PORTUGAL Porto Portugal PORTUGAL Porto Braga Vila Real Douro River Wine Tours
- mcoelho813
- Oct 13, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Interesting fact
Porto is Portugal's theatrical city on the Douro River near Braga and Vila Real in northern Portugal.
There are 473 * 5-star activities to do in Porto, ranking it tied for 2nd in the world.
Porto gave Portugal its name.
Porto's nickname is 'A Cidade Invicta', meaning 'The Unvanquished City'.
Port wine is NOT made in Porto.
The iconic bridge in Porto was designed by Eiffel's partner and student, Théophile Seyrig. The bridge looks like the Eiffel Tower lying on its side.
The Lello Livraria, a bookstore, inspired the author of the Harry Potter books to write her series. J.K. Rowling lived and worked in Porto before writing her famous book series. The bookstore is worth the visit, but be warned, it's small. You can purchase tickets online and get in quickly.
Travel Idea- Must-See Attractions
PORTUGAL Porto Braga Vila Real
Porto is near Braga in northern Portugal. An interesting idea is to fly into Lisbon, travel to the Algarve, Lisbon, then north to Porto. Fly home from Porto Airport. PORTUGAL Porto Braga Vial Real
Ribeira District in the Historic district- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Perfect for walking, strolling, dining, and taking photos.
Serra do Pilar Monastery (sunset across the bridge)Jardim do Morro (sunset across the bridge) Jardim = garden Cais da Ribeira (harbor by the river)São Bento train station New Market opened in 2022, incredible shopping
Dom Luis Bridge
PORTUGAL Porto Braga Vial Real
Walk across the top of the double-decker, iron bridge designed by Eiffel's student to see panoramic views of the Douro.
Porto has 6 large bridges. You can take a boat tour and see them all in one day. The oldest bridge in Porto was designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Avenida dos Aliados (main square / City Hall), Clérigos tower (75.6m),
Lello library (Harry Potter)
Port Wine Tours
Sandeman
Graham
Taylor
Stock Exchange Palace Palacio da Bolsa
Arab Room inspired by the Alhambra
Passeio das Virtudes (sunset and chill out)
Palácio de Cristal (beautiful, peaceful park with stunning views)
Casa do Infante museum (Age of exploration of Portugal)
City Serralves Park with contemporary art exhibitions
Trainline
Awesome train experience
270 lines throughout Europe
Gaia is on the left side of the bridge
Porto is on the right side
The bridge was under construction - October 2022
Photos of Gaia
Porto, Portugal, Braga, Gaia, Chaves, Wine tasting tours, restaurants in Porto, Places to visit in Porto
PORTUGAL Porto Portugal (Braga, Gaia, Chaves, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Barcelos)
PORTUGAL Porto Braga Vila Real Douro River Wine Tours Churches
Between the Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas stands a tiny, 1-meter-wide house built to separate the two churches. This was done to respect religious laws that said two convents couldn’t share a wall.
Casa Escondida stands between Porto's Igreja do Carmo and Igreja dos Carmelitas, separating the two churches as the legend of religious law intended. However, it also served as a practical barrier between the monks and nuns of the respective convents. The house was obviously designed to keep the groups separate. You can purchase a ticket to see the inside of the Church.
São Francisco church (gorgeous Romanesque / Gothic basilica)
WINE TASTING
Porto Cruz Espaco
Terrace lounge
This unique lounge has a tasting room, restaurant, lounge, exhibits, and a wine shop
351 220925340
Largo Miguel
bombarda
closed Mondays
PORTUGAL Porto Braga Vila Real Douro River Wine Tours
Porto Cellars and Port Wine Tasting in Vila Nova de Gaia (Porto)
If you are going to Porto, one of the typical experiences not to miss is taking a tour of the Port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia (a short walk across the tall bridge from Porto)
While the vineyards (grape orchards) themselves are up the river in the Douro Valley, the port wine is stored and aged in the wine cellars located in Gaia. Many of these cellars offer tours of the stored wine, some require appointments, and most provide wine tasting experiences that allow visitors to sample a range of wines without taking a formal tour. You can also purchase wines at the wine cellars.
Graham's has the best overall tasting port wine. Definitely book in advance.
Calem - their tour and museum is probably the most interesting and informative. They offer Fado performances on occasion. Learn about the history of wine making and storage.
Taylor Fladgate - one of the oldest port houses in Portugal, from 1692. Perhaps Taylor is the most well-known international Port. The Port is tasty. The Taylor house in Gaia has a comfortable seating area and tasting room.
Ferreira - one of the oldest Port producers. Ferreira is the only company that has remained Portuguese-owned. Famous for their white Ports.
Cockburns - the largest Port house in Vila Nova de Gaia, with over 10 million liters of wine aged in hundreds of wooden vats and barrels. The size of the barrels is insane. It’s the only one with an on-site cooperage, where you can witness the coopers in action repairing barrels and fixing vats.
