Come with me……. let’s take a city walk through Porto

This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch) Português (Portuguese (Portugal))

Porto after the lock down………………

After 5 very long months, I am finally back in my beloved Porto! I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back here. Five long months because of the covid-19 virus that stopped the world…

For the second time in the last 10 years, this city and its people are going through a very rough time. I walk around with a big smile on my face just because I know it will survive again! This city full of beauty, magic, strength, flexibility and an amazing population will make her comeback soon!

Today I am going to share some of its beauty with you and this time you will need some decent shoes -😉. I usually walk an average of 20 km per day but I will save your legs and make it a lot shorter. Those of you who have read my previous post about Porto (bike tour Porto) knows that I’m a big fan of the bridge “Ponte de Dom Luís” so let’s start our walk there.

The “Ribeira”

From the riverside – “Ribeira” you have a beautiful view of the bridge. This masterpiece was designed by a pupil of Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower, Paris, fame. We walk along the quay in the direction of the bridge and pass many cosy restaurants selling fresh fish and the famous Francesinha… (more about this speciality in another post) bars and street performers. 

Ribeira (riverside) from Porto

Vila Nova de Gaia

Having arrived at the bridge we walk to the other side to Vila Nova de Gaia is the home of many famous port wine houses and you can visit most of them for a tour or a tasting. As I stroll along the quay of Gaia I admire the view of Porto. The view from this side of the river is breathtaking, but it can even get better……. halfway along the quay, you will find the “Porto Cruz” building with a fantastic roof terrace. Take the elevator up to the 360º roof terrace and enjoy the amazing view. A visit to this terrace is a must! Don’t forget to try one of their cocktails and some of the delicious snacks.

Vila Nova da Gaia

Porto Cruz Building

360º Roof Terrace Porto Cruz

But let’s not get too comfortable here though,  there is a lot more to see.

Mercado Beira-Rio

We continue our walk along the quay in the direction of the old Market “ Mercado Beira-Rio” Here you can buy fruit, bread wine and all kinds of other local products and you can also have a lovely lunch in one of the little restaurants in the Market.

Mercado Beira Rio – Gaia

Mecado Beira Rio – Gaia

Interior Mercado Beira Rio -Gaia

After leaving the market, we turn left to discover the small back roads of Gaia. Here you will find several beautiful pieces of street art on the walls and doors.  Just wander through these small roads until you have found the sign to “Taylors” .

Be prepared,  the road up to “Taylors” is steep but worth the effort! On the way to “Taylors” you will pass the new “WoW” project which is really an experience. In the centuries-old port wine cellars, there are six museums about wine, history, cork and chocolate and also 9 restaurants, shops, a temporary exhibition and a wine school.

Taylor´s Port wine cellars

Our next stop is the “Taylors”  Port wine cellars. You can visit their impressive wine cellars and with the help of an audio-guided tour (in 12 languages), you will learn everything about the history of Port wine and its production. At the end of the tour, there is a tasting of 2 Port wines.  Do not make the same mistake I made….. make sure you have some food in your stomach before you start the tour -😊 . There are many Port wine cellars in Gaia and you can visit most of them. I prefer Taylors but of course, you can also try one of the other brands.

Gardens at Taylor´s

Terras with view to Porto

Taylor’s wine cellar

It’s time to leave Gaia, so we walk via the upper part of the “Ponte Luis” back to Porto. For those who are afraid of heights, it might be wise to get on the subway!

Dom Luis 1 Bridge

Dom Luis 1 Bridge Porto

On the other side of the bridge, you will find the famous cathedral “Sé do Porto”. You can’t miss it because it is built on the highest point in the city. It was constructed during the twelfth century but it has been rebuilt and renovated many times, so you will see a mix of architectural styles. I’d love to tell you what the inside looks like but the truth is I’ve never been inside because there’s plenty to see outside and I am an outdoor person -😉

Square Sé do Porto

Cathedral Sé do Porto

Sé do Porto

From the Sé do Porto we walk downhill in the direction of the ”São Bento” (Saint Benedict) station.  I absolutely adore the large vestibule of this station which is fully decorated with hand-painted tiles from the artist Jorge Colaço. The blue tiles represent historical moments and the multi-coloured panels show rural scenes from various regions in Portugal. It is really stunning and well worth a visit.

We leave the station and cross over to the famous “Rua das Flores” (Flower street) which leads you back to the “Ribeira” where we started. The “Rua das Flores” is a very charming and lively street where you can find lots of interesting shops, boutiques and cosy restaurants. If you want to come back here for dinner, I recommend “Cantina 32 “ and “Puro4050”. If you stroll through this street back to the Ribeira do not forget to admire Casa das Maias at  Nº 29 and Casa dos Sousa e Silva at Nº 79 to 83.  

Restuarant Puro 4050

Restaurant Puro 4050

I think it´s now time for a break so you can put your feed up……. in my next post about Porto we will continue with another city walk, starting at the “Avenida dos Aliados”.

Até breve !

This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch) Português (Portuguese (Portugal))