A relaxing week getaway for two in wonderful Porto

Douro Valley

Douro Valley has been the origin of Port wine since the 17th century. A sweet, rich wine that can expertly replace a dessert. Porto has been the port taking the wine out to sea, for travel to other countries. Read on and plan your next adventure with my guide for a relaxed vacation in Porto.

I would recommend at least five full days in Porto, and two in Douro Valley. You'll have time to leisurely get to all the cool places.

To get to Porto you can fly, drive, take the bus or the train. As I didn't want to drive from Lisbon, I took the Alfa Pendular train. It was very clean and comfortable. I had plenty of luggage, so it wasn't fun getting up and down the train's three steps. The trip was safe and pleasant, and I enjoyed the views.

The gloomy Porto skies reminded me of London. We were there in September, which is less crowded. The summers, especially July and August, are packed. You do gamble with the weather in the low season (spring and fall), it can be great or it can rain a lot. But rain doesn't interfere with Port wine drinking.

My husband flew into Porto, so we met at our lovely Airbnb in the Bolhão neighborhood. It was a great, quiet location. I walked around, had lunch, did a little shopping, and felt at ease. It has changed a bit since, as I look at Google Maps. It is a little bit more touristy with more souvenir shops. Everything is within walking distance, or a short Bolt (ride-share) trip away, which is my favorite thing about European cities.

Continente Bom Dia was my favorite supermarket to shop at. They also have smaller shops at the ground level of buildings. I like to try out snacks wherever I go. It's also a good place to pick up various canned seafood and fish as souvenirs.

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Porto

Once in Porto, your relaxing week in the land of wine may begin. Stroll towards the river and admire the architecture and the charm of cobblestone streets. Pass by Capela das Almas and see the exterior decorated with blue and white tiles.

São Bento Railway Station is a famous train station, with wonderful architecture and decorated with white and blue tiles.

Livraria Lello is also a great attraction, rumored to be the spark that made J.K. Rowling write Harry Potter. When she worked as a teacher in Porto, she would have coffee in this lovely library. The queue can be huge, though.

A few steps away, across tiled houses, is Torre dos Clérigos. This landmark built in 1763 can be climbed to the top, for 360' views of the city of Porto.

The riverside neighborhood is called Ribeira and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The waterfront has a great line-up of cafes, restaurants, and shops. Across the river, you can see Vila Nova de Gaia. Make sure you have an evening stroll as well, the lights of the two cities over the river create a romantic setting.

Stop for cocktails at a rooftop venue, like PortoBello Rooftop Bar or the Rooftop at Porto Coliseum Hotel.

Then have a meal at a riverside restaurant. We loved Terra Nova restaurant. Sit upstairs for a cozy atmosphere and a beautiful view.

A must is walking across the Ponte Dom Luís I bridge. This bridge was built by a student of Gustave Eiffel, so check out the framework along with the views.

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Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia has a rich history, from Celtic or Neolithic times to the Roman Empire occupation. Since the 17th century, it's been aging and fortifying port wine. The barrels of wine would come here from the vineyards up the Douro River. The barrels were kept in cold riverfront cellars and then fortified with brandy. Their trip would continue on the river, into the ocean, and on towards the rest of the world.

The main thing to do in Gaia is to visit cellars and taste wine. You should sip the classics: ruby, tawny, and white port wines. Make sure you also find some vintage to taste. Some of the popular cellars you can visit are Caves Ferreira, Calém, and Taylor's. You can also book a Food and Wine Tour, and let someone else deal with the itinerary.

You can sample the wines at any bar, as well. Keep in mind that the wines are very sweet, I never managed to finish one glass.

My favorite place to visit in Vila Nova de Gaia was the Wow Cultural District. Set up in old warehouses, it boasts museums, restaurants, workshops, and special events. Set aside one day for this experience. You can choose which museums you want to see. The Wine Experience and Planet Cork were my favorites. They are all educational, interactive, and at the same time stirring up innovation and artistry.

Here's the link, so you get an idea of what WOW offers: https://www.wow.pt/en.

Going west of Porto, first stop at Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. Take your significant other on a dreamy walk along the landscaped gardens. Spot peacocks and other birds. As you walk down the terraced gardens, you encounter stunning views of the Douro River.

On a sunny day, head for the beach. You can start with Praia das Pastoras and go up towards Praia da Luz. The water is most likely too cold for a swim, even during the summer. You can still have a romantic walk along the rocky beach and spot the old lighthouses. Have a Portuguese dinner at Praia da Luz restaurant and watch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean.

On another day of culture and nature, start with the Museum of Contemporary Art - Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Serralves. There are cool sculptures in the garden. From there, you roam among the treetops, at Treetop Walk Serralves. The boardwalks are elevated, which makes for a unique forest walk.

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Douro Valley

You can opt to see Douro Valley by boat trip or on land. I recommend both. Book a river cruise, eat your meal while you take in the green vines stretched across terraced hills.

You can take the train or drive. We got a Bolt driver. He offered to pick us up when we went back to Porto and gave us his number. Of course, we had to ask the front desk to speak to him in Portuguese, but he was happy to come and drive us back for the same amount.

Stay a night or two at a small winery. Taste the wine, the food and see everything from the other side. Take evening strolls along the grape vines and look at the stars. In the morning have your coffee overlooking the river, and breathe in the fresh, crisp air.

Our venue had kayaks, so we took one out for a row. It was a bit scary when the cruise boats would pass by. We stayed on our side, and they slowed down to not make waves and destabilize us. It was enough that we were 2 people in one kayak. I prefer to have my own kayak, but it was a fun experience.

I loved staying at the winery - the nature, the fresh air, the vegetable garden, everything was idyllic. Sitting in the sun by the pool and exploring the land filled our easy, relaxing days.

Be careful with Douro Valley, you might never want to leave!