Porto & Madrid: 8N/9D in May 2019

As I was finishing up a trans-Atlantic cruise+a week of driving tour of Ireland in May, 2019, I met up with 7 friends from Los Angeles in Madrid to go to Porto, Portugal. The total cost of this trip per person was: $576 for all the flights+$313 for the housing+about $200 for local transportation and admissions/tours + about $180 for all the meals=$1,269.

Day 1: I flew from London on Ryan Air($40, with two carry-ons) to Madrid and met with the friends who flew in from LAX(Norwegian Air, about $500 R/T). We had a few hours to kill at the airport, then, flew on Ryan Air to Porto($29). It took just a little over an hour.

Two cabs(about 20 euros per cab) took all of us to our Airbnb apartment(4 BR/3 BTH) in the city center. By this time, it was already after 9 PM. Luckily, Portuguese people have late dinners, and we were able to get into a nice local restaurant.

Day 2: Some of us went to the temporary location of Bolhao Market, which was under renovation, and had a wonderful fresh juice + pastries. Then we started our own walking tour of the city core: city hall, Livraria Lello, Bolsa Palace, Church of San Francisco, lunch on the bank of Douro River. Sao Bento train station. Dinner at 17 Degree Restaurant & Bar at Dom Henrique Hotel to celebrate a birthday(about 25 euros per person with a glass of wine each).

Day 3: Breakfast at the temporary Bolhao Martket, walked to Sao Bento Station to take the train(2.5 hours, 23 euros R/T) along Douro River to Pinhao.  Visited a Croft Vineyard, Quinta da Roêda. A wine tasting + a tour + a picnic lunch(includes 1 bottle of wine per person) was 30 euros. An advance reservation is a must.

Dinner at Cafe Guarany for a free Fado performance(dinner:15-20 euros)

Day 4: Train to Aveiro(about 75 min., 5 euros r/t), walked around, did the boat tour(5 euros). Too tired to go out after getting back, we ate left overs from previous days. Jet lag finally caught up to us & we had a quiet evening.

Day 5: Train to Guimaraes(75 min., 7 euros r/t), walked around, visited the Castle, had a 6 euro 2 course+drinks lunch special, took the cable car. Coming back from the train station, we bought roasted chickens from a restaurant with a line out the door & had a great dinner at home.

After a rest, we went out to explore the night scenery around the Ponte Luis I bridge. A nightcap at a cozy rooftop bar, Auru, overlooking the main plaza in front of the City Hall in Porto.

Day 6: Cab to Crystal Palace Garden, walked around this park that overlooks Douro River. Walked 10-15 minutes to Soares dos Reis National Museum of Art. A great collection of Portuguese art. Lunch at Porto’s own 2 course lunch special place(6.5 euros), O Caracas. Douro River Boat Tour(15 euros).  Some souvenir shopping.

Cab to the western edge of Porto called Foz, went to the rooftop bar at Hotel Boa Vista for light snacks and wine – mainly to take in the view of Douro meeting the ocean. Spectacular sunset.

Cab to O Rapido restaurant near Sao Banto station for an excellent dinner(10-15 euros). Some of us walked to Ponte Luis bridge and visited the Cathedral, which was not open at night but beautiful to look at.

Day 7: An early morning flight to Madrid(TAP Air, $47), left our bags at the Airbnb apartment(4BR/3BTH), ventured out to explore the city.

Crossed Gran Via, the Broadway of Madrid, checked out Puerto Del Sol, Plaza Mayor. Lunch at San Miguel Market. Visited Cava Baja Street to see tapas restaurants.

We took advantage of Prado Museum‘s free admission hours(6 -8 PM). Walked a few blocks to have dinner at a Tapas bar. Stopped to have churros.

Day 8: Walked to Plaza Espana but it was under renovation. Got on bus #C1/C2 from there to see more of the city without walking. Got off at an eastern entrance to Parque El Retiro, their central park. Walked around. Enjoyed the big pond in the middle. Walked to the City Hall. Lunch special(11 euros) nearby.

Some of us went back to Prada Museum to see more art works. Some of us slowly walked back to the apartment stopping at street artisan markets and eclectic shops.

We met back at Atocha Station, their central train station, to see the interior of the structure. Walked over to Reina Sofia Art Museum. Free admission 7-9PM. Dinner at La Malontina. Excellent meal for about 15-20 euros.

Day 9: Walked around the neighborhood. Lunch at San Ildefonso Market. Uber(about 20 euros) to the airport.