2 days ago
6
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Porto was one of the stops I included in my itinerary during my trip around Portugal. I arrived late at night from Prague.
I was fortunate enough to arrive not too late to take the metro to the closest possible station to my accommodation. A local was friendly enough to advise me which stop I should alight in to reach my destination.
It was cold and darkness covered the city with the exception of a few bars and restaurants open. As always, I didn’t set any expectations despite the numerous good things I’ve heard and read about the city from other travelers.
I want the city to surprise me.
That it did.
Portugal’s second city
In my experience traveling around Europe, many of the continent’s cities are small compared with their Asian counterparts.
Sure there’s Paris, London, Berlin, and others but most cities are small. However, this adds to their charm; the narrow (sometimes cobblestone) streets lined with hole-in-the-wall or chain restaurants and bars, architecture from different epochs that tell the city’s history, and kitschy souvenir shops add character to a place.
Porto is no exception. Portugal’s second city is oozing with charm. Its centuries-old churches and colorful houses and buildings climb up the hills along the Douro River. This makes for a picturesque view of concrete, wood, steel, and nature all in one frame.
I wouldn’t call myself a foodie, I often just eat anywhere and anything, little to no browsing on the best and highest rated restaurants. Maybe I’d check out a famous cafe or restaurant but I prefer value over price and prestige.
But you shouldn’t leave Porto without trying the renowned Francesinha. I’ve tried this sandwich in different cities in Portugal, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to eat it in Porto.
Its ingredients include sausage, ham, roast beef, cheese, egg, bread, and a special sauce. It’s not the healthiest dish, but you won’t regret eating it again and again.
Speaking of places to eat, I decided to check out Cafe Majestic. The line and wait was long but I wanted to experience what the fuss was about.
I skimmed through the menu and saw overpriced food and drinks; however, one comes here to feel the ambiance and catch a glimpse of the city’s old-world charm.
It’s more than a hundred years old (the cafe dates to the 1920s) and is a relic of its time when Parisian-style cafes were in fashion. Politicians, artists, and intellectuals dined and drank while discussing ideas in the Cafe Majestic during its heyday.
I finished my overpriced food (quite forgettable) and imagined what it was like sitting there more than a century ago talking about politics, art, and literature.
I spent hours walking around the UNESCO-listed historic center and went to various viewpoints in the city.
The Clerigos Tower is a historic monument that towers over Porto. This 18th century landmark rises 75m high and is an ideal spot to get bird’s eye views.
I noticed the striking blue and white tiles of the Igreja do Carmo as I was exploring. My curiosity led me to take a closer look at the stunning facade of the church.
Not too far from the church is a famous bookshop, the Livraria Lello. It claims to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world, it could make that case if you ask me, but visit it to form your own opinion.
I had to book a ticket online and queue to get inside. Dozens of people go in and out not just to buy a book or two but also to take photos of the shop’s beautiful interiors and exquisite staircase. I succumbed to the desire (like everyone else) to take several pictures.
The store dates to 1906 and has since catered to the reading needs of locals and visitors alike.
One of the most important historic landmarks in the city is the Se or the Porto Cathedral. Its history spans multiple centuries dating to the 12th century. It resembles a fort as it looms above the city. Its position provides you with sweeping views.
The Palacio da Bolsa is a noteworthy addition to your itinerary. It’s another historic attraction that provides visitors with a peek into the city’s glorious past.
This national monument is a relic of the 19th century. The Arab Hall is often cited as an architectural gem and highlight of a visit to the palace.
Its Moorish Revival architecture will remind one of the Alhambra in Spain with its geometric patterns, columns, arches, and Arabic inscriptions.
Centuries ago, merchants took guests here to impress upon them the wealth and status of Porto. It’s now part museum and home of the Porto Commercial Association.
The loveliest part of Porto is the Cais da Ribeira. It’s a blend of colorful houses, restaurants, bars, river views, and narrow, zigzagging streets.
This maze-like neighborhood is an ideal place for long, wandering walks with no set destination. Get a glimpse of local life as grocers and butchers wait for the comings and goings of potential customers.
Walk along the river after a day of sightseeing and indulging in good food or simply find a place to sit and watch the day turn into night. Reflect on your trip and how that changed you (if you’re that type of traveler) or plan your next stop in Portugal — with the Cais da Ribeira‘s beauty and charm serving as the perfect backdrop.
The Ponte Dom Luis I is an engineering and architectural feat that makes it one of the country’s iconic structures. This bridge connects the two banks of the city.
Locals and tourists alike cross the bridge to and from both banks daily. It’s also one of the best spots to get majestic sweeping views of Cais da Ribeira and other neighborhoods.
Avenida dos Aliados is what I consider the main thoroughfare of the city, the artery that connects the surrounding areas to each other. Beautiful buildings, restaurants, and shops line the avenue (I even stayed somewhere in this area during my visit).
Porto is a fine city to relax and unwind in. It has big city perks minus the hustle and bustle (that’s the opinion of someone living in chaotic Metro Manila).
Quaint and historic cafes, restaurants, book shops, bars, and stores line its streets. A trip to a museum, palace, church, or simply wandering around feels like stepping back in time. – Rappler.com
