Porto is quite unique because decorative ceramic tiles called azulejos adorn walls of street corners, houses, establishments and church facades.
And because I love anything sweet, let met tell you that by far, red Port is the winner that takes it all for me. At the restaurant we ate called ‘The Wine Box’, I was made to choose between two types of red Port: Ruby and Tawny. I loved them both but I remember choosing Tawny. Paired with Portuguese dried meat, heavenly.
You know what else I want to go back for in Porto? The olive oil. It was so good on its own, paired with pasta, potatoes, sea food and bread. This was at a restaurant called S. Gonçalo.
Here comes more food. The tarts are called Pastéis de Nata (singular: Pastel de Nata) and the perfect breakfast one could have, pastry with layers upon layers of ham and cheese with an egg on top: Folhado Misto com Ovo. Delicious. Beautiful. The bakery was right across our Airbnb. It’s called Confeitaria Sta. Catarina, located at the city center.
We went to Porto on a beautiful May weekend of this year. What made the visit even more perfect was the artistic ambiance. Artists performing along the Ribeira district like the amazing rock band called ‘Groovin Buskers’ who performed classic rock songs surrounded by a happy, jumping and hyped crowd. Found their youtube: www.youtube/@thegroovinbuskers – note that they are the musicians on the right and not the birds.
We visited the Sé do Porto that began construction during the 12th century Roman period and has since had Gothic and Baroque modifications in the 18th century.
In front of the cathedral, there was a woman strumming to her acoustic guitar and singing by her lonesome. Her voice was warm and her music was jazzy. I just had to talk to her and I asked what music she’s playing and she said Portuguese music. She had around 4 CDs displayed and I bought one for 10 euros and listening to her track, they are melodious and melancholic, gentle and soft all at once. Five months after, listening to her music again, transports me back to memories of Porto. This is her channel: www.youtube.com/@gabrielbatoni2060
