Porto’s Sticky Secrets & Seriously Weird Weather

okay, so i’m pretty sure i’m running on fumes and lukewarm espresso right now. i landed in porto yesterday, and honestly, it’s… a lot. like, a beautiful, crumbling, slightly damp a lot. i’m talking 3462376 and 1076457587 levels of ‘wow’ and ‘what the heck is going on?’ the humidity is clinging to me like a desperate ex. it’s 21.9 degrees, feels like 22.6, temp min 21.9, temp max 21.9, pressure 1014, humidity 94, sea level 1014, grnd level 925. i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it’s like a perpetual, slightly melancholic drizzle, but with a surprising amount of sunshine poking through. it’s beautiful, in a ‘i’m-going-to-catch-a-cold’ kind of way.

first things first, the Ribeira. it’s insane. seriously, the architecture is just… layered. like someone took a bunch of buildings and just stacked them on top of each other over centuries. i spent like, three hours just wandering around, getting hopelessly lost, and snapping photos. my camera roll is already screaming. i found this tiny little tasca - ‘Casa Guedes’ - that serves the best francesinha i’ve ever tasted. it’s basically a mountain of meat and cheese drenched in tomato sauce. don’t judge. i needed it.

someone told me that the Livraria Lello is worth the hype, but it’s a total scrum. like, you gotta get there before 9 am or you’re just staring at a velvet rope. i ended up grabbing a pastel de nata from Manteigaria - apparently, that’s the place to go. it’s a simple thing, but it’s perfect. flaky pastry, creamy custard, a little cinnamon… pure bliss. i’m already craving another one.

my neighbors are… interesting. there’s this old woman who sits on her balcony every morning playing a mournful accordion tune. it’s kinda haunting, but also strangely comforting. and then there’s this guy who runs a vintage record shop - he’s a total vinyl nerd. he kept trying to convince me to buy a copy of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. i resisted. mostly. if you get bored, Vila Nova de Gaia and Aveiro are just a short drive away.

i stumbled across this amazing street art scene down in the LX Factory. it’s a converted industrial complex filled with quirky shops, restaurants, and art installations. it’s a total vibe. i spent a good hour just people-watching and sketching in my notebook. i’m thinking of doing a series of illustrations based on the street art here.

okay, quick gear list for porto (because i’m always prepared, obviously): waterproof jacket (essential), comfortable walking shoes (seriously, you’ll be doing a lot of walking), a reusable water bottle (stay hydrated!), and a portable charger (because my phone battery dies faster than my common sense). i also brought my sketchbook and pencils - gotta capture all the beauty, right?

heard that the Serralves Museum is worth a visit, but i didn’t have time. i’ll add it to the list for next time. check out their website for more info: https://www.serralves.pt/en/. and if you’re looking for some good eats, Yelp has some solid recommendations: https://www.yelp.com/. also, TripAdvisor is your friend: https://www.tripadvisor.com/.

seriously, porto is a sensory overload. it’s chaotic, it’s beautiful, it’s a little bit weird, and it’s absolutely captivating. i’m already planning my return trip. i’m thinking of taking a surfing lesson - apparently, there are some decent waves just outside the city. and maybe finally buying that Pink Floyd record. maybe.

check out this map of the city:

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