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Porto: Rain, Rum, and Seriously Weird Vibes

@Topiclo Admin3/30/2026blog
Porto: Rain, Rum, and Seriously Weird Vibes

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on caffeine and regret. i landed in porto like, 48 hours ago and my brain feels like a scrambled egg. the humidity is intense, like you’re wrapped in a damp towel. 22.32 feels like 22.8, and the pressure is 1012 - it’s…there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s not awful, just…present.

a view of a beach from a high point of view
an airplane flying over a body of water
a hill with trees on it


seriously, porto is…a thing. it’s not postcard pretty in the way you expect. it’s gritty, it’s loud, it’s full of tiny alleys that smell vaguely of sardines and something floral i can’t quite place. i spent the first few hours just wandering, trying to absorb it all. i stumbled upon this little tasca - a proper, no-frills portuguese eatery - and ordered a massive plate of tripas à moda do porto (tripe stew). let me tell you, it’s an experience. a strong experience. i’m not sure i’d recommend it to everyone, but if you’re feeling adventurous, give it a shot.

I found a great little spot for coffee - ‘Café Majestic’ - it’s a total institution. they serve this ridiculously strong espresso and the vibe is just…old school cool. I’m trying to track down the best ginjinha (cherry liqueur) - someone told me that ‘Bar Sequillo’ has the strongest stuff, but i’m skeptical. i heard that the owner, a guy named Ricardo, is a bit of a character.

I’ve been checking out the Ribeira district - it’s basically the waterfront, and it’s a chaotic mess of restaurants, bars, and tourists. it’s beautiful, but also incredibly crowded. i almost got run over by a tuk-tuk yesterday. I’m using TripAdvisor to find some less-touristy spots, and Yelp for restaurant reviews (though i take those with a grain of salt, obviously). You can check out the Ribeira waterfront here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189499-d236733-Reviews-Ribeira_Porto-Porto_Portugal.html.

Speaking of locals, if you get bored, Vila Nova de Gaia is just a short drive away. They’ve got all the port wine cellars - you can do a tour and, of course, sample the goods. I met this guy, Miguel, who runs a small pottery shop - he was telling me about the history of the city, and how it’s been shaped by centuries of trade and seafaring. He said the best way to experience porto is to just get lost. Which, honestly, is pretty good advice.

I’m trying to capture the atmosphere with my camera, but it’s hard to translate the feeling of this place. it’s not something you can just snap and call it a day. it’s more like…you have to feel it. I’m also trying to find some vintage clothes - i’m on the hunt for a good leather jacket. I saw a stall near the Mercado do Bolhão that looked promising, but it was packed. I heard that the flea market on Rua da Galeria is a good place to find hidden gems, but it’s only on Sundays.

I’m starting to think i need a serious nap. and maybe another ginjinha.

Here’s a map of the area:


Oh, and one last thing: someone told me that the Livraria Lello, the bookstore that inspired J.K. Rowling, is worth the hype. I’m planning on checking it out tomorrow. I heard it gets packed, though. Definitely go early. You can find more info here: https://www.livrariapratalello.pt/

And for a good place to eat (besides the tripas, obviously), check out this Yelp review: https://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-da-marinha-porto

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About the author: Topiclo Admin

Writing code, prose, and occasionally poetry.

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