Fun

A day in Porto with: Susana Ribeiro
6 February, 2018 / , ,

The author of the blog Viaje Comigo (www.viajecomigo.com), Susana Ribeiro has spent the last few years traveling around the world. But it’s to Porto, her home, where she always returns to and, as you will see from her suggestions, a city that never ceases to surprise her.  Get to know her suggestions for an unforgettable day in Porto.

Breakfast

Carvalhido gathers some of the best bakeries in the city of Porto. Nova Real is one of them and it’s the perfect place to kick start the day with some breakfast made of fresh bread and baked gods. It is difficult to offer any suggestions, whether savory or sweet, as everything available is delicious – it won’t be an easy choice!

 

Mid-morning coffee

I don’t drink coffee. When I travel, I jokingly get told that I must be the only Portuguese in the world that doesn’t drink coffee. However, for a mid-morning tea, I’d say Tavi, in Foz, with its ocean view. And get something sweet on the side to go with it.

 

 

Shopping

One might just say window shopping and Rua Miguel Bombarda, where you can find the Centro Comercial Miguel Bombarda, has several different stores and dozens of art galleries to visit. Nearby, you will also find Palácio de Cristal, a perfect place for a stroll, weather permitting.

 

Lunch

For lunch… a francesinha! That way, you have all day to burn those extra calories.

Rua Passos Manuel has already been named the Francesinhas Street, considering all of the places that serve them… and the delicacy has already spread to the Praça dos Poveiros. Since everyone has a different opinion as to which one is the best, I will leave it up to you… But, if you ask me, the ones from Lado B are very good.

 

Some shopping

At Rua de Guedes de Azevedo, 123, the Mercado Loft Store is a dream for those who like décor accessories, with some beautiful items and very original gifts.

 

Dinner

After shopping and a stroll along the main avenue in Foz, your appetite will flare up and you will be ready for dinner. But how to choose?

I suggest Wish (at the Largo Igreja da Foz) with traditional food and Sushi or BH Foz (Avenida do Brasil) – which serves a little of everything and with an ocean view.

 

Drinks

These days, the nights in downtown Porto are largely spent on the streets. However, when it’s cold, I go to Gin House bar: a great environment and peaceful during the week.

 

Dancing

Recently I discovered the bar Embaixada Lomográfica do Porto (close to praça Carlos Alberto) e Garden’s (in Travessa de Cedofeita). Both are great for talking and dancing.

 

Galeria da Biodiversidade – Centro Ciência Viva
6 February, 2018 / , , , ,

Entirely dedicated to biodiversity, the Galeria da Biodiversidade – Centro Ciência Viva is so much more than a museum. This modern space, which combines science and art, is made to create unforgettable memories.  It hosts the photographic exhibition Photo Ark up until the end of April

The center integrates the Museu de História Natural e da Ciência da Universidade do Porto (MHNC-UP) (Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto), which along with the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) represents one of the hubs connected to the University of Porto.

Located in the legendary Casa Andresen – which inspired the renowned Portuguese poet Sophia de Mello Breyner – the Galeria da Biodiversidade is also surrounded by the Botanical Garden, an equally mandatory stop for science lovers, It is a place where art meets biology and natural history, stimulating interactivity and sensorial experiences. The permanent exhibition integrates 49 very unique narrative modules and installations, organized by 15 main themes that approach several aspects within biological and cultural diversity. From mechanical models to multimedia platforms, there are several ways of bringing together the visitor and the stories told through science, literature and art.

 

 

Photographic Noah’s Ark

Until the 29th April, the Biodiversity Gallery hosts the National Geographic Photo Ark, based on a project from Joel Sartore.  This photographer set a goal 10 years ago: photograph all existing species held in captivity, to create one of the largest archives of biodiversity in the world. This “Photographic Noah’s Ark” is intended to create public awareness towards the conservation of vulnerable animals. The exhibition already pictures over 7000 species and you do not want to miss on seeing its greatest pictures here.

 

Information:

Galeria da Biodiversidade (Gallery of Biodiversity)

Rua do Campo Alegre, n.º 1191, Porto

Schedule: from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm

Regular Ticket: 5€

 

 

 

 

Essência do Vinho: a toast to Portuguese wine
6 February, 2018 / ,

From the 22nd to the 25th of February, the Palácio da Bolsa welcomes about 400 Portuguese wine producers that will introduce over 3000 wines from all around the country. The Essência do Vinho, now onto its 15th edition, is an unmissable event for wine lovers.

Portuguese wines are becoming more esteemed and internationally recognized. Many centuries ago the way to fame was paved by Port Wine however, from Minho to the Algarve through the Azores and Madeira, there are countless quality wines that are worth getting to know.

The broadcast of Portuguese wines is the main goal of an event that has already become a mandatory stop for the residents of Porto and all visitors to the city during those days.

