Porto and the North

This viewpoint (miradouro) is on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river, right next to the famous Ponte Luis I bridge. Bang for buck this is probably the best view of Porto as it takes in so many of the key locations. 

This pretty little chapel sits within the grounds of the Crystal Palace Gardens (Jardins do Palácio de Cristal) in Porto. The chapel actually predates the park and was built in honour of the "King of Sardinia", Carlos Alberto.

After being defeated by the Austrian army at the Battle of Novara, Alberto went into exile in Porto. He later died here and his half sister had the chapel built in his memory.

The view out over the little beach in front of Porto's Castelo do Queijo. Yes, that name does translate to "cheese castle"! It's actual name is Forte de São Francisco Xavier with the nickname coming from the rocky, wedge-shaped headland it sits on.

Beyond the little turret is the Praia Castelo do Queijo, a sandy little patch which can offer an escape from the summer crowds that flock to Matosinhos beach on the other side of the castle.

Looking along Rua de Raúl Brandão in Porto's coastal Foz district. This lane is set one block back from the popular gardens of Jardim do Passeio Alegre that run along the mouth of the Douro.

The pink building is the Casa da Belavista, a 3 star hotel.

Looking south along the beach at Foz in Porto. This beach is Praia do Ourigo, which becomes Praia do Carneiro a little further along. The breakwater beyond this is at the mouth of the river Douro which flows into the city.

This was taken during the winter so the beach has a fair bit of washed up flotsam and jetsam that hasn't been cleared away.

This view of Porto has been well photographed as it lies directly below the Cathedral in the heart of the old city. As such it is one of the oldest streets in Porto and exudes character. By character I mean it was, certainly historically, one of the dodgiest streets in the city! These days it has been pretty much absorbed into the Porto tourist trail.

Looking out over the Porto rooftops, punctuated by ecclesiastical buildings which abound in this neighbourhood. 

I'm not completely sure where I took this photo from, but I think the closest tower is on the Igreja de São Lourenço. What I am certain of is the one to the right is the cathedral. Anyway, it was somewhere in the area immediately behind the Ribeira.

Porto's Igreja da Misericórdia is located on the historic Rua das Flores in downtown Porto. The church does not stand on its own, but is instead sandwiched between the offices and shops that line this typical Porto street.

Originally built in the 16th century the church's facade was redesigned by Northern Portugal's Baroque rockstar architect, the Italian Nicolau Nasoni.

Casa de São José, on Rua das Flores in Porto. This photo was taken a few years back and the shop is no longer in business.

Translating to "the house of Saint Joseph" this little shop sold a variety of rosaries, prints, records, and nativity scenes. It was founded in 1896, but the building itself is older.

I'm not sure when the business changed, but these days Rua das Flores is prime tourist territory.

A look down one of the side streets off the main square in Porto's Ribeira district.

This particular street is Rua da Fonte Taurina. The lower levels and cellars of the buildings around here are some of the oldest in Porto. These days, what was once used for storage now makes way for bars and restaurants.