Porto - One city you mustn't miss
With a train ticket in my hand and a hot 'francesinha' sandwich in mind, I visited the city that gave Portugal its name.
As soon as I found out that CP has €9.50 trips from Lisbon to Porto, I thought to myself, “Now there are no excuses, I'm going to the unconquered city of Porto!”. I went, and it's just as well!
I have visited Porto several times over the years, but recently, when I go there, the city seems brighter and livelier.
This weekend is going to see me wandering in the 'Aliados', visiting São Bento station and the cathedral, and enjoying the fantastic views from the top of Clérigos Tower and the D. Luís Bridge. But there is so much more to the city. Porto is its people! So, on Saturday, I went to Bolhão to revisit the charms of that iconic market that fills any northerner with pride. And I wasn't disappointed, it is still full of life and fun, full of voices, smells and colours…. And, of course, the stall holders flogging their wares!
Porto is the height of fashion. Since my first visit, many new spaces have opened offering snacks and nibbles (apart from the classic 'francesinha' that is consistently voted among the top 10 sandwiches in the world). There is a new culinary cluster in the downtown area (in Rua da Picaria), where the restaurants get confused with the bookstores, galleries, barber shops and a series of totally cosmopolitan spaces.
On Sunday morning, before going back to Lisbon, I went for a walk in the Foz district and along the Ribeira in front of Vila Nova da Gaia, which, despite the fog, never loses its charm. On the way back, as I love travel books, I popped into the Livraria Lello, where I always make a question of buying at least one book. That way, on the relaxing journey back to Lisbon, I always go on another trip.
What a lovely weekend escape… my purse has to thank CP for this surprise with the Promo Tickets!
Teresinha da Costa Pinto
