2025 Vila Nova de Gaia Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

It was a trip to Porto, Portugal 🇵🇹 Porto is a vibrant and picturesque city known for its stunning riverside views, colorful buildings, and rich history 🙌 We kicked off our Porto adventure with an early morning ☀️ stroll through Ribeira, the historic district by the Douro River. The soft morning light ✨ made the colorful buildings along the riverbank glow, and the calm waters of the river reflected the historic architecture. We spent time walking along the cobbled streets, capturing the narrow alleys and vibrant facades. It’s an unmissable spot to start your day, especially for those looking to capture Porto’s authentic charm 🙌 📍Ribeira, Porto, Portugal After exploring Ribeira, we crossed the famous Dom Luís I Bridge 😍 to the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river. The bridge, with its iconic double decker structure, offers some of the best panoramic views of Porto, especially in the late morning light ✨ when the city is bathed in warm tones. From the top deck, we snapped some stunning photos 📸 of Porto’s skyline, including the colorful buildings and the river winding through the city 💯 📍Ponte Dom Luís I, 4000 Porto, Portugal We also visited Jardim do Morro, a lovely park on the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the river. From here, we caught a breathtaking view of Porto’s historic center with the Dom Luís I Bridge in the foreground 🙌The early morning light ✨ was perfect for capturing the sweeping views of the city, and the park itself was peaceful and quiet at sunrise 🌅 This is an ideal spot for wide-angle shots of Porto, especially as the city comes to life 😍 📍Jardim do Morro, 4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal After a picturesque morning ☀️ we headed to Livraria Lello, one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world 📖 The ornate staircase, stained-glass windows🪟and wood-paneled walls create a stunning atmosphere, perfect for capturing the charm of this historic bookstore. The afternoon light ✨ streaming through the windows added a magical glow to the space, making it an ideal time for photos 📸 For those with an interest in architecture and design, Livraria Lello is an absolute must-see 🙌 📍Rua das Carmelitas 144, 4050-161 Porto, Portugal Porto is a city that offers an endless array of beautiful spots for photography 📸 from its iconic bridges to its historic buildings and stunning coastal views 🙌🙌🙌 #europetrip #Vacation #travel

Porto is the second largest city and the largest port in Portugal. ‣ Porto is a mountain city. Some attractions may seem close, but actually require climbing. ‣ Porto has many attractions, but most are for taking photos outside. ‣ Porto has a high bridge over the river, the Dom Luís I Bridge. You can walk on the upper and lower levels, and there's a good chance of seeing a beautiful sunset from the bridge. ‣ Food and wine are cheap and delicious. It's a great place to visit and relax. ● Spend at least 2–3 days in Porto. We recommend visiting both Lisbon and Porto. Day 1️⃣ Arrive in Lisbon and explore the city. Day 2️⃣ Lisbon Day 3️⃣ Sintra / Cabo da Roca (if you have time, you can spend 2 days in Sintra) Day 4️⃣ Lisbon to Porto, explore Porto Day 5️⃣ Porto Day 6️⃣ Leave Porto ● Famous attractions: ❶ São Bento Railway Station: Blue and white tiles inside, 5–10 minutes for photos ❷ Liberty Square / City Hall / Most Beautiful McDonald's: Landmarks you will definitely pass by ❸ Carmo Church: Blue and white tiles on the exterior, 10–15 minutes for photos ❹ Livraria Lello: Most beautiful bookstore, inspiration for Harry Potter, 30-minute visit, €8 ticket ❺ Clérigos Tower: Climb to the top for views, 225 steps, €8, allow 1 hour ❻ Porto Cathedral: Mainly for the viewing platform in front of the church, 10–15 minutes, no need to enter ❼ Dom Luís I Bridge: Porto's most important landmark, walk on the upper level to the garden viewing platform ❽ Garden Viewing Platform: Jardim do Morro, one of the best places to view the Douro River and the old town on the other side, great for sunsets ❾ New Town Wharf Cable Car & Food Court: Connects the Gaia New Town Wharf at the foot of the mountain and the garden on the mountain, €7 one way, €10 round trip; the food court is next to the cable car station at the foot of the mountain ❿ Monastery Viewing Platform: One of the best places to view the Douro River and the old town on the other side, great for sunsets, higher than the garden ⓫ Church of the Holy Spirit: Blue and white tiles on the exterior, 10–15 minutes for photos ⓬ Church of Saint Ildefonso: Blue and white tiles on the exterior, 10–15 minutes for photos ⓭ Majestic Café: Most beautiful café, where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter ⓮ Café Santiago: Best restaurant for Portuguese sandwiches ⓯ Bolhão Market: Century-old market, reopened on September 15, 2022, after renovation ⓰ Palácio da Bolsa: 30-minute visit, €12 ticket, €7.5 for students ⓱ Ribeira Square: Area with riverside restaurants and cafés

