A leisurely walk along Porto’s oceanfront: the beaches of Matosinhos, lighthouses, forts, and endless ocean views.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
After thirteen days of walking with a backpack, covering 20–25 km a day, I really wanted nothing more than a light, unhurried stroll along the ocean. I still had a few hours before my flight, so I decided to go for a walk along Porto’s waterfront.
I started my walk in the Matosinhos area and followed the shoreline along Praia de Matosinhos, with the ocean stretching out beside me.
Along the way, I often came across pilgrims who were just setting out on their journey. There were noticeably more of them than when I had left Porto two weeks earlier, which made the contrast especially striking.
Seagulls dotted the beach as well. At one point, they suddenly all took flight at once, swirling above the sand in a wide, restless circle — a small, beautiful moment that stayed with me.
This monument is called “The Tragedy of the Sea” – Tragédia do Mar
I wish I could walk along this waterfront every morning and every evening with my dog. There is nothing more beautiful than the ocean.
A large ship is passing by in the distance
The Forte de São Francisco Xavier, was built in 1661.
Along the sea runs a wooden boardwalk with benches called Passadiço das Ondas, which translates as “the Wave Walkway.”
A seagull and the ocean
The sculpture “Man with the Helm” by Américo Gomes – «O Homem do Leme»
Molhe de Carreiros is a long stone breakwater at the mouth of the Douro, offering powerful ocean views and a front-row seat to the meeting of river and sea.
Pérgola da Nevogilde is one of Porto’s most elegant seaside landmarks — a 1930s pergola offering sweeping ocean views and a perfect spot for sunset walks.
Two lighthouses mark this stretch of the coast — Farolim de Felgueiras, the nearer one at the river mouth, and Farolim da Barra do Douro, standing farther out toward the open ocean.
Opposite the lighthouses stand the remains of the fortress of Fortaleza de São João da Foz, a quiet reminder of the area’s defensive past overlooking the ocean.
Farolim de Felgueiras is a 19th-century lighthouse, standing at the mouth of the Douro and watching over the ocean.
I reached the final stop of tram No. 1 and wanted to ride the entire route, but there was very little time left before my flight, so I saved the tram ride for another visit.
Portugal
Porto
- Metro in Porto
- Moov Hotel Porto Norte
- Livraria Lello Bookshop in Porto
- Walking Along Porto’s Oceanfront
Hotels
- Residencial Princesa do Ave, Vila do Conde
- Baixinho Guest House, Vila Praia de Âncora
- Hotel Terra Linda, Viana do Castelo
- River Zen House, Esposende
Towns
Camino Portuguese
- Camino Portuguese – Day One – Porto — Vila do Conde
- Camino Portuguese – Day two – Vila do Conde – Esposende
- Camino Portuguese – Day three – Esposende – Viana do Castelo
- Camino Portuguese — Day Four — Viana do Castelo — Vila Praia de Âncora 17.5 km
- Camino Portuguese – Day Five – Vila Praia de Âncora – A Guarda 14 km
