning.
The Beach Porto
The best way to relax and escape the crowds and the steep streets of the city is to catch the number 1 tram to the seaside. The trams run every 20 minutes from the Ribeira district. The ride to the seaside is along the river and takes around 30 minutes. The operating trams are vintage and sometimes they break down… which happened to us…cue a small crowd of local men shaking their heads.
Foz do Douro is where the tram terminates and here is where the river Douro meets the Atlantic Ocean. The Foz district feels affluent and it has a bit of a Nice feel about it. You can take a stroll along the promenade or walk towards the lighthouse but be careful as it is easy to get wet when the ocean is choppy. There are long stretches of sandy beaches which fill up with the locals during the summer holidays. On a Sunday, there is a market in the park showcasing local artists, food and clothes which adds to the experience of the trip to the seaside.
On the way back, there is an option of taking a number 18 tram with goes to the centre of Porto and has a more uphill route.
The One to Visit
Porto should definitely be one of the top destinations to visit in Europe. It is a stunning city with beautiful architecture, incredible food and so many things to do and see. Dare I say it is better than Lisbon?