A Porto Photo Tour
No doubt about it, Porto is one of Europe's prettiest cities. Resting on the river Douro, it's straddled by no less than six bridges and is dotted with ornate Baroque churches and bell towers.
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Buildings are decorated in beautiful blue and white azulejo tiles and painted in shades of daffodil yellow and ox-blood red. And, of course, it's the place where Port wine was invented. Let me take you on a walk through medieval alleyways, high bridges and along the Ribeira on a Porto photo tour of this colourful city.
If you've read my take on Lisbon you'll know that, despite some of the lovely things to see and do, I wasn't entirely enamoured by the city. That might be because we headed directly from Lisbon to Porto by train and I was immediately captivated by Portugal's smaller, charming second city.
Read my guide about the city and discover the best things to do in Porto or learn about the Azulejo tiles which decorate many buildings in Porto.
Praça da Ribeira
Our Porto hotel, Hotel Carris Porto Ribeira, was just a step from Praça da Ribeira, the square by the river Douro. The square is filled with cafes, bars and restaurants, some located under the ancient arches.
It's the perfect place to sit and while away an hour with a cold beer, take in the views of the Douro River and watch the world go by.
Turn left and there are market stalls along the Ribeira selling souvenirs, hats and handicrafts. The stall holders are not at all pushy, nothing puts me off more, so I could browse without being hassled.
Dom Luis I Bridge
Continue your Porto photo tour by heading towards Dom Luis I Bridge for some of the best views of Porto. Back in 1886 when the bridge was completed it was the longest metal arched bridge in the world but nowadays doesn't even make the top 50. There are two levels of walkways across the bridge - take the top one for the best views down the Douro river.
Vila Nova de Gaia
When you get to the other side look back for a great view of the bridge sideways-on and the terracotta roof tops. Close by are the Port Caves of Vila Nova de Gaia.
It's worth stopping at one of the Port houses for a tasting session. We chose Graham's, which was recommended by a friend, about a 50 minute walk from the bridge.
There are dozens of others just 10-20 minutes from here so you don't need to walk too far if you don't want to. More about our visit to Graham's Port House.
Again there are many bars, cafes and restaurants along the waterside of Vila Nova de Gaia but we're here for the view today. If you head over to this side of the river in the morning the sun will be shining over the water onto the Ribeira accentuating the brightly coloured buildings and glinting off the tiled walls.
After a drink at one of the water-side cafes head back over the bridge - you could take the lower walkway to get a different perspective - and retrace your steps to Praça da Ribeira. Pass in front of the Pestana Porto Hotel - it's the bright yellow building on the corner of the square - you can't miss it.
This area is where the tour boats leave for river cruises up and down the Douro but that's for another time so we'll carry on until the quay narrows into a pathway. There are lovely views of the river and the port houses over the River at Vila Nova de Gaia. Before you round the bend look back for a glimpse of the Dom Luis I Bridge and the old monastery above it.
At the end of the path you can retrace your steps along the Ribeiro or turn right and explore the squares, streets and lanes which lead up the hill. Amongst them is a pretty pedestrian street which leads to Sao Bento Station.
I'll leave you with some images from this area to finish off our photo tour of Porto. Sao Bento Station I'll leave for another post as it's worthy of one all to itself!
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Have you been to Porto and Lisbon - which city did you prefer?
Booked a flight to Porto after reading your blog! Do you recommend your hotel? Was breakfast included? Just wondering if my husband and I should get a hotel with a nice view or if we would even care about that because we will be out the whole time we're there. Thanks!
Breakfast was included and I'd definitely recommend it. We didn't have a view - just of the street. The Yateman over the river has fab views but also 5 star prices! Hope you enjoy Porto as much as we did. Let me know!
I'm completely sold! I've been hearing such great things about Porto and I'm so tempted! Do you know if many flights go direct from London or whether you mostly have to go via Lisbon? I absolutely love your photo with all the colourful doors!
Porto's lovely Shikha! We only went via Lisbon as we'd had two days there first. We flew out of Porto into Gatwick - BA, TAP and Easyjet all fly so various options are available. I liked the doors too 🙂
Amazing! Porto looks lovely, and I would love to visit it some day... I have been to Lisbon before, but I honestly think that at least in pictures, Porto looks more beautiful 😀
Love your pictures!
Porto is just 3 hours from Lisbon by train - such a pretty city too 🙂
These pictures are awesome!! And indeed, Porto looks like a gorgeous city!!
Porto was sooooo pretty! I'll definitely be going back 🙂
Porto looks absolutely beautiful, I haven't been there but I've been to Lisbon and the Algarve. Those fish key rings are cute, did you buy any souvenirs?
I'd have bought Port but we only had hand luggage - I bought a hat as it was sooo hot 🙂
Gladdens the heart, Suze! 🙂 Looks like you had fabulous weather too. Ours, in late October, was a bit more mixed but for our Douro cruise it was perfection. Thank you for the wonderful memories and of course Sao Bento deserves its own post. Hugs!
Doesn't it just Jo 🙂 The weather was perfect so we were lucky - I think I'll be going back to Porto. Do you think this post would fit your Monday Walk? Have a lovely week x
I've only been to Lisbon and had a fabulous weekend there. I can see from your post though that I may well love Porto even more. Hope I get the chance to find out one day.
If you liked Lisbon you'll love Porto... 🙂
Ohh this post was so helpful! I'm going to Porto next month and really looking forward to it. I went to Lisbon last year and did quite like it so hoping Porto will be awesome too! x
I don't think you'll be disappointed with Porto - lots more coming up on waht to see and do there 🙂
I really loved Porto when I visited last year; it reminded me a lot of Dubrovnik before it became the Adriatic's version of Disneyland. I really hope that Porto doesn't go the same way and that all the locals get pushed out of the old part of town. xx
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That's the problem with any tourist city - it's more profitable for property owners to rent their places out to tourists and live outside the city in the summer and move back during the winter. I loved Porto too - maybe you could tell..!
Hi there, what a beautiful post .... I can see why I have to go back to Portugal. Porto, is what I can see from your images, a very colorful city ... but I have to fight you on the prettiest thing. Fight for my beloved Bruge!!!
You had the sun on your back too ... makes life so much easier. Stunning images. Now I have to go over to you Lisbon post and read, because we didn't click that well..
Thanks for sharing.
Ah yes, I have to agree that Bruges is beautiful too but in a different way and without the large expanse of water. Lisbon and I had our differences too...