One thing is certain: the entire city of Harbor it’s beyond photogenic. With yours historic buildings downtown and lawns on the banks of the Douro Riverit’s easy to take beautiful photos to fill your camera roll – and still get lots of likes on social media.
But there are special corners of the region that, together with simple tricks, guarantee neat clicks to be remembered for a lifetime.
There are from naturally instagrammable scenarios and others modeled for this purpose, that is, so that the photos have a captivating background and a pleasant atmosphere. In addition to shining the eyes of the followers on the networks, the image transports them directly to that place.
They are tips in the center, in Vila Nova de Gaia and even in Foz do Douro which also work as a small itinerary of what to see and do in Porto – because, above all, they are ideal places to be taken advantage of with full attention. So, free up space on the camera, take care of the photo – or the selfie! – and note the following suggestions:
Surroundings of the D. Luís I Bridge
The metal bridge of almost 400 meters built at the end of the 19th century is one of the most emblematic postcards of Porto. As it crosses the Douro River and connects the historic center to Vila Nova de Gaia, there are several points where the attraction can be seen.
One of them is precisely on her. Whether leaving Porto via Avenida Dom Afonso Henrique towards Gaia or vice versa, the 45 meters above the Douro guarantee beautiful views and photos between the two cities. It is possible to see the boats down there as well as to see the banks of the river from another perspective. If during the day it is already special, at night the postcard takes on even more elegant contours with the lights on in its entirety.
Speaking of banks, the streams, already at ground level, are ideal for photos with the bridge in the background. On the Porto side, the Ribeira Pier it is beyond charming with its restaurants and views of the metallic construction. One suggestion is to make several clicks while walking along the river, spontaneously, as well as putting your cell phone in portrait mode to blur the background in a tenuous way.
On the Gaia side, the tip is to enjoy the boardwalk and the shops in the Port wine cellars along the Gaia Pier and Avenida de Diogo Leite. Restaurants, municipal market, and riverside lawns they are perfect for a leisurely stroll, where the small boats moored complete the charm. The tips are the same: position yourself in front of the bridge and get creative with the poses.
– Where? D. Luís I Bridge; Ribeira Pier and Gaia Pier
Pink Palace (WOW)
While Port wine dominates discussions and tastings in the city, why not also celebrate another type of wine, rosé? This is what the Pink Palaceinstallation at WOW – World of Wine that was created to entertain visitors while explaining the stages and differences of rosé wines.
Interestingly, each of the five themed rooms has specific and fully Instagrammable decor around rosé, such as a pink polka dot pool, small French villas, an old convertible car and even a saloon typical of the American Wild West.
The best of everything? The €25 ticket entitles you to a tasting of five wines, predominantly rosé wines from Portugal. The visitor receives a personalized cup and a bracelet with pins at the beginning of the experience that are delivered to each tasting station. In addition to trying out all five labels – remember to drink water! -, the polka dot pool and the pink car are ideal tips for fun photos that will be successful on Instagram.
It is worth noting that the main square of WOW Porto is also a good spot for photos, as it has a privileged view of the Douro, the historic center and the Luís I bridge, where the red roofs of the cellars and houses of Gaia complement the scenery. . Another highlight is the long staircase that leaves the square and takes visitors to the lowest points of the complex, approaching the river: with typical Portuguese tiles, each step is beautiful and ideal for spontaneous photos.
– Where? WOW Port; Rua do Choupelo 39, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Hill Garden
Right next to the D. Luís I Bridge there is one of the most magnificent points to enjoy the views of Porto: Jardim do Morro. Pleasant green area belonging to Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of Porto, the landscape formed by the Douro River with the buildings in the center in the background guarantee beautiful recordsas well as being a place to stay in memory.
It is an ideal place to spend a late afternoon as a couple or with friends and family, as the sunset here is one of the most popular in the region. The suggestion is to enjoy this moment with beer or wine in hand along with cheeses and snacks. In addition to the lawn with some trees, the place has some concrete benches for the convenience of visitors.
– Where? Jardim do Morro, in Vila Nova de Gaia, right next to the D. Luís I Bridge
Livraria Lello
Located on Rua das Carmelitas, very close to the Clérigos Tower, the Livraria Lello is already almost an institution in Porto. Existing since 1906, it is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world: its neo-Gothic exterior hides an interior with central red stairs and wooden details, stained glass windows in the ceiling that are more than eight meters long and busts of Portuguese writers.
Its fame is also due, in part, to none other than JK Rowling, the author of the “Harry Potter” books. Rumors said that she, who lived in Porto in the 1990s, frequented the place and that parts of Hogwarts and the fictional bookstore in Diagon Alley were inspired by Lello. However, she herself denied the information by declaring on social media that she had never set foot in the bookstore.
True or not, Lello deserves a visit just the same. The tip is to choose a good spot on the red stairs while someone on an upper floor clicks from top to bottom. The books on the shelves also help to make up the stunning scenery. Currently, a fee of €5 is charged for entry to the bookstore, which can be reversed when purchasing a book.
– Where? Rua das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal
Sunset at Foz do Douro
Are you looking for a passionate and totally photogenic sunset? The Porto region also has, more specifically in Foz do Douro, a charming region for a late afternoon for two or with friends and family.
Just before the junction of the river with the Atlantic Ocean, the stream is lined with boardwalks that look like open-air urban parks. The most recommended places are two gardens: the cork tree garden it’s the Jardim do Passeio Alegre. The streets have typical restaurants and bars and exquisite kiosks on the boardwalk suitable for drinks.
On clear days, the suggestion is to look for a part of the river that has small boats in the water, in order to make the scenery more captivating. Whether from the front, looking at Foz or sitting on the boardwalk, the moment when the sun kisses the sea and the orange colors paint the sky is one of the most beautiful for photographic records.
– Where? Foz do Douro, in the Garden of Sobreiras and in the Garden of Passeio Alegre
Portuguese tiles and staircases in the center
The historic center of Porto is full of instagrammable corners. Starting with the narrower streets, which are true alleys where cars do not pass, there is typical architecture and even clothes hanging on the balconies of the apartments, which creates a very local atmosphere.
Other tradition in Portugal are the tiles, most commonly the blues and yellows – one of the pillars that represent the country’s culture. the sides of Church of Carmo, on Rua do Carmo, are filled with blue tiles, a great spot for photos and knowledge: they allude to the Order of the Carmelites and Monte Carmelo. If you want to wait around, another tip is to stay right in front of the Igreja do Carmo e dos Carmelitas (separated only by a narrow house) and wait for the typical cable car of the city, composing a traditional and beyond beautiful setting.
The blue tiles also stand out in the Sao Bento Station, departure point for the trains (trains) from Porto. With French-influenced architecture, the large doors open onto an atrium with tile panels that tell part of the history of Portugal. The tip is to take an angle from the bottom up that, in addition to the person, also captures the background with the tiles and part of the stained glass windows and the clock.
A few steps from the station, after Avenida dos Aliados, is Clerigos Tower, another postcard of the city. The 18th century tower has baroque features and a great staircase for photos: the tip is to click from the bottom up, taking a very close angle to the ground to capture an image with the person and the tower in the background. If you want to go up on the attraction, the 75 meters high also provide privileged views over all of Porto. Right next door is the Base, a cool urban garden that guarantees attractive side views of the tower in addition to being a green setting in the middle of the city.
– Where? Carmo Church (Rua do Carmo); São Bento Station (Almeida Garrett Square) and Clérigos Tower (São Filipe de Nery Street)
Source: CNN Brasil