Departure by coach from the Villa Nova de Gaia Quay, facing Porto from across the Douro river and the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, built between 1881 and 1886 by French engineer Theophile Seyrig, one of Gustave Eiffel's pupils.
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, stands out from the steep banks of the Douro river with its mixture of grey facades and red tiles interspersed with unusual architectural masterpieces.
Its historical center was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. We'll discover The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building), built in 1834 by the city's Commercial Association. It has remained their headquarters to this day. After climbing up the beautiful granite and marble stairway, we'll visit the former Tribunal Room, the Golden Room and the Arab Room, decorated in the exotic Moorish Revival style. Afterwards, we'll visit the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), also known as the "Golden Church”. It was originally a modest convent founded by Franciscan monks in the 12th century, before being further altered by prominent Porto families in the 15th and 16th centuries. They were responsible for the Baroque style interior which mingles with the large, elaborate rose window in Gothic style on the main façade in a fascinating mixture of styles reflecting the various eras it went through.
We'll cross the Dom Luis I Bridge again back to Villa Nova de Gaia for the visit of a wine cellar. Porto's pride notably stems from its famous wine known the world over, which you will get to taste*. We'll return on board by coach.
PLEASE NOTE
- Good walking shoes are recommended.
- *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
Departure by coach from the Villa Nova de Gaia Quay, facing Porto from across the Douro river and the famous Dom Luis I Bridge, built between 1881 and 1886 by French engineer Theophile Seyrig, one of Gustave Eiffel's pupils.
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, stands out from the steep banks of the Douro river with its mixture of grey facades and red tiles interspersed with unusual architectural masterpieces.
Its historical center was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. We'll discover The Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building), built in 1834 by the city's Commercial Association. It has remained their headquarters to this day. After climbing up the beautiful granite and marble stairway, we'll visit the former Tribunal Room, the Golden Room and the Arab Room, decorated in the exotic Moorish Revival style. Afterwards, we'll visit the Igreja de São Francisco (Church of Saint Francis), also known as the "Golden Church”. It was originally a modest convent founded by Franciscan monks in the 12th century, before being further altered by prominent Porto families in the 15th and 16th centuries. They were responsible for the Baroque style interior which mingles with the large, elaborate rose window in Gothic style on the main façade in a fascinating mixture of styles reflecting the various eras it went through.
We'll cross the Dom Luis I Bridge again back to Villa Nova de Gaia for the visit of a wine cellar. Porto's pride notably stems from its famous wine known the world over, which you will get to taste*. We'll return on board by coach.
PLEASE NOTE
- Good walking shoes are recommended.
- *Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.
- The order of the visits can change.
- Times are approximate.
Cruises
This shore excursion is available for one or several cruises
The Douro River, the spirit of Portugal (port-to-port cruise)
PORTO - REGUA - PINHAO - VEGA DE TERRON - Salamanca - BARCA D'ALVA - FERRADOSA - PINHAO - PORTO
Visit Spain and Portugal connected by the Golden River. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Douro opens its doors where you will discover terraced vineyards, typical villages, quintas and their wines all along the river. Explore Salamanca, named as “the small Rome” classified World Heritage by UNESCO, don’t miss out its cathedral. Embark for an unforgettable journey through these magnificent countries.