Porto: underrated and too often overshadowed by popular Lisbon

Porto is a colorful, not too big, UNESCO listed city that offers an authentic insight into the Portuguese life. Where Lisbon is too crowded with tourist all over the place, Porto is much more relaxing. Here, you feel able to wander languidly through the pretty streets and enjoy your espresso (or a tasty Port!) peacefully by the riverfront.

Porto is a wonderful little city, made for the curious traveler who is seeking for a new European destination that isn't overrun with tourists!

Location: Miradouro da Vitória, R. de São Bento da Vitória 11, 4050-018 Porto

Miradouro da Vitória

Make sure to make your way up to the Miradouro da Vitória, a scenic lookout with postcard-perfect views of the terracotta rooftops and the river the Douro. For us unfortunately it was cloudy but this is definitely one of the best spots to catch the sunset!

Fish market! Tip: try the region’s delicious seafood by the river front!

Romanesque and Gothic architecture

Porto is very easy to get around. We did everything by foot! Our hotel was located on the hill, so we definitely burned some calories during this trip. Quite a win-win situation because we got to walk along side the amazingly beautiful architectural buildings. Wherever you look, you will see beautiful painted tiles, also known as 'Azulejos' against the facades of the churches and houses. They often adorn the buildings in an 'ordinary' blue-white, geometric and repetitive pattern. But different azulejos styles can be recognized, related to time.

One of the many churches with Azulejos

Port wine tasting

When in Porto you have to enjoy some of the city's best, and more popular, export: the Port wine. The Douro Valley has a long history of Port production dating back to the 17th century and gave the city of Porto its name. Today, the region is protected as the only true Port wine-producer in the whole world. That means the Port wine is a very proud favourite on everyone's wine lists here. Settle in at one of the many cosy wine bars around the city and discover this delicious and interesting wine a little better.

Port wine tasting: our favorite experience of this trip

Hop-On, Hop-Off bus

We have had 3 days of rain (not just a little bit of rain..) during our trip but luckily one day, the sun came out. That day we decided to take the Hop-On Hop-Off bus. Seriously, we normally always avoid these busses and laugh about it because we think it looks so silly. And we are always fascinated that no matter how cold it is or even if it's raining, there are always people sitting above in the open area. But okay, there we go! Although we felt like a real tourist, it was actually quite relaxing. It was warm, there was a nice breeze and we got to see a lot of the city. We absolutely had no idea where we were heading to until - after half an hour or so - we saw the sea! We had no idea there was a coast nearby Porto so it was a real surprise. Of course we decided to hop-off the bus and we had the best time relaxing at the beach that day! ☀️

This was the only time we used this bus but we might consider to do it again. Do you go on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus during a citytrip?

Perfect day at the beach

See you on the next post! :-)