Things to do in

Vila Nova de Gaia

Board the original boats used to transport the Port Wine barrels from the Douro Region to Gaia and Porto. The boats have been adapted with the most modern navigation equipment to transport passengers with maximum comfort. Enjoy a journey that stretches from the historic center of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, upstream to Freixo and then downstream toward the mouth of the Douro. Take the opportunity to admire the rich and breathtaking landscape while you learn the history of the 6 bridges that unite Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto. Discover other points of interest in these two cities. 

Learn about the uniquely Portuguese musical form of fado with a live show in the intimate surroundings of the Casa do Fado. Enjoy a glass of port wine as you hear more about this aspect of Portuguese identity, declared ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO. Be transported to the Porto of old with a trip to Casa do Fado, a project developed by friends who love the music genre. Choose between three Casa do Fado venues in the historic center of Porto: A Casa do Fado - Ribeira, a 19th-century cellar, A casa do Fado - Sé, a former guitar luthier workshop, A Casa do Fado - São João Novo, located in the old pantries of the Convent / Church of São João Novo, dating from the end of the 16th century and located under the sacristy of the Church. Listen to outstanding musicians as they perform live in a venue with acoustics ideally set up for fado. Sip on a glass of port wine, the drink that Porto is famous for, as you hear more about the music and its origins.

Enjoy a traditional “6 Bridges Cruise” along the River Douro and follow in the footsteps of the old wine merchants that transported wine from the valley to the wine cellars. Get on board the boat and sail along the sparkling Douro River. Admire the beautiful landscapes and red-roofed buildings of the towns of Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia from the water. Let the old-fashioned charm of the Rabelo Boat (old wine transport ship) transport you back in time. Get to know the historic bridges that connect Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, as your boat glides under them. Learn more about their construction and curiosities, and upon arrival at the last bridge, see the sandy beaches of the seafront area Foz do Douro where the river pours into the ocean.

Embark on an electric tuk-tuk tour of Porto and discover the city's top sights. Choose between a private or shared tour and ride your tuk-tuk past Porto Cathedral in the city's historic center and down Aliados Avenue. Then, see Porto from the Douro river on a relaxing cruise. Begin your electric tuk-tuk tour in the historic city center. As you ride through the city, admire the exterior of some of Porto's most iconic landmarks, including the Sao Bento Train Station, Porto Cathedral, and the Clerigos Tower. Continue down Aliados Avenue and past Lello Bookshop to reach the banks of the Douro river. After admiring the beautiful river, finish your tour with a ride through the Stock Market Palace, passing by Miragaia on your way. After the 50-minute tuk-tuk ride, you can enjoy a ride on a rabelo, a traditional boat that will take you on a cruise on the Douro River. See the six bridges of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia on a 55-minute cruise.

In a healthful balance between Port tradition and new technologies, you will discover Douro region and Port wine – from “terroir” to the wine grapes, from the categories up to the aromas, trough our recently interactive museum, with personalized and intuitive access. In the guided visits to Cálem caves you will learn about the Douro Demarcated Region, know how the Port is produced and stay abreast of all the details of the history of this House. The cellars themselves remain active and visitable. It is there that you will learn more about the unique characteristics of each type of Port, even next to the barrels where they grow old, protected from light and heat. Then, you will be invited to a Cálem wine tasting: a white Port and a Tawny Port. With one of your guides, you will have the possibility to learn some more Port secrets and taste our wines.

