As Portas do Porto - The Doors of Porto - Doors, Glorious Doors

From my hotel in Ribeira, I could see small winding streets leading up to the Porto Cathedral (Sé).

My hunch was that this was just the type of neighborhood where I could expect to find some amazing doors. I was right!

Be ready for a climb up cobbled alleys. The uphill walk was a bit punishing, but the doors that I found along the way made the hike completely worth it!

Bonfim is a less touristy part of Porto to the east of Bolhão. I went to this neighborhood in search of speciality coffee to fuel my walk.

From Fontaínhas, the part of the neighborhood overlooking the Douro to the area alongside Cemetery of Prado do Repouso, I was very, very impressed with the doors of Bonfim!

Rua das Flores is one of the most popular pedestrian streets among tourists in Porto.

Go at dawn or on a Sunday to photograph doors with less crowds and distractions.

You’ll find more doors to photograph when shops are closed.

I really enjoyed walking in Miragaia, especially around the Parque das Virtudes.

This is a hilly area, but you’ll be rewarded for your effort with some spectacular doors hiding down narrow winding streets.

Cordoaria is the neighborhood around Torre dos Clérigos.

Start where Campo dos Mártires da Pátria meets Rua de Trás and follow the backroads that catch your fancy.

You’ll find a wide array of amazing doors as you walk up and down the narrow alleyways of this part of town.

The historic commercial doors around Rua de Santa Catarina starting close to Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso will definitely catch your eye.

There are some fantastic Art Nouveau doors in this neighborhood.

Go before the shops open in the morning to photograph the widest selection of doors.

Once the stores open, the doors open and they are less picturesque to photograph.

The doors of Ribeira along the Douro are definitely pretty. The main challenge here is that the area is overrun by tourists.

I recommend catching the ferry to Vila Nova de Gaia and taking time to photograph the doors along the historic waterfront from the peace and calm of the water.

You’ll also find great views of Ribeira from Ponte Luís I (Luis I Bridge), but it’s not possible to get a shot of the doors straight on from there.

Vila Nova de Gaia is home to the majority of the port houses in Porto so you’re bound to find yourself on this side of the river at some point.

Climb up from the water toward WoW (World of Wine) and The Yeatman hotel and you’ll be sure to find some classic Portuguese doors (some a little worse for wear) along the way.

Most people go to Foz for the coastal views. I detoured away from the Atlantic into the elegant residential streets close by and was so glad that I did.

I was very impressed by the amazing colors and spectacular tiled facades.

Wind your way through the quiet streets between Foz and Matosinhos where you can enjoy both architecture and sea breezes.

Matosinhos is a major port and fishing town located within the Porto metro area. Many people come here for the fresh seafood.

I was impressed with the variety of doors on the quiet self-contained streets.

Matosinhos definitely feels grittier than Foz, but the doors have amazing character.