Portugal 2021 - Aveiro, Porto

We had a wonderful two weeks exploring the northern region of Portugal with a rental car in the summer of 2021. We began our journey in Porto, the colorful and lively city on the Douro river, where we tasted some of the famous port wine and admired the historic architecture. Then we drove along the northern border with Spain, discovering some of the hidden gems of the countryside. Next, we headed to the coast, where we enjoyed some relaxing days at the charming seaside towns of São Martinho do Porto and Nazaré, where we watched the surfers ride the waves and sampled some of the delicious seafood dishes. Finally, we visited Aveiro, known as the Venice of Portugal, where we took a boat ride along the canals and admired the colorful houses and boats.

This is the Church of Saint Ildefonso in Porto, Portugal, known for its distinctive facade adorned with blue and white azulejo tiles.
A bustling street in Porto, Portugal, adorned with colorful hanging decorations.
São Bento Railway Station in Porto, Portugal
A scenic view of the Ponte Dom Luís I and the Monastery of Serra do Pilar in Porto, Portugal.
A rustic yellow building in Porto, Portugal, with laundry hanging outside the windows.
A rooftop pool with a view of Porto, Portugal, under a sunset sky.
A crane silhouetted against a sunset in Porto, Portugal.
Dom Luís I Bridge spanning the Douro River in Porto, Portugal, with the city's historic buildings in the background.
A large rabbit mural made from recycled materials
A riverside view of Porto, Portugal with traditional boats and colorful buildings.
Historic buildings with balconies in the Ribeira area of Porto, Portugal.
A francesinha meal with fries, a beer, and a water bottle
A child in a yellow dress walks down a narrow, cobblestone street in Guimarães, Portugal.
A historic tram in Porto, Portugal, labeled as Route 22 Batalha, with decorative blue and white tile designs, traveling through a quaint city street.
View of Porto, Portugal with the Douro River in the foreground.
Traditional Portuguese tilework with intricate geometric patterns.
Aa variety of glasses filled with different types of port wine at a wine tasting event in Porto, Portugal.
An outdoor table in Portugal with an assortment of bread, ham, cheese, olives, beverages, and small glasses of various drinks.
Octopus, popular in Portuguese cuisine.
This is a cozy room in a rustic house with stone walls, located in the Vila do Conde region of Portugal.
A green insect rests on eucalyptus leaves in Maia, Portugal.
A father and daughter enjoying a swing with a scenic view of the hills near Baloiço 440 STR, Gondomar, Portugal.
A tranquil lake in Mia Couto Park, Portugal with inflatables and mist-shrouded trees.
A serene view of an inflatable water park on the calm waters of the Caniçada Dam, located in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal.
This is a rustic kitchen built into a stone house in Portugal.
Scenic view of Peneda-Gerês National Park with granite rocks and lush forest.
A waterfall in the natural park of Peneda-Gerês, Portugal.
Stunning rock formations and clear waters of Cascata da Pedra da Ferida in Lourido, Portugal.
A vibrant green and yellow lizard amongst vegetation in northern Portugal.
A foggy vineyard near Santo Tirso, Portugal.
A canal with colorful boats in a picturesque Aveiro, Portugal.
Wine display in a Portuguese store showcasing a variety of Porto wines.
Cozy room with a large window overlooking a lush green field near Porto, Portugal.
A tranquil beach in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal with cloudy skies and a calm ocean.
A quiet, overcast beach with a few people relaxing and walking along the shore can be seen.
A child walks on a sandy beach near Vila do Conde, Portugal, under a cloudy sky.
Colorful homes and market stalls on a sunny day in Vila do Conde, Portugal.
A scenic bike path along the Cávado River in Esposende, Portugal.
Colorful boats on a scenic canal in Aveiro, Portugal.
Colorful artwork on a traditional boat in Aveiro, Portugal.
A bakery window display featuring a variety of traditional Portuguese pastries in a shop
Kayaking at Aveiro Lagoon
A wood fire blazing in a metal barbecue grill.
Grilled prawns on a barbecue in Matosinhos, Portugal.
A historical cloister with stone columns and arches, featuring two people interacting at a table.
A rustic stone house with a red-tiled roof and flourishing plants in Portugal.
A young girl walks on a path overlooking the ocean near Vila do Conde, Portugal.
A picturesque view of the coastline near Leiria, Portugal, featuring a long sandy beach, lush greenery, and a distant town.
A sunny beach day in Matosinhos, Portugal.
Coastal landscape at sunset in the Porto District, Portugal.
A cozy rustic room with stone walls, wooden beams, and a lofted area.
Coastal cliff overlooking the ocean in Vila do Conde, Portugal.
A scenic coastal view with a sandy beach and azure waters, seen from a high cliff.
A swing overlooking the beach at Nazaré, Portugal.
A close-up of a passionflower vine with leaves, a flower, and fruit, set against a natural background.
A scenic hiking trail in Rio Mau, Portugal, with lush greenery and a clear sky.
A car with a surfboard inside parked near a building in Vila do Conde, Portugal.
A sandy beach with hills and vegetation, São Martinho do Porto, Portugal.
Pebbles arranged to spell
Salt flats in Northern Portugal near Castro Marim.
A traditional salt pond landscape in the Salinas de Rio Maior, Portugal, with wind turbines and a small village in the background.
Salt pans at the Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António Marsh Natural Reserve in Portugal.
Traditional village street with rustic wooden shops in Portugal.
A fresh salad with croutons and avocado slices served outdoors in a sunny location, possibly in Portugal, with a glass of beer.
A sunlit field in Vila do Conde, Portugal, with tall grasses and an old fence.
A path in rural Portugal, with two people walking hand in hand in a tranquil setting.
A child is drawing in the sand with a stick on a beach in Portugal.
Stalactites in the São Vicente Caves, Portugal.
Stalactites in the Cave of Santa Maria, located in the Santo Tirso region of Portugal.
Church of São Bento da Vitória in Porto, Portugal
An abandoned building for sale in the Vila do Conde region, Portugal.
A rocky shoreline near an industrial area in Leça da Palmeira, Portugal.
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