We visited Oporto in mid June 2018, had four nights in a beautiful apartment in a converted old warehouse in the Ribeira quarter, looking out across the River Douro to the Port Wine warehouses. Would that we had had 14 nights, instead of only 4!! We loved everything about Oporto, and will go back there as soon as we can.
Oporto’s International Airport is about an hours drive from the city. Our AirBNB hosts arranged for a Driver to meet us at the airport and to deliver us to the apartment, great service!
The River Douro starts life in Spain near Duruelo de la Sierra, cuts a beautiful swathe through northern Portugal and arrives at the Atlantic at Oporto. The Douro is such an influence on Portugal, it sets off Oporto the city in all its moods and our apartment looked down across it, could not have been better.
Oporto and surrounding area of Northern Portugal has much to offer to the visitor. Our focus was on historical Oporto itself as our next stop to explore was further up the Douro, more on that in another Blog.
Let’s start with the historical district of Ribeira in Oporto, cobbled streets, buildings that can be derelict , or fully refurbished or under renovation almost all at the same time. The spectacular Ponti Luiz Bridge is impressive at all times of day or night. And a trip to the Atlantic Ocean on the tram is a fun excursion, although the rubbish on the beach when you get there tells its own story.
Then there are some classic views in and around Ribeira streets crammed with building, beautiful tile work, passageways to explore:-
Whats so wonderful about Oporto is that it’s a “ wanderers delight”, so many little streets to wander down and back up again, nooks, crannies, just explore at your leisure. And there is always somewhere for a Pasteis da Nata ( yummy custard tart) – a coffee, cup of tea, beer or glass of wine!
Eating local in Oporto
When we arrived at our apartment, our hosts gave us a local tourist map, showed us where we were and identified two local restaurants and one local grocery store. We used all, and all were excellent. But one restaurant , a family run affair, was such an amazing experience that we ate there twice and arranged Portuguese “ his and her” hair cuts through them!!!
Our first evening in Oporto, we had settled in to our apartment, done some wandering, bought breakfast supplies and needed supper! Our AirBNB hosts map consulted, 200 metres to Restaurant Caracas.
It was heaving! Clearly, people eat early in Oporto, so we headed to the bar, requested a table, “ maybe in half an hour”, “ can we sit in the corner and have a drink while we wait”? “ Of Course”, and we did. After about half we were given a table and instructions on what was available to eat, “ meat – beef casserole or fish – fresh hake” both chosen by us and both amazing!
So food, wine, lovely conversation with the “ front of house ladies”, and overall a brilliant evening out. As we settled the bill, we asked casually if they could recommend a hairdresser for us both? My wife needed her “ colours sorting”, and I just needed my curls cutting!!
No problem, our friend is a hairdresser, we will ring her- it was 10.30pm – yes she could certainly help, we should present ourselves at 9am in the morning at her salon, she would scope the challenge, and make appointment times.
And that’s just what happened, hairdressing process duly carried out and two days later we returned for supper, but at the early sitting. This time we were shown the kitchen, had Momma take us through what she was cooking for the evening and had another amazing evening.
Local Churches
Portugal is a Roman Catholic country and centuries of religion has left many wonderful places of worship to be visited. We had seen the Cathedral but just up the street from our apartment building was this interesting but unassuming Church – Igreja da Misericorda
Inside it was a different story, what a place:-
Other Oporto sights & views
Below are a selection of Oporto sights and views :-
Rooftops and Sculptures
Oporto is perfect for the walker who wants to explore at their leisure, and around every corner seems to lie a new surprise! Walking down from Taylor’s Port towards the Douro River, and around a corner to find this wonderful rabbit sculpture!! Or it might be a more traditional knight on horseback, do explore and see what you can find.
Oporto Cathedral
We had fun wandering through and up steep passageways that gave us an occasional glimpse of the Oporto Cathedral. But at the top the splendour of the Cathedral and the Square, are displayed before you, impressive indeed, as is the inside.
Palacio da Bolsa
Initially and unknown to us from our apartment we looked down upon the glass dome of the Palacio da Bolsa . Having identified it as such, it became imperative to visit, what we read about the Palacio was so impressive, it had to be seen to be believed!
So we visited, booked us into a Group Tour – which was excellent, so informative and professionally presented. We think if you visit Oporto, this is a “ must see”.
It has been used as the Stock Exchange, at one time, and the “ piece de resistance “, the Salao Arabie – you be the judge!!
Travels with My Wife 