Porto

Things to do:

• Douro Valley Wine Tour
• Livaria Lello
• Dom Luis I Bridge
• Visit a port wine cellar on the Gaia side
• Try a francesinha
• Visit Casa Ribeira
• Visit the beach bit with balcony – what’s this called??

Porto: A Perfect Long Weekend Getaway

Just a short 2-hour flight from London, Porto offers the ideal escape for a long weekend. Our journey began at the charming HF Fenix Porto Hotel, a gem nestled near the iconic Casa De Musica. Its prime location provides easy access to the city’s transportation network, including the fourth stop of the hop-on-hop-off bus tour, the metro, and various local bus routes.

Our first day was spent immersing ourselves in the city’s vibrant riverside culture. The highlight? Sampling our first Francesinha – a local delicacy not for the faint-hearted. This sandwich, typically filled with steak and chorizo, is generously topped with cheese and a unique spicy sauce. It’s traditionally served with a chips, making it a hearty meal that truly encapsulates the spirit of Porto’s cuisine.

Douro Valley: A Wine Lover’s Paradise

Our adventure continued into the second day with a pre-booked wine tour of the Douro Valley, courtesy of Viator. Our guide, the ever-knowledgeable Pedro, picked us up from our hotel. We were a group of eight, eager to explore the wine-rich region.

Our first stop was the quaint town of Amarante, where Pedro regaled us with fascinating tales of its history and culture. The journey then led us to Quinta do Tedo, a local port winery. We embarked on an enlightening tour of the winery, culminating in a tasting session of their exquisite port wines, all while soaking in the breathtaking views of the Douro Valley.

Next, we headed to Pinhao, where we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant. The food was delectable, and Pedro joined us, adding to the warm, familial atmosphere as we dined, drank, and shared stories. Despite the rain, we embarked on a one-hour river cruise along a branch of the Douro, which offered stunning views of the landscape.

Our journey took us to the picturesque Pinhao train station and a panoramic viewpoint, before leading us to our final destination – another winery! This one also produced olive oil. We toured the winery, sampled the olive oil, local bread, and wines. The red wine was my personal favourite – full-bodied and perfectly balanced, not overly sweet.

To conclude our day, we enjoyed a delightful dinner at Guilty by Olivier, conveniently located near Casa De Musica.

Porto: A Tale of Two Days

Our exploration of Porto unfolded over the course of two eventful days. With pre-booked tickets for the hop-on-hop-off bus and Livaria Lello in hand, we embarked on our adventure. We boarded the bus near our hotel and initially followed the red route. However, the relentless rain prompted us to switch to the blue line and disembark at bus stop number 3. This led us to the welcoming doors of Fonseca.

For a mere €10 each, we were granted a self-guided tour of the winery and a tasting of their most popular port wine, Bin 27. The winery’s aroma was intoxicating, and the smoothness of Bin 27 left us in awe. We couldn’t resist purchasing a few bottles to take home for our fathers, both avid port enthusiasts!

The rain continued as we left Fonseca, creating the perfect ambiance for a riverside toastie. Our next stop was Porto Cruz, where our hop-on-hop-off iconic ticket included a complimentary port tasting. We seized the opportunity to book a wine tasting session. As we waited, we ascended to their rooftop, which offered mesmerizing views of the Dom Luis I bridge, especially as the weather began to clear.

Wine Tasting and Sunset Dining: A Perfect Porto Evening

Our wine tasting experience at Porto Cruz was nothing short of enlightening. The staff, with their vast knowledge of the Douro Valley wineries, provided us with a deeper understanding of the region’s wine production.

Post the tasting, we embarked on a leisurely walk across the lower level of the iconic Dom Luis I bridge. We also took the time to admire the grandeur of the local cathedral and the São Paulo Station. After soaking in the city’s architectural marvels, we headed back to our hotel to prepare for what would become our most memorable meal of the trip.

We had reserved a table at UVA by Calem, and it exceeded our expectations. The restaurant offered an array of wines, each more delightful than the last, paired with exquisite food. The cherry on top was the stunning view of the Douro river and Porto’s bridges, which we savoured along with an unforgettable sunset.

A Book Lover’s Paradise: Livraria Lello

Our final day in Porto was dedicated to exploring the Livraria Lello, often hailed as the most beautiful library in the world. As a bibliophile, this was nothing short of paradise for me.

The library’s stunning architecture and vast collection of books were a sight to behold. We couldn’t resist adding to our personal collections. Scott chose “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll, a delightful blend of whimsy and wordplay. For myself, I picked up a beautifully illustrated version of “The Little Mermaid and Other Fairytales” by Hans Christian Andersen. It was the perfect memento to remember our trip by.

Exploring Porto: Markets, Beaches, and Breathtaking Views

The remainder of our day was dedicated to exploring the bustling market, Mercardo do Bolhao and soaking up the sun at the picturesque Pergola da Foz. Our journey then took us over the top of the iconic Dom Luis I bridge, leading us to the Ponte 6 Rooftop Bar. Here, we savoured a refreshing glass of white wine sangria while taking in the stunning view of the bridge. If you find yourself in Porto with some time to spare, this spot is definitely worth a visit.

Our Porto adventure was brought to a delightful close with a meal at Okra Italian Restaurant, conveniently located within a reasonable walking distance from our hotel.

Food places we visited:

• Guilty by Olivier
• UVA by Calem
• Okra Italian restaurant

Tickets we booked:

• Douro Valley wine tour
• Hop on Hop off city sightseeing bus
• Livraria Lello