Leaving the rural northern Portugal area and heading to Porto on the Atlantic coast took us through the city of Barcelos. We had heard of it because Pedro, our guide in the national park, lived there. We had also heard of it because one of Portugal’s national symbols is the Barcelos Rooster and you see them wherever you go throughout the country. We took a brief time to stop there and learn more about the meaning of the rooster and its popularity.

Center of Barcelos’ old city.
Public gardens in Barcelos seemed to be well-tended as we’ve seen all over Portugal.
All over Barcelos you come across whimsical statues, most of them are stylized roosters. The one in the lower left is the traditional version. We bought a small knick-knack copy of that.
The roosters are said to represent the Portuguese peoples’ love of life. From the people we have met here we’d have to say it’s true. People are so warm, friendly, and positive.

From there, we drove on to Porto arriving mid-afternoon. Just driving in the old city of Porto and along both sides of the Douro River where Porto is situated is an exercise in caution and high alert. Like most cities in Europe, the historic centers were built when only horses, and maybe carts, needed to pass through the city blocks. Really, pedestrians are what the streets work best for. But with modern times, cars are allowed through much of these areas. While the roads seem only wide enough for one way traffic, two way traffic is sometimes allowed. Interesting! Still, with patience and a lack of haste we made it to the parking garage closest to our hotel. We were happy to put the car away for a few days and rely on our feet to make our way through the city. With a hilly setting, rivaling San Francisco, we’ve gotten plenty of exercise but also had amazing views from the lofty heights of Porto to take in extraordinary sights.

We entered the city of Porto by crossing the lower bridge in the photo from the south side of the Douro River. Porto is on the left side of the photo and the city of Gaia to the right. Driving was challenging on both sides of the river as they are the older, historic parts of the cities.
After checking into our wonderful hotel, the 1872 River House, we were happy to be using foot power to see the city. Later, we walked up the steep city streets to this view spot looking west toward the setting sun. It seemed to be a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.
We joined with the gathered crowds to watch the sunset on our first evening in Porto.
As the sun set, the lights of Porto started coming on. The restaurant where we ate dinner shortly after this was just across the street behind us and had the same view.
Casa Vertude (House of Virtue) was an amazing find and every single element you could want in a dining experience was present for our time there – superlative!
We had a fantastic meal and our server, Vasco, was so personable and welcoming (not to mention easy on the eyes)!
The view from our room after returning to the hotel that evening.
And our view, this morning, from the breakfast room of our hotel. Sue and Cindy had stayed here last week and recommended the hotel to us. We were glad they did!
After breakfast we set out to cover as much of the two cities (Gaia to the left and Porto to the right) as we could as this was our only full day in the Porto area. This shot is from the high bridge (pedestrian and light rail allowed only) that was in an earlier photo depicting how we entered the city by car.
Another shot from the high bridge with Porto in the background. We have really had great weather for this trip.
Still another photo of Porto from the high bridge.
We went crazy with photos from the high bridge! Porto is very colorful.
This photo is looking across the river to Porto from the Gaia side of the Douro River. Because of the steep streets, they have a cable car system to bring people up from the river front of Gaia to the level of the high pedestrian and Metro bridge. The bridge is the only way to get back and forth between the cities on foot.
Porto and Gaia both feature a lot of graffiti art. It is actually encouraged and much of it rises to a higher level of art than typical street art in other cities. It is hard to tell from this photo but the painted buildings behind Ryan feature very detailed and interesting depictions of people working on the colorful buildings. They are fun to look at close up.
We have developed a taste for Port wine, for which the Porto area is very famous.Today we visited this winery and tasted some Ports. It wasn’t quite noon, yet it seemed quite appropriate and delicious to us!
Lunchtime in Porto – Port and crackers!
This artist was painting a scene from across the river of Porto. We really liked his style and would have purchased one of his paintings for our “travel wall” except that we want to get one that represents Portugal in a blue and white tile, for which Portugal is well-known. Still, it was fun to watch him develop his art.
Our hotel, the 1872 River House, is the pink, narrow building in the center of the photo. We are looking across the river from Gaia to the Porto side.
We took the cable car to get back up to the high bridge.
You don’t have to be in a cable car to get fantastic views of the city but it’s another interesting way to take in the sights of the area.
After crossing the high bridge back into Porto, we walked all around taking in whatever looked interesting to us.
Portuguese churches tend to be very decorative with the typical tiles of this country.
A Porto police officer looking very fit and fine!
This is the city hall.
Beautiful architecture is all over Porto.
Ornate churches abound.
Narrow residential street with the laundry hung out to dry.
Porto is like San Francisco with its steep, hilly, streets and they have cable car-like trams here too.
We had a seafood dinner at a restaurant along the riverside. Here the server is filleting our Sole for us table side.

We’ve really enjoyed Porto for the short time we were able to be here. Tomorrow we will get the car out of the garage and head south toward Lisbon, our last destination for this trip.