Day 4: Porto: San Francisco Church, San Ildefonso Church, Ribeira del Duero, Vila Nova de Gaia- Girona
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Today we get back up early after visiting Guimaraes yesterday and having a most complete morning today visiting what we have left of Porto and visit Vila Nova de Gaia.
After breakfast at the Universal Residential hotel we go directly to the Church of San Francisco, one of the most tourist places in Porto.
It is spectacular. With the same platform to the Church, the catacombs are also visited, just in front, in the basement of the Museum of the Order. The catacombs are formed by hundreds of pantheons in which what stands out the most is their black and white color.
San Francisco Church
In the end, there is a small glass hatch from where the ossuary is observed.
More practical information to prepare your trip to Porto
- 50 things to see and do in Porto
- 10 essential places to visit in Porto
- Where to stay in Porto: best neighborhoods and hotels
- The 5 best tours and excursions in Porto
- 10 essential tips for traveling to Porto
After this visit we return to the Ribeira de Duero, usual place for us on this trip to Porto and Guimaraes and on the opposite side of the road that crosses the bridge, we take the funicular that goes up to the Batalha area, the upper district of Porto. The views of the Luis I Bridge throughout the journey are wonderful and for that reason alone it is worth doing this journey.
Porto houses
Porto city
On the left, leaving the funicular, is the Cathedral of Porto, also known as Sé. We do not enter, but the views of Porto from here are very incredible, so it is worth reaching this area of the city.
In this area we also find the central Batalha Square where is the church of San Ildefonso.
Batalha Square
Church of San Ildefonso
From here we go back down to the Ribeira del Duero, enjoying again the oldest buildings and the incredible views of the city.
Porto views
Porto Balconies
Upon arriving at Ribeira we cruise the 6 bridges on the Duero, one of the experiences we wanted to enjoy on this trip.
Douro Cruise
Although the truth is that this experience did not convince us much and it was quite cold and it became a little long.
Douro Cruise
After this experience we could not leave without a special souvenir of Porto. We had read in a forum, that near this area there is a small workshop where they sell wooden reproductions of the typical boats of Porto.
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish from Porto by travelers:
- Cruise of the six bridges
- Guided tour of Porto
- Full Porto tour with tickets
- Excursion to Guimarães and Braga
- Night tour with dinner and fado show
- More excursions and tours here
Book the best rated tours and excursions in Spanish from Porto by travelers:So you can imagine that we have lost ourselves among the streets of the area, hands to work, in search of the workshop. And as every effort has its reward, we ended up finding it and buying two boats for 15 euros each.
With our memories and with us we go to the last visit: Vilanova de Gaia where to get we have to cross the Luis I Bridge, for the umpteenth time.
Vila Nova de Gaia
On this walk up Vila Nova de Gaia, we enjoy the porto views from this area of the city.
Vila Nova de Gaia
We are wandering around Vila Nova de Gaia and we enter one of its famous wineries, the Croft, where we tour the wineries, on a tour, and finally have a glass of wine to which we are invited.
The truth is that we are not very wine or this type of visits, but as "curiosity", we have to say that it is worth spending a few hours here. A good option to learn about the history of the neighborhood and that includes a visit to one of the most famous wineries is to book this tour with a guide in Spanish. If you are a wine lover It may be more advisable to book this visit to the Sandeman winery with a guide in Spanish specialized in Porto wines.
Croft wineries in Vila Nova de Gaia
Being lunchtime, we are going to our dear "Ribeira"and after enjoying Portuguese cuisine again, which we like so much, we set out to porto airport.
We collect our luggage from the Residencial Universal hotel and take the subway with which we are moving away from Porto, a city that has enamored us with which we have enjoyed very much.
Book your transfer Airport⇆Oporto here
Porto has been a destination in which neither of us had thought and that has surprised us by its "essence".
Porto, sure we will see each other again. Soon.
Views of Porto from the Luis I Bridge
