Vila Nova de Gaia (often referred to simply as “Gaia”) sits across the Douro River from Porto and offers some of the best views of the region, along with a slower, more relaxed vibe than the busier city of Porto. Gaia is known as the home of port wine cellars and is THE place to visit when in Porto if you want to try some of the local port wines, but it is also just a fun spot to walk over to from Porto for an afternoon, even if you’re not big into port.
Where Is Gaia & How to Get There
Gaia is on the south bank of the Douro River, directly across from Porto’s historic centre. You can easily take a cab/Uber, public transportation, or walk over the Dom Luis I Bridge to get there (which I recommend because the views are great).
The top level of the bridge carries the Porto Metro and pedestrians, while the lower level is for vehicles, and pedestrians, so if walking, you can take either option.
Best Things to Do in Gaia
Gaia combines sightseeing with the relaxed riverside wandering, so your day can combine wine tasting with scenic views. Most attractions are within walking distance, so it’s super easy to explore. We walked over from Porto, walked around touring all day, and walked back without any problems or without feeling too exhausted (I was also 6 months pregnant, so that’s saying something).
Wine Cellar Tours & Tastings
Gaia is world-famous for its port wine lodges, where barrels of port have been aged and stored for centuries. Most cellars offer guided tours and/or tastings that range from simple samples to premium experiences. Even if you aren’t big on port, or not drinking at all, it’s worth a visit. We did the tour at Graham’s and then popped into some other port houses just for tastings like Churchill’s (I obviously opted out since I was pregnant and just enjoyed the beautiful spaces and views). If you are visiting during high season, I’d recommend you book any tours in advance.
Tip: If you aren’t big on port or are visiting when you’re pregnant like I was, you can do a coffee tasting at 7g Cafe. The coffee here was delicious, even if you decide to just grab one to go.
Walk Along the Douro Riverfront
The Gaia riverfront is so beautiful. Just staring across at the Porto “skyline” is so dreamy but it’s also the liveliest and most scenic areas of the town. It’s lined with restaurants, wine lodges, outdoor terraces to enjoy port on, and little shops. Sit down for a drink on a nice day and enjoy the views.
Visit Jardim do Morro
Just above the bridge on the Gaia side, Jardim do Morro offers one of the best panoramic views of Porto and the Douro River. You’ll find travelers and locals gathered in the park for sunset daily, having picnics with bottles of wine. The vibe is awesome and the views are even better on a clear day.
Ride the Cable Car
This comes with a disclaimer because it’s very expensive for what it is (β¬7 one-way, β¬10 for return). The cable car runs between the riverside and Jardim do Morro along the waterfront and it provides a different perspective and view of Porto and Douro. The ride is SHORT (like maybe max 5-minutes one-way) but it can be a fun activity, or a good way to get back up to the bridge at the end of the day if you’re tired of walking. Opening hours vary based on time of year.
Mercado Beira-Rio
There is a really lovely food market along the riverside in Gaia called Mercado Beira-Rio. Despite the name, it’s more of an elevated food court than a market you’d go buy veggies and meat at. It’s the perfect spot to pop in for a drink, snack, or easy meal. We got a cheese board of local cheeses here and my husband paired it with a glass of port. It’s open daily from 11am-10pm.
FAQs
Is Gaia the same as Porto?
No Gaia and Porto are separate cities divided by the Douro River. However, they are easily connected by bridges and you can walk between the two cities by crossing the famous Dom Luis I Bridge.
When is the best time of year to visit Porto and Gaia?
May-June and September are the best times because they’re still shoulder season, where July and August are the hottest time of year and great for visiting beaches. However, we visited in January in low season and there was still so much to do and see so there isn’t really a bad time.
How much time do I need in Gaia?
Like anywhere, this entirely depends on what you want to do. If you want to visit a ton of port houses, you’ll probably want a couple days. However, you can easily come here just for an afternoon.
Should I stay in Gaia or Porto?
You’ll find hotels are cheaper in Gaia and it’s a quieter city but Porto is more centralized to a lot of attractions, nightlife, more restaurants, etc. so it depends on what kind of vacation you’re looking for.
Does Gaia have beaches?
Yes and they’re usually less touristy than the ones in Porto. Some popular beaches are Praia de Miramar, Praia da Aguda, and Praia de Canide. Most are about 15-25 minutes from central Gaia.
No Comments