There’s no shortage of fun, unique, and even free things to do in Porto when you visit! No matter what your budget, itinerary, or personal travel style, this list of 20 things to do in Porto has something for everyone. Free Things to Do in Porto If you’re traveling on a budget, add these eight free things to do in Porto to your itinerary! 1. Window Shop on Rua de Santa Catarina Rua de Santa Catarina runs through central Porto. The pedestrian street is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and bakeries and is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs before you leave the city. 2. Walk Along the Ribeira The Ribeira is one of Porto’s top tourist attractions, and for good reason. This waterfront walk boasts beautiful views of the Luis I bridge, the Douro River, and the historic, colorful houses that make Porto so special. 3. Cross Luis I Bridge on Foot The Luis I bridge spans 172 meters and was built in 1886. It has one of the best views of Porto, so history and photography lovers alike should add a quick walk across the bridge to their Porto to-do list. 4. Admire Porto’s Many Churches Like many old European cities, Porto is dotted with spectacular churches. Some of the most notable are the Porto Cathedral, the incredibly ornate Santa Clara Church, the blue and white tiled Capela das Almas, and the Clerigos Church. The Sao Francisco Church is also worth a stop, but entrance costs four euros per person. 5. Spend a Day at the Beach If you visit Porto in the summer, a day at the beach is a fantastic (and budget-friendly) outing from the city. There are plenty of beautiful beaches near Porto to choose from, and almost all of them are accessible…

The Complete Guide to Neighborhoods and Accommodation in the City Deciding where to stay in Porto is tough, but our guide can help! This guide not only explores some of the most popular neighborhoods in Porto, but will also help you find the top hotels, apartments, budget-friendly hostels, and unique accommodation options in them as well. Discover where to stay in Porto and begin planning your trip to the city with this guide by your side! Popular Neighborhoods in Porto Before you choose your accommodation, you need to choose your neighborhood. Porto is full of diverse neighborhoods, but these five come out on top. Ribeira Neighborhood The Ribeira neighborhood is one of the best places to stay in Porto, Portugal because it’s right on the riverfront. Here you’ll be steps away from the sun-splashed cafes, seafood restaurants, and the famous Luis I Bridge. Ribeira is also a great home base because its conveniently located with the central historic districts of Baixa and Cedofeita on one side and the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood on the other, all of which are within walking distance. The only downside? This is the most famous district in Porto so it can get quite crowded with tourists during the day. Vila Nova de Gaia Neighborhood If you’re wondering where to stay in Porto for the best wine experience, Vila Nova de Gaia is your answer. The neighborhood spreads down the south bank of the Douro river, directly across from the Ribeira neighborhood. Most of the city’s Port wine cellars are located here so you can rest assured that the sweet drink is within reach at all times. The only downside? Vila Nova de Gaia is separated from the rest of the city by the Douro river, so sightseeing in Baixa and Cedofeita will require long…

Use This Guide to Decide! If you’re planning a trip to Portugal you may find yourself with the pressing question: How many days in Porto do you really need? While the answer depends on the length of your trip and your own personal travel preferences, we can help you discover the best Porto itinerary for your stay. There is no one size fits all answer to this question. Instead, choose what you want to do and see in the city and then determine how many days in Porto you need to cross it all off your bucket list! How many days to spend in Porto depends on your travel preferences. Some travelers say only spend one or two in the city while others recommend a whole week! So, how many days in Porto do vacationers really need to see it? This breakdown may help. Spend 1 day in Porto if… You’re on a tight schedule. For a quick weekend trip to Portugal, one day and one night in Porto are really the bare minimum visitors need to experience this bustling city. The number one activity in Porto is wandering the winding streets of the town’s Historic Center and admiring the colorful architecture. Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because the city has over 2,000 years of history! It can trace its history back to the first century BC so it’s seen thousands of years of change and growth. Simply reflecting on the past and while you walk through this ancient place can be a truly awe-inspiring experience. Before you finish your whirlwind day in Porto, make sure to climb the Clérigos Church tower for a bird’s eye view of the sprawling city and snap a picture of the charming blue and white facade of the Chapel of Souls. Walk…

