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

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.

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

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

ㅇ Place: The Yeatman Dick bar ㅇ Location: Porto, Portugal ㅇ Address: Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia ㅇ Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ☑️ Luxurious atmosphere..🌹 ☑️ 5-star hotel with wine pairing ☑️ Offers luxury and an amazing view (terrace view is fantastic) ☑️ Despite being a 5-star hotel, the prices are surprisingly reasonable ☑️ Lots of foreigners, giving it a truly international feel

ㅇ Place: The Yeatman Dick bar ㅇ Location: Porto, Portugal ㅇ Address: Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia ㅇ Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ☑️ Luxurious atmosphere..🌹 ☑️ Classic interior that lets you feel Portugal ☑️ You can enjoy luxury and an amazing view ☑️ Despite being a 5-star hotel, the prices are surprisingly reasonable ☑️ Extremely friendly service, makes you feel pampered..🤍

ㅇ Place: The Yeatman ㅇ Location: Porto, Portugal ㅇ Address: Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia ㅇ Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ☑️ Welcome drink of delicious Porto port wine upon check-in ☑️ Interior that gives you a feel of Portugal ☑️ Luxurious with an amazing view ☑️ Complimentary bottle of champagne if you book through Shinon Travel ☑️ The view is so beautiful..🤩 Enjoying cup noodles while looking at the view is just perfect lol

Location: The Yeatman City: Porto, Portugal Address: Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ☑️ Welcome drink of delicious Porto port wine upon check-in ☑️ Interior that captures the essence of Portugal ☑️ Luxurious ambiance with stunning views ☑️ Experience the exclusive services of a 5-star hotel ☑️ Beautiful lobby..🤩

#chillandthrill #Tropicalretreats #portugal I was strolling the street of Vila Nova de Gaia in Porto when I came across this eye-catching store. Turns out this is actually Portuguese Sardine store. The concept is very attractive with well designed interiors. The place really reflects the art of seafood canning and presents them in classy way. It is such a cool and fun experience in buying souvenirs!

#newyearnewtrip The attractions around Jardim do Morro are Teleférico de Gaia (Gaia Cable Car), Serra do Pilar Monastery - a UNESCO World Heritage site, Dom Luís I Bridge - a pedestrian access on its upper and lower levels, Port Wine Cellars - perfect place for wine tasting and tours and Cais de Gaia - a riverside promenade filled with restaurants, bars, and cafés. You should visit those attractions either before or after Jardim do Morro.

#newyearnewtrip The night view of Jardim do Morro is one of its most enchanting aspects, offering a magical experience as the city of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia come alive with lights. The illuminated Dom Luís I Bridge becomes a central feature, casting a golden glow over the Douro River. The park is quieter at night, it is definitely worth to stay after sunset until the lights up to see the beautiful lights of building and bridge.

#newyearnewtrip You can reach Jardim do Morro either by metro - take the D Line (Yellow Line) to the Jardim do Morro Station and the garden is right outside the station; by car - arking is available in Vila Nova de Gaia, though it can be limited during peak times; or by foot - cross the upper level of the Dom Luís I Bridge from Porto and the garden is just a short walk from the bridge. It is an excellent spot for both daytime and nighttime visits.

#newyearnewtrip Jardim do Morro features lush greenery, walking paths, and plenty of benches, making it a peaceful retreat from the city's bustle. It is a great place for picnic and wait for sunset as there are often hosts events, street performances, and live music, adding to its lively atmosphere. Besides the sunset and lively atmosphere, you will get to enjoy the stunning views of Porto's historic Ribeira district and the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.

#newyearnewtrip Jardim do Morro is a beautiful garden and park located in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, on the southern bank of the Douro River. From the garden, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Douro River, Porto’s Ribeira district, and the surrounding area. It’s a favorite spot for visitors for photography and relaxing, especially during sunset, to enjoy the sunset with river breeze. Entry to the garden is free.

#newyearnewtrip Jardim do Morro (Garden of the Hill) is a public garden and from here, you able to overlook the Douro River and offers panoramic views of the historic center of Porto and landmarks. You can relax here while waiting for the sunset and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. It’s definitely a picturesque landscape. Worth a visit for sunset and the stunning view.

