Most people I know worry about the cost of visiting Europe. Sure, if you want to do fancy things, it will cost a lot of money. Welcome to travel. When I was in St. Lucia, I was well aware that the north end of the island was littered with fancy resorts, and that cruise ships docked in the capital of Castries. I didn't go that route, and we rented a car, and an apartment and stayed in Marigot Bay. Far less expensive. That being said, it depends on what you're looking for.
When we went to Porto, Portugal, I was curious about the city and the country. I researched it well, but it was still an experience. I didn't know what I would find. I didn't know what the language barrier might be. I didn't rent a car and wondered how easily we would get around. I knew it was one of the oldest countries with ties to the Knights Templar and it was part of a pilgrimage trail. I knew that there had been Moors, Christians, Jews, Pagans in charge of the lands. What would I find in 2024? I wasn't quite sure.
What I found was a place with amazing, history, food, views, traditions, and people. It was a surprise nearly every day for me, and that was great.
One thing I can say about Porto, Villa Nova de Gaia, and the surrounding areas is that it is one of the happiest areas I've ever visited. If ever, in all the countries I've visited, I could say that the people made the place; it's Porto, Portugal. They are the nicest, most helpful, cheeriest, most contented, down to Earth people I think I've ever encountered. Everywhere you go, people are overwhelmingly happy. It makes a difference to a traveler. It was fantastic.
Most people spoke at least a little English, which was helpful for someone like me who hasn't yet been able to fathom Portuguese. I was grateful, and genuinely, no one seemed to mind. Such amazingly helpful and empathetic people. They would never get such wonderful understanding and helpful treatment in most cities in America. Sad, but true. There I said it.
Porto is a location that I pondered a bit. How long to stay? What kind of activities should I plan? What kind of accommodation? How should we get around?
We stayed for 9 days. I thought that maybe, being a budget traveler, this was too long. I did book an apartment, which is a great way to stay if you're going to be around for at least a week. It's often more comfortable, giving you the opportunity to cook a bit or take care of laundry. You get a living room in case of a rainy day where you end up hanging out and watching TV. Just the idea of having a full sized fridge is a good thing. Often, I've discovered it's cheaper to rent a vacation property than get a hotel room. Always check both before traveling.
How much was there to do? Was 9 days too long? I could have stayed for a month. Porto is great. It's inexpensive for a city of its size. The public transportation is great, so don't drive. What we also found was that the trains can take you all over the area on day trips for cheap. We went to Braga for the day and had a great time. The train was 7,50 Euros. The thing that I found with Porto was that due to the fact that there are so many wonderful parks, churches, beaches, historic areas and buildings to see; we never ran out of things to do. The beaches, parks, and a whole lot of other things are free. People gather in the park in Gaia to watch the sunset. It's free and extraordinary. Given the multitude of beautiful things to see and the amount of things to see and do that are free; take your time. You won't go broke here unless you work very hard at it.
The great thing about Porto is the freebies. The beaches are free. The numerous parks are free. Most viewpoints along the river are free. Walking the riverfront is free. Visiting historic areas and wandering is free. going to city markets is free entry. You can get a history lesson in the Train Station at Sao Bento. All free.
If you shop in the touristy areas of the city, you'll notice some things; some interesting things. First of all, it's impossible not to notice the Harry Potter air of things in Porto. There is that direct connection between J. K. Rowling and Porto. Legend has it that she got inspiration from Livraria Lello and the Majestic Cafe. Just look through the doors and windows and you'll get it. Is it worth 8 Euros and a long queue to go inside Livraria Lello? Resounding no. Is it worth paying a fortune to eat at the Majestic Cafe? Resounding no. Are they beautiful? Yes.
There are Harry Potter Tours you can take around Porto, and that's up to you. I wouldn't tell a Harry Potter fan not to check out all the things that may have inspired J. K. Rowling. There is one thing that you can't help but notice. You will see students wearing capes that remind you of the uniforms in Harry Potter. Did this come about because of the stories? Nope, University students in the area have worn the capes for ages. It is yet another inspiration for the series. So, when you see the students on the street; it's just another day to them.
Another thing you'll notice while shopping is the sardines and roosters. Portugal is famous for sardines, so there's no mystery as to why you see them on everything in the tourist areas. But what about the rooster?
We saw roosters everywhere. They were on merchandise, featured in local art, and there were live roosters wandering the park with peacocks in the Crystal Palace Gardens. What is it with roosters?
Back in the 15th century; as I said, Portugal is old: is where the story of the Rooster of Barcelos began. Reportedly, a pilgrim (remember, Porto and parts of Portugal are along the pilgrimage trail) was convicted of a crime he didn't commit (what it was I have no idea) and sentenced to death by hanging. The pilgrim told the judge, who was eating a rooster at the time, that the if the bird came to life and crowed; it was a sign that he was innocent. Long story short; legend says that happened. The pilgrim's life was saved and now roosters are seen as good luck. I swear, that's the story.
A couple of other bits of advice I have to give on visiting Porto. First, book a package when visiting from the United States. From other places, I don't know. We booked a package through Expedia, which I don't always recommend but for this was terrific. We went in the shoulder season of September, and it was cheaper than in the summer. What's the catch? The climate in Portugal is subtropical. It doesn't get real cold at all. This makes September still balmy beach weather. It's before the official rainy season kicks in in October and it's a great slot for budget travel. We found that by staying at least a week and going out of Boston instead of New York, we actually saved money booking an entire apartment for our stay. Always look into shoulder season travel, different airports, and packages. This time, it was all perfect. I won't tell you how much I paid, but I promise, it was affordable.
So there you have it. Some more tidbits on Porto, Portugal. Once again, one of my favorites so far in my journey to countries around the world. So, check out some packages, mark off a week in September, pull the trigger and enjoy!
https://weareportugal.com/blogs/portuguese-journal/the-legend-of-the-portuguese-barcelos-rooster?srsltid=AfmBOorql4mK-Yhee0j4BaBDmkNkNRvtkf6kSpOb1JudN8mWs3JpBziK
https://nowinportugal.com/barcelos-rooster-portugal/
https://www.liveluso.com/post/demystifying-a-portuguese-university-tradition
https://portugalgetaways.com/en-us/destination/oporto/general-articles/churches-of-porto
https://www.portomoments.com/en/porto-travel-guide/parks-and-gardens-to-visit-in-porto/
https://travelsandtreats.com/best-views-in-porto-portugal/
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/129861/best-free-attractions-in-porto
https://www.livrarialello.pt/en/home
https://www.cafemajestic.com/en/Utilities/Homepage.aspx
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/sleeping-eating/vacation-rental-or-hotel
