Porto: Cruise, tasting and spa included

Six Bridges Cruise: discover Porto from the Douro River

You can’t say you’ve truly experienced Porto until you’ve sailed along the Douro. Enjoy around 50 minutes of panoramic views while cruising beneath the city’s most iconic bridges.

Departure point: Rota do Douro pier (Vila Nova de Gaia).

Timetable: departures every 30 minutes.

• High season (April to September): from 10:00h to 18:30h.
• Low season (October to March): from 10:00h to 16:00h.
• Please note that the activity may not operate on public holidays.

How does it work?
Collect your physical ticket at the hotel reception. Once you have it, simply head to the pier whenever you prefer — no need to reserve a specific time. If one boat is full, you can board the next available departure.

The experience:
Sail beneath Porto’s famous bridges, from the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge to Arrábida, while discovering the history of the city from a completely different perspective.

Why is this plan so special?
Because you decide the pace. Both experiences are flexible and require no prior booking, giving you complete freedom to enjoy Porto exactly how you want.

Visit Quinta da Boeira: wine, history and tradition

Quinta da Boeira is a traditional wine space where you can enjoy artisanal wine tastings while discovering historical replicas of Portuguese ships and boats.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00h to 17:30h.

• Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
• Please note that opening times may change on public holidays or special celebrations.

How to access?
No reservation is needed. Simply visit during opening hours and identify your booking using the lead guest’s name.

Travelling with children?
Children under 18 can enter free of charge to visit the boat exhibition, although wine tastings are reserved exclusively for adults.

Take a pause and treat yourself to a moment of relaxation!

During your break there will also be time to unwind. By booking this deal you will receive 1 spa access per person, per stay, perfect for slowing down and enjoying a moment of wellbeing.

Here are all the details so you only have to worry about relaxing!

• The session lasts 1 hour.
• The spa is open from 09:30h to 20:00.
• Please note to book your session in advance at the hotel reception when you check in.
• A swimming cap and flip-flops are mandatory to access the spa. If you don't have flip-flops, they can be lent to you there.

Unplug, relax and make the most of that time just for you. Your break is meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace!

Rubens Hotel & Spa: calm just a stroll from the Douro

Across the river, in a quiet corner of Vila Nova de Gaia, the Rubens Hotel & Spa keeps the bustle at bay without cutting you off from anything: the Douro riverside is a 14-minute walk away.

After a breakfast guests can't stop praising, the day is yours; at sunset, head down to the river to see Porto at its finest.

Back at the hotel, the outdoor pool awaits among gardens, Balinese beds and loungers, and if it turns cool, the spa with its indoor pool and massages rounds off the day. And for dinner, Portuguese and Mediterranean cooking without leaving the hotel.

Book your getaway and enjoy Porto by day and pure calm by night.

Porto rises in terraces above the Douro River, just a few kilometres before it meets the Atlantic. Portugal's second city is a joyful mix of azulejo-covered churches, steep cobbled lanes, iron bridges and centuries-old port lodges, with a laid-back, authentic character that wins visitors over within hours.

It's a fantastic choice for a city break as a couple or with friends, but it works beautifully for families too: compact enough to explore on foot, with river cruises, trams and parks to keep everyone happy. Spring and early autumn are especially lovely, with mild weather and golden evening light over the river.

Make sure you visit:

Start down by the water in the Ribeira, the UNESCO-listed riverside quarter, where colourful façades look straight across to the Dom Luís I Bridge. Walk across its upper deck for one of the best views in the city, then wander back up through the old town to São Bento Station, whose entrance hall is covered with around 20,000 blue-and-white tiles.

From there it's a short climb to the Clérigos Tower, the city's symbol, with 360-degree views over the rooftops. Nearby, the neo-Gothic Livraria Lello is one of the world's most beautiful bookshops (go early to beat the queues), and the Palácio da Bolsa hides a dazzling Arab Room behind its neoclassical façade.

Beaches we think you'll like:

Porto may be a city, but the Atlantic is only a tram ride away. In Foz do Douro, where the river meets the sea, Praia do Molhe and Praia da Luz are small, sheltered sandy stretches perfect for a sunset drink along the promenade.

A little further north, Matosinhos has a long, wide beach with consistent waves, ideal for a first surf lesson, and it's easy to reach by metro. South of the river in Gaia, Praia de Miramar is famous for the tiny Senhor da Pedra chapel, perched on a rock facing the ocean.

Family-friendly activities:

Children love a cruise on a traditional rabelo boat under Porto's six bridges, a relaxed way to see the city from the river in under an hour. Afterwards, hop on the vintage tram 1, which rattles along the Douro all the way to Foz.

For a slower afternoon, the Palácio de Cristal Gardens offer shady paths, peacocks roaming freely and wonderful river views, while the parkland at Serralves is ideal for a picnic and a run-around between exhibitions.

Local delicacies you have to try:

Porto's signature dish is the francesinha, a hearty layered sandwich of meats covered in melted cheese and a rich, spicy sauce, best enjoyed with a cold beer after a long day of walking. Locals are also proud of their tripas à moda do Porto, a slow-cooked tripe and bean stew that earned residents the nickname "tripeiros".

For a lighter bite, grab a bifana (a pork sandwich) at the counter of a traditional café and a warm pastel de nata. And of course, finish the day in Vila Nova de Gaia with a tasting at one of the historic port wine lodges.

Make the most of your visit:

Porto is perfectly placed for exploring northern Portugal, with excellent train connections from São Bento station. These are our favourite day trips:

• Guimarães (around 1 hour): the medieval "birthplace of Portugal", with a fairytale castle.
• Braga (around 1 hour): elegant squares and the famous Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary.
• Aveiro (around 1 hour): canals, colourful moliceiro boats and striped seaside houses.
• Douro Valley (1.5–2 hours): terraced vineyards, wine estates and spectacular viewpoints.