“Once upon a time in Porto…” is a phrase I saw around town quite a bit. Somehow, it suits the city perfectly because Porto is magical, beautiful, and vibrant. After visiting Portugal a few years ago – has it really been more than three years already?– I always knew I wanted to come back. Portugal seems to be on everyone’s travel wish list these days. Everybody wants to visit or even live there. Since I had only been to Lisbon and southern Portugal, I decided that this time I would travel to Porto.
So, is Porto worth visiting? Definitely! Now I can certainly understand what all the hype is about.
Read about my trip to Lisbon here: What to see in and around Lisbon.
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Porto
The city Porto, the second-largest in Portugal, is renowned for its association with port wine, as its name suggests. Of course, port wine is not the only delight you can enjoy, the city is sure to please your taste buds.
Besides visiting the port wine cellars, trying the local specialities is a must. These include olives, grilled fish, the many varieties of tinned sardines, and, of course, the famous Portuguese custard tarts known as pastéis de nata. I certainly tried them all. A lot!
Luckily, I also did plenty of walking. Trust me, the best way to explore Porto is on foot. It is amazing how much there is to discover, although I highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Porto is a very hilly city, so walking around can sometimes feel like a workout. However, it was never boring.
The cobbled streets, colourful houses, tiny old shops, and stunning views all added to Porto’s character, and to the enjoyment of exploring it day and night. Every street felt different, while each house had its own distinctive tiled façade. It had been a long time since I had taken so many photos of one city.
What else makes Porto so special? Read more below…
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The Architecture
The distinctive architecture and creative designs were not limited to the exteriors; they were also evident inside the restaurants, cafés, and little shops. Wherever I looked, there was something interesting to see. Almost every building, house, and street corner seemed to feature some form of art.
Street art is everywhere in Porto, and it certainly adds to the city’s character. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering it all.
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The Bridge
Walking across the Dom Luís I Bridge, which connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia—home to the famous port wine cellars—is an experience in itself. Constructed between 1881 and 1886, shortly before the Eiffel Tower, the bridge features a similarly striking iron structure.
The resemblance is no coincidence. The Dom Luís I Bridge was designed by Théophile Seyrig, a former collaborator of Gustave Eiffel. Seyrig and Eiffel also worked together on the nearby Maria Pia Bridge, which was completed in 1877.
Read more about the bridge here.
You can cross the bridge on either of its two levels: along the lower deck or high above the river on the upper deck. Each offers a different experience. At almost 45 metres above the Douro River, the upper deck provides stunning views of the city, especially around sunset.
This vibrant city has become one of my favourite places, and I would highly recommend visiting it. Porto certainly did not disappoint. And I am sure you can tell by all my photos!
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The Beach
One of Porto’s other advantages is how easy it is to escape to the beach. Had enough of the city? Simply hop on one of the old trams and ride it to the end of the line. From there, you can walk for hours along the coastline, watching the waves, enjoying a refreshing drink, or relaxing on the beach. The coastline is also part of the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago.
I spent a wonderful afternoon at the beach, soaking up the Portuguese sun and watching the sunset while enjoying a picnic. It was a beautiful day and the perfect escape from the city. Beach life here is very different from that in Phuket, but it is certainly a wonderful place to spend some time.
So, is Porto worth visiting? Yes, definitely!!
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Final tip: One thing you might want to think about is visiting the Livraria Lello in Porto. I was looking forward to go inside this stunning Harry Potter library/book store. However, the queues were soo long I didn’t want to spend hours waiting. Even with pre-purchased tickets. Shame. Maybe next time. I am pretty sure I will be back in Porto and certainly in Portugal.
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