Diana & Curtiss
Things To Do
Douro Valley - Drink all the Wine
The city where we are getting married, Lamego, is located in the Douro Valley, one of the most renowned wine-producing regions of Portugal. We have a Port wine tasting scheduled for Friday morning, but for those spending additional time in Lamego before or after the wedding, we highly recommend checking out some of the vineyards in the area. The wine is awesome and the scenery is stunning. You really can't miss.
Porto - Walk along the River Front
Porto sits on the banks of the Douro River. The riverfront is packed with artisan shops and good restaurants. The buildings are beautiful and the views are incredible. The riverfront is a huge part of what makes Porto such a charming city and why Porto was our favorite destination in Portugal.
Porto - Rent a Bike or Scooter and Check out the Coast
One of our favorite things we did while we were in Porto was renting bikes and riding South along the coast. There are a few places to stop and grab food or wine on the way. Five miles South of the city or so, there is a beautiful small cathedral on the rocks right against the water. We considered linking to a bike rental place, but frankly there are at least 6 or 7 right along the river in the same area. Easy enough to find and book.
Porto - Enjoy Nightlife on Cândido dos Reis and Galeria de Paris
If you're looking for places to grab drinks after dinner, we suggest checking out the nightlife on Cândido dos Reis and Galeria de Paris. Known by locals as "the Galleries," these two parallel streets are lined with bars and cafes that feature a variety of music. This area is hopping well passed midnight, but make sure you keep something in the tank for our reception on Saturday : )
Porto - Eat Francesinha
Francesinha means "little frenchie" in Portuguese. It is a decadent sandwich that originated in Porto and has a cult-like status in this city (similar to Skyline Chili in Cincinnati). Definitely not healthy. Definitely not "fine dining." But if you're a glutton for meat and cheese, this sandwich is for you. We are not qualified to answer "what's the best placed to get francesinha?" but we're confident those interested will have no trouble finding a good one. Goes great with fries and beer!
Lisbon (or Porto) - Listen to Fado Music
Fado is traditional Portuguese folk music characterized by highly expressive, mournful tones. This was one of the highlights of our time in Lisbon. We went to a bar called Tasca do Chico, a cramped hole-in-the-wall establishment with incredible acoustics. Fair warning: this place was completely packed and we spent roughly 30 minutes in line waiting to get in. Totally worth it, though.
Lisbon - Day Trip to Sintra
For those spending a few days in Lisbon before heading to Lamego, we suggest a day trip to SIntra. There are multiple trains that leave from Rossio station in Lisbon to Sintra. It's roughly a 90-minute train ride. Sintra has a number of historic castles and forts, including Pena Palace (pictured here), a UNESCO Heritage site and former summer home for the royal family. We got an early start, spent an entire day there, then made it back to Lisbon in time for a later dinner.
Lisbon - Walk around Alfama
Alfama is one of the oldest areas of Lisbon. Narrow cobblestone streets lined with small restaurants, shops and residences wind their way up a steep hill. At the top of the hill are great views of the city. We spent a few hours walking around, including lunch in a small cafe. Sao Jorge Castle is also located nearby at the top of the hill.