Ok, I got it. Here’s my blog post:
Time in Porto, Portugal
So, I decided to finally scratch Porto off my travel list. I’d heard so much about it, and figured, what the heck, let’s go. I kicked things off by booking a flight for late June. Everyone kept saying June to September is prime time, weather-wise, and they weren’t kidding!
First things first, I landed in Porto and hopped on the metro straight to my accommodation. Super easy and cheap, which is always a win. I checked in, dumped my bags, and just wandered. No real plan, just wanted to soak it all in.
Day 1: Ribeira and Port Wine
- I headed straight for the Ribeira district. It’s postcard-perfect, you know? All those colorful buildings stacked on top of each other along the Douro River. I just strolled, took a bunch of pics, and grabbed lunch at a little cafe right on the water. Had some amazing seafood – I think it was grilled sardines. Seriously good.
- Next up, I had to do a port wine cellar tour. I picked one pretty much at random (Graham’s, I think?) and learned all about how port is made. Then, of course, the tasting! It was a blast. Walked away feeling a little tipsy and a lot more knowledgeable.
Day 2: Livraria Lello and Clerigos Church
- I woke up early to beat the crowds at Livraria Lello, the bookstore that supposedly inspired J.K. Rowling. It’s gorgeous, no doubt about it. Paid the entry fee (it gets deducted if you buy a book) and snapped a few photos. Definitely worth seeing, even with the tourists.
- After the bookstore, I climbed the Clerigos Church tower. The views of the city were incredible! It was a bit of a hike, but totally worth it. I just hung out up there for a while, taking it all in.
Day 3: Vila Nova de Gaia and a Douro River Cruise
- I walked across the Dom Luís I Bridge (another amazing photo op) to Vila Nova de Gaia. More port wine cellars there, but I decided to do something different.
- I hopped on one of those Douro River cruises. It gave me a totally different perspective of the city. Plus, the weather was perfect – sunny and warm. The cruise went past all the bridges and gave a little history lesson, too.
Day 4: Serralves Museum and Park
- I decided to get a little cultured and visited the Serralves Museum. It’s a modern art museum with a beautiful park surrounding it. I’m not a huge art buff, but I enjoyed wandering around the grounds and checking out the sculptures.
Day 5: Departure
- Time to head home. I grabbed one last pastel de nata (those custard tarts are addictive!) and hopped back on the metro to the airport.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, Porto blew me away. It’s got this cool, laid-back vibe, the food is amazing, and the people are super friendly. I didn’t even plan much, and I still had a fantastic time. If you’re looking for a European city break that’s a bit different, Porto should definitely be on your list. Just go and wander around, you’ll find something awesome around every corner. I’m already thinking about when I can go back!
