Adventurous Maite: 2- Northern Portugal. 6th March 2018 (Porto)

Pics in Porto. 6th March 2018 (Tuesday)

Strolling through the picturesque neighbourhood of Miragaia

Traditional boats in the River Douro

This is a unique and relaxing place to enjoy slowly in all its splendor

Dom Luis I bridge is an icon of the city of Porto

I crossed the bridge from Ribeira towards Vila Nova de Gaia

Porto seen from Vila Nova de Gaia

Rua do Outeirinho

In the afternoon...

Praia do Senhor da Pedra beach and Miramar beaches

The Praia do Senhor da Pedra is one of the finest beaches close to Porto and is famed the for the small chapel perched on a rock outcrop. This Senhor da Pedra beach is a good destination for a beach day, especially if you are based in Porto, as there are direct and inexpensive train services from Sao Bento train station

The town of Miramar has three beaches, the Praia do Senhor da Pedra, the Praia da Sãozinha and the Praia de Miramar. The three beaches may have different names, but are part of the same stretch of sand and are almost identical.

The Praia da Sãozinha is the most northerly and has a more natural appearance, being surrounded by sand dunes. The Praia do Senhor da Pedra directly faces the Capela do Senhor da Pedra chapel and is closer to the main tourist facilities (shops, cafes and restaurants). The Praia de Miramar leads south from the beach promenade, and extends along the Miramar Golf Club. In the summer the section of beach along the promenade (the Rua Esplanada da Praia) will be the busiest, as it has the easiest access and car parking. The quieter section Miramar beaches will be the northern part of the Sãozinha beach or southern section Praia de Miramar. There is a wooden raised footpath along the entire coastline and all of the beaches can be easily walked to

The Capela do Senhor da Pedra (Chapel of the Lord of Stone)

The small hexagonal Capela do Senhor da Pedra (Chapel of the Lord of the Stone) is perched upon a rock outcrop and is exposed to power and fierce storms of the Atlantic Ocean. This bizarre setting for a chapel was chosen, as originally it was a site of pagan worship. The construction of the Capela do Senhor da Pedra in 1686 ensured the dominance of Christianity over the superstitious local population

The beaches are exposed to the powerful waves and currents of the Atlantic Ocean, so only swim in areas it is safe too. Around the Praia do Senhor da Pedra there are numerous rock outcrops along the water's edge, but the entire region has many hidden rocks. If you are surfing always be aware of these hidden rocks. The sea waters of Miramar are clean, and far away from the Douro River (which actually is not that polluted)

Visitors can scale the set of stairs leading from the sands to the altar, or take the more penitent route by scrambling up the steep boulder sides. The doors to the sanctuary are framed by two azulejo mosaics boasting of the site’s architectural import, as well as noting that Pagans had worshiped here before the chapel became ‘certainly the oldest place of worship.’ Inside, three ornate altars decorated in gold leaf were erected, depicting Christ hanging from the cross. Today, the crucifix is back-lit by a (questionably-chosen) green bulb

Rainbow

Ar d'Mar Bar Esplanada, a cool beach bar

with a great terrace to enjoy the views located at Beira Mar Avenue

We went here to relax and have a snack with views over the sea

Lavadores Beach (Praia de Lavadores)

The closest to the city of Gaia, Lavadores Beach is the beginning of an unbroken length of sand that stretches on for many kilometres to the south flanked by the Avenida Marginal coast road, an excellent option for pleasant walks along the coast

This place gives you the most beautiful view of the sunrise and sunset!

Here you can enjoy a magical sundown or sunup gazing out over the immensity of the sea

Big rocks

#selfietime

Welcome to Madalena Beach #daikiribar #madalenabeach

Eating a francesinha

The francesinha is a typical dish and originating in the city of Porto. It's made with a sausage, fresh sausage, ham, cold meats and beef stake. Some cook it with loin pork roast. It's covered with cheese, which is then melt and garnished with a sauce made of tomato, beer and chili. In some places, it's served with a fried egg and chips as in our case