World Heritage Site Porto Historic Center
In October 2018, I went on a trip to Porto, Portugal for 4 days and 3 nights. The Porto city area, which stretches on the hills of the Douro River, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996 as the historic center of Porto. There is also public transportation (mainly buses and trams), but it felt like I could reach my destination in less than 30 minutes on foot. (There may be a lot of slopes and stairs)
Bolsa Palace
Palazzo Bolsa was built in the 19th century and was used as a stock exchange as the headquarters of Porto’s commercial association. The entrance fee is 14 euros and can be booked and purchased online.
Monumento de San Francisco Church
Monumento de San Francisco is a Gothic church that began construction around the 13th century and was expanded and renovated until the 18th century, and the interior decoration is said to be in the Baroque style. I remember the admission fee. There is information that it is 7 euros for a set with the museum. It will be purchased at the counter on the day. The chapel decorated with gold is famous for its gold clay decoration.
The most beautiful bookstore in the world, Livraria Lello
The bookstore Lero y Irmaon, which is said to be the most beautiful in the world, is very popular, you must make a reservation to enter, and the entrance fee is 8 euros, but it is worth a visit because the design is very unique.
Picturesque scenery
As the entire town is certified as a World Heritage Site, it is a picturesque scenery no matter where you take a photo.
Villa Nova de Gaia District and Port Wine
Ponte Luis 1
In the historic center of Porto and the Vila Nova de Gaia district, there is a bridge named after the King of Portugal in the 19th century (opened in 1886), the Ponte Luis 1 bridge, which was built in the 19th century and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2016. It has become a landmark in Porto. It is divided into two levels, the upper tier is for pedestrians and trams, and the lower tier is for pedestrians and automobiles.
Villa Nova de Gaia has a cable car (TelefericodeGaia Gaia Cablecar) with views of the historic center of Porto on the opposite bank. Tickets (10 euros for adults round-trip) can be purchased online.
Speaking of Porto, it is famous for its port wine, but the Villa Nova de Gaia district is home to Porto’s leading port wine producers (port houses). I visited two port houses.
GRAHAM’s
Villa Nova de Gaia is a port house located west of the district center. It is about a 30-minute walk from the Don Luis I Bridge. Founded in 1820, Port House was founded by Scottish brothers William and John Graham. Guided tours with tastings start at 30 euros. There is also a course where you can drink vintage port. You can pre-order it online.
Villa Nova de Gaia is located north of the district centre, a 20-minute walk from Graham’s and a 16-minute walk from the Don Luis I Bridge. Founded in 1692, this is the oldest family-run port house in Portugal. When I went, there were two types, but three wine tastings and a tour with an audio guide cost 25 euros and can be booked online.
It is located in a prominent place on the opposite bank from the historic center of SANDEMAN
Porto, so you can easily recognize it. On foot, you can get there in about 10 minutes from the Don Luis I Bridge. Founded in London by George Sandemann in 1790, it is a long-established manufacturer of port wine and sherry, and has been selected by the British royal family as a port wine brand, and its trademark is the “Don” wearing a Portuguese student cap and a Spanish cordoba hat. From €22, there is a tasting experience. Port wine has a sweet taste because it is made by adding brandy to stop alcoholic fermentation with the aim of retaining sugar. As a spicy party, I didn’t visit here because the tasting was limited to two restaurants.
Top Douro Valley Boat Cruises and Wine Tasting Tours
This tour was very good, as it took us by bus from the meeting point in the historic center of Porto to Port House, where we had lunch and a tasting of port wine, and then boarded a boat to enjoy the scenery of the Douro Valley. 65 euros ~.
Spectacular views from Quinta do Tedo
Other than port wine, there are also wines
In addition to port wine, Porto also produces red and white wines (Still Wine). A typical example is the white wine Vinho Verde, which literally translates to “green wine”, and is reasonably priced (1000 yen ~ in Japan yen) and is a fresh and light mouthfeel. I often saw it in local restaurants. There was also rosé, and it had a taste that had a sparkling acid (slightly shot) and a sharp cranberry-like fruitiness. By the way, this is less than 1000 yen in Japan yen.
Map of the places introduced
Open the map below to see the places introduced here (other than the port houses visited on the boat tour).
Google MapsFind local businesses, view maps and get driving directions imaps.app.goo.gl
