AI vs. Actual Human (and resident of Portugal)
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Porto is an awesome city to visit, and you can peel back another layer each to you go!
A quick travel tip is to wear shoes with a good sole and nice grip because the limestone streets can be choppy and slick even when it is NOT raining.I recommend a COMFORTABLE SNEAKER, see this blog post for good options. If you’re wondering what to pack for Portugal, check out my blog post here.
Porto is split into the two river banks by the Douro River. There is the city center side or Porto proper, and on the other side is Vila Nova de Gaia side, where the port houses are. There is also a booming river front on both sides you should check them both out if you can.
We stayed at The Yeatman Hotel twice, and highly recommend it! It is a wine-centered hotel, even the spa has wine-inspired treatments! The best hotel, best restaurant, best amenities, best spa, and best views in Porto. It’s located in Vila Nova da Gaia. You can walk down to the riverfront bars and restaurants from the hotel as well. There is even an interactive cork museum down there.
This is where Taylor’s Port house is as well, and we recommend a visit for a tasting or you could visit Grahams, but definitely do a port tasting while you’re there.
You can get a tour to the Douro River Valley for a day of wine tasting. It’s really dramatic and beautiful to see. I highly recommend it.
In Porto you’ll be on the Douro, but it’s quite a different landscape from the wine country.
There are a few locations to try the Pastel de nata at the renowned Manteigaria bakery, this is the national pastry and is a must try.
Graffiti artist Bordallo ll, has street art throughout Portugal. In Porto the rabbit is made of recycled materials. You can find it on the corner of Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes and Rua Dom Alfonso 111.
AI vs. Our Human Advice
AI said
– Walk along the Douro River and explore the charming Ribeira District.
– Cross the iconic Ponte Dom Luis I bridge for stunning views of the city and river.
We recommend:
I definitely would go down to the river district and walk around some, maybe have a drink at a sidewalk café or outdoor restaurant and people-watch. One thing that is worth a walk through if you have time in this area is the Igreja e Museu de São Francisco do Porto, a baroque age church with a fairly dramatic gold-gilded interior (mentioned earlier, must-see).
Not sure that you need to walk across the bridge, although there are some good pictures to be had. What I might do instead if it is a nice day is take a cab over to the other side of the bridge to the Yeatman Hotel (in Vila Nova de Gaia), to enjoy a drink and an appetizer on their casual balcony bar/restaurant while enjoying the BEST views of Porto and the river.
Dom Luis | Bridge is a double decker for both cars and pedestrians that connects Porto city center over the Douro to Vila da Gaia. You can drive or walk across back and forth from the Porto City Center side to Vila Nova De Gaia side where the port houses are. This was built by one of Gustave Eiffel’s partners and former student in 1886. Gustave Eiffel himself was one of the architects involved in nearby Maria Pia Bridge (Railway bridge not in service) in 1877, and his company built it, which is clear when you see it.
AI said:
– Enjoy a traditional Portuguese lunch at a local restaurant in the Ribeira District.
We recommend:
Better to do a drink and an appetizer down there than a sit down lunch. Many of the restaurants down there are touristy and not so great, and it can be time consuming because that is a really crowded area.
For an alternative, I would look at the Timeout Market, which has tons of options, good food and usually is fairly quickservice. You can go to Timeout Market fairly easily by cab or tuk-tuk. Recommend going there after a quick visit to the Rua da Santa Catarina/Majestic Café/Capela das Almas, discussed in the next section.
I would recommend getting your tickets to Livraria Lello and the 6 Bridges river tour and planning where you start and end your day according the times on your tickets. The map below shows the highlights and list of places I would recommend. Keep in mind you can get tickets to the Douro River and 6 Bridges River tours on both Porto City Center side and also at Vila Nova de Gaia side, so be mindful which side you need to be on to embark on your Douro River tour.
AI said:
– Visit the Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto) and enjoy panoramic views of the city.
– Climb the Clerigos Tower for more breathtaking views of Oporto.
We recommend:
I do not like the way this is presented. There are 2 very different churches in two very different parts of the city. I agree both need to be seen.
