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Noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 1996, Ribeira , or the historic center of Porto is eye candy. The neighborhood is situated on the banks of the Douro River. The old buildings here are vividly painted and beautifully decorated. Often times you'll view old ladies people watching off of their balconies or hanging wet clothes on the line to dry. There are numerous cafes and outdoor eating venues in which you can relax alongside of the river. Although this old neighborhood has authenticity in style and architecture, unfortunately most of the restaurants cater to tourists and are overpriced. It is great, though, to sit in the praça and enjoy a cafe.
When wandering along the streets of Ribeira, make sure and look UP. The colorful houses are styled in the sense that each flat has a mini balcony (veranda) that is pretty useless. The verandas are merely big enough to fit 2 or 3 people standing, so they are often just used to line-dry clothes, hang plants, display the Portuguese flag, or store miscellaneous objects. In this case, many have bright umbrellas to shade from the sun. Locals (especially the elders) like to mingle on the verandas and yell across to others on the streets or next door. It's rather entertaining to watch. Leave a Comment Directions: waterfront
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 Rabelo boat, Porto by bambino36
These boats today can be found anchored in the marginal zones of Porto and Gaia. Leave a Comment Directions: Ribeira
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Ribeira, meaning a river bank, is a part of the city close to the river. It was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. It consists of a maze of narrow steep cobbled-stoned streets and houses with colourful facades, many decorated with azulejos.
I think Ribeira is a good place to start a sightseeing tour of Porto. While walking along the embankment you can best feel the character of the city.
The wide river Douro divides it into two parts. In the Roman times there were two settlements on the opposite banks: Portus and Cale. They gave rise to the duchy of Portucale, which was a part of dowry brought to Henry of Burgundy by Teresa of Castilia. Their son Alphonso, having reconquered most of the country from the Moors, became the first ruler of a new kingdom, which he named Portugal after the land of his parents.
When you are tired of walking you can sit in one of numerous cafes or restaurants in Cais de Ribeira. From here you can clearly see Villa Nova de Gaia on the other side of the river. This is where port wine is made - hence many signs of its producers: Sandeman, Ferreira, Taylor or Graham.
Then you can walk over Ponte Dom Luis I to the othe bank or just stand on the bridge to have a wonderful view of the city. Leave a Comment
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 Praça da Ribeira, Porto by bambino36
The Ribeira quarter was called by Júlio Resende has being dark on the large painted tile (azulejo) panel placed at the exit of D. Luis I bridge. The everyday life of the locals are represented in that panel but in dark colors. However, from the south side of the river Ribeira looks like group of colorful houses that seem to radiate it's own light.
A contrasting place, in Ribeira two realities live together. The first one, the depart point of every city tour and river cruise, and the better known area classified by UNESCO has World Heritage. It's Ribeira's illuminated face, joyful and curious. The other one is where life takes place in streets so narrow that the sun only hits them briefly and where the most dense slang is unleashed. If it wasn't for some signs that we're on the 21st century and we could think that we travelled to the Middle Ages, due to its atmosphere, the very narrow streets and the unclassifiable smell. Leave a Comment Address: Praça da Ribeira
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 Praca da Ribeira, Porto by antistarLeave a Comment Directions: Underneath the Cathedral, on the river Douro.
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 Ribeira by micas_pt
[ Updated 27th April 2005 ]
Ribeira is a neighborhood by the River Douro. This is no doubt a must see when visiting Porto. Notice the architecture and feel the “typical” neighborhood. Watch locals, and you surely get a sense of “I am not in a big city”.
Narrow, colourful buildings, clothes hanging to dry on the windows, flower pots, Portuguese flags and most certainly FCP (Porto football team) signs, cats jumping from balcony to balcony, ladies on the windows watching passers-by and talking to neighbors, … a lot of details that you cannot miss. All this by the River … a mystic ambiance!
Surely, also very touristy, don’t fool yourself. A lot of restaurants and bars, packed with people on Friday and Saturday nights. No matter what you do when in Porto, don’t miss Ribeira by day and by night.
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 Swedish and danish supporters
together. by Henrik_rrb
Anyway, we went here as a warm up for the Sweden-Denmark game in the Euro, and the whole area was crowded with supporters to the both teams. We didn't stayed that long though, after we discovered that the bastards took 5 euro for a beer... What did they think, that the nordic supporters had a lot of money...? Didn't they know how much we spend just to go to Portugal...? :)
We prefered to go back to the center, where the beer was for sale 4 euro cheaper... Leave a Comment
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 by andrea.dLeave a Comment
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 Praca da Pibeira, Porto by suvanki
The small cafes encircle the square, with tables and chairs crammed into the cave like premises. Tables and chairs spill over into the square, with the chance to enjoy a drink or meal, overlooking the river.
A couple of fountains add to the atmosphere. Leave a Comment Address: Praca da RibeiraDirections: From The Ponte Dom Luis 1. walk along the riverside Ribeira, you'll soon arrive at this square.
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 Ribeira, Porto by suvanki
This historical (UNESCO protected) area of Porto is well worth a visit, whether just to stroll along the riverside, enjoying the atmosphere, or to linger for a cool drink or meal at one of the many cafes and restaurants.
On a blue skied and sunny warm March afternoon, it was very pleasant to be able to chose a table at one of the pavement cafes and enjoy a leisurely drink, and a chat, watch the boats gliding up and down the Douro, be entertained by the musicians and singers, and people watch. I should imagine that at the height of summer it's quite crowded and probably not so relaxing.
At night time, it was too cold to sit outside, the area changed in character completely, with the thick sea mist swirling around, and the streets leading off Ribeira, being quite dimly lit and narrow, it reminded me of Les Miserables, or a Charles Dickens scene - there were some dubious looking characters around too. Leave a Comment Address: Ribeira, PortoDirections: From the foot of the Ponte D. Lois, descend the steps, or slope and walk along the quayside.
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