If you’re planning a trip to San Francisco, chances are you’ll find yourself at Postcard Row. Also known as the Painted Ladies, Postcard Row is a street of beautiful Victorian houses in the Alamo Square neighborhood. Learn all about its history, how to get there, what to do nearby, and more with this complete guide to Postcard Row in San Francisco! A Brief History of Postcard Row The houses on Postcard Row were built in the Victorian style by Matthew Kavanaugh in the 1890’s. He also lived in one of the Painted Ladies after it was completed. In the ’60s, a San Francisco artist named Butch Kardum began to transform the dreary gray homes that dominated the city after World War II. He painted his own Victorian home in bright colors and others in the city followed suit – thus, the “colorist movement” was born. Although the Painted Ladies are one of the most famous examples of colorful, Victorian homes in San Francisco, you can find many more scattered throughout the city as well. How Much Does it Cost to Visit Postcard Row? The Painted Ladies a perfect tourist destination for budget-minded travelers in San Francisco. Alamo Square Park is free and has a beautiful view of the Painted Ladies and the San Francisco Skyline. You can’t go inside the houses on Postcard Row (although you can take a virtual tour here), so no entrance fee is required. Pack a lunch for a picnic and you can easily enjoy a half-day outing without blowing your budget. How to Visit Postcard Row The Painted Ladies are located in the Alamo Square neighborhood next to Alamo Square Park. You can find the famous homes on Steiner Street between Grove and Hayes streets. There are four different ways to get to Postcard Row…

We all need to get off the beaten path sometimes. San Diego is known for beautiful beaches and great museums, but this city of almost 1.5 million people in Southern California has a lot going on beneath the surface as well. We collected the 13 best secret things to do so you can get a truly and uniquely San Diego experience while you’re here. No matter how long you plan to stay in the city, these 13 secret things to do in San Diego are a great addition to any traveler’s itinerary! Pool Days Most people don’t know that many pools in San Diego are accessible with a day pass. If you don’t have the funds to stay at a fancy hotel you can still enjoy their swim up bars, lazy rivers, and oceanfront properties for a fee. Passes generally run between $15 and $40 each and you can start planning with this list of ten pools that allow guests and non-guests alike to use their facilities. ‘Top Gun’ Film Locations Much of this famous 80’s movie was filmed in San Diego and you can still visit some of the sites today. Spend a few hours snapping photos outside Charlie’s House or grabbing a bite to eat Kansas City Barbeque, where Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards rocked out on the piano. If you’re a die-hard fan, challenge yourself to track down all eight locations around the city. Border Field State Park This is certainly one of the most unique secret things to do in San Diego. Border Field State Park is 15 miles south of San Diego and, as the name suggests, sits right on the border with Tijuana, Mexico. The park is known for salt marshes and sand dunes, but the massive walls and ever-watching cameras are interesting as…

San Diego is an exceptional vacation destination. From the food to the beaches and everything in between, there’s something here to please every traveler. However, if you’ve already seen the famous sites like the USS Midway Museum, La Jolla Cove, and the San Diego Zoo, we have just the list for you. These 11 unconventional places to visit in San Diego are even broken down into easy itineraries to make planning your offbeat trip a breeze. Are you ready to see a whole new side of the city? Check out these 10 unconventional places to visit in San Diego! Unconventional San Diego Day Trip #1 This day trip combines two of the most unconventional places to visit in San Diego. First, jump in your car and drive to the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala in the quiet suburb of Grantville. This small church also has a small claim to fame: it’s the first mission in California. The Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769, so in 2019 the church will be celebrating a jubilee year – their 250th birthday! Visit Monday through Friday to take a tour and spend some time in the gift shop and outdoor grounds as well. Just remember that it’s still an active church, so be respectful of the services and parish members when you go. After your stop at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, drive 80 miles east to to see the Ricardo Breceda Sculptures in the tiny town of Borrego Springs. Along Borrego Springs Road in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 130 hulking statues depict animals that may have lived there millions of years ago, like dinosaurs, a saber-toothed tiger, giant tortoises, and even a 350-foot serpent. The sculptures were commissioned by Dennis Avery in 2008 and are…

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, a stop in Porto is a must. Luckily, it’s only 313 kilometers (about 195 miles) from Lisbon and easy to reach from the capital city. Downtown Porto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a historic center and colorful houses. It’s also the birthplace of port wine and home to plenty of wineries where you can sip the sweet drink. If that’s not tempting enough, a few days in Porto could also include seafood, beaches, bike rides, hiking, or even a boat cruise in the lush Douro Valley. So, what’s the best way to get there? There are six popular options for transportation between Lisbon and Porto, and we’ve gathered all the details in one place. Use this guide to decide which one works best for you! How to get from Lisbon to Porto by Bus Price: 19 euros Time: 3.5 hours Stations: Lisboa Sete Rios or Lisboa Oriente Reservation needed? Yes Best for: Budget travelers The most popular bus service from Lisbon to Porto is Rede Expressos. Buses leave once or twice an hour between 6:15 in the morning and 12:30 at night, and you can find the complete Rede Expressos bus schedule here. The bus is a convenient transport option because they leave from both the Sete Rios bus station in the northwest of the city and the Oriente station in the northeast. Both are connected to central Lisbon by public transport. The time of the trip varies based on which station you leave from, but it’s about 3.5 hours to get from Lisbon to Porto by bus and the cost per ticket is 19 euros. The route is direct and although there are stops along the way, you won’t have to disembark or change buses. Just remember this is a…

