By our third day in Porto, Jamie W and I had become infatuated with Porto, the unexpected jewel of…read moreour Iberian vacation. Now every YouTube vlogger who's been to Porto has made it mandatory to come here at sunset. The orange-hued sunset is supposed to be spectacular. We could never time it right to be here at magic hour. Besides, from the videos I watched, it looked packed with people on the rolling lawn while watching buskers perform. Still, the panoramic views from Vila Nova de Gaia were still quite impressive earlier in the day. You can see not only the Douro River but the most picture postcard view of historic Porto and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. RELATED - Exploring Porto? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/v0hR2ve7kZ

Great music, beautiful views, cocktails and mocktails, dinner and appertizers what else could you…read morewant? I highly recommend the Charcuterie board. It was filled with all sorts of cheeses and the prosciutto was really good. I also liked the jam which I think was fig. I appreciate that they had mocktails. And really enjoyed the Morro Sunset.

The vibe in Ribeira is unmistakable, you find an artist in every corner playing an instrument or…read moresinging a song , they have beautiful views of the port right on the riverwalk, they have sides and food options , wineries , cruises and so much more. A great spot to visit on the weekend when the weather is nice. Worst thing about the riverside is having to take so many stairs from the top to get there given how hilly Porto is, there are no elevator options , there is a funicular and cable cars but the city has not constructed an easier way to help those with disabilities etc which is unfortunate

Riverwalk in the Ribeira neighborhood. Not too long or overwhelming and an abundance of views,…read moreshops, restaurants, and boats to other side with more restaurants shops and views. There are kiosks with treats and endless patio spots to grab a drink and take in the sights and people watch. Amazing views of the bridge as well, which is at one end. Musicians crooned from the sidewalks. Speaking of the walk, it is pretty level ground, unlike much of hilly Porto (with the exception of the ends of the riverwalk when you walk up or down the stairs or ramp). The cobblestone trend continues, so wear comfortable shoes and if you have babies or toddlers, bring a stroller with sturdy wheels and straps. Don't be afraid to make your way into the alleyways, as this is described as "true Porto," with less tourist trap shops and better quality restaurants than what you may find on the riverwalk strip itself.

Matosinhos Beach is a large, sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean. It is great for walking in the soft…read moresand, playing beach sports such as volleyball, swimming, playing water sports such as surfing, picnicking, eating at a nearby beachfront restaurant, etcetera. I was there on weekday in mid-September, and it was not busy. I would expect the beach to have more visitors in the summer and weekends. I did see several people playing volleyball with the nets on the beach. Of course, the views of the Atlantic Ocean looked very nice. A tourist information center is located on the beach, if you want to learn about other nearby activities. The employee there did not speak with me, but I did see pieces of literature.

When I stepped outside the first cafe we'd snacked at, I took a deep breath. My nose was tingled…read moreby the salty sea. As one who grew up close to the ocean, I was compelled to go see the Atlantic from the other side. We headed to the Matosinhos Beach (known as Praia de Matosinhos in Portuguese.) Matosinhos has historic ties to the ocean: through the ages, countless expeditions for cod have launched from town. My friend showed me a statue that commemorates the wives of fishermen who lost their lives at sea. The widows' eyes endlessly scan the horizon, pleading with fate and churning waters to bring back their husbands. The men's bravery was not lost on me, as I stood spellbound (never scared...) watching the truly giant waves crashing off shore. The expanse of soft white sand was impressive and even in January I could easily imagine the mob scene of summer. It made me happy to see people were out enjoying the warmth of the sun. There were folks relaxing with a glass of wine at the small cafes strung along the pedestrian pathway, dog walkers walking up, yoga-enthusiasts in downward dog... in the water were those brave souls in wetsuits who are a kind of modern corollary to the risk-facing fishermen of days past. They do not just stand still as a statue, staring dead-eyed with awe at the pounding surf: they swim out and they ride it.

What a delicious place! Plan to spend a ton of time, between the museum, the house, the garden, the…read moretree walks, the full garden paths you can easily spend half a day, and that would be rushing. My favorite, and I wish I spent more time, was the garden and the outdoor paths. Plan to get lost, explore, be inspired, think, question, and just be purely in love with this experience. I can't recommend enough.

Serralves Park is a gorgeous spot in Porto that is a wonderful way to spend a few hours…read moredecompressing and strolling around. The Casa de Serralves looks honestly looks like a Barbie house, in its simple Art Deco design. There are a series of large garden fountains that connect down the middle of the front courtyard. The grounds around the Casa are also very architectural and designed in maze patterns, structural elements, and completely matching the flow and feel of the house. A forest of trees and paths also surround the park, so you can do a lot of walking and marveling at things as you pass. The interior museum (no photos, unfortunately) features exhibits focused on contemporary art. It houses works from well known International artists as well as local Portuguese artists. There are several art pieces scattered around the park and grounds as well. My favorite was "Plantoir" by Claes Oldenburg. It's a giant red trowel that stands almost 25 feet tall and weighs over 2,000 pounds. It just makes you feel so small when you're standing there next to it! No matter if you're a fan of art, nature, or history - Serralves fits the ticket.

Quinta da Conceição is the ruins of a former monastery from the 15th century that have been turned…read moreinto a city park. The entrance by the Holiday Inn is usually closed, so you'll need to enter through the grounds of the Museu Quinta de Santiago or down by the cafe. There's another entrance on the other side of the park, by the port. There's a public pool, tennis courts, and a cafe that may or may not be open. There are also picnic tables and bathroom facilities. There's an 18th century chapel, fountains, and various statues. While the grounds are beautiful, you won't forget that you're on the edge of a city. The park is ringed by busy roads and the port is right across the highway. It's quite noisy. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit (although it is along convenient bus lines if you're so inclined). If you're in the area and feel like a nice walk (perhaps it's too windy for a walk along the beach to be enticing) it's worth a detour.

According to sources, the Jardim de São Lázaro opened in 1834 and is the oldest municipal garden in…read morethe city of Porto. Trees, benches, a lovely fountain, it is a beautiful spot to rest after your big lunch as I did. A big fountain, a bandstand, lots of landscaping. It is quite picturesque. [Review 9868 overall, 1446 of 2018.]