Notes:
Tours with tastings cost about 25-60 euros per person, depending on the types of Ports you want to taste (basic or the more vintage type)
Here are some tips for restaurants: Porto 1 Santiago da Praça / Café Santiago - specialty Francesinha à Santiago 2 Museu da Avó restaurant - specialty tapas 3 Venham Mais 5 restaurant •Open on Sundays• - specialty Prego sandwich with Queijo da Serra (traditional Portuguese cheese) 4 Casa Guedes restaurant •Open on Sundays• - specialty Pernil roasted pork sandwich with Queijo da Serra (traditional Portuguese cheese 5- Casa Bragança restaurant Specialties: - Tripas à Moda do Porto (tripes / intestines) - Alheira (Jewish invented sausage) - Polvo à lagareiro (grilled octopus) - Bacalhau à lagareiro (grilled codfish) - Lulas Grelhadas (grilled squid) Vegetarian restaurants: 1 Da Terra restaurant - Vegan buffet (12€ all you can eat) •Open on Sundays• 2 Kind Kitchen - Vegan food 3 Suribachi - Cantina style
Lelo Library
Wine tasting Tours on the River
The Douro Valley’s landscapes are replete with vineyards and bounteous produce: sip and sample the best of the region’s culinary offerings on this full-day tour from Porto, which includes a boat ride on the Douro River. Alongside your guide, visit wine estates and spectacular viewpoints. See, too, the beauty of the Douro River during a boat ride and enjoy lunch in a typical Portuguese restaurant. Day tour of the Douro Valley from Porto. Absorb spectacular views from multiple lookout points. Enjoy tasting sessions at local wineries. Take a scenic boat ride on the Douro River. Lunch and round-trip transport from Porto hotels are included
Roof tops / panoramic view bars: Porto Hotel D Henrique (17th floor) Lift Lounge bar at Via Catarina mall rooftop (14th floor) - [seasonal] Teleferico bar Guindalense football club bar Grahams wine cellar Ignez Miradouro bar (miradouro = look at the top of the area)
Nightlife: Porto - Galerias de Paris Street - Adega Leonor - Erasmus bar (student area) - Pipa Velha bar - Candelabro bar - Bonaparte Downtown - Capela Incomum bar - Selina hostel
Fado in Porto at Caves Calem (Fado is part of the Portuguese soul. It originated in the 19th-century taverns. It is a very specific sound and can be performed by a man or a woman. It is often accompanied by a guitar. The performers stand on stage and sing with such compassion that it brings some people to tears.)
Day trips: - Matosinhos (Beach, fish, surf) - take the 500 Bus - 35/40min trip along the riverside and Atlantic coast - Recommend to hop off at Matosinhos Praia stop (Praia Beach) - Street known for seafood restaurants: Rua Heróis de França - Braga / Guimarães / Aveiro
Barcelos- https://www.cm-barcelos.pt/
Guimaraes, the Birthplace of Portugal, has medieval charm and old history
Aveiro is the waterway of Portugal with the salt fields and canals. It has colorful boats that tour the canals. The tile work on the homes and businesses is unique and charming
The Gerês National Park is home to some of northern Portugal’s most spectacular natural scenery, and this tour lets you explore areas only accessible with a guide. Accompanied by an expert instructor, enjoy a thrilling full-day canyoning adventure—zip-line and rappel through the canyons, jump from the top of waterfalls, slide down natural slides, and swim in natural pools. Action-packed canyoning tour with ziplining and rappelling. No experience necessary: full instruction and equipment included.d Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off from Porto Small-group tour with a maximum of 10 people
Read more about Canyoning Geres National Park, from Porto https://selector.viator.com/tours/Porto/Canyonig-Adventure-Tour-from-Porto/d26879-71992P9?mcid=56757
- take the train at São Bento train station - 1h15m trip
https://www.bracaraaugusta.com/ HOTEL 4-star hotel
Our favorite hotel in Northern Portugal- it's close to the Braga stadium and you can walk everywhere. The room is packed with custom towels, embroidered robes, slippers,
toiletries, and a blow dryer. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and fluent in English and Portuguese. The night is quiet, allowing you to rest and unwind. The suite has 2 balconies overlooking the walkway and street. There is free parking in front of the hotel. A large buffet breakfast is included in the stay.
Melia Hotel and Spa 5-star address-Avenida General Carrilho Da Silva Pinto
Turismo Braga address Avenida da Liberdade, nº1
4710 - 305 Braga (on the corner)- friendly staff, not much in English
THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN BRAGA, PORTUGAL
Se Cathedral, dated 1089 - downtown - near Rua do Souto- near Largo do Paco
Bom Jesus do Monte - This sanctuary is an absolute must-see in the area. This is a remake of the Golgotha in Jerusalem. This church was constructed between 1784- 1857.
This is a photographer's paradise.
- Douro Valley - take the train at São Bento train station to Pinhão - 2h30m
-Murtosa small beach town that is not touristy
-Viana do Castelo waterfront city
May 2nd week- Festa Das Rosas e Procissao dos Cestos Floridos
Family Friendly
The
Botanical Garden of Porto will host an immersive night show, where there will be plenty of light sculptures, holograms, and visual effects with lights and lasers that will highlight some of the garden’s botanical species.
The show is a “sensory and interactive journey” that will feature some of the most fascinating characters from the world of Alice in Wonderland, including the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Caterpillar, and the Queen of Hearts, but also with well-known passages from Lewis Carroll's two books, the aforementioned and Alice Through the Looking-Glass. This is a perfect opportunity for children with special needs.
Wheelchair friendly
World of Discoveries Interactive Museum and Theme Park
This museum is in the heart of Porto. It is dedicated to the 'Age of Discoveries Era' when Portugal ruled the world. You have the chance to relive the Golden Age of Discoveries using your 5 senses.
Walking area
Tuk tuk
When to visit Portugal?
Hidden gems in Portugal
Best beaches in Algarve
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