Walking, eating & drinking in Porto city
Porto is a city that sits comfortably within its confines. There’s no need to shout from the rooftops; she knows her worth. This magnetic European bolthole makes the perfect break for an extended weekend, or longer if you feel the urge to explore further afield. Lisbon can easily be reached by train in just over 2 hours.
It offers a mix of grand churches and restored traditional townhouses painted in beautiful colours of green, yellow, blue, and terracotta with those famous azulejo tiles. The streets, restaurants, bars, and Riverside are abuzz day and night. Tuk-tuks offering city tours whizz into the narrow streets, some of which are a little inaccessible for today’s standard cars. Boats and water taxis constantly float up and down the river, offering short bridge tours, Douro Valley wine tours, or quick and easy access to the Gaia opposite.
Transport links are excellent, with a network of trains, metros, trams, and buses running around town and to the nearby charming town of Foz and its less fortunate-looking neighbour, Matosinhos. However, do not overlook the latter if fresh fish is your thing, as there are several brilliant seafood restaurants on offer. The food on our visit to O Valentim was fabulous. We had grilled octopus to start with a fresh side salad and variety of fresh baked bread, followed by two medium portions of seafood. My seafood dish was served with rice, clams, and shrimp (huge prawns) and my travel buddy's spaghetti, with fresh tuna and the same huge prawns. These were presented in fair-sized lidded cooking pots, and to be honest, one would have fed us perfectly. They were huge and such a bargain at only 17.00 euros per pot. The cost of this whole fishy affair, along with two local Super Bock beers and a delicious bottle of wine from the nearby Douro Valley, came to an unbelievable 70 euros—yes, that's right, the equivalent of approximately £60. Superb!
Back in Porto, if you're wanting to hang out somewhere authentic and drink with the locals, head to Aduela. A tiny little bar with breezy outdoor space offering excellent priced local wine and beer, an energetic social scene, and plates of tapas. The food was OK, but that isn't why you'd visit here. It's all about experiencing local life, forming new friendships in an energised setting, and drinking affordably delicious wine and beer. I'll be back for sure on my next visit. We LOVED it!
For something chilled-out and arty, head out of the city on a local bus, approximately 35 minutes to Serralves. It’s a fabulous cultural institution combining a museum, a stunning Art Deco mansion, and beautiful, extensive gardens with huge sculptures, hidden walkways, fountains, and seating amongst the undergrowth. There’s also a treetop walkway where you can observe and study the biodiversity of Serravles Park, but my fear of heights wouldn’t allow it. You can easily combine a visit here, then head to the coast for an early fish dinner, then back to Porto's riverside for an evening of drinks sat by the twinkling riverside.
There’s an abundance of accommodation on offer, from luxury 5-star hotels to local B&Bs in the heart of the city, some of whom I met on my trip, so if you’re interested to find out more, please feel free to get in touch.
