Low cost trip to the splendid Porto: gastronomic and cultural wonders await you, ready to take note?
Here is a mini-list of things to see in one day in Porto.
One of my favorite countries, as you will have understood from the various articles that I propose to you, is the Portugal.
But this not only because I spent five months of my life there, but also because it is a nation full of implications and beauties that not everyone knows or even appreciates.
How to get to Porto
The city has an international airport, Francisco Carneiro, provided by the main international airlines and is, by metro, 30 minutes from the center.
Many low cost flights that connect:
Port to London (Stansted and Gatwick), Paris (Beauvais, Orly, Vatry and Charles de Gaulle) and then Marseille, Lille, Tours, St. Etienne, Bologna, Bordeaux , Lyon, Tolosa, Madrid, Barcelona El Prat, Tenerife, Valencia e Palma de Majorca.
From Spain you will arrive with a stopover (generally for Lisbon).
What to expect from Porto
Porto is one of the oldest cities in Portugal.
The layout of the cities is sinuous, almost picturesque.
Personally I do not recommend you to run like a top to try to visit as many things as possible, but rather I would tell you to enjoy the town by crossing it and discover its typical features. both in culinary terms and in terms of historical and cultural heritage.
In addition, the typicality and warmth of both the premises and the commercial activities transmit a unique sense of belonging, suitable for both men and tourists.
But not all.
A low cost city
If you want to spend a night (or more) in Porto, the prices are really competitive.
I have spent some time three for less than 50 euros including breakfast in a splendid GuestHouse that almost looked like a very high level B&B (the average price of a night is about 15 euros).
More:
You can have lunch, dinner and a drink without spending much (15 euros per person is more than enough for a very good lunch / dinner); many of the museums have free admission.
In short, for lovers of Low-Cost Travel there are all the conditions to make one.
What to see in one day in Porto
One day may seem like a little, but believe me, you will still be able to be satisfied.
So don't miss (or at least try not to):
The Cathedral of Porto: a building with a Roman-Gothic structure. Inside it still retains the appearance of a fortress-church with battlements.
The Clérigos Tower: excellent panoramic point of the city, it is part, together with the church, of an eighteenth-century Baroque-inspired building that marked the urban configuration of the city. Located on a rough road, but brilliantly used by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, it is today a symbolic building.
The Palácio da Bolsa: or more precisely the Palácio da Associação Comercial do Porto, is a historic palace of the city. The building was built in the XNUMXth century by the city trade association in a neoclassical style. The site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The cellars of Porto Cálem: entering here you can dive to discover how Port wine is born and savor and live a unique experience.
The Dom Luís I Bridge: one of the symbols of the town that connects the two banks of the Douro overlooking the canal.
The Lello Library: located in the historic center of the city and made famous by the Harry Potter movie.
São Bento Station: with its tiles (the azulejos) it tells the history of Portugal.
The Igreja do Carmo: one of the most notable buildings in Porto and its interior shows a magnificent example of golden inlay. Its side facade has windows with balustrades and is completely covered with azulejos
The Jardins do Palácio de Cristal e The Mercado do Bolhao: a real market, a landmark of the city. You can't really miss it with its stalls and vendors. I don't know if you will buy anything, I personally didn't, but I stopped to eat in this market. In fact, in addition to fruit, vegetables and clothes, it is also possible to eat something typical in some stalls.
Also not to be missed:
The Casa da Música, the Café Majestic, the Guindais funicular, the Serralves House and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Also don't forget to eat The francesinha, the typical Portuguese sandwich, originally from Porto.
Leave it up to you to find out what it is.
Small Tips:
The Andante Tour ticket is designed for those visiting Porto: Andante Tour 1 costs 5 euros and is valid for 24 hours from the first validation; Andante Tour 3 is valid for 72 hours from validation and costs 11 euros.
What are you waiting for to visit Porto then?
Have you ever been there? Let me know how it went.
