Porto: Unveiling the Charms of Portugal's Enchanting City

For years, I had wanted to visit Portugal, having Portuguese friends all over the world.

Finally, with the possibility of travelling again, I found a very affordable flight from Copenhagen to Porto, and I couldn't miss the opportunity.

Being a city in the northern part of the country, I didn't expect the weather to be summer-like all the time. In fact, without ever feeling too hot or cold, I managed with a few clouds and winds, accompanied by bursts of warm sun that made the stay enjoyable, especially when it came to exploring the city.

How to Get There?

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport or Vinci Airport is about a 40-minute metro ride from the city center and easily reachable without having to book taxis or private shuttles. The ticket costs 2 Euros per person, and you need to get the Andante card from the automatic machines.

The ticket or card needs to be obtained for each individual. It's possible to purchase packages of single rides (titles) or advantageous rates for specific zones.

Where to Stay?

Personally, I stayed at Hotel São José near Bolhão station, which is one of the two commercial districts in the historic center of the city. However, since the transportation system works very well and there are many options including buses, trams, and the Metro, any central area is perfect. São Bento, Guilherme Gomes Fernandes, and Trindade are 3 stops around which I suggest having a look.

What to See?

Starting from Bolhão, you can walk along Rua de Santa Catarina, where there are many shops and cafés for a breakfast. From here, you reach the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso, a typical 19th-century church covered with the classic white and blue tiles.

You could proceed to Igreja de Santa Clara, but it was closed for renovations.

So, turning right, you'll first encounter the Porto Cathedral, and from there, cross the Luís I Bridge from the upper level.

While crossing the bridge, be cautious of the trams and the strong wind—I almost lost my beloved hat! On the other side, you'll find the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar and the Teleférico de Gaia - Jardim do Morro station, which will take you to the riverside for about 6 Euros.

You can also walk to Marginal de Gaia (the riverside), but it's a steep descent that I avoided by taking the cable car.

Here, you'll find all the exhibitions, museums, and experiences related to Port wine and other local products.

Continuing along the lower part of the Luís I Bridge, you'll reach Cais da Ribeira, the historic area with alleys and riverside restaurants overlooking the Douro River.

After wandering through the streets and enjoying an aperitif, it's time to climb up to Jardim do Infante Dom Henrique, where you'll find the Palácio da Bolsa and Mercado Ferreira Borges.

As you ascend, lose yourself in Porto's narrow streets until you reach São Bento, one of the city's historic central train stations. A quick visit to Praça da Liberdade with various fountains, restaurants, and the Câmara Municipal do Porto is followed by moving to Igreja do Carmo, one of the most famous churches covered in traditional white and blue tiles.

Near the church, you'll find the bookstore that seems to have come out of the Harry Potter saga, Livraria Lello, a historic bookstore where you need to purchase a ticket for around 4 - 5 euros, which will be reimbursed if you buy a book. The challenging part is enduring a queue of at least 1 or 2 hours to enter.

All of this is possible to visit in a day, so I recommend taking it really slow and relaxing while enjoying the view and atmosphere of the city. Then, you can decide what to explore indoors (museums, churches, palaces, etc.) the next day.

Other destinations worth visiting, not exactly central, include:

• Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, one of my favorites, about 2 km from the center, is a spectacle in my opinion not only for its natural atmosphere, but also for the panoramic view of the city and the peacocks freely roaming the gardens.

• Foz do Douro, where the sea meets the river, and you can enjoy the beach and the long promenade by the sea up to Praia de Matosinhos, an area filled with typical restaurants and a beach.

• Parque de Serralves, a place to relax and take a cultural walk among sculptures.

• Parque da Cidade do Porto, a park near Matosinhos where you can engage in sports, take a leisurely stroll, relax, or dine in one of the nearby restaurants.

• Praia Fluvial do Areinho, an urban river beach within the city where you can cool off and relax during the day.

• Casa da Música, located on the way to Matosinhos, as the name suggests, is a venue for concerts and musical events.

Certainly, you must visit Porto not only for its history but also for shopping, where you can find truly affordable prices for high-quality products made in Portugal.

Of course, don't miss out on trying the local cuisine. The most famous dishes include Francesinha, Bacalhau, Polvo à la Lagareiro, Pastel de Nata, Chicken Piri-Piri, and to finish, the many varieties of Tapas, great for those who want to sample various traditional dishes without getting too full.

For non-alcoholic options, fresh orange juice stands out, and for everyone else, there's the Super Bock beer and the famous Port Wine. It can be white, ruby, or red (make sure it's aged for 10 years or from a single vintage).

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