P o r t o | Portugal

Welcome to Porto! This graffiti was on our street and it honestly had Bob and I laughing so hard. Just here with my fam to enjoy your riverfront city in northwest Portugal known for its Azulejo tiled churches, architecturally stunning bridges and port wine cellars. 

Our young Airbnb host Patty was actually the nicest and we could not have asked for a more pristine space in a very cool neighborhood. On Passeio de São Lázaro a 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath modern Penthouse apartment was spread over 2 floors.  We were right across from Jardim Marques de Olivera and in the heart of so many trendy cafes and restaurants. I feel like we were technically on the border of two neighborhoods - Baxia and Bonfim.  On the very outskirts of downtown (Baxia), above the Ribera, slightly away from the major sights in the hipster hood that is mostly up and come (Bonfim). 

I had not researched much about the individual neighborhoods in Porto, I booked our Airbnb based on the fact that I liked the apartment and relative location. 

I recently read this article: 10 of the Coolest Neighborhoods to Stay in EUROPE where Bonfim is featured and I concur!! As well I can empathize why the locals in this once under the radar hood would graffiti the streets above with that message. 

Being among a plethora of local snack bars, restaurants and cafes on and surrounding Praca Dos Poiveros, plus the best + distinctly well know roasters: COMBI COFFEE we merely had to step outside our door for a bite to eat or to fuel up in the morning. Oficina dos Rissois and Cervejaria Galeza were both on my radar and both closed on holiday!! On a whim it was Restaurante Poveiros for our very first meal. I ordered a Francesinha - the famous local sandwich. Wet-cured ham, linguicia (Portuguese sausage), and steak medium-rare are stashed between thick bread completely cloaked in melted cheese and a dense, coppery sauce bringing subtle flavors of tomato and beer highlighted with piri piri spices. Bob got the second most famous steak sandwich called a Prego made with thinly sliced beef in a garlic marinade, grilled and served on a slightly crunchy bread.

After our first official meal in Porto the kids were still asleep. We cruised around taking in churches and sites in Baxia and Monte dos Judos. There are a lot of cathedrals and churches you can visit in Porto. 

The Igreja de Santo Ildefonso is a stunning example of azulejo tiles. We popped inside Igreja e Torre dos Clergos but did not climb the bell tower which seems to be the main draw. The boys slowly woke up happy and well rested. We hung out in Praca do Infante D. Henrique.

Cam and I visited São Francisco Church known for its lavish baroque interior with ornate gilded carvings. He loved the gold ceilings. "MOMMY look, it's coated in gold!" Pictures are not allowed inside. It was worth a quick trip (€10) but Bob and Ryder decided to skip it. We stepped into Sao Bento Railway Station at night on our walk back from Gaia; the fascinating architecture, tile work and ceiling detail is worth a look. 

We saw Se Do Porto Cathedral (below) and Carmo and Carmelita churches from the exterior only on our TUK TUK Ride. 

The Tuk Tuk was another pick of Camden's. After São Francisco Church we meandered along the Ribera (riverfront) district and his excitement about them encouraged us all to hop on for a 1 hour ride. We careened through the city and even over the bridge to Gaia on a guided tour. At the end of our tour as it neared dusk our guide was kind enough to drop us back at our Airbnb. 

We had dinner in our neighborhood at Cantinho dos Braganca on Praca Dos Poiveros. The square is lively at night and so were the boys. We had a lot of good food - mostly tapas style - but I did not get any good photos save for this tasty bowl of prawns.

 Afterwards we went shopping for provisions at the Mini Preco Express across the square. It is late but no one is tired! Jet Lag y'all!

The boys Tuk Tuk and Cable Car happily entertains their breakfast of choice: fluffy croissants. By the way, we are definitely eating a lot of Pastel de Nata but apparently inhaling them so fast they've escaped the camera!! You can see them in the pastry case below at Combi Coffee Roasters (R. do Morgado de Mateus nº29).

The Happy New Nest (Av. de Rodrigues de Freitas 293) was a terrific breakfast where sadly I only took the 4 photos above. (The rest below are all at Combi.) Yogurt bowls and decadent avocado toast at The New Nest's hidden back patio oasis was a quiet and relaxing start to our first day. 

With breakfast Acai Bowls at Combi we ended our time in Porto on a high note. We fit a lot in here in two days but certainly didn't exhaust all the possibilities for things to see and do. (Douro River Cruise, visiting Livaria Lello and Majestic Cafe, for example.) The city has an emerging restaurant scene and Eater says it best "finding a great meal couldn't be easier." 

Porto - flourishing scene meets old world churches + a top 10 coolest neighborhood in Europe.