Visit the Cockburn’s cellars, also known as ‘lodges’, and discover the most extensive wine cellars in the historic quarter of Vila Nova de Gaia. Located opposite the twin city of Porto across the Douro River, this region is known for its beauty.  Watch the dedicated team of coopers disassemble barrels stave by stave for maintenance and then reassemble them.  Go inside the sturdy granite walls of the Cockburn’s lodge house which boasts 6,518 seasoned oak barrels of maturing Port and the equivalent of a further 10,056 barrels held in tones and vats.  This sizeable and priceless stock provides the basis for the creation of Cockburn’s renowned Ports, including the famous Special Reserve. On this guided tour, you will have an authentic experience of a fully working Port cellar. Start your visit with a trip to the Cellars museum which charts Cockburn’s fascinating 200-year history.  A series of exhibits reveal the stories of the families that built Cockburn’s; their planting of vineyards in the Douro Valley and the making of legendary Ports that turned Cockburn's into a world-renowned producer.  Your visit continues through the working sections of the buildings where thousands of oak barrels and vats hold Cockburn’s valuable stocks of maturing wines. At this point, you will pass through the longest aging gallery of any Port cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia.  Filled with the impressive sight of thousands of barrels, stacked 4 high you'll learn about the importance of maturing Port in seasoned wood as well as the central role of the cooper. In the tasting room, you will enjoy a classic tasting, or if you select the premium tasting option then you will have the following: Classic:• Cockburn's Special Reserve• Cockburn's Late Bottle Vintage• Cockburn's 10 years old  Premium tasting with chocolate pairing:• Cockburn's Fine White paired with Passion fruit chocolate • Cockburn's 10 Years old paired with Yuzu cinnamon chocolate• Cockburn's Quinta dos Canais Vintage paired with Raspberry chocolate Vintage Tasting paired with cheese:• Cockburn's Quinta dos Canais Vintage paired with Sheep Cheese (Nisa dop)• Cockburn's 2011 Vintage paired with Goat Cheese (Beiralacte)• Cockburn's 2015 Vintage paired with Cow Cheese (S. Jorge dop) Super Premium Tour:• Cockburn's Special Reserve• Cockburn's 20 years old • Cockburn's 2011 Vintage • Tastings in the John H. Smiths room

Embark on a guided tour of the Cálem Cellars in Porto, enjoy wine tasting and an entertaining live Fado show. Listen and dance to Portuguese music as you get tipsy and enjoy an unforgettable night. Immerse yourself in Portuguese culture and listen to Fado, folk music that originated in Lisbon in the 18th century, also known as the Lisbon blues. Fado is an important part of Portuguese culture. Head to the Caves Cálem winery and embark on a guided tour of the facilities to learn about the history and traditions of port wine production. At the end of your tour, sample 2 port wines, a white port, and a special reserve. As you sip your wine, take in a live Fado performance, a style of music born in the taverns of the 19th century that has become an essential part of Portuguese culture. The performance features male and female vocalists accompanied by a traditional Portuguese guitar and a classical guitar. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the music and experience the country's soul.

Burmester has long been recognized for its Port wines and Douro DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada).  Its history started long ago in London in 1730, when Henry Burmester joined with John Nash to create Burmester, Nash & Co. and from Vila Nova de Gaia they started exporting Port wines all around Europe. Over the years, Burmester has triumphed from generation to generation, demonstrating its inherent character and determination. Character is the holistic principle of the brand, and of its wines. Arrive at the Burmester winery for an unforgettable experience. You will visit the Burmester Cellars, located next to the beautiful Luiz I bridge, with an expert guide. Learn about Port wines and the Douro DOC production process, and taste different port wines.

Explore the calm delights of the Douro River by traveling on a typical Rabelo Boat along the pastel-hued riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. On this 50 minute cruise, you'll get to breathe Porto's faded but rich history, and glimpse architectural wonders such as the Gustav Eiffel Bridge. The program includes an audio guide for the tour (Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French).

Your wine-tasting tour will start with a guided visit to the aging cellar, where distinguished wines have been maturing for more than 100 years. Here, you’ll get to know what makes Port wine so special and learn all about the place where it’s made, the Douro Valley.  Next, you’ll take a walk to the tasting room, where a harmonized sample of three different Port wines awaits your palate. As you sample the wines, learn about which foods pair well with Port wine and discover unique Port styles you might not have tasted before. Before the experience is over, you'll also have the chance to buy your favorite Port wines in the winery's store to enjoy them in the comfort of your home.