Porto
A few things to do in and around Porto



I have always wanted to visit Portugal and last year managed to get there. I was in need of a few days away after feeling slightly stifled and always find its good to shake things up a little when feeling this way and do something new (it doesn't have to be an adventure either but in this case it was). For me, a trip somewhere can reignite the power of possibility which exists out there but can easily be forgotten in the day to day routines.
I was on a limited budget and traveling solo but wanted a good way to connect with others whilst doing some exploring in Porto. I looked at some Surf camps and yoga retreats but they were a tad out of my price range and I wasn't willing to take the risk of paying £500 plus to perhaps end up somewhere I wasn't that into. In the end I went for a week in Portugal flying in and out of Porto and adding Lisbon to the end of trip.
On arrival in Porto, traveling from the airport is easy and there is a tourist information centre conveniently placed directly in the airport. I popped in to double check the best way to get to Sao Bento train station, ask a few questions and buy a reusable andante travel pass. Buying the travel pass here saved time trying to navigate how to use the ticket machines after an early flight, a massive win for me. I took the blue line from the Airport to Trinidad and made a small change to get to Sao Bento, easy peasy.
I pre booked a hostel located in the Sao Bento train station aptly named The Passenger Hostel, as I thought it would be incredibly easy to find after traveling and it was. I mean most people know where a major train station is, don't they? In my opinion, its a surefire win for any hostel located near public transport, especially a main railway station, so good I did it twice on this trip, The Destination in Lisbon was the other one.
The Passenger Hostel is a gem of a hostel, brilliantly located, clean with friendly staff. Upon arriving the staff were welcoming and helpful which is hugely important when arriving in a new Country or anywhere for that matter. Unfortunately, it doesn't always go that way. When traveling solo or with others, its nice to have a warm welcome and this can hugely impact the trip, time in a place and memories of the time there. Have you ever had a great experience in a hostel and its made your trip? or one so bad its affected how you felt about a place afterwards? Spill the beans, if so.
There were free activities arranged by the hostel making it easier to meet people, free tasty chorizo at the bar which was a relaxed opportunity to chat with others. There was a huge communal space upstairs, live music downstairs, night dependent and a delicious complimentary breakfast, amongst much more (and you get to see the gorgeous tilework in Sao Bento station every day!). Whats not to love?

Sao Bento Train station

Douro river

Douro Valley