A couple years back my sister and I got to explore the stunning medieval city of Porto on the coast of Portugal. It was a stopover on the way to Spain to walk a section of the Camino de Santiago. Now that I have visited I would love to go back and explore even more.
It takes an Uber ride from the Porto airport to get to the old city and the hostel where we were planning to stay for a few nights.
(In the distance you can see the tallest tower in Porto which was right next door to our hostel)
As you step out the door you walk into an old world of spectacular architecture and beautiful design. The particular quality that catches the eye are the tiled facades of the buildings. Every tile is handmade. I can’t imagine having to colour match a time of something we’re to happen and some were broken.
Walking the alleyways transports you to a different time and lead you to hidden courtyards and coffee shops.
The walking tour through the old city was illuminating so if you ever pass through then find the local walking tour guides in the central parade. They don’t charge for the tour but do ask for a donation at the end. Our tour was 4 hours long and hosted by a local comedian come tour-guide. He was entertaining but at the same time explained the history of Porto in great detail as only an old local can.
It amazes me that the medieval buildings are actually reasonably modernised on the interior and all are inhabited. You see the washing lines high up in the air between buildings and wonder where the locals park their cars???
The shopping district is more modern with malls hidden behind old facades and the most gorgeous paved sidewalks. You will find all the same boutiques and chain stores of the the rest of Europe. But my favourite thing was finding a basement indoor grocery market! Everything was fresh from the farm and the juices were divine.
We then caught a local bus from the riverside (the port of Porto) to the beach on the coast. There is nothing old about the coastline of Porto as it holds the new harbour and multi storey cruise liners abound. But it was a chance for us to get our feet wet in the Atlantic and enjoy a gelato.
Back in the old city, the castle on the hill is visible for all to see from almost every angle.
I would go back to Porto in an instant given the chance and am thinking about doing the Portuguese Camino which starts right there in the alleyways of the old city. What a treat that will be.
Our tour of Porto ended at the train station as we began our 3 train full day journey to Sarria in Spain for the start of the Camino. (That will be a separate post...)
If you would like to see more of the Porto Street Art then check my blog for that post. The creativity is boundless.
Have you been to Porto?
Til we meet again....
(All photos my own)
