Porto: Explore the Six Bridges by Boat

Port Wine and Porto’s Bridges: Two Unmissable Experiences

Visit to Quinta da Boeira

• A charming escape: discover Quinta da Boeira, a beautiful estate where you can taste artisanal boutique wines and explore fascinating replicas of traditional Portuguese ships.

• Opening hours: the experience is available from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10:00 and 18:00. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

• How to access: no advance booking is required. Simply visit during opening hours, provide the name shown on your booking confirmation at the entrance and enjoy the experience.

• Travelling with children? Guests under the age of 18 can join the visit free of charge, but they are strictly prohibited from taking part in the wine tasting.

The Iconic Six Bridges Cruise

• Departure point: Avenida Diogo Leite, nº 438, 4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia.

• Duration: the cruise lasts approximately 50 minutes.

• Frequent departures: cruises depart every 30 minutes. If the boat is full when you arrive, you can simply board the next available departure.

• Your tickets: you will receive your cruise tickets at the hotel reception when you check in.

  • Departure times are printed on the ticket. No advance booking is required, simply choose your preferred time and arrive at the pier 15 minutes before departure.

• The experience: sail through the history of Porto’s six iconic bridges: Ponte Dom Luís I, Ponte do Infante, Ponte Maria Pia, Ponte São João, Ponte do Freixo and Ponte da Arrábida. You will also enjoy some of the finest panoramic views of the city, an essential Porto experience.

• Important: the cruise does not operate on 25 December due to the Christmas holiday. If your stay includes this date, please plan your cruise for another day during your trip.

Holiday Inn Express Porto - Boavista: modern comfort in the heart of Porto

The Holiday Inn Express Porto - Boavista is a modern hotel in the busy Boavista business district, with bright, functional rooms ideal for couples and families.

Start the day with its breakfast, highly praised by guests, and enjoy the Roast restaurant and lounge bar.

Its location is a major advantage: a ten-minute walk from Francos metro and Casa da Música, with a direct link to the airport, and close to Serralves, the Clérigos and the Ribeira.

Reviews agree on the cleanliness of the rooms and the attentive staff, offering excellent value for money.

Book your Porto holiday at the Holiday Inn Express Porto - Boavista and experience the city without compromising on comfort.

Porto has a way of drawing you in slowly: first with the sweep of the Douro, then with tiled façades, steep lanes and the easy rhythm of life around the river. In northern Portugal, this characterful city makes a lovely escape for couples who enjoy long, atmospheric evenings and families looking for a mix of sightseeing, river adventures and good food.

Give yourself time to wander rather than rushing from one landmark to the next. Porto is full of little discoveries, from a sunlit square to a view between rooftops, and its best moments often come when you pause for a coffee or watch the boats pass below.

Make sure you visit:

Start in Ribeira, where colourful houses line the Douro and the riverside cafés make a tempting first stop. From here, climb through the old streets towards the Cathedral, then continue to Lello Bookshop and the Clérigos Tower. The tower rewards the climb with sweeping views across the city; go early or later in the day if you would rather explore at a gentler pace.

Make time for Igreja de São Francisco, whose restrained Gothic exterior gives little away about its richly gilded interior. Afterwards, see the city from the water on a boat holiday along the Douro, passing beneath its six bridges. For a quieter change of scene, the gardens of Palácio de Cristal offer leafy paths and lovely river views, a welcome breather for couples and families alike.

Family-friendly activities:

A boat ride is an easy way to give tired legs a rest while keeping children entertained with views of the bridges and riverside. Pair it with a ride on one of Porto’s traditional trams, then head to World of Discoveries, an interactive museum that brings Portugal’s age of exploration to life in a way younger visitors can enjoy.

Keep the day flexible: explore Ribeira in the morning, stop for lunch and leave some unhurried time for the gardens at Palácio de Cristal. Their open space and river outlook make a pleasant pause between city sights, especially when everyone needs a slower afternoon.

Local delicacies you have to try:

Porto’s food is generous and full of flavour. The francesinha is the city’s famously hearty sandwich, layered with meat and cured sausages, topped with melted cheese and served with a spicy sauce. It makes a satisfying lunch after a morning on foot; share one if you want to leave room for dessert.

Look out for bacalhau, Portugal’s much-loved salt cod, prepared in different ways, and holidayas à moda do Porto, a traditional local dish. For a sweet break, stop at Manteigaria for a freshly baked pastel de nata. It is especially welcome with a coffee after an afternoon of wandering.

Make the most of your visit:

Porto also makes a rewarding base for seeing more of northern Portugal. Travel times vary with your route and transport, but these day holidays are easy to plan:

• Guimarães (around 50 minutes by train): explore the medieval castle and cobbled streets of this historic city, often called the birthplace of Portugal.
• Braga (around 40 minutes by train): visit the city and the striking Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary.
• Aveiro (around 1 hour by train): enjoy a change of pace in this coastal city, nicknamed the “Venice of Portugal”.
• Douro Valley (around 1.5-2 hours by car, depending on where you go): take in terraced vineyards and wineries associated with the region’s celebrated Port wine.