Wonderful old Porto with its small alleys and squares and its sweeping views from the ponte Luis is a real joy to visit. We spent a few days roaming the steep streets to savour the delicious food and equally good drinks. Pasteis, fish or shellfish; coffee, wine and Port. The Portuguese certainly know how to enjoy the good things of life.
It will not surprise you that in Porto you can’t miss the many Port Houses. Impossible to avoid the many churches with their beautiful baroque interiors as well and last but not least the lovely blue and white tiles you’ll find everywhere in the streets, houses, stations and churches.
In Portugal we find many fine examples of Belle Époque architecture. “Majestic” is a famous conditaria where you easily could think yourself 100 years back in time. Their pasteis de nata of course are a lot fresher and warmly served really to die for.
Another fine example of this period is the bookstore Livraria Lello where it is said JK Rowling took some inspiration for her Harry Potter novels.
An interesting contrast to the baroque city centre is the austere modern concert hall designed by Rem Koolhaas. We were lucky to get tickets for the finale of a concourse of young Portuguese composers. Very impressive to be immersed in beautiful music by hearing and seeing it life.
Judging the drying sheets and clothes on the houses there is a lot of washing going on in Portugal. A sneak view on how this is done we got at the communal washing place in Afurada, a tranquil fisherman’s village next to the harbour.
In the same village we got surprised to find a picture of a genuine Dutch Trawler from Scheveningen on the wall of a small Taberna. It turned out that the owner was actually crewing at that ocean going ship.
The passion for great quality food is shown in old shops, local taberna’s as well as in chef Rui Paulas highly awarded restaurant.
It is always a delight to return to your own boat after an intense city day (over 16000 steps a day). Unfortunately during our days the marina was exposed to quite a swell. Best to get that impression in the video you find at the end.
