Porto a city in Portugal,and all its charms

In 2017, Porto, a city in Portugal, was voted the most popular European destinations. The online poll with participants from 174 countries, Porto beat heavyweights like Paris, Milan, Vienna, and Madrid.  This was the third victory for Porto; it had already won the same title in 2012 and 2014.

So let’s explore Porto and all its charms.

As the name suggests, it’s the original home of the fortified sweet wine known as ‘port’. Porto is both a river town and a seaside port. Its main charm is in its laid back and relaxed vibe that gives travelers a respite from the usual faster-paced cities.

The Dom Luís I Bridge over the Douro River was designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel. At the time of completion, it was the longest iron arch bridge. Built on two levels and used by both trains and cars, the bridge has walkways for a pedestrian on both levels. For spectacular views take a stroll on both levels and visit the town of Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite bank.

Port Wine being Porto’s most notable export, it’s no surprise that wine tasting tours are very popular here. You can take an organized tour or do it on your own by taking the metro to Jardim do Morro on the D (yellow) line across the Douro River to Vila Nova de Gaia.

São Bento Railway Station was a Benedictine Monastery until 1916. The station has hand painted panels of 20,000 blue and white tiles that tell the story of Portugal. It took ten years for artist Jorge Colaço to create. Try not to visit during rush hours; the station is on the D (yellow) line. The Avenida dos Aliados or the Avenue of the Allies and the Bolhão Market are also nearby and worth a visit. The Avenida dos Aliados was built to honor the Allies of the World War I, here you can often find artists, street performers and festivals being hosted.

Porto’s beaches are near Foz and Vila Nova de Gaia; both easily accessible by taxi or bus. The beaches near Foz are a bit rocky just offshore, so not suitable for swimming but great for lazing around on the soft sands on a sunny day. The soft white sandy beaches of Vila Nova de Gaia have impeccable water quality and are provided with amenities like walking trails and shaded cabanas. All the beaches have bars, restaurants, and cafes that are open night and day.

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