For some reason, Portugal was not on my radar until recently.
I went on a whirlwind weekend trip to Lisbon and central Portugal in 2007 and hadn’t been back since. I don’t know if the allure of more distant European countries was stronger or the fact that Portugal was on my back door, but for the 3+ years I lived in Spain, I never felt the urge to return there until recently.
For years, I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Porto, northern Portugal’s pride and joy, but the fact that it was “so close yet so far” kept me from making the journey there until this September. Porto is not well connected to Spain with trains and buses, leaving you to stomach a Ryanair flight or rent a car. You all know my feelings on Ryanair, so when TBU announced Porto as it’s 2012 fall destination, I knew I was going to be hoofing it there the long, hard way, the most memorable moment being when I almost got detained on the Portugal-Spain border.
When I finally made it to Porto, I quickly fell head over heels in love with this quirky, old-world city. Porto is Europe 100 years ago, characterized by tall, colorful narrow buildings, ramshackled together topped with bright copper roofs and chipped shutters. Super hilly, you definitely can get a workout in wandering around the old town, exploring the tapered streets, following the trails of imaginative graffiti up winding stairs and generally trying to soak up the lively, vibrant atmosphere. Porto definitely embodies the tranquila mediterranean lifestyle I have come to love while the living in Spain.
In fact, I loved Porto so much, I couldn’t bring myself to say goodbye so I stuck around for an extra day, hanging out in cafes, wandering around both sides of the river, and getting tipsy on free Port wine tours. Seriously, that stuff is deadly.
Porto is an amazing European destination, an engaging city with a lot do, drink and see, it should definitely be on anyone’s radar looking for a fun weekend getaway. Walking around town, you literally step back through the centuries, watching old-fashioned trolley cars trundle up the steep hills or sitting at cafes that haven’t changed in 150 years. The paint crumbles on the buildings and the cobblestones are treacherous, Porto is nothing if not authentic. It’s gritty and alive, I loved it, and I am sure you all would too.
I can’t wait to go back one day and continue unfolding the magical layers of Porto, Portugal.
Have you ever been? Would you go to Porto or Portugal if you had the chance?
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I should definitely visit Portgual 😀
Oh I loved Porto so much! Although my heart belongs to Lisbon, Porto is the closest runner-up! The countless churches, the food, the picturesque streets, the Vinho do Porto – I could never get enough of this city!
Well put! Porto was one of my favorite trips of all time – such a lively yet laid back city!
I’ve been twice to Porto and I loved it, but it’s no surprise as I’ve repeatedly declared myself a true “lusophile” (?). It’s not Lisbon, but as people say, it’s definitely more Portuguese (less touristy) than the capital city itself.
Anyway, I was expecting you to post a photo of one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, Lello e Irmão, specially knowing your devotion to “Harry Potter” books!
Yeah I definitely loved Porto way more than Lisbon! I don’t have any decent photos from Lello because they kicked me out TWICE for trying to take pictures! I need to work on my sneaky skills!
Were you kicked out while taking pictures? That’s weird, no one dares to kick people out to one of Porto’s most well-known places. In fact, I took some photos and there was a queue of people waiting in the stairs to be photographed (for example, my girlfriend, another Pottermaniac).
PS: just in case, you can borrow one photo if you want from one of my two albums about Porto in FB.