This viewpoint is worth a visit! If you take the tram to Jardim do Morro, it's just a short walk to the viewpoint where you can enjoy Porto, with only a slight incline in the last 200 meters. Even those with mobility issues can reach here. The view here is stunning at any time of the day, but the sunset is truly breathtaking. This is definitely the best viewpoint in Porto, not only for the scenery but also for taking some great photos. The area can be very busy, but it's much quieter than downtown Porto. Overlooking the river, you can see old riverboats and most of the landmarks on the other side of the river, as well as the colorful old town houses and the beautiful Dom Luís I Bridge. Highly recommended!

#b&B The House of Sandeman Hostel & Suites is the world’s first branded hotel and hostel dedicated to the Porto wine brand. The location is right at the original site of the wine cellar, which is really quite thoughtful and bold. The location is super convenient, not only to enjoy the beautiful views of Porto and the Douro River, but the historic wine cellar architecture itself is a selling point. Available from 7 to 14 bed rooms to exquisite river view terrace rooms. I chose an 8-bed room, which is less than $150 HKD and includes breakfast. The room space is large and the bed space is large, no sense of oppression. The characteristic is that the bed frame is a steel hoop of a wooden cylinder of aged wine, which is very relevant. There is also a storage box with a password, private space can put clothes and their own things are no problem, size enough to fit into a large suitcase. There are two bathroom facilities and a small living room vanity in the room, which is super clean and tidy. Bath towels are free but require a deposit of 5 euros, return on check-out. There is a Wellcome drink in the social room at 7pm every night, and the river view is best on the terrace. Breakfast was at 8am. The breakfast was very rich. There is also a kitchen you can use can cook your own, kitchen equipment everything. The staff are very kind and enthusiastic, smiling A hotel that I will stay at again is really more than 100 points.

#EuropeanTravel 📍Location: Largo Aviz, 4430-999 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal While viewing the Douro River, cross the Dom Luis Bridge and go up to the observatory! The observatory is high, so the night view was really great. They also have busking, so the atmosphere is great👍 I was able to see the best sunset in front of the Douro River before watching the night view! I recommend going before sunset because you can see the sunset from the observatory. Personally, I thought the Pilar observatory was prettier than the Moru Garden! I could see the Dom Luis Bridge at once from Pilar.

#EuropeanTravel #WineryTour 📍Rua do Choupelo 250, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal 🕐 11:00 - 19:00 💵 Audio Tour & Wine Tasting 15Eur If you are traveling to Porto, this is a must-do winery tour! Portugal is a country famous for fortified wine, and Porto has many wineries! In particular, the reason I chose Taylor Winery is that even if you take the tour, you can hear the tour content explained in Korean🫶 You can tour the spacious winery for 30-40 minutes, and at the end, you can finish the tour perfectly with a wine tasting! Make sure to take a winery tour❗️❗️❗️

The Sandeman Winery, located under the Louis I Bridge, has a place to buy wine and an introduction to the history of the winery. The guides are wearing cool black cloaks, which is very characteristic of the mysterious winery. The guided tour time is from 10:00 to 12:30 in the morning and from 14:00 to 18:00 in the afternoon. Please pay attention to the guided tour time when buying tickets on site. The explanation is available in Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, etc. The guided tour explanation time is about 40 minutes. You can taste 3 different Porto wines. The guides are wearing black cloaks, which is very cool. The current fee for the guided tour and wine tasting is 19 Euros. If you have the opportunity, you can come and visit this very creative winery!

The Jardim do Morro is the best view in Porto and conveniently located near the most famous double deck bridge, Luiz I. you will find many couples and families come here to enjoy the glorious sunset. There are many vendors nearby that sell snacks and drinks for you to enjoy. The view across the river is truly stunning and one of my best memories of Porto. #europe #porto #portugal #mountainview #sunset

There’s so many port winery in porto. Augusto’s wine can drink only in porto. It was small winery but you can taste 4flavors of portwine for free. And tour price was only 5euros, bang for the buck though. Especially this winery got like private wine so good for satisfaction. When you wanna go port winery i recommend here :)#porto #Portwinery #portwine #portugal #winery #Augustos

