Porto: Rain, Rum, and Seriously Weird Vibes
okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. 3753695 and 1862668122 - don’t ask. it’s a thing. i landed in porto yesterday and honestly, it’s… intense. the air smells like salt and something vaguely floral, like someone’s grandma’s perfume cabinet exploded. it’s a good explosion, though. a chaotic, beautiful explosion.
I checked the weather - i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 15.36 feels like 14.49, temp min 15.36, temp max 15.36, pressure 1015, humidity 59, sea level 1015, ground level 750. basically, persistent drizzle and a feeling that the city is judging me. which, let’s be real, it probably is.
Spent the afternoon wandering around Ribeira, the old town. it’s a tangled mess of cobblestone streets and brightly colored buildings clinging to the Douro River. it’s like someone took a bunch of Lego bricks and just… stacked them. I stumbled upon this tiny bar, ‘O Buraco,’ and the bartender, a guy named Ricardo who looked like he’d wrestled a bear and won, insisted I try the vinho verde. it tasted like green apple mixed with battery acid. i’m not kidding.
Someone told me that the Livraria Lello, the bookstore that apparently inspired J.K. Rowling, is worth the hype. it’s gorgeous, seriously, like something out of a fairytale. but the line was insane. i’d rather stare at a wall. I heard that the best pastel de nata are at Pasteis de Belém - a pilgrimage, basically. I’m gonna try to make it there tomorrow, assuming i don’t succumb to a caffeine-induced coma.
I’m staying in this Airbnb - it’s…rustic. let’s go with rustic. it’s got exposed brick, a leaky faucet, and a view of a very grumpy-looking cat. the neighbors are mostly older Portuguese men who seem to spend their days playing dominoes and shouting at pigeons. if you get bored, Lisbon is just a short drive away. They mostly just nod at you, which is… comforting, I guess?
Speaking of grumpy cats, I saw one today that looked like it was plotting my demise. Seriously, the glare. I swear it was judging my outfit.
Someone overheard me complaining about the rain and said, ‘Porto doesn’t do sunshine. It embraces the melancholy.’ I think they were right. It’s… atmospheric. In a slightly depressing way.
I’m trying to find some good street art, but it’s surprisingly hard to find. I found a few decent murals near the Mercado do Bolhão, though. It’s a chaotic, bustling market - a sensory overload of fish, fruit, and shouting vendors. Definitely worth a visit, even if you don’t buy anything.
I need to find a decent coffee shop. My current supply is running dangerously low. I’m looking for something with a proper espresso machine, not just some sad, pre-ground stuff. I’m thinking of hitting up ‘Café Majestic’ - it’s supposed to be a classic.
Seriously, this city is a trip. It’s messy, it’s moody, and it’s utterly captivating. I’m not sure what I’m going to do tomorrow, but I’m pretty sure it will involve more rum, more rain, and more questionable decisions. wish me luck.
*Pro-Tip: Wear waterproof shoes. Seriously. Don’t be afraid to get lost. Try the tripas à moda do Porto (if you’re brave). Learn a few basic Portuguese phrases. Bring a portable charger. And maybe a therapist.
Resources:
Tripadvisor - Porto
Yelp - Porto Restaurants
Portugal 4 Less - Porto Guide