- Porto : From London’s winter chill to Porto’s warm, tiled charm
- Porto : Pure Wilderness in Peneda-Gerês National Park
- Porto : A misty birthday drive through the Douro Valley
- Lisbon: Nazaré’s waves, Sintra’s fairytale palaces, and our first sunset near Cascais
- Lisbon: Train from Cascais, Alfama walks, and a sunset by the sea
- Algarve : The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail and Benagil in real life
- Algrave: Lagos, cliffside walkways, and a beach day done right
- Algarve :Waterpark fun, sunset strolls in Quarteira, and a calm goodbye in Faro
To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote: To travel is to liveHans Christian Andersen
We started our Portugal road trip with Porto—and even though it was December, the contrast was instant. London had been properly chilly, but when we landed at Porto Airport the air felt surprisingly mild, like Portugal was giving us an early welcome before we’d even seen the city.
Picking up the car (and a smart parking decision)
We picked up our rental car at the airport and drove towards Porto, but we didn’t want the stress of driving right into the city center. Porto’s streets can be narrow, steep, and winding, and we’d heard enough to know it wasn’t worth battling it on day one. So we parked just outside the center at the Estádio do Dragão (FC Porto’s stadium) car park—perfect because it’s connected by metro if you want it.
But the real surprise? Taxis and Ubers are so affordable in Portugal that we ended up using them as our “city legs” for the day—saving our energy for exploring instead of navigating hills.
Livraria Lello: the “Harry Potter bookstore” that feels like a movie set
Our first big stop was Livraria Lello, Porto’s legendary bookstore that’s often linked to Harry Potter. Everyone warns you: book tickets in advance, the queues are massive. But when we arrived, it honestly wasn’t too hectic. We were able to buy tickets right outside and walk in without the long wait we’d braced for.
Inside, the bookstore is smaller than you expect—especially if you’ve visited big, modern bookstores elsewhere—but what it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere. The architecture is stunning: carved wood, dramatic staircases, stained glass overhead, and that feeling that you’ve stepped into a place where stories live.
Addy was completely in her element. She was especially drawn to the illustrated editions—not just the standard J.K. Rowling versions, but beautifully designed editions by different illustrators and publishers. She loved them… even if we had to be practical and resist taking half the shop home with us.
Wandering Porto: tiles, towers, and that old-world charm
From there, we did what Porto is best for: simply strolling and soaking it in. The streets around Lello are full of character—classic Portuguese architecture, little corners that beg for photos, and the constant up-and-down rhythm of the city.
We walked past a beautiful chapel near the bookstore and continued on, passing landmarks like the Clérigos Tower (we didn’t go up this time—saving our legs and time), and just enjoyed the feeling of being in a city that’s both historic and alive.
Dom Luís I Bridge: the postcard moment (and the best views)
Our main goal was the Dom Luís I Bridge, and this was where Porto really took our breath away. The walk there can be a trek (especially with hills), and I’d unfortunately injured my leg before we left, so by that point I was in quite a bit of pain. We made the sensible call: another cheap cab, straight to the bridge.
And it was worth it.
Standing there, the views stretch out in two unforgettable directions:
- On one side, you look down at the River Douro, weaving between the city like a ribbon.
- On the other, you see the layered beauty of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia—colourful buildings stacked along the hills, rooftops catching the light, boats moving below, and the riverfront buzzing gently with life.
It’s one of those places where you just keep taking photos because your camera can’t quite capture what your eyes are seeing.
We grabbed churros, stood in the warmth (it was pleasantly warm—not freezing at all), snacked, and stayed a while just enjoying the moment.
Ending the day: a peaceful farm stay in the woods
By the time we got back to the car, we were exhausted in the best way—flight + exploring + Porto’s hills will do that. We still had about a 35–40 minute drive ahead to where we were staying: a farm-style place near Castelões
And it was such a contrast to the city: quiet, rustic, and beautiful. This was one of those stays where you make your own fire, gather the wood, and create your own warmth—simple, hands-on, and oddly exciting, especially after a day of sightseeing.
That was Day 1 in Porto: bookstore magic, city views, sweet churros, and ending the night with a fire we built ourselves.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.