St John’s Festival

St John’s Festival, June 24th, is the grandest festival in Porto. On the evening of the 23rd, which is St John’s Festival Eve, it is just like Christmas and Christmas Eve. Before checking in, I was notified by email: try to check in before 4 PM, otherwise, after that time, the city will have traffic control. Reluctantly bidding farewell to the manor shrouded in light mist and rain, I hurried to Porto. While secretly delighted to have once again stumbled upon a grand festival, I couldn't help but worry about restaurants closing and not finding good food, just like on the Feast of Corpus Christi in Coimbra. As soon as I stepped out of São Bento train station, the festive atmosphere was palpable. Street vendors lined the streets, selling mostly various snacks, drinks, and plastic hammers. The former replenishes energy, while the latter embodies the spirit of revelry. As a 'self-defense weapon,' getting one for 3 euros was quite necessary. The festive atmosphere ignited the whole city, with explosive music coming from different directions on the streets and from upstairs. Walking on the road, if you are not careful, you might get hit on the head by a plastic hammer swung from who knows where, making the world spin. At night, Ribeira Quay was crowded with people, either sitting on the ground or dancing to the upbeat music. Some hid in a corner, using 'long-stemmed purple flowers' and fishing techniques to gently brush the purple flowers over passersby. This 'flirting' method is quite creative. At midnight, fireworks burst into the sky on time. Initially, it didn't seem particularly surprising, but the explosive finale was like the earth shaking, refreshing the senses! ⛱️Must-visit attractions: Clerigos Tower, Avenida dos Aliados, São Bento Train Station, Misericórdia Church, Casa do Infante, Ribeira Square, Dom Luís I Bridge 🌄Travel tips: Walk to the above attractions 🏨Accommodation tips: Along the Douro River 💗Other tips: Don't miss the port wine tasting. Taylor's and Granham's wineries are good choices. What could be more pleasant than enjoying the scenery and sipping a few glasses of fine wine from Porto? The Douro River area around Porto is also worth exploring. I will introduce it in another article next time.