The 15th edition of Essência do Vinho presents the “TOP 10 Portuguese Wines”, gathering a selection of the highest scored wines by a specialized magazine. A specialized jury of several nationalities will assess and then select the 10 best wines.

 

The event has 50 simultaneous activities, including gastronomy, with the presence of Michelin starred chefs and tapas harmonization. The last edition of the event welcomed over 20.000 visitors, where 30% were foreign.

 

Information:

Advance ticket sale at www.essenciadovinhoporto.com (daily entrance and a tasting glass: 20€). On the day sales will have a cost of 25€.

22nd February / 3pm – 8pm
23rd February and 24th February / 3pm – 9pm
25th February / 3pm – 8pm

 

Coliseu do Porto – A symbol of the city’s culture
5 December, 2017 / ,

More than a building that marks the landscape of downtown, the Coliseum of Porto (Coliseu do Porto) is an example of overcoming difficulties and the way the people of Porto defend their symbols.

The current building was inaugurated on December 19, 1941, reflecting on a project in which several architects participated and the Modernism that marked the end of the 30’s. However, in the place where the Coliseum is today , there was the Jardim Passos Manuel Hall, a place not only for cinema shows, but also for parties, a music hall and painting exhibitions that had been built in the beginning of the 20th century. The success of this concept led the owner to consider enlarging it. In 1938 the Coliseum began to be built, and was inaugurated with a Gala soiree. This inaugural concert was revived during the celebrations of the 50th anniversary.

From its inauguration, until the end of the 60’s, the theater received cinema, concerts, operas and circuses. Renowned names like Marcel Marceau and Rudolf Nureyev passed by during that period. In the 70’s, the Coliseum also welcomed the Cine-Studio Passos Manuel, a smaller room dedicated to the author’s cinema.

There were two of the most striking episodes in the life of the Coliseum in the mid-1990s: in 1995 rumors surfaced that it would be sold to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which led hundreds of people to protest for several days in front of the building. Due to the pressure, the company owner finally agreed to sell the building to the Association of Friends of the Coliseum of Porto, which emerged from this wave of solidarity between artists, cultural agents and anonymous figures.

 

On September 28 of the following year, and a few hours after the Portugal Fashion shows finished, a tragic event in the Coliseum and the city came about: a fire destroyed the stage, damaging the room and the dressing rooms. Once again, institutions, companies and private individuals united in an exemplary effort, ensuring the reopening of the Coliseum in December of that year, fulfilling, as always, the tradition of receiving the Christmas Circus.

The Coliseum modernized in the late 90’s and today remains one of the main stages of the city.

A month to celebrate Christmas
4 December, 2017 / ,

Until January 7, Porto illuminates with the colors of Christmas. From a giant tree to ice rinks, there is fun for the whole family.

Christmas lights are already a long tradition in the city of Porto, but this year they go even further, taking the magic of the festive season to other streets. Nearly two million micro bulbs, neon and LED, in white, gold and blue will make the streets of Porto shine and work not only as a background for Christmas shopping in Baixa and Boavista, but also in places such as the Campanhã station, Bonfim , Marquês, Carvalhido and Foz.

The beginning of this Christmas period takes place on December 1st, at dusk, when the giant tree is placed in front of the Town Hall building, as well as the Christmas lights in all the streets. In the Aliados the moment will be marked with a concert and fireworks. But whoever misses this moment still will have much to see until the 7th of January.

During this period, two ice rinks will be operating: one in D. João I Square and another in Mouzinho de Albuquerque Square (Rotunda da Boavista). Here is also more entertainment for all ages.

And on December 31, as usual, the New Year’s Eve party is centered around the Aliados but spreads all over the city.

Walking – Chapel of Fradelos
7 November, 2017 / , , , ,

 

“O Porto a penantes” – Penantes is a typical Porto expression that means “walking” – it is a personal project of Joaquim Lino, who likes to walk and photograph some of the corners of the city. He will be sharing with Hey Porto! readers every month some of these tours, leaving suggestions so that those who visit the city can discover secrets that often, not even the people of Porto know.

Recently, in one of these walks through the city, he entered the Chapel of Fradelos, a small late-19th-century church, located at the intersection of Guedes de Azevedo and Sá da Bandeira streets, which is generally off the main tourist routes but deserves to be known. On the main façade and in the interior there are tiles by Jorge Colaço, the same author of the tiles that decorate the Station of St. Benedict and the Church of St. Ildefonso. The stucco ceiling decorated by gold center medallions stands out.

PortoaPenantes

Rua das Flores
14 March, 2017 /

A charming historic street is now in fashion

Newly renovated, this is one of the trendiest streets in the city. Restaurants, traditional shops and historic buildings make Rua das Flores a must see for anyone who wants to get to know the true spirit of the city.

It was in the time of D. Manuel that Rua das Flores appeared in 1521. One of the reasons for its name may be because it had many gardens, and so Rua de Santa Catarina das Flores was created. The objective was to connect the Largo de S. Domingos and the Porta de Carros, a door of the Fernandina (from the reign of D. Fernando) wall located at the top of Almeida Garrett Square.

