When friends come to visit me in Porto, they always ask the same question: “What’s the best thing to do here?”
Sure, we have the Ribeira, the Clérigos Tower, the port wine cellars… but I always recommend the same simple thing:
take a boat ride on the Douro River.
Not everyone expects that answer. But for me, there’s no better way to feel Porto’s charm than seeing it from the water, just like people did for centuries.
This isn’t just another boat tour. You’ll be riding on a Rabelo boat, the traditional wooden boats that once carried port wine barrels from the vineyards. Today, they give us the chance to slow down and enjoy the city from the perfect angle.
The cruise takes you along the Douro, passing under six of Porto’s most iconic bridges.
Every bridge tells part of Porto’s story. From the famous Dom Luís I Bridge — the iron beauty that frames every postcard — to the elegant Maria Pia Bridge, built by Eiffel himself.
Even the more modern bridges, like Infante or Arrábida, add to the view, connecting the city’s past and present.
What I love most is how everything looks different from the river.
The Ribeira’s colorful houses, the Gaia wine lodges, the hills, the red roofs — all reflected in the water. The city feels quieter, calmer. You’re still in Porto, but you get to breathe and really look around.
It’s a short tour, less than an hour, but it’s enough to fall in love with the city all over again.
So if you’re in Porto this week and wondering what to do, this is my honest local tip: take the boat, enjoy the ride, and let Porto show you its best side.
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