Travel

A Walk to Remember. Discovering Porto's Best Kept Secrets

Old Porto tram car still in use

Every city has its secret corners that it reveals slowly, over time, to the patient traveler, and Porto is no exception. Therefore we were thrilled when the guys from EcoTours Portugal invited us for a walking tour to discover Porto's best kept secrets.

Our guide, Luis, picks us up at the established hour from Hotel Infante Sagres where we are hosted, and before we know it, we are strolling on the streets of Porto exploring hidden corners we wouldn't have otherwise discovered by ourselves.

Beautiful blue tiled church

Porto, the very city that put the "port" in Portugal, is a charming destination. One could spend days on end walking the little cobbled streets. But we don't have this luxury, and Luis, offers us a welcomed shortcut towards better understanding the city. We rely on his local knowledge and he presents us the most stunning views over the city, the best coffee shops, and he gets us inside official buildings otherwise we wouldn't have probably set foot in.

We feel like VIPs as we have Luis all for ourselves. We have his undivided attention and he is eager to answer any questions we have about Porto, while he recommends us the best restaurants and museums in town.

Art Nouveau building and girl statue (after Luis showed her to us we started seeing her everywhere,
in cafeterias, restaurants, etc)

Luis has a loud and healthy laugh; the same we hear all over Porto. When he laughs, he does so with his whole body, and you can tell he knows how to enjoy life. His English is flawless and he goes up and down the hills of Porto without breaking a sweat. My husband and I try to keep up with him and we are happy we brought comfortable shoes. Luis waits patiently while we take tons of photos and marvel at the lovely tiles whole building are covered in. We love the colorful atmosphere and the quantity of wrought iron Porto has, and we call it a city with a strong personality.

Tiled houses with wrought iron balconies

Luis talks about his home city in a light and friendly manner. He avoids overwhelming us with dates and complicated names we would forget in less than 5 minutes anyways. He wants us to understand the city as it is today, but always providing the necessary background whenever required, and we are really grateful for the way he does his job, because we are here to enjoy the city, not for a history lesson.

Magnolias and camellias are in bloom all over Porto this time of the year

The best part of our Porto tour however, is that Luis really manages to open doors for us. We get to see some stunning views of the Douro River and Gaia, Porto's sister town, from one of the rooms of Hotel da Bolsa. He talks for us so we can take photos inside the famous Lello Bookshop and he arranges for a photo shooting session inside the Stock Exchange Palace.

Stunning views of the Cathedral from the old Jewish quarter and hanging laundry

Luis also takes us for a walk through the Jewish quarter, built inside the old city walls, and from here we can enjoy some amazing views of the cathedral and meet a lady doing the laundry at the communal fonts. That, and the hanging laundry all over the historic center of Porto makes us feel like we've just stepped back in time for a moment. But the city has modern infrastructure, and glimpsing the past and the present at the same time is magical.

Please notice the seagull on the chimney. They are everywhere!

We learn a lot about Porto during our second morning in the city. We discover its pulse and its fascinating people and architecture. As if the Atlantic Ocean didn't do the trick the previous day, now we are officially in love with Porto. Luis really tailored a fantastic walking tour for us. And so, after over four hours of discovering the streets of Porto, our feet are tired, and a cruise on the Douro River sounds like a God sent idea as the sun is up and the air is warm.

Cat enjoying the sun and the views of the Douro River from the Jewish quarter

- Have Dinner In South Africa
Voulezvousdiner Have just launched a new special offer. ...

- 7 Must See Places In The Magical City Of Porto
Porto is a magical city. Modern, yet still clinging to the old ways, it fascinated us beyond any expectations. We spent a day by the ocean, visited the uncounted for gilded churches, took a boat tour on the Douro River, and went for a wine...

- The Stunning Lello Bookshop From Porto
OK, I know I said it before, but I'm going to say it again. I love Porto! From the moment I set foot in the amazing Porto airport till the moment I hoped back on the plane, I was completely smitten. And besides friendly locals, amazing architecture...

- The Stock Exchange Palace Of Porto & Its Magnificent Arabic Room
Porto is situated pretty up north, and most people wouldn't expect to find Arabic art and influences here. And truth being told, you won't, except for one stunningly decorated room inside the Stock Exchange Palace (or Palácio...

- Our Open Letter To The Atlantic Ocean
Dear Atlantic Ocean, You are even more beautiful in March than you were in December when we first met you. We like you for the dramatic dance you perform without a flow. And we love you for the way you chase us every time we try to steal your colorful...

Travel