Porto – port lovers paradise

Leaving the Aire at Moreira we headed to Porto, Portugal’s second largest city.  It was only 43kms (27 miles) and although we had come to the end of the pretty N222 road, our Snooper Sat-Nav was still keen to take us down more of the 'roads less travelled'.  This one happened to be very narrow and cobbled for about 10kms and poor old Sonny’s (the motorhome) suspension was put to the test.  We only met 2 vehicles all the way, and one of those was the local village bus - yes it was a tight squeeze!

The last 10km to get to the Aire at Porto, we had to take the motorway.  We have avoided motorways where possible and avoided toll roads completely.  We had forgotten just how busy and congested they get; however, Mel got a glimpse of Porto’s football stadium on this route, so he was happy!

Parked up on the Aire (N41.1434 W8.63249), which is on the south side of the river we walked along the riverfront and into Porto – about a 20 minute walk.  Sitting at the mouth of the River Doura, it has a certain appeal about it, with its coloured old buildings built in tiers up a rock face and of course all the port lodges sellers.

Like Lisbon, it is all built on a hill, so you can either walk it or there is a multi-choice of transport – cable car, funicular railway, trams, the open top tourist bus, plus dozens of boat trips up and down the river.  Unlike Lisbon, most of the sights sit near each other, so we figured we would do it on foot plus we could do with the exercise!

Wooden boats (barcos rabelos) – the traditional boats once used to transport wine casks downriver from the port vineyards

Cable cars and Sandeman Port Lodge

The old Porto along the waterfront, with its brightly coloured houses, restaurants and cafés

Ponte Dom Luis 1 – Porto’s iconic double-decker bridge, built in 1886 - linking old Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia on the south of the River is dominated by the port wine lodges and bars. All spelling out their names in huge letters across the roofs, all offering tastings and tours.  Most do the Sandeman tour, we know this as you see people walking around with their bright yellow bags with the Sandeman logo on!

Vila Nova de Gaia, and all its named port lodges

Kopke, the oldest port house

Old port barrel

The Cathedral up by the city wall -  an interesting mix of Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic architecture.

Inside the cathedral

Views over the rooftops of old Porto, lots of medieval streets and alleyways fall away from the cathedral.

Admiring the architecture walking up to the City Hall at the top

 City hall – building started in 1920 and didn’t get completed until 1956

Ireja and Torre dos Clérigos

Floating cube fountain and ‘Fred Flintstone’ look-a-like standing guard in the church behind!

We stopped to have a meal at one of the riverside restaurants.  I opted for sardines but Mel decided to go for one of Porto's signature dish of Francesinha - 2 slices of bread, with steak, ham, sausage and chorizo, covered in cheese and drizzled with spicy tomato sauce and crowned with a fried egg.  It looked pretty horrible but Mel said it was delicious and would have it again!

Francesinha, singnature dish of Porto 

Found this iconic bottle of Mateus Rose, think most people drunk this in the 70's!

Igreja de San Francisco – Porto’s only surviving Gothic Church

We stopped at a riverside cafe and people watched for a while, with a bit of street theatre thrown in for good measure

Winner of the living statue contest 2007 and 2010 and he is still going strong!

We had a great day wandering up and down the streets and alleyways of old Porto and wound the day up with a bottle of Offley, our chosen port of the day - chosen more for it's price!

Enjoying a nice glass of Port back at Chez Sonny.  We don't have any port glasses with us so we used wine glasses - they get more in anyway!

Our neighbours at Porto – love what they’ve done with their van!

Yesterday we spent most of the day sitting out the rain in little riverside town of Amarante, a quiet spot by the river Tamega on the edge of the park (N41.27276 W8.07089).  

The good news is this morning the sun has come out so we had a wander into the town.  The town's history revolves around the thirteenth-century hermit Gonçalo and most of the attractions bear his name, including the church and the bridge it sits on.

Amarante, with The Igreja de São Gonçalo on the Ponte de São Gonçalo

The church and monastery were built between 1540 and 1620 and is very ornate inside.

We move on next towards Bragança, a town on the Portuguese/Spanish border and sadly that means our tour of Portugal will be over for this year.  It's a lovely country and we will definitely be back to see more and re-visit some of our favourites!

Sally x