BACKGROUND
Solo traveller in Porto for sightseeing, hikes and bikes in the area. First time visitor to Porto
APARTMENT
The apartment is excellent. There is plenty of room (two bedrooms, one bathroom and separate toilet, full kitchen, dining room and a TV room with a TV that has some English language channels). The WIFI worked well and seems to have acceptable download and upload speeds. In addition, there is a lovely outside patio area that receives the sun from about 12:30pm through to about 8pm (in early May). The apartment is very well equipped and all requirements are provided (toiletries, shampoo, oils for cooking, peppers and salt etc). The dining room backs onto the patio and whether eating in there or on the patio it is very enjoyable. The manager of the apartment (Jaoa) is also excellent – fast responses to queries before and after booking, allowed early check-in, personal meeting at the apartment and lots of advice as to the apartment and area.
AREA
The apartment is located in Covelo near Covelo park. It seemed to me to be an area where locals live rather than too much tourist accommodation (which I like). The area seemed quite “old” but pleasant, there were food shops near apartment and there were local restaurants. The apartment is a ten-minute walk to Marques metro that gets you into Sao Bento (nearest stop to Ribeira) in about 10 mins also, you can also continue for one further stop to cross the river (on the famous bridge) to get from Porto to Jardim de Morro (in Gaia city) – which is very useful for all of the port wine tours and activities in Gaia. The apartment is easy to get to from the airport (2 metros and a 10-minute walk – overall around 60 minutes). However, depending on preferences the possible down-side of the location is that it is a 30 minute walk to Ribeira – the river front of Porto.
BIKING AND HIKING
I cycled the south coast out of Porto, the north coast out of Porto (both with excellent cycle paths for most of the routes) and the Douro up river for a distance of about 20k from Porto. These were excellent and generally quite flat (the Duoro river bike is more hilly) bike rides and great fun!. I rented bikes from NorthRoad and can recommend this company – they offer a wide range of bikes and an excellent service. There are not too many hikes in the locality but the walks around Porto (historic centre) are good and the walks down and up the coasts are also good. These coastal paths are popular with locals (and maybe tourists) and a great way of seeing another aspect of Porto a bit away from the very touristy areas of the centres.
OVERALL
Excellent apartment in a very good area (if you like living more like a local), with excellent facilities and an easy walk to a metro line that gets you into the two key areas of Ribeira and Gaia very quickly. The patio area is excellent and seems to be a rarity in Porto. The host is very responsive and helpful. Overall, excellent!