Pieces of Portugal – Part 19 – Exploring More of Porto

We had a busy day exploring more of Porto by seeing things that most tourists don’t see.

When we first arrived at our hotel, it was dark, so we didn’t get a good look at it until we ventured out in the daylight hours. It was a nice hotel. And every morning we were treated to a deluxe breakfast buffet that offered all kinds of fresh and delicious selections.

We had to see the world famous Imperial McDonald’s in Porto. When you think of McDonald’s, you don’t normally think of crystal chandeliers and art deco stained glass, but in Porto, that is exactly what you will find. This one-of-a-kind McDonald’s was built in 1995. It was the old Imperial Cafe that was built in the 1930’s, and was in serious need of repairs and an upgrade. The idea was to give it a fresh look, maintaining the iconic features and recovering the social gathering spirit once so lively here.

We are not fans of eating at McDonald’s at home, so why would we eat there when abroad, but we had to see this one-of-a-kind McDonald’s for ourselves. I think we did what most tourists do; we stopped and took pictures and then left. It is beautiful, and very unique.

Next, we caught the double decker bus and headed to the end of the line, to the International Fish Market. This was just a curious piece of art we saw along the way.

The best, most authentic “international” fish market experience in Porto is found in nearby Matosinhos, particularly at the Matosinhos Municipal Market. This area features fresh, daily-caught fish from the neighboring harbor. Inside Porto, Mercado do Bolhão offers a historic, vibrant, and centrally located spot for fresh local seafood and fish, updated in 2018.

It was still early in the morning and the vendors were busy setting up, getting ready for the day ahead.

I had to take a picture of the rooster. Roosters, all throughout Portugal are symbols of good luck. They are considered a powerful symbol of good luck, justice, and faith in Portugal. Known as the Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos), this iconic, brightly colored figure represents a legendary miracle where a roasted rooster crowed to save an innocent man. It is commonly displayed in homes, given as a gift, and sold as a popular souvenir to bring good luck, prosperity, and protection.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are also sold at the market.

Just fun things we saw.

We were headed to the WOW museum, or the World Of Wine Museum. That will be it’s own post though, since it was one of our big adventures for the day.

Have a great day and make everyday great. Live life to the fullest. It’s not the destination that matter, but the journey. Enjoy the ride. ‘Til next time.