Located along the Douro River in Porto, Cais da Ribeira is a bustling waterfront promenade starting at the foot of Ponte Dom Luis I. The pastel tiled buildings house restaurants and bars whose seating spills out onto terraces lining the walkway. The area is bursting with activity, as tourists stop to eat or people watch and buskers serenade the passers-by and rabelos (flat-bottomed boats) float along the river. While Cais da Ribeira is a great place to take a stroll, it is actually the other side of the river that affords you the best views of the city. Before exploring …

Towering over the city at 250 feet high, Torre dos Clérigos offers an amazing view of the city. The Baroque church and its tower were designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni in the 1760s. It was the tallest building in all of Portugal at the time of its completion and remained so until the late 19th century. Built on an uphill street, the tower was put at the back of the building so as to appear even taller. When we arrived, there was a line outside the church to purchase tickets. We weren’t aware until we got to the front …

Opened in 1906 by the Lello brothers, Livraria Lello is one of Porto’s most visited sites.  The bookstore’s grand staircase, intricate plaster designs, and stained glass skylight all make Francisco Xavier Esteves’ Neo-Gothic, Art-Nouveau style building truly stunning. Although relatively small, you can easily spend an hour or two wandering around admiring all the details. While the interior is the reason that most people visit, the exterior should not be overlooked. And trust me – you’ll have plenty of time to study it while you wait on line! Designed by Jose Bielman, the Neo-Gothic exterior facade of the bookstore features …

Porto was the first stop on our Portuguese adventure. The second largest city in Portugal, Porto is filled with architectural gems, historic landmarks, and a bustling riverfront. We spent 3 nights in Porto and explored the city on foot, wandering the cobblestone streets and climbing the hills from the banks of the Duoro River. Below are some of the highlights of our 1.5 days exploring the city on our own. Estação de São Bento Our first introduction to Porto was the São Bento train station, and what an introduction it was. Stepping off the train and onto the platform, you …

*** The information below was accurate as of our trip from April 8-18, 2022. For the most up-to-date travel requirements, please check the US Embassy’s website.   In the age of Covid-19, international travel is anything but simple. Every country has different rules and requirements, and they are constantly changing. When I first started researching our Portugal trip, proof of vaccination or a negative test within 48 hours was required to eat inside restaurants and to stay in hotels. While our entire family is vaccinated, this requirement was still tricky because Portugal does not recognize US vaccination cards, which means …