hkskyline's 2011 PORTO Photo Collection

hkskyline · #1 Posted: **Jan 10, 2012, 7:10 AM**

My first Europe trip of 2011 brought me to Porto, Portugal's 2nd city. Having been to Lisbon before and after hearing some good reviews of this place, I took advantage of a dirt cheap flight and hotel combination to enjoy a few days here.

Porto is a hilly city. While the actual distances are not far on a map, going downhill then uphill to the church on the other side pictured here can be an intense work-out!

The Santos Ildefonso church is at the top of the hill and commands a good view of the city and rugged topography. The exterior is decorated with typical blue tiles, and their condition illustrate this structure's age.

Since the cathedral sits on a hill, there are views throughout of the city, the adjacent hills, and the river.

The Sé (cathedral) is not a particularly interesting structure, although imposing due to its location.

Port wineries lie across the river.

Homes along narrow alleys line the hillsides that stretch from the cathedral to the riverfront below.

The full set : http://www.globalphotos.org/porto.htm

ColDayMan · #2 Posted: **Jan 10, 2012, 3:20 PM**

Thanks!

arkitekte · #3 Posted: **Jan 10, 2012, 4:26 PM**

Nice thread!

Okayyou · #4 Posted: **Jan 10, 2012, 5:58 PM**

I think I saw Porto on here once before. That blue tiled church looks familiar. Nice tour, I'd like to get to Portugal one of these days.

Ex-Ithacan · #5 Posted: **Jan 10, 2012, 11:42 PM**

Wonderful pics hk. Quite a dense city. Love the streetcars in Portugal. Thanks for the tour.

Surrealplaces · #6 Posted: **Jan 11, 2012, 7:12 PM**

Nice photo thread!

hkskyline · #7 Posted: **Jan 12, 2012, 7:18 AM**

Thanks for your support. Here's the next part.

The Bolsa is open for tours but photography is not allowed inside. I had to live with these exterior captures.

There are so many hills in Porto it's hard to tell when one ends and the next one begins. But the narrow alleys have ended and this main street now heads downhill towards the river.

Mercado Ferreira Borges has been modernized and now doesn't look anything like a historic market inside.

Unlike the Columbus statue in Barcelona that is pointing towards Africa, Porto's Henry the Navigator statue points in the correct direction towards the Atlantic.

The Cathedral and even the other side of the river are visible from the square thanks to Porto's hilly geography.

The tram line ends in front of the church. Being single-track, trams stop first, then reverse out.

Boroda · #8 Posted: **Jan 12, 2012, 12:30 PM**

Porto is amazing!
Please somebody invite me there for two weeks holidays

hkskyline · #9 Posted: **Jan 16, 2012, 7:41 AM**

The Douro River snakes across Porto. The waterfront is quite walkable and the pleasant breeze is quite refreshing.

The Ponte Dom Luis I dominates the cityscape. Vehicles use the bottom deck, which is very close to the water level, while light rail trains and pedestrians use the top deck.

The imposing building on the right is Casa do Infante, the birthplace of Prince Henry the Navigator.

These cute, small trams make photogenic scenes as they rumble along.

Not many people were wandering around this part of the Douro waterfront except a few lone fishermen.

Nightsky · #10 Posted: **Jan 17, 2012, 4:14 PM**

Beautiful city, I think port vine is from there.

hkskyline · #11 Posted: **Jan 26, 2012, 2:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightsky

Beautiful city, I think port vine is from there.

Yes - many wineries are on the other side of the river from the main old town and offer tours of their facilities.

hkskyline · #12 Posted: **Jan 30, 2012, 5:37 AM**

Sunny skies bring out the best of these historic buildings, especially when they have dark portions that contrast against the blue sky.

Think of the children!

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Vitoria is perched on the street corner with a lovely view on one side. Too bad the doors were locked. I wanted to take a peek inside.

Having previously taken many photos of the skyline from R. da Vitoria below, I was surprised to find this quiet open area next to the church that was slightly more elevated with an even more open view.

A few staircases later, I was back downhill and ready to explore the next part of the historic city centre.

R. das Flores was featured in the guidebooks as an architecturally-interesting street with its wrought-iron balconies. I didn't find anything particularly special though. Perhaps returning on a weekday when the shops open would have been a better choice.