Travel Log: Porto

We spent the 2023 holiday season in Portugal. Portugal is fairly small in size compared to the United States. While based out of lovely Lisbon we were able to make some side trips to other areas. We booked two nights at a hotel in Porto and took a three hour bus ride north to see some of what Porto was all about.

Ribeira Neighborhood

A quick Google search of best areas to stay in Porto for first timers will recommend Ribeira. Ribeira is a vibrant, lively area right along the Douro River. We discovered Ribeira to be a charming, walkable neighborhood of cobblestone streets and beautiful tiled facades with museums, small shops, restaurants and cafes, medieval buildings, and amazing bridges.

Our stay at Hotel Carris was in a perfect location. The walk along the river is romantic and beautiful. In addition to stunning views you’ll find musicians performing in front of outdoor patio dining all along the Douro River. For a lovely, delicious dinner with amazing service try Muralha da Barca. It is slightly removed from the crowds while retaining the fantastic views of the riverfront. Dog loved the local Porto signature sandwich, francesinha. If you are interested in a phenomenal twist on BBQ check out The Ribs. The black pork ribs, house steak, and classic sangria were excellent and accompanied by equally marvelous service.

Port Wine in Douro Valley

A trip to Porto would have been incomplete without exploring the world famous Douro Valley. Port Wine is legally only produced in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Dragon booked this all day guided tour of the Douro Valley with CM Tours through Get Your Guide. Our tour featured a gorgeous bus ride to and from Porto with our driver Pedro and our guide Evo, who both made the trip fantastic. Dog was skeptical about the ports because he’s never had a sweet wine he enjoyed. That changed on this trip. The port wines at Quinta Sao Luiz were sublime. The trip included a gorgeous boat trip up the river towards Pinhao, followed by an elegant lunch at The River restaurant that included traditional wine from the region. The wine tour finished at Touriga Wine Shop for samples of white, red, port, and local olive oil.

Here is another direct link to the tour we took. Disclaimer: If you book a tour using a link from our blog we will receive a small commission with no additional cost to you. Get Your Guide Douro Valley Wine Tour with CM Tour

Travel Tip: The Douro Valley has a micro climate that made it pretty frosty. Coming from a much warmer Porto we were unprepared for the cold December weather along the Douro. Conversely, if you visit during the summer the temps can reach up to 120 F. Be better prepared than we were and dress accordingly!

Porto Visit Short and Sweet

Having only spent two days in Porto it is hard to make any grand conclusions. With that being said we absolutely loved it. Porto was safe, clean, and delightful. We loved the Ribeira neighborhood and spent some time walking around the nearby areas as well. Go visit Porto people. Like everywhere else we’ve been in Portugal it is so enjoyable and you will surely enjoy your visit. Porto is a great stop on any itinerary.