Un Paseo por Oporto

Hace ya unos años, en un maravilloso viaje por el Perú, tuve la suerte de conocer a una entrañable pareja de portugueses, que viajaban 6 meses recorriendo America, en una travesía de unos días por el Lago Titicaca. Fue corto, divertido e interesante.

Con ayuda de las modernidades de la comunicación el contacto se ha mantenido. Este veranito tuve la ocasión, junto con mi compañera de viajes, de pasar por Oporto, su ciudad natal, les pedí ayuda y consejo para conocer la ciudad, pues en la actualidad ellos residen en California (al parecer lugar famoso por sus cafeterías…..).

El asunto es que aquí dejo la orientación que nos dieron, y que tan buena ayuda nos sirvió para llevarnos de Oporto tan buenos sabores de boca y demás sentidos.

In Porto I would advise that you make a walk that starts on the river in Ribeira and walk all the way to the ocean, there is always a sidewalk all along the river until it meets the sea - Foz do Douro and than walk more until Castelo do Queijo.

When you arrive to the ocean side stop and look down to the beach you will find nice cafes to drink a beer e.g. Luz, Praia dos Ingleses, Homem do Leme (names of some cafes).

Don't miss the sunset by one of these cafes...it's amazing!

Than go for a wonderful old city view to Serra do Pilar, on the other side of the river, Vila Nova de Gaia. Also in Gaia try the Port wine in the wine cellars, just opposite Ribeira (in Porto side) on the other side of river Douro.

You shouldn't miss the old train station in the old city center S. Bento, beautiful.

Go to Museu do Vinho do Porto, nice place to enjoy a glass of Port wine. And on the way out just get lost on the narrow old stone streets that go down.

Go to Capa Negra, a restaurant in Rua do Campo Alegre and ask for a Francesinha...a delight from Porto, if you eat meat.

Do some jogging in Parque da Cidade, in the end of Avenida da Boavista with Castelo do Queijo, a very nice place to be around trees. (bueno, un paseo es suficiente...)

Have dinner in Museu dos Presuntos, Rua Padre Luis Cabral, 1070, again if you have time explore the tiny streets around.

If you want to visit a church go to Igreja de S. Francisco, on the right side of the beginning of the walk along the river.

If you want to go shopping, ask for Rua de Santa Catarina, very popular and old for shopping the old fashioned way, no traffic!

Don't miss the stock market, Bolsa de Valores do Porto, ask to visit o Salao Arabe.

Have a tea or coffee in Farol da Boa Nova in Leca da Palmeira...really nice, a tea house from Siza Vieira.

Also visit Casa da Musica, in Rotunda da Boavista, the new town ex libris!!!

If you want to try a different bar go to Bonaparte in Avenida Brasil, go early it's small and gets full.

If you want to dance Bato in Leca da Palmeira.

En fin, pudimos hacer casi todo y quedo una visita muy chula.

Oh, Molto Obrigado!!!