Visiting Porto, Portugal

As I mentioned in my previous post, Porto’s Ribeira or riverside district is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and it’s gorgeous! It was so much history and personality. Beautiful buildings on one street and fresh laundry hanging from apartment windows on the next. In 1996, the Ribeira area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it does not disappoint.

★ For more photos and posts on Portugal, click here.

Porto’s Unconventional Beauty

Although Lisbon is one of Europe’s hippest destinations (full disclose, I love Lisbon!), Porto is the place to go for a unique blend of history, sunny weather, great prices, good food and a crazy fun nightlife. There’s something to do for everyone, including families with kids. Porto has a quirky style that is unique.

Beautiful parks with urban markets to buy something unique.

Porto is both historic and edgy

Locals keep Porto vibrant and friendly. The historic core of the medieval neighborhoods come complete with winding alleys, flaking facades and clean laundry hanging from the balconies. You can often catch the scent of fresh, clean clothes in the breeze.

Porto’s Winding Alleys

As you walk, drive or are viewing happily from a tour (like the Tuk Tuk, click here), you’ll see many of a curving labyrinth of alleys.

Church of Saint Ildefonso

I didn’t take many pictures of all the lovely churches, but the striking exterior of the 18th Century Ingreja de Santo Ildefonso was beautiful! It’s facade is covered with around 11,000 blue and white “azulejo” tiles. It was being renovated when we went, but still impressive!

Splash of Color!

The historical part of Porto is made of granite which is a rather somber grey. The Ribeira (riverside area) has darker hues and tiled facades, but watch out for buildings that cluster together in a mad splash of color. The dark grey and vibrant colors offer an interesting contrast.

Old fortress walls add a particularly medieval flare.

A touch of yellow on a bright sunny day. Perfect!

I love how all four of these buildings are completely different. Although they’re relatively the same height and width, the colors and facade give each a unique personality. Maybe suburban neighborhoods in the U.S. should consider this example of individuality 😉