Porto, Portugal: Sweet, Vibrant, and Full of Flavor

*A view of Porto’s riverfront promenade complete with outdoor cafes, wine lodges, and colorful tiled buildings.*

I was taken aback at how quickly our month in Portugal was coming to a close. We had one week left, and with all the other planning we had done on the country, we sort of left Porto to the wayside. We were going in unprepared and clueless, and honestly, I think that was the perfect way to go about it. Porto began to excite us from the moment we hopped in our Uber, and the driver mentioned we were staying in one of the best areas in Old Town. As a long-time resident of Porto, he threw grenades of information on the city at us, and as the minutes ticked, I began growing more and more impatient to see what the hype was all about. Eventually we entered the Medieval Old City (or Porto Ribeira) and I now understood our driver’s enthusiasm. From cobblestone streets winding their way through vibrant neighborhoods, to the pastel-colored buildings adorning with intricate azulejos (or Portuguese tiles) reflecting the golden sun, to the numerous scenic viewpoints overlooking the Douro River. This city was bursting with charm. Quite possibly the most charming city I’ve ever laid eyes on.

Whatever you do, Don’t miss Porto’s Golden Hour

I love cities that celebrate a good sunset, and this one is right up there on the list with Santorini, Paris, and Honolulu for us. Having arrived late in the afternoon, we were welcomed to a magical and colorful treat. In Porto, every evening, people would flock to the bridges and concrete steps along the river to get a glimpse of the setting sun. Vibrant hues of deep orange, pink, and purple would fill the sky, creating a breathtaking backdrop to the city and Douro River. All sound and movement seize to exist and everyone is simply mesmerized by the shifting colors and beauty of the city as it takes on a new light. I’m always grateful for these time-stopping moments that allow us to to reflect, connect, and simply enjoy being present as a family. Of the six nights we were there, we did not miss it once.

*Whatever you do, don’t miss the sunsets in Porto. They’re simply breathtaking!*

*The Dom Luís I Bridge is the double-decker metal arch bridge that spans the river Douro between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia*

*Late afternoon light, looking towards our airbnb and the Porto Cathedral*

*Sunset views looking towards Porto as seen from the Dom Luis I Bridge*

*Meandering along the promenade in Porto*

*Colorful buildings along the Porto promenade*

Praia De Matosinhos

The combo of a cool city and surfing beach is our absolute favorite blend on vacation! When we get sick of city life, we head to the beach. Praia de Matosinhos was a stunning beach located just north of Porto known for its expansive sandy shores, vibrant atmosphere, and, you guessed it, surfing! We hit another cheap Uber to this spot, rented a couple surfboards, and spent the whole day here. Then when our stomachs began to growl, we hopped on the promenade directly behind the beach to find a myriad of cafes to chose from. With full bellies, Chip and I slowly sipped our wine, while the boys ventured off with euros in hand to rent a three-wheeled bike. They came recklessly cruising back along the promenade, waved and laughed as they passed us, and continued along down the beach. The perfect spot for kids and parents, alike!

*Heading out with their surfboard to catch some waves (the water was chilly so wetsuits are a must!)*

A look at Matosinhos Beach, along with Castelo do Queijo (or Cheese Castle) in the background. The structure is said to have been named "Cheese Castle" due to the fact that it was built on the rock which was reminiscent of the big wedge of cheese

*Begging to ride one of these along the beach, so we chucked them some euros while we continued sipping our wine.*

*We wished we had known what they were discussing in this moment, but were enjoyed it too much to interupt*

Vila Nova De Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia, located just across the Douro River from Porto via the Ponte Dom de Luis I bridge, is another adorable spot renowned for its picturesque riverfront views and rich winemaking heritage. It is literally straight across the river from Old Town Porto, yet has a completely different vibe. This city is also famous for its port wine cellars, which are hidden in the narrow alleyways ready to lure you in. We did find one that enticed us with its dark, cave-like entrance. It was the best Port we had ever tasted!

