Porto metro and finding the way

[Orlaith]

Hello

Arrived in Porto yesterday and will explore for a couple of days. Lovely city.

I'm planning on taking the metro to Matosinhos and then start walking to avoid the long stretch through urban landscapes.

But on leaving the metro station is it easy to find the way markings or will I be lost at the first challenge?

Any help or advice gratefully received as travelling alone . . At least for the moment!
Thank you
Orla

 

[MichaelSG]

Take the metro to the Mercado station in Matosinhos (not the Matosinhos station) and you will be practically right next to the bridge across the river that you need to take. After crossing that, just keep the river/ocean on your left.

BTW, it's not a bad walk out of town but it is a long walk from the Porto cathedral to Vila de Conde. I broke it up by walking to Matosinhos, taking the metro back to Porto, then the next day I took the metro back to Matisinhos and started again from there. Either way, Bom Caminho!

 

[Orlaith]

Take the metro to the Mercado station in Matosinhos (not the Matosinhos station) and you will be practically right next to the bridge across the river that you need to take. After crossing that, just keep the river/ocean on your left.

BTW, it's not a bad walk out of town but it is a long walk from the Porto cathedral to Vila de Conde. I broke it up by walking to Matosinhos, taking the metro back to Porto, then the next day I took the metro back to Matisinhos and started again from there. Either way, Bom Caminho!

Hi Michael

Thank you so much for this information. I think I will take the metro and keep moving forward. Will be pleasant to walk along the coast for a bit.

Love this forum and the kindness of Camino people.
Orla

 

[amorfati1]

Hello

Arrived in Porto yesterday and will explore for a couple of days. Lovely city.

I'm planning on taking the metro to Matosinhos and then start walking to avoid the long stretch through urban landscapes.

But on leaving the metro station is it easy to find the way markings or will I be lost at the first challenge?

Any help or advice gratefully received as travelling alone . . At least for the moment!
Thank you
Orla

taking the bus (as i recall it's #500 to maosinhos - passes by Sao Bento trainstation as well) is also an option. you'll see the pretty sights alongside the river Douro.
went to line end - crossed the bridge - and off we went along side the atlantico.
bom caminho!
c

 

[SabsP]

Yes like the others wrote it is quite simple, over the bridge , then the left crossing the fortress and hoppa to the Atlantic. I left around 7.30 two weeks ago and the stallholders on the beach were still putting out their equipment. So quiet for the couple of hours. And then you will find your first marker... Buen Camino.

 

[Orlaith]

taking the bus (as i recall it's #500 to maosinhos - passes by Sao Bento trainstation as well) is also an option. you'll see the pretty sights alongside the river Douro.
went to line end - crossed the bridge - and off we went along side the atlantico.
bom caminho!
c

Hello

And thank you for this !

Reached Povoa de Varzim and stayed in the Albergue near the church. Which was fine.

One small problem the people sharing the four bed dorm have taken (mistakenly I assume) some of my clothes. Left to dry on window. Obviously every item counts as I'm trying to travel light. Kinda annoying to be honest as also gone are my swimming togs. Ahh well all replaceable.

Orla

 

[jsalt]

Hi, too late for the OP now, but one of the best walks for me, on the entire Lisbon to Santiago stretch, was the walk from the centre of Porto, alongside the river, to Matoshinos. It is only 8 kms, and there is so much to see and experience. Watch the boats on the river, stop and have an ice cream, watch the kids having fun on the beaches, enjoy a coffee in a beach café, and sample the sardines on the street stalls near Matosinhos. It is so different from every other day on the caminho, it shouldn’t be missed! Get the bus back into Porto to spend the night, returning by bus to Matosinhos next morning to continue the walk over the bridge. Jill

 

[amorfati1]

Hello

And thank you for this !

Reached Povoa de Varzim and stayed in the Albergue near the church. Which was fine.

One small problem the people sharing the four bed dorm have taken (mistakenly I assume) some of my clothes. Left to dry on window. Obviously every item counts as I'm trying to travel light. Kinda annoying to be honest as also gone are my swimming togs. Ahh well all replaceable.

Orla

Blast - unfortunate incident. sorry to hear it....
yes, it's all replacable - but still, an incident you probably could have done without easily - you may (or may not ) cross path again and hopefully get to remedy the situation.
don't let it dampen your spirit - much beauty still to experience ... bom caminho!