It’s no surprise that San Diego is one of the best food destinations in the country. It was ranked #1 on the Conde Nast list of Best American Cities for Foodies and came in at #9 on the 2018 WalletHub roundup of the Best Foodie Cities in America. You already know it’s time to plan your next trip here. But, where should you eat when you arrive? In a city of 1.4 million people, the options are truly endless. So, we’ve curated the can’t-miss list of 10 trendy restaurants in San Diego that every visitor needs to try. Mister A’s Best for: the view Location: 2550 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103 Menu Mister A’s boasts one of the best views in San Diego from their 12th floor restaurant. The restaurant welcomes foodies but photography buffs will also enjoy the expansive vista of the San Diego skyline and the Pacific Ocean. Whether you eat outside on the rooftop or indoors, make sure you dress to impress because a dress code is enforced. With the ever changing scenery beneath your feet, you may just be tempted to stay all day long! C Level Lounge Best for: a waterfront experience Location: 880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 Menu This eatery quickly cemented itself as one of the most trendy restaurants in San Diego because they pair well-cooked food with iconic harbor views. C Level Lounge sits on stilts over the San Diego Bay and offers relaxing views of the skyline and Coronado. Seafood dominates the menu here and the extensive wine and cocktail lists round out a perfect night at this popular spot in San Diego. Buona Forchetta Best for: good food Location: 3001 Beech St., San Diego, CA 92102 Menu No visit to the city is complete without a…

Whether you’ve been to San Francisco many times or are just planning your first trip, there’s a lot to take in. One of the most famous sightseeing options are the Seven Painted Ladies. Read on to learn five fun facts about these famous homes. Then contact GoCar Tour to find out how you can plan a truly unique San Francisco touring experience. 1. They only began being called the Seven Painted Ladies in recent years Though it’s often assumed that they’ve always been referred to as the Seven Painted ladies, this name actually only took hold in 1978 when authors Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen wrote a book about the homes. In fact, Painted Ladies doesn’t refer to these home in particular, but to any set of homes made in either the Victorian or Edwardian architectural style that has at least colors or more.   2. Painted Ladies can be found in many other cities You can find Painted Ladies all over the country. Some of the most famous examples include those in Cap May, New Jersey, Baltimore, Maryland, St. Louis, Missouri, and Cincinnati and Toledo Ohio. 3. One of the Seven Painted Ladies has a tiny museum The second to last home on the row has a very small museum on its top floor. There visitors can check out a ticket from the day the Golden Gate Bridge opened, a picture of people in Alamo Square Park when the city burned during the 1906 earthquake, wedding cake tops that are more than 100 years old, and clothing from the 1800s. 4. They have a unique symbolism Have you ever wondered what exactly the Painted Ladies mean? They’re symbolic of the famous California Gold Rush. With so much money coming into the city, San Francisco builders wanted to show off…

The Golden Gate Bridge first opened to the public in 1937. Since then it’s become one of the most recognized bridges in the world. At GoCar Tours, we love the fun facts that can be learned on our storytelling tours, but today we wanted to share five fun facts about the Golden Gate Bridge to get you ready for your one-of-a-kind tour. 1. It took four years to build Construction on the bridge began in January of 1933, right in the middle of the Great Depression. It finished under budget and ahead of schedule in 1937. Before it was completed, the only way to get from San Francisco to Marin County was via boat. 2. It was named after a strait One of the fun facts about the Golden Gate Bridge that often surprises people is the fact that it was named after the Golden Gate Strait, which was the way to enter San Francisco Bay via the Pacific Ocean. Back in 1846, that strait got its name thanks to an American topographer who felt that it reminded him of a Byzantium harbor known as “Golden Horn.” 3. Building the bridge was a deadly proposition Steps were taken to keep the workers safe, but nothing could prevent all accidents. There was a safety net that was suspended under the bridge to catch workers who fell. It saved 19 of them, but 11 men weren’t so lucky and lost their lives during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. 4. The Golden Gate Bridge was once the longest suspension bridge in the world When it was built, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world with a total suspension span of 4,200 feet. In 1964, it was surpassed by a bridge in New York. Today it’s the ninth longest suspension…