May 15th ~ Porto, Portugal
Porto, Portugal
This is our first time in Portugal and we find it easy to get around. Arriving a few days ago, we hopped on the metro right at the airport and were able to get within a few blocks of the small apartment we had rented for four days. I will show pictures of our place in the next post.
We can tell that we are back in Europe with the change in architecture.
Porto
It is the tile work on the sides of the buildings that most stands out for me. I don’t know yet if this is unique to Porto, but I suspect we will see it throughout Portugal.
Tile work on the side of the buildings is quite common here
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal with a population of 1.4 million. The historic district was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Within a five-minute walk from our apartment was the Igreja do Carmo Church.
Igreja do Carmo
And around another corner is the famous Livraria Lello Bookstore (for Harry Potter fans anyway). There are renovations underway so the exterior was covered, the window blocked and the well-known staircase was encased in scaffolding. We settled for a glimpse…
I’m sure it will be lovely when the refurbishments are completed
In this same square is the Clerigos Tower (the symbol of the city) and Clerigos Church.
Clerigos Tower
Clerigos Church
Later in the day we took the hop on hop off bus to be able to cover more ground and get an overview of areas other than just walking distance from our flat.
Yellow Bus
Porto is dotted with parks and statues and of course, this being a Catholic country, there are churches everywhere.
One of many green belts seen throughout the city
Porto sits with the Atlantic Ocean on one side as well as bordering the Douro River. Just across the river is the town of Vila Nova de Gaia. Crossing over one of six bridges, the Luis I Bridge that was designed by a partner of Gustavo Eiffel (of the Eiffel Tower fame), we entered the area best known for port wine.
Crossing on the Luis I Bridge designed by Eiffel’s partner
Crossing over the bridge you can see the Cais da Ribeira area
From the other side of the Douro River looking toward Porto
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for the opportunity to get an overview of this historic city. From the tile work, to the open green belts, to the gothic architecture it has quickly intrigued us.
A Note From Abroad 
Such a beautiful place! Your photos and words have enriched my evening.
Please enjoy your time!
Dajena 🙂
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Dajena, many thanks for stopping by.
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You are welcome! 🙂
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Hi Joanne: Porto looks like a great place for you to have hung out for the last few days. Love the photos! It all looks so cute. Karen
Sent from Karen’s iPad
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Karen, it is a very cute town, and wonderful tapas too!
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Beautiful! You are going to have a wonderful time in Portugal! I don’t know Porto, but have just spent a week in the Alentejo and I am posting. Where are you going?
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I’m posting a map in my next post, but we started our tour here in Porto and will end up in Lisbon.
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Porto is a great city!
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Looking forward to going there in the next few days! Thanks for pointing out some of your highlights. The tour bus seems a great way to get about.
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Rob, I hope you have a fabulous time in Porto. Are you on a tour or independent?
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Hi there- we’re touring in our motorhome on an open ended journey with no real set itinerary other than going to places that we’ve not been to before and that look or sound interesting.
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Rob, what a wonderful way to explore!
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Thank you! It’s working well for us so far.
Hope Joanne gets better soon!
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Be sure to check out Evora if you get close, Joanne. –Curt
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Curt, it looks like we will be in Evora in a couple of days. Thanks for the heads up!
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The city offers some interesting sites and fun walks. We stayed outside and walked in each day. If you are up for something strange, don’t miss the chapel of bones. –Curt
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Traveled to Portugal several years ago. Visit a wine cellar or two. If you have time also visit Fatima. Warm and frienly
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We did a Port wine sampling yesterday and will be in Fatima tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing more…
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Beautiful pictures!!! I was just there 2 months ago. Across the Clerigos tower there is an incredible crepes place called Hand N Go. Great to eat it as you walk, and everyone kept asking me, “WHERE did you get that?” Loved the library as well! Porto is very unique.
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We enjoyed Porto too!
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