Porto, a hipster city in Portugal.

Hello, traveler.

This trip begins with gratitude for the friendship of a young man we met through our travels, Jom, a young law student studying in London, England. He was the one who made this trip possible, both planning the itinerary and taking the photographs (with his trusty Fuji xt-20 Lens 35 f1.4). He even generously shared his photos with us. The city he will take us to is Porto, a city said to be a hipster haven in Portugal.

Porto is a beautiful and affordable city with friendly people. However, communication in English may be challenging. - Jom

Porto: A Historic Port City in Northern Portugal

Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is a bustling port city located in the northern region. With a population of over 2.1 million, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe, dating back to the Roman era. The historic city center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, showcases its rich history and architectural heritage.

Porto is renowned for its production and export of high-quality wines, particularly Port wine. In 2014 and 2017, the city was recognized as the "Best European Destination" by the Best European Destinations Agency, highlighting its appeal as a tourist destination.

A visit to Porto can be comfortably accomplished in 1-2 days. The city is easily accessible by air, with a flight from London taking approximately one hour, similar to the flight time between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Today's trip, I didn't have much time. As a chill person, I didn't have any plans. I just walked around, got lost, and opened the map. I wanted to go to this point, but I didn't follow it. I just walked around. 55555 I stopped wherever I wanted to, so I got these pictures. I took the train to Bolhao station and then walked to Nata lisboa.

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A piece of advice from a pro: Train tickets here come in two types: a 24-hour day pass for around 4 euros and a single-trip pass for 1.8 euros. As for the yellow thing in the picture, after you buy your train ticket, you have to tap it on this thing to activate it. If you don't, an inspector will come around on the train and you'll get fined. My senior got fined over 80 euros for not tapping. P.S. The word "tap" is how Jom actually said it, lol.

Nata Lisboa is a famous egg tart shop that we once mistakenly thought was from Singapore. However, the real origin of the egg tart is Pastel de Nata, a Portuguese pastry similar to Thai desserts like Foi Thong, Thong Yip, and Thong Yod. Nata Lisboa is a must-try for egg tart enthusiasts.

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As I walked towards Igreja do Carmo, my haphazard walking style allowed me to experience the city's hipster vibe from various angles.

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While strolling, the rain began to fall, prompting me to seek refuge in a nearby establishment close to our first destination, Igreja do Carmo. Initially, I intended to have a coffee, but I encountered an issue due to my lack of cash. The minimum amount for card payments was 5 euros, while the coffee cost only 1 euro. 😂 As a result, I opted for a glass of Port wine to reach the minimum (after all, visiting Porto without trying Port wine is like not visiting at all). This led to a conversation with the friendly and welcoming staff at the establishment. The people here are truly exceptional.

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Port comes in two flavors: strong and sweet. I chose the sweet option, but it was a bit too sweet for me, especially since it was still early in the morning.

"Continuing on, they exited the shop and headed towards their destination, taking photos along the way."

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"Hmm, the view is good…" Jom said with a chuckle. 55+

We finally reached our first destination, the Igreja do Carmo church.

The Narrowest House in the World: A Tale of Two Churches

The church, built in the Catholic style, exudes a sense of tranquility typical of sacred spaces. Though seemingly ordinary at first glance, it holds a hidden secret: it is actually two churches constructed side-by-side, separated by the world's narrowest house. This peculiar dwelling served a specific purpose in the past, acting as a barrier to prevent contact between priests and nuns.

It's time to move on to the next location, the Gardens of the Crystal Palace. Along the way, in true hipster style, we'll take photos as we go. 55+ I added the hipster part myself 55+.

If you're short on time, consider using the Hop On Hop-Off Bus service (pictured). This allows you to enjoy the sights at your own pace, with both outdoor and indoor seating options. If the weather turns bad, you can simply move downstairs. Additionally, the bus offers free Wi-Fi.

To the Gardens of the Crystal Palace

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Why did I come to this park? Because the view here is as good as the pictures.

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"From this vantage point, you can see the entire cityscape. It's incredibly beautiful. While pictures do it justice, the real view is even more breathtaking."

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"Westerners are all the same. When the sun is shining, they just lie down and sleep. Especially at noon, a midday nap is the best."

After visiting the garden, I decided to walk to a restaurant for lunch. I wanted to try some traditional food, so I checked TripAdvisor and found a restaurant called Papavinhos Restaurante Bar. It was a short walk from the garden, but it involved walking downhill. I took some photos and enjoyed the scenery as I walked.

The weather in June is pleasant, with temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. Porto is a relatively small city, so walking is a great way to get around. However, there are also buses available for those who prefer not to walk.

Papavinhos Restaurante Bar: Grilled octopus appetizer for 7 euros. Large starter with generous portions of octopus meat...

The main course, fish priced at over 20 euros, was a very large portion.

The next destination was Livraria Lello, a large and beautiful bookstore. On the way from the shop to here, I walked and took pictures.

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"Upon arriving at the store, I was astonished by the sheer volume of people. It was as if there was a massive sale going on, with crowds both inside and outside the ticket office. Realizing that taking decent photos would be impossible under such circumstances, I opted to capture the atmosphere from outside the store instead."

"Disappointed with this place, I turned to my next destination, Clérigos Church, which was just around the corner, less than a 5-minute walk away."

The church has two zones: the tower and the main building. Accessing the tower requires a fee, and as a budget traveler, I opted to skip it. Additionally, having already enjoyed panoramic views of the city from a higher vantage point, I decided to focus solely on exploring the church's interior.

