“Porto is a city where history is woven into every brick and the river flows with stories.”
Thursday,14th May 2026 we fly to Porto,leaving at 12.25 and arriving @ 14.45. Allowing for airport clearance and transfer by taxis to The Log Porto Hotel, check in etc, we should have an evening before us.
It is a short walk from here to either the bus stop, or Estadio de Draga metro station should you wish to go into town.
Andante Tour/Porto Card: Offers unlimited travel for a set period, great for tourists. Buy at the station. Remember to endorse the ticket before boarding and when changing lines.
To get from Estádio do Dragão to São Bento by Porto Metro, take the Blue Line (Line B, C, or E) from Estádio do Dragão towards the city center, get off at Trindade Station, and then either walk (about 5-10 mins) or take a short connection to São Bento (Line D), though often the walk from Trindade is simplest for São Bento, as it’s a major hub. São Bento Railway Station
Admire the stunning entrance hall, adorned with approximately 20,000 blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history. That’s a great place to start a tour of the city. NB to bring up a link just press slightly on it.
https://porto-north-portugal.com/porto-guide/porto-walking-tour-self-guided-1-day-foot.html
The above link is comprehensive, bear in mind that we have the next morning to further explore the city before meeting at the See ( cathedral),14.00 to get a stamp for your pilgrim passport and begin our first stage of walking to Matosinhos.
https://www.introducingporto.com/porto-cathedral
“Portuguese food isn’t just about taste; it’s about tradition, culture, and sharing stories over a meal.” Dinner could be taken here or back at the hotel. Classic Portuguese dishes feature fresh seafood, rich stews, pork, and iconic pastries, with highlights including Bacalhau à Brás (cod with potatoes/eggs), Caldo Verde(kale soup), savory Francesinha sandwich, pork/clam Carne de Porco à Alentejana, seafood Cataplana, grilled sardines, and sweet Pastéis de Nata, showcasing a blend of land and sea flavors.
“Classic Portuguese wines are famous for Port (fortified, from Douro), crisp Vinho Verde (young whites), rich reds from regions like Douro, Dão, and Alentejo (using grapes like Touriga Nacional, Castelão, Baga), and the unique fortified wines from Madeira, offering diverse styles from aromatic whites to bold, complex reds and sweet dessert wines.”
Of the several times I have visited Porto,one of the many highlights for me was the cable car journey across the river to Gaia and the port cellars
The cable car over the Douro in Porto is the Teleférico de Gaia, offering stunning aerial views of Porto’s historic center, the Douro River, the Dom Luís I Bridge, and Vila Nova de Gaia’s port wine cellars. This short, scenic 5-minute ride connects the riverside in Gaia (near the Beira Rio Market) to the upper Jardim do Morro, providing a relaxing way to see landmarks and avoid hills.
Cost: Varies, but typically around €7-€10 for a return trip, often including a free port wine tasting at a cellar.
From its construction in 1763 until the late 20th century the Torre dos Clérigos was the tallest building in Portugal. The climb up the steps is well worth the effort.
It’s your Camino so whether touring a city, or exploring a village on the way, everyone should feel free to follow their own interests be it gastronomy, history, sacred sites,sunbathing or people watching. I hope this short blog whets your appetite for what is to come.
Here’s a short list of essential Portuguese phrases for greetings, politeness, and basic communication:
Olá (Hello), Bom dia/Boa tarde/Boa noite (Good morning/afternoon/evening), Obrigado/Obrigada (Thank you – speaker’s gender dependent), Por favor (Please), Desculpe (Sorry/Excuse me), Sim/Não (Yes/No), Não entendo (I don’t understand), and Fala inglês? (Do you speak English?).
Greetings & Politeness
- Olá / Oi: Hello / Hi (Olá is more standard, Oi is casual, common in Brazil).
- Bom dia: Good morning (until noon).
- Boa tarde: Good afternoon (noon to ~6 PM).
- Boa noite: Good evening / Good night (after ~6 PM).
- Como está? / Tudo bem?: How are you? / Everything good?.
- Estou bem / Tudo bem: I’m well / All good (response).
- Por favor: Please.
- Obrigado/Obrigada: Thank you (men say Obrigado, women say Obrigada).
- De nada: You’re welcome.
- Com licença / Desculpe: Excuse me / Sorry.
Basic Communication & Travel
- Sim / Não: Yes / No.
- Não entendo: I don’t understand.
- Fala inglês?: Do you speak English?.
- Não falo português: I don’t speak Portuguese.
- Onde é…? Where is…? (e.g., Onde é o banheiro? – Where is the bathroom?).
- Quanto custa?: How much does it cost?.
- Até logo / Tchau: See you later / Bye (Tchau is more casual).
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