Porto, a city of unlimited opportunities

By Yoon Jie-min

The official promotion slogan of Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is “oPORTOnity city,” which describes the city as having endless opportunities to enjoy. I could not agree more.

My experience in Porto was surprising since I had not expected Porto to have such a variety of attractions. Every moment I spent there was amazing, making Portugal a country definitely worth visiting.

A view of Duoro River from Ribeira

I decided to stay in the Old Foz area of Porto which is near the beach. “Foz” literally means where the river meets the sea and the colorful houses with small alleys were very attractive to wonder around.

I stayed at a bed and breakfast right near the beach and it was a hidden gem in the area. The modern interior ― an architectural beauty ― excellent services and gourmet breakfasts made my stay most luxurious. The beach is not as wide as other popular Mediterranean cities, but a small fortress and a lighthouse made its ocean view more romantic.

Inside of the old tram running next to the river

Tour sites

What is best known about Porto is its historic center. The historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the main street facing the Douro River called Ribeira forms the iconic landscape of Porto.

The old houses, although in vibrant colors, seem like they are going to collapse soon and it is true that a lot of them are under renovation. However, the inhabitants are trying their best to preserve the historic center as much as possible.

Narrow and steep alleyways are worth climbing up to see the view of the city. I rode an old tram to get to the historic center from the Old Foz area following the coastal line. Looking at the river flowing towards the ocean from the trams (remaining exactly as it was in the old times) is an experience you would not want to miss.

One of the numerous wine stores selling local wines

Wine

Wine is the most popular icon of Porto. All of Porto’s popular wine cellars are located on the other side of Ribeira. With a plentiful water supply from the Douro River, the Douro Valley has been noted for wine production and Porto has been a major city for exports.

From the early 1700s, England and Portugal had a trade agreement and Portuguese wines were one of the best trading items. Fortified wines, called “Tawny,” originated in Porto when people blended brandy with wines in order to make them less vulnerable to changes in taste during the long hours of sailing to England. These days, Porto’s wine cellars are trying to show more variety by introducing wine cocktails and variations other than Tawny.

Portuguese egg tart

Food

Porto is situated where the river meets the ocean which geographically culminates in extraordinary cuisine.

Even though it is not from the sea, Fancesinha is known to be one of the unique foods you can have in Porto. It is a hot sandwich covered with cheese served in a bland tomato soup. A sandwich in a soup might sound awkward but it was one of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life.

Egg tarts are also popular all around Portugal. I was craving one since arrival, and went into a street bakery to buy one. It truly did not disappoint me.

Backpackers usually do not spend money on gourmet foods, but Porto’s classic and romantic atmosphere made me visit a Michelin-recommended restaurant in the Old Foz area. A young and talented chef’s restaurant serving modern Portuguese cuisine cooked with Porto’s fresh ingredients is a popular go-to destination in the country. The taste was excellent, and paired with local wines of Porto, it made my night the most palatable one.

Ending note

Porto was a city of more than one opportunity. These provide natural experiences that visitors never forget. I fully enjoyed my opportunities to taste, see, and experience the city of Porto.

The name of the country, Portugal, is actually from the ancient Roman name of the greater Porto area, PortusCale, where the Douro River meets the ocean. I guess that is why Porto can provide authentic Portuguese unlimited opportunities for visitors to enjoy.