Porto

Porto is known worldwide for its port wine, and the port houses light up the riverside at night, but there is so much more to this lovely city on the Duoro river. The main square is very beautiful, and we could have spent an entire day exploring all the sites, but ran out of time.  

The bookstore here was once known for its winding staircase and beautiful stained glass ceiling, but  since has been made famous by JK Rowlings, who lived here for three years before publishing her first book.  It is said that many of the medieval themes in Harry Potter were inspired by the sites in Porto.  

The church Sao Fransisco is a gothic monument and now a heritage site.  The church was started in the 12th century and finished a century later.  Much of the inside of the church is adorned with dark mahogany with intricate carvings topped with gold. Stunning, but sadly no photos inside. 

Livraria Lello, the bookstore 

Liberdade Square

The tiles in the train station depicting the city history

Looking down on the Porto river and the row of port houses.

The same shot at night