Since I started my Camino at Matosinhos (after taking the Metro from Porto), I decided to walk to the beach town on one of my days in Porto. It is an easy path, you just go downhill (through some beautiful side streets) to the Douro River and follow the river until it reaches the Atlantic Ocean then continue along the ocean path. It was about an 11 km walk from my hotel.
Along the Douro, I discovered a big music concert being set up at the Alfondega do Porto site. And near the same site was a Van Gogh exhibition. The sunflowers reminded me of Taylor and I had a few moments there thinking of her.
Line up for the weekend 
Interesting neighbourhood by the music venue 
Thinking of Taylor when I saw these 
This tram runs between Porto and Foz
The Arrabida Bridge (one of 6 bridges crossing the Douro River in Porto) came into view. It was an engineering masterpiece completed in 1965. Apparently, you can walk over the bridge arch but I was not interested in doing that! This bridge is only 3 km from the ocean, so it withstands some pretty gusty winds. Right next to the bridge is a building for the engineering company which also houses a restaurant with some pretty amazing views.
The path continued to the Atlantic Ocean and the community of Foz do Douro. There’s evidence of a fishing village and a memorial near the local rescue station.
Soon I came to the breakwater (protecting the estuaries of the Douro River) with two lighthouses and some interesting art. Just across the road is a fort built in 1647, Fortaleza de Sao Joao do Fao. Beaches along this stretch were small sandy patches amongst rocky outcroppings. People found many different places to bathe in the sun!
Continuing along the path, I found interesting beach-side restaurants, a group of youth cleaning a section of the beach, a young woman doing yoga on the boardwalk and a 1930’s neo-classical-inspired pergola at Praia do Molhe beach.
One of the most interesting moments of this day was meeting a couple of fishermen who had stopped at a refreshment stand on the promenade. They were still in their scuba gear and had three large eel-looking fish on their hooks. I asked if I could take their picture…and the younger man asked if I would send it to him on Instagram…which I did.
Later I passed by the Forte de Sao Francisco Xavier on the water and noticed a group of men playing cards on the rocky shore below.
I have been amazed with the amount of outdoor exercise equipment all along the coast of Northern Portugal, and just before Matosinhos I found another one with a fair amount of activity on a hot day.
Then the views of Matosinhos beaches were in front of me. This is a popular local surfing beach, although the waves are very small during the summer. Nevertheless, a beautiful stretch of beach only a 25 minute metro ride from the city centre. Lots of restaurants along the water.
I wandered through the streets of Matosinhos, looking for the metro to find my way back to Porto. Eventually I found a section of the city where there appears to be a local market and fair being set up. It was fairly quiet, but I imagine it would be bustling on the weekend.
I thought this was a sign with the name of the fair, but it actually says no public parking during the fair ! 
I enjoyed my walk to Matosinhos. I would encourage anyone going to Porto to explore this area. Easily done by tram, bus or metro…no need to walk the whole way.
Great photos and commentary. I love your descriptions and the shot of eel fishermen is cool especially them asking to post on his Instagram. The underside of bridge shot is great too. All your photos are interesting and colorful. Wonderful for anyone considering a trip there. Keep up the great blogging Lynne.
Thank you so much Deb. I would still love to catch up to compare notes of our respective Caminos!