After a few unforgettable days exploring Lisbon, it was time for Scott and me to head north to our next stop — Porto! We packed up, and made our way to Santa Apolónia Station to catch the high-speed train to Porto Campanhã. As we were waiting, I ran across the street to grab two ham and cheese pastries for breakfast and they were the worst thing we had eaten in Portugal – dry, bland and barely any ham or cheese. The ride took just under three hours, and it was a peaceful, scenic trip through Portugal’s countryside — rolling hills, vineyards, and those signature red-tiled rooftops whizzing by.
First Impressions of Porto
We arrived around noon and caught a terrifying taxi to our hotel, the Porto Bay Teatro. Since check-in wasn’t available yet, Scott and I left our bags with the front desk and decided to explore the city on foot. One of the reasons we picked Porto Bay Teatro, was it’s proximity to everything – it was in the perfect spot and centrally located.
One thing Scott and I noticed right away, was how old the buildings were. We learned that the city requires developers to keep the facades of the buildings and allowing developers to gut in the insides.
We were really surprised by how crowded Porto was! Both of us had pictured a quiet, quaint town by the river — but instead, the streets were packed with tourists, shops, and energy everywhere we turned. Still, it didn’t take long for Scott and me to get caught up in the rhythm of the city. If you want to avoid the crowds, don’t go to Porto in August.
Exploring the Ribeira District
Our first stop was the Ribeira District, a postcard-perfect stretch along the Douro River lined with colorful old buildings and cobblestone streets. From there, Scott and I walked over to Casa do Infante (Prince Henry the Navigator’s House) and then made our way to Igreja de São Francisco, a stunning gothic church with an incredibly ornate interior.
We had planned to tour Palácio da Bolsa (the Stock Exchange Palace), but when we saw how long the line was, Scott and I decided to skip it. Instead, we stumbled upon the Mercado Ferreira Borges, an iron-framed market hall that’s now home to cafes, shops, and art exhibits. It had such a cool vibe inside — the kind of place where you can feel the old and new parts of Porto mixing together. We grabbed a refreshing drink, sat for a bit, and soaked up the scene.
Climbing to the Miradouro
Afterward, Scott and I decided to hike up to Miradouro da Vitória, one of the city’s lookout points. The climb wasn’t bad, but the view was definitely more rugged than romantic — not quite like Lisbon’s miradouros. There weren’t any bars or restaurants up there, just an open space with crumbling walls and graffiti, but it did offer a nice view of the Douro River and the port district below. It wasn’t fancy, but it gave us a different side of the city — raw and real. We did find that there was a lot of graffiti in Porto, which was disappointing.
On the way back down, Scott and I wandered along Rua das Flores, one of Porto’s most charming pedestrian streets lined with boutiques, cafes, and musicians performing in the street. We also stopped at Clérigos Church. The line for the tower was way too long, so we just explored the inside of the church — beautiful architecture and a peaceful escape from the bustling crowds outside.
A Sweet Surprise at Hotel Teatro
By the time Scott and I made it back to the hotel, our room was ready — and what a surprise! The staff had upgraded us to a suite. We couldn’t believe it. The suite was gorgeous — modern, warm, and super comfortable, a perfect retreat after walking all day. Huge thanks to Hotel Teatro for the hospitality!
Dinner at MUU Steakhouse
That evening, Scott and I had dinner reservations at MUU (M-U-U) Steakhouse, and let me tell you — it was one of the best meals of our entire trip. The owners personally greeted us and made us feel right at home. The service was exceptional from start to finish.
We each ordered a different steak dish, and both were perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The atmosphere was cozy but elegant, and by the end of the evening, the owners surprised us with a complimentary tasting of Graham’s Port — such a thoughtful touch to wrap up the night.
Final Thoughts
Day 6 turned out to be full of surprises. Scott and I had pictured a quiet, sleepy town, but Porto greeted us with energy, history, and some of the friendliest people we’d met so far. From a spontaneous market stop to a suite upgrade and an unforgettable dinner, it was the kind of day that reminded both of us why we love to travel — you never quite know what’s around the corner.
The following day, we headed to the Douro Valley on a River Cruise and to visit a few Port Houses, so be sure to tune in for that blog.
As always, thank you for following our journey! Please be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel (see link below) and follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney.
Cheers, Scott and Ally