#JanuaryTravelSupportEvent Morro Garden, a must-visit place in Porto🇵🇹 Morro Garden, the epitome of romance in Porto, is a must-visit place at least once a day. Enjoy a beer or a glass of wine while watching the busking at the sunset, and you're done for the day! 🥺 If you want to travel leisurely to Porto, be sure to visit Morro Garden. If you walk from the 2nd floor of the Dom Luis Bridge, you can go straight to the Morro Garden. The view you see while crossing the bridge is also very beautiful:) 📍Morro Garden Jardim do Morro / Jardim do Morro, 4430-210 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal #Europe #EuropeanTravel #EuropeanEmotion #EuropeanTravelDestination #EuropeanTravelDestinationRecommendation #Porto #PortugalTravel #PortuTravel #Portugal #PortuNightView #portugal #porto #portugaltravel #europetrip #europe #portotravel #JardimdoMorro

1828 Restaurant, a gourmet palace with gorgeous decoration and luxurious atmosphere, is waiting for every gourmet lover to visit. 💎When you step into the restaurant, the first thing that catches your eye is the marble floor, with white and gray patterns that look elegant and generous. The restaurant has many neatly arranged tables and chairs, each with a white tablecloth, providing diners with a clean and tidy dining environment. The walls are covered with golden decorations and paintings, which not only add to the artistic atmosphere of the restaurant, but also create an unparalleled luxurious atmosphere. 🎨The restaurant's ceiling is equipped with round chandeliers, which emit warm and soft light, making the whole restaurant look more warm and comfortable. In the background, a row of windows stand quietly, through which you can vaguely see the scenery outside, bringing a touch of tranquility and comfort to the diners. The whole restaurant is quiet and silent, only soft music flows in the air, creating an elegant and quiet dining atmosphere. 🥩And in 1828 Restaurant, the most attractive is its Portuguese steakhouse. Here, we focus on providing high-quality steaks, the most classic of which is the top local aged steak "el capricho" cooked with Josper Grill. 💗Josper Grill is known for its unique cooking method, which can perfectly lock the juice and flavor of the steak, so that every bite can taste the tender and juicy steak. The steak "el capricho" is made from the finest local beef, which is aged for a long time to make the meat more delicate and the flavor more intense. During the cooking process, the chef will precisely control the grilling time according to the thickness and doneness of the steak to ensure that each steak reaches the best taste. In terms of seasoning, the restaurant offers a variety of salts such as sea salt and rose salt for customers to choose from, so that customers can adjust the taste of the steak according to their own taste preferences. In addition to the delicious steak itself, the restaurant also offers a variety of side dishes such as fries and grilled tomatoes. 🍟The fries are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with excellent taste; the grilled tomatoes are sweet and sour, adding a touch of freshness to the steak. These side dishes not only enrich the taste of the steak, but also make the whole dish more perfect. In addition, 1828 Restaurant also offers young vintage port wine for customers to taste. Port wine is famous for its unique brewing process and rich flavor, while young vintage port wine is fresher and more fruity, and goes well with steak. 🍷After tasting the delicious steak, a glass of young vintage port wine is undoubtedly a great enjoyment. 1828 Restaurant is highly regarded for its gorgeous decoration, luxurious atmosphere and high-quality steaks. Whether you want to taste authentic Portuguese steak or enjoy an unforgettable dining experience, this is a must-visit place.

In this warm and relaxing picture, Golden Catch Restaurant presents us with a wooden table full of delicious food, as if inviting every diner to share this feast of sight and taste. Every detail on the table reveals the restaurant's careful selection of ingredients and deep understanding of the culinary arts. Today, let's go to Golden Catch to taste the harmonious collision of land and sea and experience the modern interpretation of Portugal's rich culinary traditions. 🥗 The salad is a light and refreshing mix of fresh green vegetables, colorful fruits, and crushed nuts, adding a touch of freshness to the table. 🦐 The most eye-catching dish is the lobster. The lobster meat is fresh, tender, firm, and elastic, and the shell is bright red, showing the restaurant's strict requirements for the freshness and quality of the ingredients. 🐟 In addition, one of the signature dishes of Golden Catch Restaurant is the warm and rich seafood soup that is loved by diners. This soup is made with fresh fish, shellfish, and a variety of vegetables, and is rich in flavor and nutrients. 🍞 The crispy and soft bread adds a few layers to the soup, allowing you to feel the rich changes in your mouth while tasting the delicious food. On a cold day, a bowl of seafood soup will make you feel comfortable and relaxed. At Golden Catch Restaurant, you can not only taste the perfect fusion of Portugal's rich culinary traditions and modern flavors, but also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the old town. The restaurant's floor-to-ceiling windows allow diners to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the old town while enjoying the food. Whether it is the tranquility and peace of the early morning or the bright lights of the night, it will become an unforgettable background for your meal. In short, Golden Catch Restaurant has become a food paradise in the hearts of many diners with its exquisite dishes, comfortable dining environment, and high-quality service. Whether it is a family gathering, a meeting with friends, or a business dinner, this is a great place to go. Let's meet at Golden Catch and taste the harmonious collision of land and sea!

