Porto
I ended up really liking Porto much more than I thought I would!
I found it to be a city of unfiltered beauty with gritty medieval streets, enchanting winding alleyways and friendly, hospitable people.
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| Dom Luis bridge, facing the Douro river |
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| It rains alot in Porto, but on the bright side, it also means you'll get to see a rainbow! |
These were some of the places I visited during my two-day stay there:
Sao Bento train station
Adorned by Azulejo tiles by painter Jorge Colaço, Sao Bento train station is quite possibly one of the most beautiful train stations you've been to. The tiles on the train station tell the history of Portugal, from the conquest of Ceuta and the Battle of Arcos de Valdevez.
Igreja de Santo António dos Congregados
Chapel of the Souls
Cafe Majestic
A belle epoque style cafe. J.K. Rowling used to scribble stories on the napkin.
McDonalds
Saw one of the most beautiful McDonalds in the world - with a chandelier!
A belle epoque style cafe. J.K. Rowling used to scribble stories on the napkin.
McDonalds
Saw one of the most beautiful McDonalds in the world - with a chandelier!
Clérigos tower and church
I was fortunate to listen to a live organ performance when I went there at noon. It certainly adds to the grandeur and atmosphere of the church. I had a Bacalhau com natas (codfish with cream) for lunch and climbing the Clérigos Tower after lunch was a perfect opportunity to burn those calories. The steps got narrower as we reached the top, and I can't imagine how claustrophobic it must be during summer. bring an oxygen mask in summer cos I think you'll need it.
Livraria Lello
The famous bookstore that J.K. Rowling used to work in. Quite possibly the place where she took inspiration.
The famous bookstore that J.K. Rowling used to work in. Quite possibly the place where she took inspiration.
Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas
From afar, it looks like a big church but in fact, these are two churches (and different orders) separated by a narrow (1m wide) house. Also, you can tell from the architecture that the one on the right (Carmo) has a more baroque architecture because it was built in the 17th century while the one on the left (Carmelitas) has a more classical facade as it was built in the 16th century.
From afar, it looks like a big church but in fact, these are two churches (and different orders) separated by a narrow (1m wide) house. Also, you can tell from the architecture that the one on the right (Carmo) has a more baroque architecture because it was built in the 17th century while the one on the left (Carmelitas) has a more classical facade as it was built in the 16th century.
Cordoaria Square garden
A romantic style garden. Our guides told us that some of the trees here were grafted in.
A romantic style garden. Our guides told us that some of the trees here were grafted in.
Virtudes garden
Miradouro da Vitoria
Ribeira
Just wandering through the streets of Ribeira has got to be the most wonderful things to do in Porto. In a way, it feels like you're taking a walk back in time with the medieval cobblestoned floors, the slightly washed out walls in yellow ochre or brick red.
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