This is the Moru Garden, known as a sunset spot in Porto. When I went there, I saw that Europeans came a few hours before sunset and enjoyed their leisure time until sunset! Maybe because the weather was cool, there were a lot of people..! The 6th or 7th is a monastery next to the Moru Garden, which is another sunset spot. ㅎㅎ #sunset spot #Porto travel

#sunset #porto #portugal #viewrestaurant I regretted so much not coming yesterday when it was clear ㅠㅠ I really gave up because my legs hurt sooooooo much after coming this close to the entrance....;;;; Just go here during the day, at sunset, and at night~ (You absolutely don't have to go inside)

#EuropeanTravel 🇵🇹Porto, Portugal 📍Taylor's Winery Tour 🍷The only Korean audio guide available during the Porto Winery Tour 🍾Self-tour of the 300-year-old Port wine cellar 🍷There is also a course tour that includes meals 🍾Tasting available at the tasting room 🍷Taylor's wine and wine supplies available for purchase 🍾Outdoor terrace seats recommended for the view of the Douro River

#EuropeanTravel #Porto Porto is a port city in northern Portugal, and it is a city that represents Porto along with the capital, Lisbon. I will introduce the Porto that I experienced 😉 💙 Dom Luis Bridge It is a bridge that connects the hills between the Douro River and was said to be the longest bridge in the world at the time of its expansion. It is said to have a very unconventional form, and it can be said to represent Porto. ♥️ Moru Garden If you cross the Dom Luis Bridge and climb the hill, you will come across Moru Garden, a famous sunset restaurant. You can see many people sitting on the lawn to watch the sunset. Busking, singing, and people from different countries gathering in groups to talk, happy voices, and the sunset of Porto. Where could be a more romantic place than this? 💛 Port Wine When you talk about Porto, you can't leave out Port wine. Fall in love with Porto with this wine with high sugar and alcohol content. 💕Egg Tart Portuguese representative dessert, egg tart!! I had 4 egg tarts in one day 🥰 Be sure to try the egg tarts that go so well with port wine 💙 Surfing Porto is famous for its great waves and surfing. Don't miss out on the 1-day surfing experience lesson

Even before I went and after I came back, I thought about Porto A city full of romance The scenery around the Douro River was nice even though the atmosphere changed depending on the weather There were too many souvenirs to buy, but the unique buildings created a wonderful scenery Porto in winter was nice #Portugal travel #Porto #Europe travel #European sensibility

🧙♂️Porto in 48 Hours｜Enter Harry Potter's Magical World + A Douro River Wine Journey ✨Tram rides/Wine cellar exploration/Blue tile art overload 🚇 Transportation Tips ▫️Metro day pass €7 for unlimited rides + free elevator access ▫️Old town requires walking, cobblestone streets not suitable for high heels ▫️Taxi from airport to city center €15/15 minutes 📸 Must-visit Photo Spots Livraria Lello Bookstore One of the world's 3 most beautiful bookstores! Spiral staircase reminiscent of Hogwarts, €9 entrance fee can be used toward book purchases, arrive at 8am for fewer crowds Dom Luís I Bridge Sit with a glass of port wine at dusk to catch the sunset, breathtaking moment when the steel dragon lights up, perfect for caramel-toned filter photos São Bento Station Epic murals made of 20,000 blue and white tiles, wear solid colors for silhouette photos Clérigos Tower Climb 230 spiral steps for a 360° panorama of red rooftops, perfect for aerial-style shots! 🍷 Wine Moments ▪️Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellar tour Taylor's winery includes wine tasting + river view terrace, €15 to unlock century-old oak barrel chamber ▪️Douro River cruise €19/1h crossing six bridges, accompanied by traditional Fado music 🍴 Food Highlights 🔥Francesinha Cheese waterfall covering steak and sausage, a calorie bomb but worth every bite! 🔥Portuguese roast suckling pig Crispy skin + orange dipping sauce at Café Santiago 🔥Pastéis de nata Near Clérigos Church at Confeitaria do Bolhão, crack the caramelized crust to reveal the creamy center ⚠️ Tips to Avoid Tourist Traps ▪️For blue tile souvenirs, look for the Vista Alegre brand ▪️Weekend market at Campo Alegre has prices starting at half off "When the tram bell rings as it passes by the church casting patches of light, you'll feel like you've stepped into an old movie 🎞️"

