Porto Old Town and the Douro River

Background

Porto's old town lies on the north bank of the Douro in northern Portugal, climbing the hillside from the cathedral (Sé do Porto) down to the Ribeira riverfront; the Dom Luís I Bridge spans the Douro, linking Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank. The old town has medieval lanes, colourful façades, Ribeira Square (Praça da Ribeira) and remains of the old city walls, with São Bento Station and the Clérigos Tower uphill; rabelo boats sit on the river, and the wine lodges of Gaia line the opposite bank. Porto is Portugal's second-largest city, a trading port at the mouth of the Douro. Ribeira was once the city's commercial and shipping centre: wine from the Douro valley came downriver to Porto and was stored in the lodges of Gaia across the water, so river trade shaped the city's identity and prosperity. In 1996 the Historic Centre of Porto was inscribed on the World Heritage List together with the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Monastery of Serra do Pilar. The Dom Luís I Bridge is a double-deck iron arch bridge designed by the engineer Théophile Seyrig, a former partner of Eiffel; construction began in 1881 and it opened on 31 October 1886. The upper deck carries light rail and pedestrians, the lower deck public transport and pedestrians.

Local customs

• Stroll along the Ribeira riverfront and sit at an open-air table in the square
• take a boat trip to see the old town and the bridge from the water, and watch the golden light on the river at sunset
• walk across both decks of the bridge to Gaia to visit the wine lodges
• look down over the rooftops and the river bend from the cathedral heights.

Travel tips

• The old town has many steep slopes and cobbled streets, so wear comfortable walking shoes. It is crowded at peak times and relatively quiet on weekdays or early in the morning. Opening hours and admission for each sight are subject to the official information. It can be windy on the bridge, so take care when walking across.
• Porto's public transport reaches the old town, and the riverfront is best explored on foot
• light rail crosses the bridge's upper deck between the two banks, and boat trips run on the Douro. Spring and autumn are mild and best for walking. Summer is sunny but crowded. Winter is rainier but has its own atmosphere
• bring rain gear.