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The Beach
You just have to cross the street to reach the best beaches of Vila do Conde with a surrounding of pedestrian walks designed by Siza Vieira. You will find a surf school just in front and enjoy these iodine-rich, blue-flagged waters.
Nau Quinhentista: Beautiful replica of the ships of the Portuguese discoveries. This was the place where this type of vessels were built at that time. To find this location please press here.
Address: Rua Cais da Alfândega, 4480-702 Vila do Conde
Santa Clara’s monastery: Magnificent building built in 1318 as a female convent. When visiting this monument at the top, you can also see a magnificent Gothic church and the aqueduct of Santa Clara with 999 arches considered one of the most beautiful aqueducts in the world. To find this location please press here.
Address: Largo D. Afonso Sanches, Vila do Conde
Igreja Matriz: Beautiful church built in 1573 with its beautiful surrounding streets. To find this location please press here.
Address: Rua da Igreja, Vila do Conde
Great Place to Meet the North of Portugal
There are great cities around Vila do Conde to discover. Don’t leave Portugal without knowing this beautiful, surprising and unique places. Here goes some car distances from Vila do Conde:
Porto Visit
Porto Visit
Disclaimer: these suggestions are based on my experience and do not have any support from any of the suggested places on this mini guide.
Another thing that is important is that Porto is terrible in terms of traffic and parking. Please, do not take the car to this city. Use public transportations and you have a direct connection to Porto by Metro in Vila do Conde here.
Here goes my recommendations:
So, to be on Porto you MUST go to the wineries (Port Wine) and one of the best is this but I don't know if it is open at the weekend (please check first):
They are more expensive then the regular ones (+-15€pp) but quite best.
If you can't go to one of them, go with the wind and choose one, lol
At least one visit is mandatory to any winery
You can grab an Hop on Hop off to see the city and please check if there is the package Bus+ 7bridge boat
Places you must go walking:
Torre dos Clérigos and the surroundings
Livraria Lello (Where J. K. Rowling inspired to write Harry Potter)
Avenida da Liberdade
Train Station São Bento
Sé do Porto
Ribeira do Porto
Cais de Gaia
Night Life: Here: Rua da Galeria de Paris
To eat (in the North there are plenty of excellent food but in Porto the typical dishes are strong and not everyone likes it)
Even though you must try them you will love or hate, lol:
Mandatory restaurants:
Casa Guedes: (great pork sandwich with special melted cheese) and ask for Vinho Espadal to drink
Kardoso (the most typical dish in Porto: Francesinha)
Cervejaria Gazela (special sandwich at the afternoon) and ask for: a beer and Cachorrinhos da Batalha
O Buraco: ask for "Tripas à moda do Porto" and red wine
A cozinha do Manel: you must come here at least twice and eat: Vitela no Forno; Bacalhau à moda da casa; Filetes de Polvo; arroz de pato
Romantic Escape: Cruzeiros do Douro (one day trip through Douro Valley with meals included drinks excluded)
Grab Funicular dos Guindais (old elevator) from the riverside near Ribeira do Porto (mandatory)
If you go to restaurant "O Buraco" please check if the market "Mercado do Bolhão" still in renovations or it's opened now
Near this, there is an old traditional grocery that you MUST go: Pérola do Bolhão
If you have enough time, visit Palácio da Bolsa
And...
If you don't have an entire day for the visit Douro Valley (please try), you can go on a Tuk Tuk (they are everywhere and please grab an electric one) and ask for a ride through "Caminhos do Romântico".
Enjoy!!
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