1
Douro River
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the most emblematic areas of both cities, from the sea. Some of the iconic elements you will see are the Wine Cellars, Rua do Ouro, the Clérigos Church, the Rabelos Boats (used to transport wine barrels from the north of the river) and also the Douro Estuary, a protected area with lots of wildlife.
2
Ponte da Arrabida
The Arrábida Bridge is an arched bridge over the Douro River that connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. Since the 1930s, it has been necessary to create alternative connections to the old bridges (D.
Maria Pia and D. Luís) in order to respond to the growing flow of road traffic. At the time of its construction in 1963, the bridge had the largest reinforced concrete arch of any bridge in the world.
3
Museu do Carro Electrico
Founded in 1992 with the aim of preserving and displaying a large collection of electric cars and other vehicles, with great historical and heritage value, the Electric Car Museum offers visitors the possibility of getting to know the history and development of public transport up close. on rails in the city of Porto. It is located in a building where the Massarelos Thermoelectric Power Station operated, which was built in 1915 to produce energy for electric vehicles that circulated in the city. Getting on the tram is diving into the past. Its interior remains faithful to the design of the early 20th century, where wood and iron reign supreme. The seat backs have a peculiar feature: they move, allowing the passenger to choose which way they want to turn during the journey.
The windows, with wooden frames, unlike those in more modern means of transport, open completely, allowing us to breathe in the aromas of the city.
4
Jardins do Palacio de Cristal
Crystal Palace Gardens
Its construction began in 1861, and was inaugurated on September 18, 1865 by King D. Luís. The original Crystal Palace ended up being demolished in 1951 to make way for the Sports Pavilion, today the Super Bock Arena. The Crystal Palace, designed by the English architect
Thomas Dillen Jones, was built in granite, iron and glass, with London's Crystal Palace as a model. Installed in the center of Porto, these gardens were designed by Berliner Emil David
(1839-1873), as part of the construction of the Crystal Palace building itself.
Currently, the original project still preserves the Emil David Garden at the main entrance, the Linden and Plátano Avenues, the forest and the design of the balconies over the Douro. On Avenida das Tílias, we find the Almeida Garrett Municipal Library, the Concha Acústica and the Chapel of Carlos Alberto da Sardenha.
5
Igreja da Confraria das Almas do Corpo Santo de Massarelos
It was built in 1776 and is divided into three parts by pilasters: in the central part, a gate with a split pediment, with a niche, in which the image of the patron saint, S. Pedro Gonçalves Telmo, can be seen, and two columns topped with Corinthian capitals. Above, two side windows and a large circular window. On the sides, the bell towers topped with ornaments on each face and topped by an iron cross. Between the bell towers and the entablature there is a clock. The facade is covered with tiles.
6
Alfandega Porto Congress Centre
Built in the second half of the century
XIX, the Alfândega Nova do Porto building was designed by the French architect Jean Colson, following the strong mercantile dynamism that then characterized Porto, centered on the banks of the Douro. The privileged location in the historic center of the city, on the banks of the Douro River, and the size of the historic building restored by Architect Eduardo Souto Moura, awarded the Pritzker Prize, position this space as the ideal place for events such as Congresses, Dinners, Exhibitions and Concerts, among other types of events. It is one of the largest and most awarded Congress Centers in the country.
It is one of the largest and most awarded
Country Congress Center
7
Praca Da Ribeira
Ribeira is one of the oldest, most sought after and typical places in the city and is part of the Historic Center of Porto, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of medieval origin, it has always been an area of great commerce and movement of people, due to its proximity to the river.
One of the city's most striking and charismatic personalities lived in this area of the city, the Duque da Ribeira, who was known for saving several people from drowning. For this feat, after he passed away a tribute was paid to him. The square next to the pillar of the D. Luís Bridge was named after him and a tombstone.
8
Luis I Bridge
The D. Luis I bridge is the main connection between Porto and the neighboring city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Made of metal, the bridge measures around 395 meters long and 8 meters wide and is divided into two decks that connect both the upper and lower parts of the city. The person responsible for its construction is Théophile Seyrig, who built it under orders from King Louis I, after whom it is named. Seyrig had already worked with Gustave Eiffel on the D. Maria Pia bridge, and followed his master's architectural style. Completed in 1888, the D.
Luis is still, currently, one of the most emblematic spots in the city of Porto.
9
Barcos rabelos
Rabelo boats are typical vessels on the Douro River that, for decades, transported the famous Port Wine between the remote wine region and the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Since there were no roads or railways yet, the producing farms only had the river as a way to transport the barrels. At this time, dams had not yet been built, so the Douro River was very treacherous, with fast currents that became more dangerous in the straits and gorges. The task of sailing therefore required experienced sailors to ensure that the precious nectar reached a successful port. With the completion of the railway, it is believed that the last trip of these vessels, with a view to transporting Port Wine, took place in 1964.
10
Jardim do Passeio Alegre
The Jardim do Passeio Alegre was designed at the end of the 19th century and is classified as a Property of Public Interest. It was designed by architect Émile David, who is also the architect of the Crystal Palace Gardens. It is a space rich in flora, with many of the trees found here being centuries old. Visitors can enjoy its shade and admire the place where the waters of the Douro River merge with those of the Atlantic Ocean. You can find a granite fountain, designed by architect Nicolau Nasoni, the author of the Torre dos Clérigos. Known as the "fountain of the turtle", it was built in the 18th century to adorn the gardens of Quinta da Prelada, and it was only in the 20th century that it was transferred to Jardim do Passeio Alegre. The two obelisks, which mark one of the garden's entrances, were also designed by Nasoni. Don't miss the bandstand, which occasionally serves as a stage for various concerts, and the public bathrooms, built in 1910.
