The Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia

After seeing the Sao Francisco church, continue on to the Ribeira. There's a trolley stop near the waterfront, if you didn't get to ride one in Lisbon.

House where Henry the Navigator was believed to have been born.

The Ribeira with the Douro River.

Houses were built above the city wall and the waterfront came right up to the wall.

Praca da Ribeira is the main square.

Cube fountain in the middle of the square.

Statue of St. John the Baptist.

Rabelos or boats with flat bottoms, big square sails and large rudders used to carry port from the Douro Valley vineyards downriver to Porto. Today, they carry tourists.

Statue celebrating the Gorse Women of Porto who transported 40-50 kg of gorse from the Douro River to the downtown area in the late 19th-early 20th century. Gorse is a plant that was used to light ovens and in fireplaces to heat homes.

Cross the Ponte Dom Louis I. The upper level can be accessed near the Se.

Vila Nova de Gaia across the Douro from Porto.

The other way to get from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia is to take the cable car.

Port wine lodges dominate Vila Nova de Gaia. If you're set on visiting specific ones, make a reservation in advance.

River cruise boats are rafted along the banks of the Vila Nova de Gaia.

2022 05 07