The Only Three Recommendations You Need for Porto
When I got to Porto, I admit I had a lit of all of the main things to see and do on a list and I planned to work my way thought them during my time there, which I certainly did. However, when I think about my favourite things I did, or when asked for a recommendation, 3 things stand out to me: the walking city tour I did on my first day, trying a Francesinha sandwich and ardim do Morro for sunset.
I booked a walking tour for my first day. I usually like doing this because it just helps you get your bearings in a new place. Porto is pretty hilly, so walking it with a guide was a great way to get a general sense of the layout and map out the spots I wanted to go back to later when I had more time to actually explore. I picked a tour that was quite free flowing, so the guide asked what everyone wanted to get out of the tour and from there he accommodated as much of it as he could.
My taxi driver from the airport told me straight away that I couldn't leave the city without trying a Francesinha. He was so insistent about it being a local specialty that it went to the top of my list. After getting a feel for the streets on the tour, II went with Julie (a lady I met on the tour) to hunt down one down. If you haven't seen one, it’s basically a massive, heavy sandwich loaded with steak, ham, and sausage, completely smothered in melted cheese and sitting in a hot beer-and-tomato sauce, with an egg on top. It sounds like a lot (and it is) but it was honestly so good and comforting, definitely something you can only get right in Porto.
A highlight of the trip, though, came from my brother's advice. He told me I had to go to Jardim do Morro for sunset. It's this grassy hill right across the main bridge. When I got up there, the place was packed, but it didn't feel annoying at all. The vibe was just brilliant, everyone was buzzing, music was playing, and the energy was great. Watching the sun go down over the river and the rooftops from up there was such a gorgeous site and I am so glad I made it there.
Looking back, the best parts of the trip came from just listening to the people who knew the city best. It turns out a taxi driver, a tour guide, and my brother were the only travel itinerary I really needed.