Here's a draft of a Trip.com post about your visit to the Porto wine cellars: A Sip of History: Exploring Porto's Iconic Wine Cellars Porto, a city that charms with its colorful buildings and Douro River views, is synonymous with one thing: Port wine. No trip to this vibrant Portuguese gem is complete without venturing across the Dom Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia, the traditional home of the Port wine cellars. On a sunny April day, we decided to immerse ourselves in the world of this fortified wine. The hotel concierge assured us that a spontaneous visit to the cellars was feasible, and as we strolled along the riverside promenade, the imposing names of famous Port houses like Sandeman, Taylor's, and Cálem emerged one after another – you certainly can’t miss them! Our initial attempt at the first cellar proved unsuccessful as all English tours were fully booked, a testament to the popularity of these experiences. Undeterred, we continued our exploration and found a welcoming spot at Cálem. Opting for a guided tour with a tasting (priced around €25), we were eager to delve into the secrets of Port wine production. The tour itself offered a fascinating glimpse into the aging process, the different grape varieties used, and the distinct categories of Port – from the ruby red to the tawny hues. While the historical and technical details were informative, I must admit that the tour felt a little drawn out for my personal taste. However, learning about the intricate craft behind this celebrated drink was undoubtedly worthwhile. The highlight, as expected, was the tasting. We sampled three distinct styles of Port wine, each with its own unique character and aroma. It was a delightful introduction to the nuances of this Portuguese specialty. Afterwards, we explored the extensive on-site shop, a treasure trove of Port wines ranging from very accessible bottles (around €10-€15) to prestigious vintage selections commanding prices of €50 and upwards. It's easy to get carried away with the sheer variety on offer! Here's a little tip we discovered afterwards that might be helpful for fellow travelers: it's often possible to opt for a Port wine tasting experience without committing to the full guided tour. If, like me, you prefer a more direct route to the flavors, this could be an ideal option. Perhaps a simple inquiry about "tasting sets" at the cellar reception could save you some time and cater to a more independent exploration. Despite the slight detour in our plans, our visit to the Porto wine cellars was an essential and enriching part of our Porto adventure. It's a journey through history and flavor that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for this iconic Portuguese drink. So, when in Porto, be sure to raise a glass (or three!) to the legacy of its celebrated wine. Have you visited the Port wine cellars in Porto? Share your favorite experience in the comments below! #thingstodo #porto #portugal #wine #localfood #travel

On the hillside of Porto, Portugal, Taylor’s Winery is located beside the long river of history, full of historical witnesses from ancient times to the present. This visit is not only a wine tasting experience, but also a cultural exploration through time. The large oak barrels neatly arranged in the winery exude a rich aroma of wood and wine. The air is filled with the unique sweet aroma of aged port wine, making you feel as if witnessing the unique story of each bottle of wine. The guided tour is easy to understand, with explanations of everything from brewing techniques to storage details, allowing every visitor to have a deeper understanding of the winemaking process, demonstrating the winery's commitment to quality and history. The wine tasting session was particularly exciting. From the younger Ruby Port to the 10- and 20-year-old Tawny Port, each wine has its own unique flavor and personality. The aroma progresses from red fruits, caramel to nuts and leather. The taste is rich and full, with a long aftertaste, which is impressive. #Porto

#April Travel Support Fund Sunset seen from Moru Park - A golden magical moment Moru Park is located on a hill right next to the upper part of the Dom Luis Bridge, on the Gaia side. You can see the whole view of Porto city at a glance, and the sunset over the Douro River is truly fantastic. There are many benches in the park, and food trucks and busking performances are often held, so you can leisurely listen to music and watch the sunset. When the sky slowly turns from orange to purple, everyone stops talking and becomes absorbed in the scenery. A glass of Porto wine I had here and the sunset that unfolded before my eyes became a memory that I will remember for the rest of my life. It was a place that was much more impressive in person than in the photos.

#April Travel Support Fund Porto is romantic and beautiful everywhere, and it was attractive both day and night. In particular, Moru Park and Dom Luis Bridge are must-visit attractions. Moru Park is a wide and quiet space where you can relax in nature and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I recommend starting from there and crossing Dom Luis Bridge. When you cross the bridge, you can feel the contrasting charms of Porto at the same time. During the day, you can see the city's lively appearance, and at night, you can see the fantastic night view. This route is the perfect travel course to experience the true romance of Porto. Recommended Route: Starting from Moru Park and crossing Dom Luis Bridge. The park was quiet and full of nature, so it was great for a leisurely walk. From the bridge, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of downtown Porto and the Douro River, and pass through the Ribeira district to finish at São Bento Station. It was the perfect course to feel the beauty of Porto all at once.

