After reading all the reviews online and we ticked off where we have already been we decided to head to Porto, Portugal. We decided to have dinner first and booked at Holiday Inn Porto Gaia and what a setting it was. Their food was amazing and staff were pleasant and helpful.
Holiday Inn is located in Vila Nova De Gaia which was 10 minutes from where we were staying by taxi. The taxi’s in Porto are reasonable and we were grateful the hotels sorted out the taxi for us. Our dinner was a 4 course meal with a bottle of wine and for calling last minute we were shocked the it was just €70 each. The menu was exquisite and the meals arrived with enticing flourishes which made them look special and made you feel it really was a special occasion. The staff were very helpful and lucky for us we met the man in charge of our evening – Tomas Gaspar Carvalho – a man of incredible knowledge regarding Portuguese Food and Drink with impeccable customer service.
When we finished our meal (almost 3 hrs.) and headed to the street Party on the other side of the town at Praca da Liberdade. I would advice to make sure you tell your hotel to arrange a taxi before hand, as most the roads in Porto start closing after 10pm. The square was packed in a nice way and the crowds was in a jolly mood but well-mannered compare to many parties I have been to at this time of the year. The band – Blind Zero – was very entertaining and played us into the New Year and the Fireworks.
The party went on until 3 or 4 in the morning but I was talking to the angels by then. I would say it was one of the best New Years I have had and would recommend even for family as that is how safe it was and how well behaved the Portuguese are even when they have been drinking on such a night. Next morning there was no sign of the night before (salute to the organisers) .
Kudos to Porto!!!!!
Check out the full video of the day on youtube :
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This looks like alot of fun.
Looks like you had a great time! Are there any party venues you would advice? And, if you ever have visited Lisbon which of the two cities do you prefer? I always feel like that if you’ve been to Lisbon first Porto can turn out to be a little disappointing
Actually the cities are different from each other. I really enjoyed myself in Porto and met a local who helped my mum and I see Porto from their view. I love Lisbon and tend to always go back to visit again.
When it came to the new years decision we just booked a dinner and decided to join the whole city to party out on the street. It is something really nice and people are so polite even when you don’t speak the language. 🙂 I am heading Faro in September for another different view of Portugal.
This looks amazing! I’m always looking for new cities to spend New Years in, and Porto sounds like a great place for it! The food looks awesome too, and only €70 each!!
It was a great new years and so much fun memories. I also met some lovely locals, who showed my mum around. I did a few videos on my youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVMcuZbWHes9nqxYKQhs5Pw
Looks like a great place to spend NY! I’ve only ever visited Madeira and never mainland Portugal sadly. It’s definitely on the list now!
Wow! Portugal sounds amazing to visit, especially for celebrating the new year. The food at the Holiday Inn looks amazing!
wow it seems like you had so much fun! I’ve never been to Porto but it looks amazing! 🙂
That sounds like a great night! We often don’t do anything for New Year, as we’re not over-fond of crowds, but this is making me reconsider. Porto sounds a great balance of fun, with a good-natured crowd, which makes a real difference. And great to hear of the speedy clear up too: nice evidence of a city taking care of itself.
It was certainly different. I was not expecting the experience I did get, which made it so much better. It was such friendly and polite people even when trying to get through the crowd.
The dancing man in your video is priceless!
hahahaa, the dancing man surprised me but he was in his own world enjoying the New Years eve celebrations.
A 4 course meal with wine for that price?! I need to head to Porto! Glad you had a fantastic New Years!
That food looks amazing!! I’ve always wanted to go to Porto or Lisbon or Faro in Portugal but just waiting for cheap flights, they’re not as cheap as they used to be… great post!
It all depends when you want to go for. Summer is not always the best time to go. I have been to Lisbon in July, September and December. It was cheaper for me in September and December. The weather is cold but not to cold if you have weather like the UK.
What a fun way to spend New Years! Those desserts look so decadent. We’re always looking for something new to try for this holiday, so we’ll have to add this to our list.