Porto

Morning in Porto

My husband and I were curious to check out Porto, thanks to friends’ rave reviews of the picturesque, hilly city, the sprawling beaches and the many port wineries. When Luxembourg’s one and only airline offered up an alluring sale, I couldn’t book it fast enough.

Bell tower

Toward the river

Unfortunately, we didn’t hit great weather. If we waited for ideal (or even slightly acceptable) weather to travel in Europe, though, we would have a two-month window. We go when we can.

A building in transition

The most striking thing about Porto was the decimated city center. Entire buildings stood not only vacant, but with blown-out windows and graffiti throughout the entire downtown. According to the locals, when the economy worsened, everyone moved out of the city center because they couldn’t afford the rents. Reportedly, even now, the landlords refuse to adjust the rents, so the buildings remain empty.

A common state

Portugal’s second-largest city is hilly with narrow alleyways, steep staircases, baroque churches, beaux-arts buildings and bell towers.

One of Porto’s many striking churches

There’s not a ton of sights here, which leaves plenty of time to relax with a glass of port in one of the many port-wine lodges that overlook the river, the Rio Douro. All the grapes come from nearby wine regions and some of the oldest vineyards in the world.

Waterfront

Porto’s historic center, the Ribeira district, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Roman ruins lie beneath the plazas, ancient houses and storefronts.