This place is called VinteVinte Chocolate, located in Porto, Portugal. I had a great time here because of the various experiences it offers. I tried wine tasting here, and they provided me with a variety of wines. Among them, some had a deeper and richer flavor, while others were lighter. This experience was great because it helped me discover my preferences. If you're unsure about your favorite style, I recommend visiting this place for a tasting. You can also purchase a small glass of wine, so I highly recommend giving it a try.

#Overseas travel This is a cafe in Furt. In this case, they sell various coffee drinks and breads, but you can also taste wine. There is a menu where you can taste four types of wine and even get matching chocolates, so I recommend that you take a look at it once and order it. Also, there is a place next to it that sells chocolates, so it is good to buy them together and look around. Also, the interior of the cafe is uniquely and beautifully decorated, so it seems to be a good place to take pictures. If you are wondering which cafe to go to in Porto, I recommend that you visit this place once. #European travel #European travel destination recommendation #European travel destination #Portugal travel #Porto travel #Cafe recommendation

I found this street art while walking around Portugal 🎨 "Half Rabbit by Bordalo II" At first glance, this art looks like a painting, but it is actually made using recycled materials. The streets are picturesque wherever you walk, but appreciating these artworks is also one of the attractions of sightseeing in Porto! 📍Location: Rua Guilherme Gomes Fernandes Rua, R. Dom Afonso III de, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal #Spring0yentrip

#europetravel If you asked me what Porto is about, I’d say the view of “bridge Ponte Luis I over Douro River”. Because it truly is the most scenic trademark view of Porto ever. In fact, the viewpoints are completely filled with tourists even in Jan which is one of the lower tourist seasons; that gives you an idea how central of a role this view plays in Porto tourism. And of all viewpoints, I personally find Miradouro da Serra do Pilar the best. Best angles of the houses on the hill, the bridge, and the sunset. You have two choices to reach this point: the road above the bridge, and that underneath the bridge. I recommend you to come up from the latter, then go back via the former. That should give you more variety of views.

I went on a tasting tour of port wineries in Porto. Port wine is a sweet dessert wine, so it's easy to drink even for wine beginners. Recommended here ↓ Porto Augusto's 📍Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LVusW1d7Cf2BgJ1N9 Tastings here start at 5 euros, but if you purchase the wine you tasted, you can get a discount on the tasting price. Wine purchases start at 15 euros, so they're cheap and recommended. They serve wines of various ages, but when you taste them, you'll notice that the older the wine, the deeper the flavor. The price is higher, but please compare them. #0yentripFebruary2025 #Portugal #Porto

Introducing Jardim do Morro, a spectacular spot with a panoramic view of the fashionable city of Porto in Portugal. It's close to downtown Porto and is a very popular photo spot! Locals were relaxing in the square, walking their dogs and lying down. ⛲️Spot name: Jardim do Morro 📍Location: Avenida Republica, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal 🕰️Opening hours: 24 hours 💰Admission fee: Free 🚉Access: From São Bento Station, cross the Dom Luís I Bridge and take the road on the left and climb the hill. #Portugal #European travel #spectacular view #spectacular spot #0 yen trip February 2025

#EuropeanTravel ㅇ Location: Bacalhoeiro ㅇ Address: Av. de Diogo Leite 74, 4400-111 Vila Nova ㅇ Business hours: 12:00-23:00 ㅇ Key points: View, friendliness Actually, I went in because they were trying to solicit customers, but I fell in love with the view, the friendliness, and the taste..! The bread is really delicious and the sauce is the best I also fell in love with the relaxed and leisurely atmosphere

3 days and 2 nights trip to Portugal From Spain, flights as low as HK$150✈️ After arriving, of course you can eat Portuguese tarts everywhere🥚 Porto's railway is very complete, you can take the railway to everywhere🚈 Recommended attractions 1. Praça da Liberdade 2. Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar 3. Luís I Bridge I walked to all the above attractions, taking photos while walking, and a day passed unknowingly🌉 If you have time, you can also go to the musical theater and the beach for a very chill trip. #globaltravel #europe #portugal #porto

#EuropeanTravel ㅇ Place: Dick Bar, The Dateman ㅇ Location: Porto, Portugal ㅇ Address: Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia ㅇ Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ☑️ Classy atmosphere..🌹 ☑️ Classic interior that lets you feel Portugal ☑️ You can see luxury and a spectacular view ☑️ Even though it's a 5-star hotel, the price is more reasonable than you think(?) ☑️ I feel like I'm being treated very kindly..🤍