Porto a Portugal favourite
After leaving the incredible Arouca 516 and Paiva walkways it’s time for a real treat. Yes, it’s Porto a Portugal favourite and one of our top locations of this May tour.
We’ve chosen to try driving into the centre of Porto, after first checking out the parking options on a couple of Apps. Now this isn’t something we’d suggest for anyone with a larger motorhome or nervous disposition, because it turns out to be a bit of a tight squeeze to say the least.
Not only are roads busy and a little confusing, but they’re narrow too with tight turns and little room for error.
Overnight parking spot – Porto a Portugal favourite
After a few gritted teeth moments, we see our overnight parking spot. There’s a barrier entry into this small, but well organised parking area, which is a stones throw from some of Porto’s main attractions.
Thankfully, this parking area has the most friendly and very helpful attendant named Manuel. No sooner are we at the barrier, than Manuel is there to manoeuvre vehicles in the parking lot so he can make room for us in the camper.
It’s full here with mostly locals cars, but there are a couple of motorhomes too. One is a large Hymer and we wonder how they managed to get here in such a big vehicle. Credit to the driving skills!
This parking spot may be tight, and lacking in appeal but it’s big on convenience once we’re inside.
Yes, we’re within walking distance to the centre, so we waste no time in venturing off to explore on foot.
Parking Dantas – Vila Nova de Gaia – €22.50 for 24 hours on our visit – toilet and hot shower available for €2.
Waking into Porto
We’re here in early May and the weather is sunny and dry making it easy to check out Porto on foot.
Just down the road from the parking area we come across the first sighting of Porto’s famous bridge – the Ponte Luis. This spectacular bridge crosses the River Duoro with its waters flowing beneath towards the Atlantic.
It’s the type of structure, you just have to stop and look at for a while. The magnificent construction of arch metal was the longest span in the world on its completion in 1886. No wonder this bridge is an eye catching sight, because it’s a design concept of no other than Teophile Seyrig, business partner of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, of Eiffel Tower fame.
This side of the river is Vila Nova de Gaia, home of the Port houses and river cruises, aswell as our campervan parking!
We’re going to explore here later, for now it’s time to cross the famous bridge into Porto’s old town, Ribeira.
Colourful old buildings and riverside promenade
The Ponte Luis bridge has a lower deck for vehicles and pedestrians while the upper deck is for the metro and pedestrians. We take the lower deck for now, merging onto an atmospheric promenade beside the river.
Here, pavement cafes are full with visitors enjoying the river views, alongside the walkways lead along the river and off into the historic old town.
As for the UNESCO listed Ribeira district, this is the kind of place with plenty of nooks and crannies and great views back towards the Ponte Luis.
Porto is a hilly place, where you can easily spend a good few days. A funicular railway takes visitors up to the higher parts, but we give it a miss and use our feet instead.
Steps make for a good bit of exercise throughout the city, it’s a workout kind of visit.
Beautiful buildings and colourful trams
At its heart, Porto provides an impressive array of beautiful buildings. One iconic display of architecture comes in the form of Sao Bento railway station. Here we find the incredible entrance, where 20,000 tiles line the walls of its interior.
Another great sight in Porto are its colourful trams, running through the city, often with a picture postcard feel.
The whole city is quite wonderful, the kind of destination you know you’ll return to at some point.
Cable cars and views – Porto a Portugal favourite
For fabulous views of Porto and its river, we head back towards the Ponte Luis. This time, we’re walking up the steps leading to its top crossing for amazing city and river views.
Cable cars glide across the sky from Vila Nova, providing an alternative mode of transport. It makes a pleasant ride and saves walking up hill but we’re happy to have made it on foot.
We find ourselves at the large terrace to Porto Cathedral, starting point of the Camino de Santiago, the Portuguese Way.
Here, the views over the river and town, make for a meeting point at dusk. It seems anyone wanting to watch the sun go down over the Duoro River is here with us.
It’s a breathtaking sight, with a perfect spring evening coming to an end and the nightlife of Porto just beginning.
In the meantime, on the Vila Nova bank of the river, bars and restaurants are bustling with diners. We join in the atmosphere, choosing a night time tipple to end the fabulous day.
As darkness descends upon the city, the lights of this historic location come alive. Reflections on the river provide a glittering sparkle of romance. It’s such a splendid backdrop too, as the old district across the river lights up under a moonlight night.
Turning back towards our camper parking area provides yet another view of the glorious bridge. This engineering beauty of the 19th century is lit up in all its glory. Such a beautiful image, with so much to admire here, even as the night comes to an end.
A quick escape
Our time in Porto has come to an end and what a city this has been. We’ve really enjoyed this place and all it has to offer.
Tomorrow we’ll be leaving the narrow parking area, but first it’s time for a hot shower, costing €2 in a clean, portable cabin.
Waking early we’re keen to get on the road, out of the city before rush hour. Thankfully, the very helpful Manuel is there to assist.
Guiding us from our parking spot and directing us out of the narrow street, we’re on our way. We may have missed the traffic in the centre, but the surrounding main road on the periphery of Porto is gridlocked.
Stuck in traffic, we talk about our visit, reflecting on how much we’ve enjoyed it here. We decide Porto is a Portugal favourite on this trip, a place we wouldn’t have missed for anything.
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