Porto Portugal - What to See in 1 Day
While our ultimate destination when travelling to Portugal was to see the Algarve region and coast…Porto was an unanticipated surprise we weren't prepared for.
Porto is the second largest Portuguese city outside of Lisbon and is covered in a blanket of Azulejo - a portuguese painted tin-glazed ceramic tile. This coastal city has a medieval district, which stems back to when the city was under Roman occupation with the Porto Cathedral being one of the oldest surviving structures.
With the Duero river wrapped around the city it’s apparent that Porto became one of the greatest sea trade forces in Europe, with of course Porto Wine being on of the more internationally famous exports.
Now…the best way to get around Porto is by foot. The narrow cobbled streets wind past merchants’ houses and cafes and offer surprises at every corner, making it easy to wander past the colorful facades of the suburbs for hours.
If you’ve only got one day to spare to explore Porto, here is what you need to see.
What to See
Walk along the Duoro River
Probably where you will be spending most of your morning is walking alongside the Ribeira neighbourhood. The Riberia is a stretch filled with restaurants, cafés, beautiful and quirky houses, and a walkway that runs along the Douro River. Take some time to admire this traditional side of Portugal and treat yourself to some Porto Wine if you’ve got the time.
Explore Rua Santa Catarina
Rua Santa Catarina is the main pedestrian walkway in Porto and is a hot spot for stores, cafés and boutiques. Wander down this path to soak in the stunning local architecture and window shop at your leisure. Stop by Café Majestic (one of the top 10 most beautiful cafés in the world) and try some authentic Pastel de Nata.
Admire the views at Miradouro da Vitoria
If you’ve been following me for some time now, you probably know I am always scavenging for some awesome views. Miradouro da Vitoria is a hidden gem offering picturesque views of city buildings, bridges & the river below. If you are passionate about photography, or if you just want to glimpse the amazing scenic views, this is a place not to be missed.
If you have the time….
Livraria Lello
Stop to check out the Livraria Lello, one of Portgual’s oldest bookstores. This curvy antique bookstore happened to inspire J.K Rowling to visualize and create the Harry Potter library. Unforuntately With little time to spare, and the long line-up to get in…I personally didn’t get a chance to walk inside the bookstore, Instead, I got to admire the interior from outside.
Porto is a historical, cultural and architectural gem of the Iberian Peninsula and definitely worth visiting when planning a trip to Portugal. I hope you guys enjoyed this post, as always subscribe to follow all my adventures!
