Porto: Tasting and Cruise Experience

Winery visit and Porto bridges cruise: two must-do experiences

Visit to Quinta da Boeira

• Quinta da Boeira is a charming estate where you can sample artisan wines while exploring historical boat replicas and traditional vessels.

• The activity is available Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 18:00 (it is closed on Sundays and Mondays).

• To visit the winery, simply arrive during opening hours, give the name of the lead guest on the booking and start enjoying your visit.

• If you are travelling with children under 18, they may accompany adults on the visit but cannot take part in the wine tastings.

Porto six bridges cruise

• The cruise departs from: Avenida Diogo Leite, nº438, 4400 - 111 Vila Nova de Gaia.

• The cruise lasts approximately 50 minutes.

• Departures are every 30 minutes. If there are no spaces available when you arrive, you can take the next departure.

• Your cruise ticket will be provided at the hotel reception.

  • You will find the departure times on the ticket. There is no need to book in advance: simply choose your preferred departure time and arrive at the departure address 15 minutes beforehand.

• On this cruise, you will learn the history of each bridge: Ponte Dom Luis I, Ponte do Infante, Ponte María Pía, Ponte São João, Ponte do Freixo and Ponte da Arrábida. You will also enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the city, a must-do holiday in Porto!

• Important: Please note that the cruise does not operate on 25 December due to the public holiday. If your booking includes this date, you will need to plan the activity for another day.

ClipHotel: your easy base for discovering Porto at your own pace

Imagine waking up at ClipHotel in Vila Nova de Gaia, with the metro just steps away and central Porto a few minutes off, ready for the Ribeira, the Dom Luís I Bridge and the famous Port wine cellars.

Before heading out, the buffet breakfast sets you up for the day with freshly made pancakes, natural orange juice, fresh fruit and a healthy corner to start on the right foot.

And when you return from exploring, the bar stays open until midnight for a last drink before you head up to your air-conditioned room, where a safe keeps your valuables secure.

It's no surprise guests praise its location, cleanliness and the warm welcome from a multilingual team available around the clock.

Few hotels combine a quick link to Porto, a thoughtful breakfast and such friendly service. Book your getaway and enjoy the city knowing that, at the end of each day, you'll come back to a place that feels like home.

Curiosities of Vila Nova de Gaia

Discover Vila Nova de Gaia beyond its role as “Porto’s sister” and uncover a city with a strong identity and stories of its own. Separated from Porto by the Douro River, Gaia stands proudly with history, character and unforgettable views.

Here are the curiosities that make it truly unique:

• The city with the most alcohol per square meter
  Although the famous wine carries Porto’s name, the historic cellars are all in Gaia. Thanks to its northern exposure, the warehouses here offer cooler, more humid conditions — perfect for slow, careful ageing. Legend has it that enough wine rests in these tunnels to supply the world for years.

• The Luís I Bridge: Eiffel or not?
  The city’s great icon connects Gaia and Porto in spectacular style. Many believe it was designed by Gustave Eiffel, but the true author was his disciple, Théophile Seyrig. His bold two-level design — metro above, traffic below — won the competition and outshone his own master’s proposal.

• Serra do Pilar Monastery
  This striking circular monastery, listed as a World Heritage Site, offers the most breathtaking sunsets in the area. Its unusual round design was more than aesthetic — it allowed Augustinian monks to watch the entire horizon. Its strategic position later made it a key military stronghold during the 19th-century Siege of Porto.

• The “Crystal Beach”
  Gaia boasts one of Portugal’s longest stretches of Blue Flag beaches along the Atlantic coast. Praia de Lavadores stands out for its dramatic granite formations shaped by erosion, creating natural sculptures that contrast with the region’s typical sandy shores.

• The “Half Rabbit”
  Hidden near the historic riverside, this giant rabbit sculpture made entirely from recycled materials — car bumpers, nets and plastic — is one of Portugal’s most photographed urban artworks. Created by Bordalo II, it delivers a powerful message about consumerism.

• The Gaia Cable Car
  Opened in 2011, this isn’t just a tourist attraction. It connects the upper metro station at Jardim do Morro with the wine cellar district in just five minutes, offering the fastest — and most scenic — way to conquer Gaia’s steep slopes.

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.