Our adventure in Porto began with a train ride into the heart of the city, where we spent the day meandering through its charming streets. Porto is famously linked to J.K. Rowling, who lived in the city for two years in the early 1990s while working as an English teacher, and it’s believed that her experiences and the city’s enchanting atmosphere inspired many elements of the Harry Potter series. Our first stop was the enchanting Livraria Lello, followed by the Fonte dos Leões and the Universidade do Porto, all rumored to have inspired elements of the Harry Potter universe.
As we explored the city, we couldn’t resist sampling some of the local delights, including port wine, which Porto is famous for due to its historical role as the primary port for exporting this sweet, fortified wine. We also indulged in locally made chocolates and pastries and tried the famous Francesinha, a hearty sandwich filled with layers of meat, topped with a fried egg, covered in melted cheese, and smothered in a rich beer-based sauce. Despite its popularity, Francesinha wasn’t quite to our taste.
One of the highlights was marveling at the beautifully painted tiles, or azulejos, adorning several buildings throughout the city. These intricate tiles, many dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, add a stunning visual tapestry to the cityscape, telling stories of Porto’s rich history and culture. Unfortunately, our plans to watch the sunset from a hillside overlooking the Douro River were thwarted by overcast skies. Still, we enjoyed climbing up there and the magnificent city views.
Dumbledore’s office
Terreiro da Sé
300 kilos of gold dust was
used in order to decorate
the interiors of this church
with activity
do Pilar we got a breathtaking view over the city walls, Ribeira, the Douro and the famous
Luis I bridge
