Porto Overview

Porto overview
Porto definitely has a different vibe when compared to Lisbon--much more laid back, and although the locals might disagree, Porto does not seem quite as cosmopolitan as Lisbon. Porto is justifiably proud of its wine and Port wine, and that is certainly the focus of many tourists who do river cruises up the Douro to sample great vintages along the way.
Everyone touring here has to stop by Livraria Lello, the famous bookstore which JK Rowling loved and infused with enough cash to handle much needed repairs. Of course a good bit of the bookstore shelves is devoted to Harry Potter books in a gazillion languages. It is a beautiful building but the folks who line up to gain entry (15 euros a head) are not here to buy books but to take selfies on the fantastic staircase and buy tshirts, shopping bags, and coasters, all evidence of their literary adventure.

The churches here, spanning many centuries, are amazing and there are a lot of them. The newer churches (and by that I mean after 1550) generally have walls of blue tiled azulejos on the exterior and massive altars encrusted with gold brought in from Brazil.
Dining in Porto also differs from Lisbon in that they favor traditional Portuguese dishes while international cuisine, though available, is not as widely appreciated. Porto has a few local specialties, but the "franchesina" sandwich stands out as unique if not troubling to local cardiologists. Take a slab of roast beef,add sliced pork and then some linguica sausage and pork belly or ham, add lots of cheese and stuff this all into a large sandwich roll. Compress it down to a manageable height (like a panini) and cover it with a tomato and beer sauce (some add port too), topping the whole mess off with a fried egg. And then call the ambulance.Read more