Indeed, as I said in the title, it wasn't about a storm coming up, but it was night when the flight landed at Porto airport.
We arrived in September 2024 from Finland's incoming chilling season to Portugal's still summertime was a welcome situation, but something seemed to be off.
We hadn't heard any local news, so the smell of fire and the red color of the moon was a slightly alarming surprise for us until we didn't switch on the TV to the news channel.
Besides this, the first thing I could notice is that Porto is a city that literally sleeps at night. Everything was quiet. Shops, restaurants, and pubs were all closed.
On the streets, no traffic to disturb the citizens' slumber. The only noise, a gentle breeze whispering through the trees. That's what I thought Paradise should look like.
But this little gem of a city had more surprises for us, and the morning after, after a good breakfast, we went to explore it. Like we always do, we didn't have any plan ready and we just went out of the hotel and start walking toward the ocean.
For the whole time we stayed there, the smoke coming from the wildfires had created a dramatic light effect during the day.
Thet heart of the city is on a higher level that can easily be reached by bus, car taxi or by the cutest historical ride you can imagine, the tram.
Known as "Eléctrico" in Portuguese, these trams date back to the 19th century. In the beginning, they were horse-drawn vehicles. Then they transitioned into steam power and recently to electricity. By the mid-20th century, trams were a dominant mode of transport, covering almost the entire city. However, they were gradually replaced by buses and coaches. Today, three historic tram lines still operate in Porto, featuring beautifully preserved wooden carriages with polished, varnished interiors that evoke a bygone era.
A few hundred meters from the last stop of the tram, you'll find the heart of the city center: the São Bento Railway Station.
This is more than just a transit hub—it’s a living work of art. Opened in 1916, the station welcomes travelers with its breathtaking azulejo murals, over 20,000 hand-painted tiles that narrate Portugal’s history through vivid blues and whites. Scenes of royal battles, rural traditions, and historic conquests stretch across the walls, transforming the main hall into an open-air museum.
Designed by architect José Marques da Silva, São Bento’s Beaux-Arts façade stands in elegant contrast to the artistic storytelling inside. The station, built on the ruins of a 16th-century Benedictine monastery, carries a sense of the past within its walls. Yet, despite its centuries-old soul, it remains a bustling gateway, linking Porto to the Douro Valley, Braga, and beyond.
Whether you're catching a train or simply admiring its timeless beauty, São Bento is a place where history and travel intertwine in perfect harmony.
Walking around, your legs will ask for a respite, and nothing can be more rewarding than having a meal or just a snack in one of the many cafeterias and restaurants. There, you can taste the local delicacies and as you admire the panorama or just chill under the sun, you can't avoid sipping their gorgeous port wine.
The walk on the bridges offers a breathtaking view of the dramatic topography of the country, which made me think about how challenging it must be to live there. The city is built on a steep slope from the inland to the ocean, and you need to rely on your car, public transportation, and ... good legs. What I loved most was the unhurried pace of life—the feeling that there was no rush, no stress, just a simple enjoyment of what truly matters: human connection.
Porto is a city to be experienced, not just seen—a place to fall in love with. This is another country that has taken a special place in my heart, and there will stay forever.
