Six Bridges Douro River Cruise Porto

The six bridges of Porto

Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia face each other across a deep river gorge, and six bridges now cross it within a few kilometres. Downstream stands the Arrábida Bridge of 1963, a single concrete arch that was a record-breaking span in its day. In the centre rises the double-deck iron bridge of 1886, with the metro running across the top deck and cars and pedestrians below, the symbol of the city on every postcard.

Upstream come a slim concrete arch bridge opened in 2003, the elegant 19th-century iron railway bridge with its crescent-shaped arch, now retired, the concrete railway bridge of 1991 that replaced it, and finally the Freixo Bridge, carrying the motorway at the eastern edge of the city. The audio commentary explains when and why each was built, and seeing them from water level shows how high the gorge really is.

The Ribeira and Porto's historic centre

From the boat you get the best view of the Ribeira, the old riverside district where narrow houses painted in ochre, blue and red rise one above the other up the hillside. This waterfront and the streets behind it are part of the Historic Centre of Porto, listed by UNESCO in 1996. Above the rooftops you can pick out the cathedral on its hilltop, the baroque bell tower of Clérigos and the stone arcades along the quay.

Many visitors ask whether the Porto six bridges cruise is worth it. It is one of the simplest ways to understand the city's layout in less than an hour, and the photos of the Ribeira from the river are some of the best you will take in Porto. After the cruise, cross the lower deck of the iron bridge on foot to explore the Ribeira streets and squares.

Vila Nova de Gaia quay

Your cruise starts and ends on the Gaia side of the river, on the long riverside promenade lined with old merchant warehouses, terraces and moored rabelo boats with their tall square sails. Vila Nova de Gaia is a separate city from Porto, but the two have grown together around the river and share the same skyline. The quay is lively from morning to night, with street musicians, cafés and views straight across to the Ribeira.

Above the quay, a cable car glides over the rooftops to the upper level of the iron bridge, and a short climb leads to the Serra do Pilar viewpoint, where a round 16th-century monastery church looks down on the whole riverfront. Combine the cruise with a visit there at sunset for the classic panorama of Porto.

Cruising the Douro in Porto

The Douro flows for almost 900 kilometres from Spain to the Atlantic, and Porto grew on its last bend before the sea. For centuries flat-bottomed rabelo boats brought goods from the upper valley down to these quays; the boat used on this cruise follows the same design, adapted with modern engines and benches for passengers. On the water you will also see rowing crews, small fishing boats and seagulls following the current.

The best time for this Porto river cruise is late afternoon, when the low sun lights the Ribeira facades, while mornings are usually calmer and less busy. Spring to early autumn brings the warmest weather on deck. If you are wondering how to get to the boarding quay, walk across the lower deck of the iron bridge from the Ribeira, or take the metro to the upper deck and the cable car down.