Porto, the Invicta

For me, Porto was a city to admire. A vibe very different from Lisbon, I would describe it as a paradise for the beach, seafood and wine lovers. I was there for about 2.5 days, and I felt like that was more than enough time to see what it had to offer. People move at a slower pace in Porto, and coming from Lisbon and living in a major city back in the states, it’s something I can appreciate. The Douro River was beautiful, and once again, the architecture didn’t disappoint at all. I thought the architecture in Porto was more diverse then Lisbon’s!

I stayed in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is right over the Douro River, and about 5 mins from the Porto Train station. It was one of the best Airbnb experience’s I’ve had - the host, Jorge, went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed during my short stay. He recommended several different attractions to see as well as the easiest way to get around. I visited Palacio da Bolsa, Livraria Lello, Luis I Bridge, Mercado do Bolhao, and the famous train station known for its art - Porto Sao Bento (pictured below).