1. Before going to Clerigos Tower, which is a must see, start the tour at steps in front of the Porto City Hall. Take your pictures at the giant “PORTO” sign. Then walk past some of the best architecture in the city on your way to the Sao Bento Train Station (Definately go in and get pictures). On this walk, you will see the most ornate McDonald’s restaurant in the world on your left. Once at the train station, go inside the station to see some of the best representations of the blue “azulejos” tile artwork in Portugal. This is must see stuff. From the train station, you can walk down the street to the ClerigosTower or go to Igraja de sao francisco (Church of St. Francis) is walking distance to/from sao bento rail station in porto, and you should go inside to take a look if you go there. At Clerigos Tower I would NOT climb the steps to go to the top. Takes too long and the walk itself is uphill and tiring. You can walk downhill to Vitoria viewpoint (Miradouro da Vitoria), which is free and much less crowded with amazing views. Should be able to get a cab or tuktuk from there as well to Rua de Santa Catarina shopping district
2. Or from Clerigos Tower, you should be able to get a tuk-tuk ride to the shopping district, Rua da Santa Catarina. Tell the driver to drop you at the Majestic Café, a great architectural symbol in Porto, and also an inspiration for the original Harry Potter book. From the Majestic Café, walk two blocks north to one of the most beautiful churches in Portugal, the Capela das Almas. From here, you will want to either catch a cab or uber to the Timeout Market for lunch, or to the Se do Porto, the main cathedral, which is discussed below.
3. If you choose to pass on visiting the Rua da Santa Catarina district, from Clerigos Tower, your can take a Tuk-Tuk, cab or uber directly to the Main Cathedral (also called the “Se’”). This is high ground inside the old medieval fortress walls. At the Se’ of Porto, be sure to look for the viewpoint outside the church. This is one of the best places in Porto for a photo of all of the beautiful rooftops in the old town. Be sure and get your photos here before going in to explore the old church/fortress.
4. After visiting the Se’ is an ideal time to catch an uber or cab and head down to the riverfront area.
AI said:
– Take a short taxi or tram ride to one of the famous port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
– Take a guided tour and enjoy a port wine tasting.
We recommend:
If you choose to do one of these tours, and I do recommend at least one, it makes sense to do it immediately after visiting the Yeatman Hotel because the port houses are walking distance (although it is a steep downhill walk).
Potential re-ordering of things since we’ve been so many times:
1. Start at City Hall, walk to Sao Bento train station, then to Clerigos Tower
2. Then to Rua Santa Catarina district (Majestic Café (legend has it that J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter, but truly many famous writers and artists used to hang out there. It’s beautiful and ornate inside), Capela das Almas/Chapel of Santa Catarina=gorgeous tiles and building)
3. Then to lunch at Timeout Market
4. Then to Se do Portugal (main medieval fortress and cathedral)
5. Then go down to the riverfront district. If time permits, check out the nearby Igreja Sao Francisco (go inside this one too).
6. Cab across the river to the Yeatman Hotel back patio area for best photos of the city, Dom Luis bridge and the river (optional, but highly recommend tour of a nearby port house)
Comment: If you choose to do one of these tours, it makes sense to do it immediately after visiting the Yeatman Hotel because the port houses are walking distance (although it is a steep downhill walk).
7. Cab or uber to Livraria Lello (one of the most beautifully stunning, and iconic bookstores in the world) for a pre-booked tour time (late afternoon). Make this your souvenir shopping. Inspired the moving stairs in Harry Potter. Also, Salizar was a prime minister in Portugal who may have inspired Harry Potter’s enemy house Salazar Slytherin. J.K. Rowling lived in Portugal while was married to a Portuguese man during writing some of these books.
Day Trips from Porto:
Private full day tour in the Douro River, including tastings at Quinta de la Rosa and Quinta do Vallado. I highly recommend lunch at DOC, it’s a Michelin restaurant, have a relaxing and amazing experience on the douro enjoying every course on the tasting menu.
If flying out of Lisbon after Porto:
Private transfer to Lisbon with stops in Coimbra and Obidos
Coimbra University is one of the oldest in the world, visit Biblioteca Joanina (Joanine Library) famous for bats living there over 200 years eating dust and stuff organically protecting the books and manuscripts (they only come out when it’s dark and nobody is there). Upper classman at the university wear capes, a tradition for over 500 years (maybe another inspiration for the Harry Potter movies).
Obidos is a medieval walled city that is still in amazing condition, it’s something to see. Also known for the cherry liquor Ginjinha often served at stands on the street in an edible chocolate cup! There are some unique bookstores and candy shops as well.
Head to Lisbon from here!
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