Porto

Wine tasting at wine cellars.
Wine drinking at cervejarias.
Devouring lip-smacking local food.
Visiting local markets to pick local ingredients.
Taking boat rides to take in the views.
Trekking across various parts of the city to absorb its true beauty.
Admiring engineering marvels and architecture.
Playing hide and seek with the rain and sun.
Feasting on books at a famous book store.
Eating at a restaurant that was formerly a library.

If the above seem like the kind of activities that define your ideal  holiday, you are in luck. Porto/Oporto offers you all of the above. This tiny city has so much packed in that even a week's stay can seem too short.

Porto/Oporto lies in Portugal's wine region also called the Douro Valley.

The upper Douro valley has vineyards (very pretty to watch if you go on a boat ride along the Douro river). In Porto itself, you can find several cellars owned by some of the biggest and most reputed wine companies. If  you are a wine lover/connoisseur,  I'm sure you know that the famous Port wine is named after this city. A trip to one of the cellars is highly recommended, more so if you want to take home a few bottles and would like to taste what you intend buying. If you are walking, I recommend wearing good, sturdy shoes because almost all the cellars are located uphill and the cobbled slopes can get slippery
if (and when) it rains. It does rain quite often here. Mostly, just short light showers, so a light jacket should suffice (depending on the season, of course).

The food in Porto is eclectic. If you love seafood, you will be spoilt for choice.

 I tend to avoid the obvious tourist traps and seek out local advice for eating options. So far, I have never been disappointed. There is a beautiful restaurant (a former library) that serves authentic Portuguese food quite close to the Livraria Lello. We loved the ambience and food so much, we went there two times. Do not leave Porto without trying the Caldo Verde soup. I have had so many different versions but nothing quite comes close to the Porto version.  It is generally served with fresh Pao (bread).

A very popular ingredient used in Portuguese cooking is Bacalhau (dried and salted cod). The salted dried fish is first soaked in water for hours at a stretch, then the water is discarded and then, the fish is ready for use. I had the most delicious croquettes and mains using the salted cod.

If you want to buy and try cooking with them, you can find them in stores across town .

If you are a vegetarian, you don't have to worry. The Portuguese cuisine uses lots of vegetables and legumes. Their Feijao (beans in Portuguese) are delicious and their piri piri chili is super pungent!

 If you have a sweet tooth you're in luck. Porto's egg tarts, cakes and custards are legendary. They also have some specials like dried pumpkin candies that are extremely addictive.

A great way to figure out what the locals eat and buy is to walk around the not-so-touristy areas of town. We found the fiery piri-piri chilies and feijao beans in a local store. I do not speak Portuguese but thankfully, the owner's son knew English and was very helpful. The locals are very friendly and they will go out of their way to show you directions if you ever get lost.

My next stop was to a bookstore to buy a book on Portuguese cooking. Livraria Lello is one of the oldest bookstores in Portugal and is often featured on the best bookstores in the world ratings. It is a really fascinating place inside, as well as on the outside.
Set over two floors, it has a fantastic collection of books and if you are a bibliophile, a trip is highly recommended. There is a nominal entrance fee which is used towards maintenance of the shop.

If you want to admire some civil engineering, walk towards the waterfront to observe the Dom Luis Bridge. Designed and built by a German engineer, Theophile Seyrig, this bridge can leave you spellbound.  For magnificent views, go at dusk.

If you would like to see beautiful Portuguese tile-work (azulejos) that is still very well preserved, head over to the Sao Bento railway station.

There are multiple compositions and you will easily spend at least an hour and a half if you enjoy history and culture. At walking distance from the station, is the Cathedral (again, highly recommended).

Another must-visit in Porto is the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace).

 There are guided tours and it is advisable to go there and book in advance (specially if you want the tour in a specific language). The palacio is in the historic city center so you can easily reserve and then come back after you've walked around the area.

I can go on and on about Porto because I am in love with its beauty and its culture.

Some tips - Wear good shoes with sturdy grip as the roads are steep. I would recommend staying in the old city towards the Palacio da Bolsa because everything is at walking distance (if you are moderately fit) and you can take buses/trams to other parts. There are also a lot of great restaurants around that serve hearty Portuguese fare at good prices. On an average for breakfast, lunch, dinner a couple can expect to spend around 60 euros per day (naturally the price will vary based on your diet and drink options). Please be wary before ordering too much as the quantity per plate is quite a lot so if you have weak appetites, stick to one starters and one main and share them.

 I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions/feedback, do comment or send me an email at aajisthaali@gmail.com

Obrigado!