Porto, Portugal - October 2023

 We took an early flight to Porto from Tunis with a transfer in Madrid. We had a full day in Porto before catching our Duoro river cruise. The hotel was conveniently situated with walking distance to most Porto tourist attractions. We're lucked out with nice October weather and thoroughly enjoyed visiting Porto. Overall, we had three days in Porto: one night at Porto Rico hotel and two nights on the ship. 

Having breakfast at Porto's airport.

Hotel Porto Rico - our room on the top floor overlooking the street.

Porto City Hall around the corner from our hotel.

Porto City Hall.

Porto City Hall intersection - on our way to the city market.

The City market (Mercado do Bolhao). 

Fruit stall inside the market.

                       Window with scrumptious cookies and pastries along the streets.

Chapels das Almas, a short block  behind the market. 

Pedestrian street in Santo Ildefonso neighborhood.
 

Church of Saint Ildefonso in Batalha Square.

The famous Majestic Cafe on Santa Catarina street.

Inside the Cafe


Having coffee and almond tart.

                                                                          

The Maitre D' - The "real" person.

Behind the Majestic Cafe.

Leaving Porto's main pedestrian street, Santa Catarina and the shopping area, we continued walking through the historic district toward the Douro river. Porto is a very walkable city with lots of main sights and attractions in the historic center.  

Historical Monument - Praca da Batalha.

National Theater.


Residential neighborhood street in the historic center. 

Sao Bento train station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Portugal National Monument is located in the Historic Center of Porto.


Main street corner of Bento train station at night.

 The beautiful murals inside the train station showing the country's history and rural scenes                                                                  of various regions.

Time and schedules

The train platforms.

Former convents above train platforms.

                                Cultural heritage monument in the Ribeira district of Porto.

Fernando Walls, a medieval fortifications in Santo Ildefonso, the municipality of Porto.

Making our way down to the Douro river, looking up to Luis I Bridge.


Enjoying the river walk. The Luis I Bridge, a double-deck metal arch bridge 
in the background.


The riverfront and marina on the Douro.

On the pedestrian/railway Maria Pia Bridge.

                                                                   On Maria Pia Bridge.

View of the fortification with Monastery of Serra do Pilar.

Side view of the Monastery of Serra do Pilar.

Across the Douro.


Gaia side from the bridge.


Porto (Se) Cathedral from Bento train station walk.

Esquestrian statue of Vimara Peres in Porto Church park.


Porto Church (Se do Porto)

Sign of Porto Cathedral.

                                                               Side view - Porto Cathedral.

Tile mural on the church's wall.

Porto Cathedral Park.

Porto Cathedral is on the "Camino de Santiago" pilgrims' routes.

                                                                          

Overlooking Porto historical district from Porto Cathedral park.

Porto Cathedral Park.

The Clerigos Church neighborhood.

The Clerigos Church is a Baroque church in Porto, famous for its tall bell tower. The tower can be seen from various points of the city.

The church tower with 240 steps.

Livreria Lello Bookstore, one of the most famous bookstore for Harry Potter fans. Always has a long line wait to go inside.






Carmo and Carmolite Churches near Lello bookstore.


The Lyon Park across the street from Carmo Church.


The Lyon park and fountains.

The Mc Donald's in Porto is an historical former Imperial cafe. It has a beautiful arched entryway,  stained glass windows and crystal chandeliers. 

Francesinaha, the traditional sandwich of Porto with main ingredients of bread, ham, sausage, steak, chesse and special spiced sauce. We both could not finish half of the sandwich.