My Escapes Portugal Another Lovely Trip to Portugal! Porto Exploring Vintage Porto Porto's Amazing Vintage Feel

Porto's Amazing Vintage Feel

Porto has a stunning old feel and an unparalleled look, it has a strong unique identity, nevertheless...
The vintage feel is not only due to the vast old neighbourhoods composed of a profusion of old buildings... the old vehicles, the decaying walls and the azulejo murals add to it. They amplify it!

I always wanted to visit cities with strong vintage feel and my Portugal summer trip gave me this opportunity.

Porto has stunned me with its old feel, warm atmosphere and great views.

It was profoundly different from Lisbon, the capital.

Porto has kept my eyes wide open constantly, with the camera almost always in my hand - hunting to immortalize and (trying not to miss) great moments and sights.

While many other big cities in Europe have old towns restricted to smaller areas, but Porto had a vast old neighbourhood, which I kept exploring for days. I wore my feet down, still: I had to leave some places out.

Cuban cities have an unmistakable unique atmosphere, Rome has the unrivaled strong old Italian feel, Venice is a playful dreamlike city that boasts with art...

But how's Porto?

Typically Portuguese. So, if you want to dive into a "Portuguese atmosphere", go to Porto!

As I said - much of the city is actually a vast "old town", so it felt pretty much like a trip back in time.

Despite many buildings date back to the 17th-18th-19th centuries only, and plenty are from the early 20th century, there is a genuine old feel and the walls are patina-covered almost everywhere you look.

I was stunned to find a collection of beautiful old 17th and 18th century churches, as well as a Cathedral built in the 12th century.

So far, in terms of churches, Porto has topped all cities I've seen in the entire Europe.

I recommend you to check the top churches to visit in Porto page (which is sort-of-a guide I put together) and build an itinerary to see them.

Besides the churches, the bank of the Douro River is also stunning. Lots of restaurants, souvenir shops and boat-operating companies are found along the northern bank.

The Douro Valley is a World-renowned wine-producing area and it's also full of scenic rural views.

Some firms organize boat tours through the river's valley...

Or, you might just want to see the old boats floating on the river? See some photos here.

To draw another parallel with Cuba, I'd mention the old vehicles, out of which Porto's heritage trams stand out.

The yank tanks are Cuba's beautiful old street vehicles and have become iconic to the country.

Porto's century old trams and replica cargo boats also contribute to the strong vintage feel and - they're among the attractions to see.

Porto felt quieter and cleaner than Lisbon.

But there's more patina, a greyish tone on a large number of buildings. Still, this isn't dirt!

Luckily, less modern buildings have been erected in the old central neighbourhoods, thus conserving the city's old look.

As depicted on the photo above, the patina feel gets amplified after rain.

In the context above, even the decaying old walls have are beautiful - especially together with the nice background view...

To me, it seemed Porto's population loves traditions and from what I know, Portuguese people are deeply religious. Reason why vandalism is almost non-existent. The beautiful old buildings, the public property are well-respected and preserved.

Porto felt much safer than Lisbon.

The beautiful vintage feel mustn't be confused with a slumish feel. Porto is a clean city and it is well-maintained.

Porto felt calmer, less agitated, life's rhythm seemed slower and it overall felt warmer than Lisbon.

The intricate network of streets hides a plentitude of surprises.

Architecturally, the city is more diverse than would seem at first glimpse.

I was amazed about the fact that I couldn't find two buildings with identical azulejo tiles. They're all unique!

Although normally relatively quiet, Porto has lost its calm temporarily, turning into a "public mad house" during the Festa de Sáo Joáo do Porto.

All of the sudden, I've found myself in the middle of the weirdest, funniest festivals I've ever attended.

During this festival, masses of people gather to the streets and proceed punching each other on the head with soft toy hammers.

So, Porto has a "crazy" side too...

I also can't help mentioning the sound of the seagulls, the grilled sardines and the grilled peppers, and the tasty Port wine. All ingredients of the "Porto feeling".

Porto is one of its kind.

It stands out from all cities I've visited - precisely because of this unique old feel.

I honestly believe, Porto deserves more attention. The trendier destinations dampen its spotlight, but some of those trendy places are actually a lot less interesting.

If you have the chance to visit Porto, then don't hesitate!

I first pinned Porto as a target city on my Google Earth map back in 2008... but then, while staying in Barcelona, I chose to travel to the Madeira Islands instead...

I could verbalize for ages about Porto's look and feel and turn your mind into a calendar, but I'd rather leave you with the photos now...

Images can tell a thousand words, but there's nothing like the real thing: actually being there!

My trip journal will help you plan you're trip, if you decide to hit the road for Porto!

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