I spent a day and a half exploring Porto, Portugal – this is not long enough! Here are 17 photos that made me want to stay:
I found a spot
Co-ordinates: N41 08.596 W8 38.898
and cycled along the river into the centre
This is a traditional Portuguese Rabelo boat
This is how they used to transport port wine, produced in the Douro valley, down the river to Porto where it’s exported worldwide
I LOVE these buildings
It’s a city built on cliffs and really steep hills by the River Douro
Not really a cycling city though
Cobbled steep streets. I locked my bike up and walked
I explored the steep and narrow back streets
I don’t know what this is
So I went inside
And got a nice view of the Louis I Bridge
This (Louis I Bridge) is the main bridge across the Douro river
It connects Porto on the north and Gaia on the south
This is a nice city to look at
Especially at sunset
Did you think that bridge looks familiar?
It was built by Téophile Seyrig who founded the Eiffel company with Gustave Eiffel. There is also another smaller railway bridge (now obsolete) further along the river that is similar in construction to this one and built by Eiffel.
Back to the van
I found another camping spot. This is a perfect spot for ‘Porto by camper’. Coordinates: N41 08.605 W8 37.946
This is such a nice city. What I’ve just shown you is just the surface stuff. I feel like there’s a whole lot more to this city, but it’s difficult to crack in just a day and a bit. I’d need weeks… I will have to come back here to properly see what it’s about.
But now, I have to keep driving south because I’m kind of meeting family in Marrakech, Morocco. I have 8 days!
I lived in Porto for 4 years and loved it. Back in the UK now but planning my van trip to southern Portugal for winter 2018 so will stop for a few days on my way. You’re right…you need at least a week to really appreciate it. I’ll be living in my VW for the winter but can’t wait to be near the coast again and roaming free. All the best to you!
Porto for me is the most amazing european city, definitely! I’ve been there also only for a day, but it was pure magic. We spent the whole day just walking and roaming around the city, my jaw dropped almost all the time. What struck me the most was the authenticity of Porto, it’s not really your typical tourist town, like Paris, Barcelona, Prague etc…Oh and the randomness of it, one moment you are walking through a neat street, you take a turn and find yourself in some kind of ghetto with wires and pieces of glass on the fence, “houses” falling apart, then you reached the end of the block and there is most awesome restaurant and beautiful houses 😀 It was interesting to see how many nice buildings were abandoned in the centre or nearby, quite a lot! We were lucky to check out this restaurant https://www.facebook.com/Juventude-de-Lordelo-do-Ouro-881723871893497/?fref=ts – oh man, I can really recommend them, awesome fresh fish, grilled right on the street. They fish themselves and as grill, they use a barrel cut in half 😀 Really funny guys and waiters, waiting to make friends with you and take care of you. Oh and the sunset, most magical thing ever, with a bottle of nice Porto wine cheese and shitload of cats 😀 The city has this great punk feel to it, can’t really be described, but it has left me both shocked and amazed, definitely have to return!
Oh my, made me want to go as well. Porto is simply stunning. My grandfather lived there a few years, never got the chance to visit. These images makes me regret that choice so bad. Gorgeous photography, gorgeous city!
Hello, Today in Setúbal there was a IVECO camper with UK plates, thought it was you.
Come to Lisbon and Setúbal, also great cities.
Enjoy your stay in Portugal and explore Alentejo.
hugs.
Hope you had a great time here in our city! If you intend to come back here, search my name on facebook (Aires Vilas Boas) and send me a message. we have a free litlle house for travellers, so you can rest for some days without problems of where to park the van, and we would love to show you the area. We are also part time van travellers (VW T3) hugs!