In a corner of the bustling city, there is a hidden gem of a restaurant called Mira Mira, located next to WOW. Mira Mira is not just a place to eat, it is a journey of taste and a cultural exploration, led by internationally renowned chef Ricardo Costa. He skillfully combines the essence of Portuguese tradition with international innovation to bring diners an unprecedented culinary feast. The walls may be adorned with artworks reflecting Portuguese culture, allowing diners to feel the exotic atmosphere from across the Atlantic before tasting the food. The layout of the tables and chairs ensures privacy while maintaining openness, allowing each guest to enjoy the food while feeling the harmonious coexistence with the surrounding environment. As the soul of the restaurant, Ricardo Costa creates a series of exquisite dishes for Mira Mira with his deep understanding of ingredients and pursuit of culinary art. Here, each dish is a tribute to Portuguese traditional cuisine and a combination of modern innovation. For example, the classic Portuguese seafood rice (Arroz de Marisco), under Ricardo's skillful hands, not only retains its rich ocean flavor but also incorporates novel seasoning and plating art, giving this traditional dish new vitality. Or the grilled fish, featuring freshly caught fish, with crispy skin and tender flesh, paired with a special lemon butter sauce, each bite is the ultimate interpretation of seafood delicacy. In addition to the mouth-watering dishes, Mira Mira's quality wine list is also impressive. It features a selection of wines from Portugal and around the world, from classic regions to emerging wineries, each bottle carefully selected to perfectly complement the restaurant's dishes and enhance the overall dining experience. Whether it's a rich red wine, a refreshing white wine, or a lively sparkling wine, you can find them here to satisfy different diners' taste preferences. Mira Mira Restaurant, a place for a taste journey, awaits every life-loving, quality-pursuing person to explore. Here, every bite of food and every drop of wine will turn into unforgettable memories, staying in your heart for a long time.

#DecemberTravelSupportEvent I tried the must-eat food during my trip to Porto, and among them, Francesinha was really impressive! This dish, which is layered with various types of meat, ham, and cheese and topped with a spicy yet rich sauce, let me feel the flavor of Porto as soon as I took a bite. It was very filling when eaten with French fries. Also, bacalhau (cod dish) is a must. Its soft taste, which contains Portuguese tradition, added to the enjoyment of the trip. Porto wine that I drank with the food was the perfect ending. I want to visit Porto again just for this taste!

#DecemberTravelSupportEvent The night view of Porto was crazy! The lights along the Douro River and the beautiful scenery of the Ribeira area were literally like a movie scene. In particular, the river and city lights seen from the Dom Luis Bridge were overwhelming. The night view from the wineries and restaurants was romantic itself, and the live music on the streets further enhanced the atmosphere. The night view was even more enchanting in person than it was to capture on camera. If you go to Porto, be sure to enjoy the night!

Porto in northern Portugal is famous for its wine production. Its historic winery attracts countless tourists to visit🍷 This time I visited the famous Sandiman Winery, which has a history of more than 200 years. Sandiman is famous for its high-quality port wine. Every bottle of wine here carries a rich history and craft heritage🍇🍷 Tourists can take a guided tour of the winery to learn about the production process of port wine. It is recommended to make an online reservation in advance to ensure that there is enough time for the visit. After arriving at the Sandiman Winery, there will be a guide wearing a cloak to receive and provide an introduction. It is a real Mr. Cloak🤣 Visitors will visit the production process of the winery. The guide will carefully introduce the winemaking process. You can see rows of wine cellars, which is very spectacular. There is also a tasting session at the end of the tour. Try two different flavors of red and white port wine. Feel the Portuguese wine culture. It is really a unique experience✨ Of course, after the tour, you can go to the shopping area to buy the winery's products as souvenirs💗 #GlobalTravel

This historic Mcdonald’s building is one of the greatest i have visited. with stained glass interiors and an imperial eagle it is a thing of beauty and worth visiting.

Great tour to see the workings of a port lodge with some very good tastings post tour. Would highly recommend as a visit in porto