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"Next, I headed to the São Bento train station, considered one of the oldest and most beautiful in Europe. It was a short walk from the church, no more than 10 minutes, but I couldn't resist stopping to take photos along the way, which extended my journey."

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"Did you see that? A tuk-tuk! Why is it so far away... (laughs) No, really, this is the place where there are tuk-tuks just like in Thailand, and they even call them something similar! But I think our colors and the drivers' looks are much cooler, haha!"

We have arrived at the train station.

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"Magnificent art. For those who don't believe it's a train station, it really is. 55+"

"From the train station, we will walk to the main church of the city, the Porto Cathedral."

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"From this point, you can enjoy various beautiful views of the buildings and houses in Porto city."

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"The next destination is the Palácio da Bolsa, a museum showcasing the grandeur of Portuguese interior design."

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"I didn't enter the park because it was already late by the time I arrived. There wouldn't have been much time to walk around before it closed, so I didn't think it would be worth the money. If you plan to visit, make sure to plan ahead. From April to October, the park closes at 7:30 PM, and during the winter months, it closes at 6:30 PM."

"Next is the Monument Church of St. Francis, located right next to each other. The entrance fee is €5."

The surroundings of the Monument Church of St. Francis

"After that, we will travel to the Luís I Bridge. We will find a way to walk along the Douro River and see the bridge. That is our goal."

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"For those who are afraid of heights or do not want to walk up, there is a path below. But for those who have decided to conquer the bridge once in their lifetime, this is what you will encounter."

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"Many people ask what I'm trying to achieve by coming here. The view."

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"Crossing it, we'll find a park to relax in. I think it's the peak of the peak. Look!"

"After relaxing and listening to music for about an hour, it was time to head down for some food (feeling hungry). The sun was setting and a cool breeze was blowing, it was around 8 pm. The place we were going to was called Cálem, a waterfront dining area. I believe it used to be a port production site. When we arrived, we saw..."

"After searching for a great restaurant, I ended up at a place called Taberninha do Manel. It was delicious! I highly recommend it."

The staff was incredibly friendly, so I decided to go for it.

Start with a refreshing drink to ease your fatigue.

And a pitcher of sangria, please.

One large squid tentacle for €12 and a Portuguese-style sirloin steak for €18.

"Some menus"

"The employee with the impressive service was sitting there, relaxing. I spent about two hours at the shop until it got dark, and then it was time to return to my accommodation."

"I'm taking an Uber back. The distance from here to my house is about 3 kilometers. The Uber fare is only 7 euros. My God! It's super cheap compared to where I live."

"My one-day trip to Porto has come to an end. I hope this information has been helpful to those who are interested. Ultimately, I can only say that this is a place that has left a deep impression on me, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit again in the future. This time, I only had a short time to visit because I had to return to work on my dissertation. That's all for now."

For my accommodation, I stayed at an Airbnb, sharing a room with the host. My goal was to meet new people, and the cost of £44 for two nights was very reasonable. Additionally, the central location made it convenient for getting around.

"My flight arrived quite late, and it was already getting dark by the time I reached my accommodation. Fortunately, there was a direct train connection from the airport to my house, which took about 30 minutes. I arrived home around 10:40 PM. Christina was incredibly kind and waited up to welcome me (although I had informed her of my late arrival). She was very nice, and the bathroom amenities were all in good condition. She even offered me fruit from the kitchen. If you're traveling solo and this place is available, I highly recommend it."

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This trip covered approximately 10 kilometers, allowing me to visit most of Porto's major attractions. However, the walk included significant uphill and downhill sections, which could be challenging even for someone like me, who is 28 years old, physically fit, and exercises regularly. Therefore, this type of walking tour may not be suitable for older individuals. While it is possible, it may require splitting the journey into multiple days. As I only had one day to explore the city, I had to cover a lot of ground. Consequently, some individuals may need to use public transportation.

A beautiful and trendy city, perfect for photography enthusiasts, especially portrait photographers. With its diverse range of angles and perspectives, you're sure to capture stunning shots. Landscape photographers will also be spoilt for choice. If you're an avid traveler, add this city to your bucket list and experience its charm firsthand. You'll fall in love with it, just like I did.

Note: I chose not to enter many churches or museums that required an entrance fee, as I found that most of them are quite similar in Europe. I only captured the exterior atmosphere and noted the recommended places to visit. I sincerely apologize for not entering. Every place is good in its own way. If you are interested in this type of attraction and have the opportunity to visit with your family or friends, go for it! Even if you have to pay an entrance fee, it will be worth it.

There are very few Thai people here. I haven't seen any all day, which is very different from other European cities where I've always encountered them. While this could be seen as a disadvantage, it can also be viewed as an advantage in that we are in a place where no one knows us. They don't even know the language we spoke from birth. This forces us to be active, to be brave in the face of the challenges and situations we will encounter during this trip.

This solo trip was a journey of self-discovery.

Despite having embarked on solo adventures before, I still felt a familiar mix of fear and excitement. Ultimately, I'm grateful for the courage to explore unfamiliar places, embracing the challenges of language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar customs. It proved my ability to overcome my fears, including potential dangers and uncertainties about daily life.

This experience was enriching, offering opportunities to meet new people, forge friendships, and spend time reflecting on my thoughts and experiences. If you're considering a solo trip, I encourage you to take the leap. It's a chance to learn and grow, but remember to prioritize safety. Be mindful of your surroundings, protect your belongings, avoid risky situations, and refrain from venturing out late at night in unsafe areas. Don't assume foreign countries are inherently safe; every place has its potential dangers.

Be a Traveler by Jom…

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