Gaia was as easy to fall in love with as Porto. Here, we strolled and shopped along the scenic quayside promenade, which was lined with any and every Porto souvenir your heart could ever desire. We stocked up on all the keychains, mini cork coin purses, tea towels, and magnets. Your welcome, friends and family.

Afterwards, we found the famous massive rabbit sculpture among one of the many buildings peppering the quiet and winding streets. The artwork, called Half Rabbit by Bordalo II, is made from recycled materials and trash collected from the city. Metal pieces, street signs, and plastic containers are just some of the materials used to create the rabbit's eyes, ears, and whiskers.

*Half Rabbit by Bordalo is an artistic masterpiece that invites viewers to reflect on the impact of consumerism and pollution on nature.*

Espaço Porto Cruz Rooftop Terrace

Next, we randomly stumbled upon an incredible rooftop terrace that we had noticed across the street while souvenir shopping. We decided to walk inside the ground floor’s main entrance, and inquire at the desk. Luckily, it wasn’t a private event but a restaurant (3rd floor) and rooftop patio (4th floor) complete with a DJ, stunning vistas of Porto's historic architecture, the Dom Luís I Bridge, and Vila de Gaia below. The wine in Portugal is so cheap at restaurants and bars that we treated ourselves to a bottle of Vinho Verde (or their local white wine), while the boys downed glasses of orange Fanta. It was one of my favorite spots in all of Porto!

*Espaço Porto Cruz rooftop terrace views of Vila Nova de Gaia*

*More rooftop patio views (Porto in the background across the Douro) (Vinho Verde in hand!)*

I could get used to this!

We enjoyed using the Get Your Guide app so much on the island of Madeira that we thought we would see what fun excursions were offered in Porto. When we saw that the luxury yacht cruises along the Douro were relatively cheap, we thought why not!

We were pleasantly surprised after arriving at Marina da Afurada to find that local yacht owners take visitors out on the Douro as a way to make money. We had the boat to ourselves, along with one other family of three. We truly felt like royalty. The owners treated us to homemade snacks and fancy drinks while our favorite pop music played from the boat speakers. As we glided along the river, the captain toured us under all six bridges of Porto providing interesting nuggets of information about the sights we passed by. It was so unique to see the changing of landscapes from city to riverside sandy beaches to hillside vineyards. As a highlight, we were fortunate to have great weather and small swells that we even made it to the mouth where the Douro River and Atlantic Ocean meet. We made a quick loop out into the ocean just in time for a beautiful sunset. We may have to rethink our next vacation…perhaps a boat is in our future!

*This striking arched railway bridge, named Dona Maria Pia Bridge, was completed in 1877 & designed by famed architect Gustave Eiffel.*

Honorable Mentions!

I love me some honorable mentions, so here are our Porto ones:

WeDo Massage! - We got the BEST couple Thai massage here. The space was beautifully set in an underground cave-like dwelling, the massage was so rejuvenating, and the experience of receiving a traditional Thai massage was incredibly unique. The price is right, too!

Holy Sandwich Shop! - More like Holy shit, if you find yourself in Porto, you have to eat here! Not only is the food absolutely delicious and well thought out, but the team that hosts, cooks, and delivers the food is warm, friendly, and a ball of fun. The restaurant is quaint and cozy (so either make a reservation or get there right when they open up!), and filled with character. We ended up eating here three times, it’s that good.

Rua das Flores (the cutest Pedestrian-Only Street!) - Alive with musicians, street artists, elegant buildings, chic cafes and restaurants, this was our favorite street to walk on (plus no cars!). Normally you’d need reservations at many of the restaurants along Rua das Flores, but we were lucky enough to sneak an outside table at La Salumeria, a yummy Italian restaurant.

Miradouro da Vitória - Emerging from a narrow alleyway is this stunning viewpoint not to be missed. It is an easy walk to get to, as well! We thought the lighting in the late afternoon was the best time. (see photo to the right)

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