WHAT TO VISIT IN VILA NOVA DE GAIA: 2 DAYS

FIRST DAY:

If your accommodation is in Porto, our suggestion is to start the day by crossing the Luis I Bridge on the upper deck to enjoy some of the views of the other bridges, take photos, and appreciate the history of this viaduct.

After stepping off the bridge, you'll find yourself in Jardim do Morro, a wonderful viewpoint to enjoy unparalleled views. There's no more beautiful photograph of Porto than from here! It's a favorite spot for the people of Vila Nova de Gaia to watch the sunset, although we'll reveal other places in this post. To the right, the standout feature is the Monastery of Serra do Pilar, a Monastery classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Today, it serves as the Portuguese army recruitment center, but it is open for visitors with a €4 entrance fee. The monastery's esplanade also offers a spectacular landscape.

Monastery Serra do Pilar.

After the monastery, walk along Avenida da República, the city's main artery, passing by iconic buildings such as Casa Barbot, now the House of Culture of Gaia, or the City Hall, until you reach El Corte Inglés. From there, make a detour to visit Quinta da Boeira, now transformed into a hotel, with its beautiful decoration and gardens that will make your journey worthwhile.

After visiting Quinta da Boeira, head towards the riverside of Vila Nova de Gaia via Avenida Serpa Pinto. Before that, stop at Quinta das Devesas to take a walk through its gardens and then head to the Monastery of Corpus Christi. The monastery is one of the city's most precious gems, and best of all, admission is free. Its ceilings are adorned with oil paintings on wood – you'll be amazed!

After being captivated by this visit, we recommend having lunch at Casa Adão, where the star dish is "pulpo ao pescador" (octopus fisherman style). You can't imagine what awaits you! Octopus, prawns, and clams bathed in an orange sauce made of milk and tomato, accompanied by white rice or potatoes. If you have a sweet tooth, try their best dessert: "tocinho de ceu,".

To digest the meal, what better than a visit to the Burmester Cellar, crossing the entire riverside of Vila Nova de Gaia, also known as Cais de Gaia. You'll see its most typical view with the Rabelo boats docked on its shore, lined up in front of the cellars. The Burmester Cellar is the only one designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is why we recommend it.

Later, go up to Porto Cruz's rooftop to watch the sunset, enjoy the moment, music, and bid farewell to the sun until tomorrow in a great atmosphere. After a couple of porto tonics there, go down to end the day with the best francesinha in Vila Nova de Gaia at Tapas Caffe Regional, made in a wood-fired oven. It will make you sleep like a baby once you return to the hotel after a walk.

SECOND DAY:

After waking up and having breakfast, our recommendation is to head to the train station to take the train towards Aveiro, stopping at Miramar Beach to see the Chapel of Nuestro Senhor da Pedra, which was built on the rocks, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. You can also go by taxi, Uber, Bolt, or even rent bikes. Once at the beach, 2 hours await us enjoying the Vila Nova de Gaia boardwalk, a 25km walk along the Blue Line, a wooden walkway that goes through the entire sandy coastline of this city. We recommend returning along the coast from the chapel, enjoying the beaches of Miramar, Magdalena, Marbelo, Salgueiros, until Lavadores, and reaching the Natural Reserve of the Douro Estuary, where you can enjoy the birds that inhabit it.

The ideal place is to have lunch in San Pedro de Afurada, a neighborhood in Gaia that still maintains its village essence. Our recommendation is to have a good grilled fish at the Abrigo do Pescador restaurant, which will be well-deserved after the walk. San Pedro de Afurada is the smallest neighborhood in Vila Nova de Gaia, but the most authentic. After lunch, it's ideal to walkl around the Marina. On the way back to the riverside area of Vila Nova de Gaia, you can take a pleasant walk along the walkway along the Douro River or take a taxi back.

Half-Rabbit of Bordalo II.

Once in the central area of the riverside of Vila Nova de Gaia, we recommend stopping by the Beira Rio Market, taking a technical break to taste 5 Port wines for €5 at some of its terraces. And with the body in tune, go behind the market to see and appreciate the art of Bórdalo II with his work Half Rabbit, a rabbit made from all kinds of waste, and then visit the Church of Santa Marinha and end up at WOW, the World of Wine, a cultural complex built to showcase the greatness of this city, with its 7 museums ranging from wine to textiles, cork, and chocolate. We highly recommend the Wine Experience, but even if you don't enter the museums, WOW is a great place to have a drink, enjoy the sunset, and then have dinner at one of the restaurants in the complex. Since there are options for all tastes and budgets.

If you want to learn about the stories of this city in constant modernization, don't miss our Free Tour of Vila Nova de Gaia.