Venture to the other side of the Douro River for laidback vibes, stunning Porto skylines and superb wine cellars

By Cheryl Caira

Lead image: Bridge from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia Hotspots

Sip

Churchill’s Lodge

The last fully independent British port house and a family-owned producer, this outdoor bar is well worth the stroll into the cobbled streets of the port warehouse district. Book a tour and a tasting, learn about the different aging processes in the tawny cave, and sample some artisanal cheeses with your aged ports. There’s also a garden bar that’s open seasonally, with gorgeous views across the river.

Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel

Stylish eats

1638 Restaurant and Wine Bar

If Iberian haute cuisine is the order of the day, head to Tivoli Kopke Porto Gaia Hotel and treat yourself to three-Michelin-starred chef Nacho Manzano’s inventive cuisine. A recent opening, it’s a celebration of Asturian flavours and the Portuguese Atlantic. There are two options for tasting menus – either featuring 9 or 11 ‘moments’ – teamed with carefully selected wine pairings, in particular Kopke port wines, the oldest port wine house established in 1638.

Casual eats

Mercado Beira-Rio

This lively market and food hall is a great option if you consistently have food indecision/envy. The solution? Have a little sampling of a lot. There’s the traditional local dish, Francesinha – a meaty sandwich covered in melted cheese, with a tomato-based sauce. There’s also a multitude of other stalls, whether you’re after Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá – a cod and potato dish – veggie options, pizza, empanadas, or Portuguese beer, Super Bock.

Shop

For ceramics pieces, José Fraga offers beautiful, unique pieces that are moulded by hand. You could also take a gander at Patch if you’re a fan of a concept store. It offers up a browsing experience of vintage clothing, homeware and some designer gems. For a wine experience that feels a bit like being at a theme park, head to WOW, or World of Wine. The complex has museums, restaurants and a multitude of wine-themed gifts.

Traditional rabelos

Sail

Climb aboard a rabelo – the wooden cargo boats that used to dutifully cart Port wine barrels from the Douro Valley to the many aging cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. The average tour lasts 50 minutes to an hour, and it’s a lovely way of finding your bearings and soaking up the river’s six bridges and reams of historic buildings. Just head to Cais de Gaia on the riverfront, where you’ll find a choice of operators ready to take you.

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Get Outta Town

Peneda-Gerês National Park

Around an hour’s drive from Porto, Portugal’s only national park is a protected national area full of rugged peaks, deep valleys and mountain vistas. It’s nature immersion at its finest, with waterfalls to observe, wildlife including small wild horses and eagles, and some fantastic hiking trails.

Viana do Castelo

Viana do Castelo

An easy trip by train, this historic northern city is well worth exploring for its scenic and historic architecture – including the gothic/romanesque Sé Catedral de Santa Maria Maior, and the graceful Santuário de Santa Luzia, which sits atop the hill overlooking the Atlantic.

Casa de Mateus

Casa de Mateus

Built in the 18th century and designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, a visit here is about the beautiful landscaped gardens and baroque interiors. One of the famous elements of the palace is the fact its facade is beautifully reflected in the stretch of pond on the front lawn.

Soajo region

Soajo & Vinho Verde route

You’re probably familiar with the famed vines of the Douro Valley, but why not venture to a more rustic – but no less palatable – area of winemakers and producers. In the village of Soajo in the Alto Minho region, there are traditional granaries on the hilltops, small stone cottages, and a verdant surrounding landscape that produces Vinho Verde grapes.