Foz do Douro, Portugal

Travelling to Porto means more than just pretty blue azulejos and port wine…although these are definitely highlights…however once you’ve explored some of the city, and perhaps taken a Douro Valley tour, you might want to hop on a tram and travel along beside the river to the seaside town of Foz.

To get to Foz you can catch the number 1 tram at the Infante stop, just to the west of the Ribeira District down at the riverfront. This is probably your best place to hop on as it is the beginning of the journey and so getting a seat will not be a problem.

This tram does make stops along the way so you can get off and visit the Tramcar Museum and/or the Calem Gardens beside the river. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the scenic ride to the Passeio Alegre stop in Foz, situated where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Once you arrive in Foz you can cross the street and walk along the tree-lined pathway through the Jardim do Passeio Alegre or along the seafront. In the park you will find a coffee shop and restrooms, as well as lots of green space to just sit and relax. Passeio Alegre means “joy causeway” and this is definitely a very “happy” place to visit when in Porto.

Foz has a very tropical feel to it with the ocean air blowing off the water, as well as the palm trees lining the promenade and beside the buildings.

We made our way to where the Felgueiras lighthouse, built in 1886, is situated and watched the waves crashing against the breakwater and the rocks.

We also got a great view of Praia do Carneiro and some of the buildings situated across from the beach. Foz is a place where the wealthy of Porto have started to buy homes and it’s easy to see why with the beach at your doorstep and the city of Porto just minutes away.

We walked along the promenade enjoying the breeze and the salty smelling air. There is something magical about walking beside the ocean and it seemed to rejuvenate us!

We stopped for lunch at a cafe called Praia da Luz and sat on the deck soaking up the warmth of the sun and sipping our Americanos. It was one of those moments where you don’t have anywhere to go, or anyplace you have to be. It was perfection!

With more time here we could have explored some of the cute alleyways and cafes that Foz has to offer, but after relaxing for a bit, and feeling like we were ready to return to Porto, we headed back to the tram stop.

Would I recommend a sidetrip to Foz? Absolutely! We wouldn’t have thought of visiting here, however our Airbnb host suggested it and it turned out to be a fantastic way to spend a morning outside of the city.