In the following years some aristocrats of the city settled there. The houses, marked with coats of arms and decorated with beautiful balconies, still exist today and constitute beautiful examples of the civil architecture of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Also worthy of mention is the Misericórdia Church, by Nicolau Nasoni, which has one of the most emblematic baroque façades of Porto.

This street is a pedestrian zone and therefore ideal for walking slowly, noting small details such as the electricity boxes painted with typical expressions of the Porto residents or the facades and shop windows of traditional shops. In addition to the shopping facilities, there are cafes and restaurants, ideal for a short break.

Curiosities:

Much of the area where the Rua das Flores was opened belonged to the Church and in the older houses it is still possible to see symbols which were attributed to the property of the bishop and the cathedral chapter: the spiked wheel of the martyrdom of Santa Catarina (in the property of the Bishop) or the figure of the archangel S. Miguel (symbol of belonging to the cathedral chapter).

This street was also famous for a crime that occurred in the 19th century: the physician Urbino de Freitas was accused of killing a nephew with poisoned almonds in order to inherit his father-in-law’s fortune. The poisoned gifts were delivered to Rua das Flores and were also destined for two other nieces who lived there, but who eventually survived.

Cinema returns to Downtown
13 March, 2017 / ,

Cinema Trindade, in the center of Oporto, receives spectators again after the closure 16 years ago.

With the appearance of the large cinemas in shopping centers, downtown traditional cinemas lost audiences and eventually had to close their doors. A trend that has reversed now, with the reopening of Cinema Trindade and other ongoing projects.

This imposing cinema was inaugurated in 1916, with the designation “Salão Jardim Trindade”. In addition to a room with more than a thousand seats, it had an outdoor cinema terrace. This now reopened space, has adapted to modern times, with two cinema rooms separated by a foyer: one with 183 seats, the other with 168 seats. The former focuses on the cinema of authors and the latter will be a space for festivals, programmers or independent filmmakers.

The return of the cinema to the city centre will have its high point when Cinema Batalha begins to welcome the future House of the Cinema, a place that, besides showing movies, will also have a space for research. The opening is expected to take place in 2018. The Cinema Passos Manuel, next to the Coliseum, will also be modernized.

Rua do Almada 412, Porto

fotos: Miguel Nogueira/CM Porto

 

Rua de Santa Catarina
19 February, 2017 /

Shopping and fun

It is the ideal street for shopping. With hundreds of shops and constant animation, it has many places not to be missed.

Rua de Santa Catarina has a length of 1500 meters in downtown Porto; it is the favorite place for Porto locals and tourists to shop. Part of this street is pedestrian, which makes it the perfect place to do window-shopping, buying from clothing to traditional Portuguese products or even handicrafts in stalls placed along the sidewalks. It has also become a place of permanent animation, thanks to the many street artists who perform every day for those who pass by.

From the more traditional shops to the international brands, it provides the consumer with a variety to satisfy all tastes. The cafes, restaurants and terraces allow you to rest from your walk or feel an increasingly cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Due to its central location, it is also the ideal starting point to discover Porto.

Points of interest

Café Majestic – Opened in 1921, it is the most famous café in Porto. An exquisite space full of glamour, with a unique decoration where the mirrors, the imposing entrance and the interior patio stand out.

Capela das Almas/Chapel of the Souls – Built at the beginning of the 18th century, this chapel stands out for its façade covered with tiles, representing steps of the life of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine.

Decoração Arte Nova – the facades of Ourivesaria Reis & Filhos (Jeweller) and the Latin Library Bookstore, both next to the Church of Santo Ildefonso, are decorated with cast iron sculptures in Art Nouveau style

Via Catarina – housed in a building that once served as headquarters for a newspaper, this shopping center, in addition to numerous shops, it has a restaurant area that resembles a typical street in the city

Pérola Negra: vintage nights in the heart of Baixa
19 February, 2017 / ,

Pérola Negra regains the spirit of the 80s and 90s nights in a space that has an aesthetic “retro”, burlesque and where fun is guaranteed.

It is one of the latest nightlife venues in the city of Porto. Pérola Negra, which for more than 40 years served as a nightclub for male audiences, and has maintained the decoration where dark wood predominates, the walls with mirrors and red-lined benches around a dance floor with stage and crystal ball.

Today it is a place of diversion for several generations, located downtown and, therefore, ideal for a well-spent night. In addition to this new concept of “a space for everyone”, Pérola Negra also focuses on recovering the spirit of the nights of the 80’s and 90’s, when the night began with the opening of the dance floor, with smoke effects and a specific song. Then, as the hours pass, the music changes to more recent songs and the dance floor is overrun with the latest dance music hits.

Rua de Gonçalo Cristóvão 284, Porto

Information / Booking  tel:-935200913