What to do

The possibilities are endless.
Jorge and Patrícia will be pleased to talk with you and suggest places to visit, from the essential to the most unusual. Jorge, born in Porto, can help you discover the city. He will be able to accompany you for a walk, an afternoon of Fado, an excursion in the surroundings, a circuit on the Douro River or others, depending on your wishes.
Estrela de Gaia awaits you for an unforgettable stay!

On Foot

«Cais de Gaia»: is a cozy historic district of Vila Nova de Gaia, whose streets will enchant you.
A 100 meters from Estrela de Gaia, the banks of Douro River awaits you for a walk, to contemplate the Ribeira do Porto, located on the other bank, the D. Luís bridge and the emblematic “Rabelos”.
https://www.guiadacidade.pt/pt/poi-cais-de-gaia-17155

Porto, centro histórico: Passing the lowest level of the D. Luís bridge, you will reach the historic center of Porto and its picturesque medieval streets in just a few steps.
In less than 10 minutes, you can reach the upper level of the bridge, which offers a magnificent panorama from the top of its 60 meters. Reserved only for pedestrians and subway, it allows you to reach the high districts of the city of Porto, the cathedral and its spectacular view.
https://www.porto.fr/ribeira

Jardim do Morro: Located at the top of the D. Luís bridge, it has a splendid view of the Douro River and Porto and is a popular place for the lovers of colors that adorn the city at sunset!
Climbing a few more meters, you will find the Serra do Pilar viewpoint, the highest point in Gaia, which offers an exceptional panoramic view.

Serra do Pilar: former monastery from the 16th century listed as World Heritage by Unesco, one of the most notable buildings of classical European architecture. There is the possibility to visit the dome and the circular cloister, unique of its kind in Portugal.
https://www.guiadacidade.pt/pt/poi-mosteiro-da-serra-do-pilar-15380

On the piers of Gaia, the Corpus Christi Convent, dating from the 16th century, with a magnificent painted wooden ceiling, has become a place for temporary exhibitions, and sometimes also musical shows.
http://www.cm-gaia.pt/pt/eventos/espaco-corpus-christi/

Cable car: Walking along the Douro River, you will reach the cable car that will take you to the upper level of D. Luís bridge and to Jardim do Morro. The trip during a few minutes and is an opportunity to admire the river, on each of its banks, Porto and Gaia.
Tel + 351 223 741 440
www.gaiacablecar.com

Afurada, After walking about 45 minutes along the river on a pedestrian path, you can reach the charming and typical streets of Afurada. Conviviality and tradition together make this fishing village a unique place.

Estuary, a 5 km
2 km after Afurada, just before the river mouth, there is a beautiful nature reserve for birds. Lovers will admire many species, depending on the season. Nice destination to end the day with a beautiful sunset over the estuary.
https://www.parquebiologico.pt/reserva-natural-local-do-estuario-do-douro

Cockburn Cellars
Less than 15 minutes walking, there are the Cockburn cellars, which combine hospitality and quality, our favorites! You can have a pleasant visit to the winery in a small group, accompanied by enthusiasts of the wine tradition. Here the artisanal production of wooden barrels continues. To conclude, a tasting of excellent port wines will delight you.
Rua de Serpa Pinto 346, Vila Nova de Gaia
Tel: +351 913 007 950
www.cockburns.com

Teixeira Lopes Museum House (19th century)
A 15 minutes walks up Rua Cândido dos Reis is the sculptor’s house, now transformed into a museum that hosts temporary exhibitions by various artists in this beautiful building and has a permanent collection of plaster, marble and bronze sculptures, displayed in home and in the beautiful courtyard.
Rua Teixeira Lopes 32, Vila Nova de Gaia
Tel: +351 223 742 904
http://www.patrimoniocultural.gov.pt/pt/museus-e-monumentos/rede-portuguesa/m/casa-museu-teixeira-lopes/

By Bicycle

Bicycle rental is possible nearby. You can easily reach the village of Afurada by cycling along the river. Then, continuing a 30 kilometres cycle path along the ocean and the views will enchant you. Ideal for exploring the village of Afurada, the bird reserve and the many successive beaches (among others, the beaches Madalena, Lavadores, Salgueira, Miramar).
At 15 km, the typical village of Senhor da Pedra and its chapel stand on a rocky promontory overlooking the ocean.
Then you will find the charming village of Aguda and its port.
At 30 km, the seaside resort of Espinho. To enchant your taste and for breaks, bars and restaurants, will not be lacking along the way.

In Several Transport

«Casa da Musica», architectural reference in Porto characterized by its modernity and acoustics. In addition to a varied program of shows, there is the possibility of guided tours to there.
Avenida Boavista 604 ,Porto
Tel: +351 220 120 220
https://www.casadamusica.com/

Serralves Museum
This place combines culture, nature and art. Brilliant architecture in this contemporary art museum, located in a magnificent park, with varied and impressive trees.
Rua Dom Joao de Castro, Porto
Tel:+351 226 156 500
www.serralves.pt

Soares dos Reis Museum: the oldest national museum in Portugal, located in the Palácio dos Carrancas. It has collections of paintings, sculptures and objects of portuguese and foreign art.
Rua D.Manuel II, Porto
Tel:+ 351 223 393 770
https://www.porto.fr/musee-soares-dos-reis

City’s Park
This park located near to the ocean is the largest urban park in the country. With multiple trails up to ten kilometers, it offers an atmosphere with vegetation, fauna and flora: a beautiful place for walk with family after enjoying the beach.
Avenida da Boavista, estrada interior da Circunvalação Porto
Tel: +351 225 320 080
http://www.cm-porto.pt/jardins-e-parques/parque-da-cidade

Botanical Garden of Porto
This 4-hectare garden, now a botany department at the University of Porto, can be visited. Representative of the leisure areas in Porto in the 19th century, it has a variety of collections of plant species in its 4 hectares.
Rua Interior da Circunvalação Porto
Tel: +351 220 408 700
https://jardimbotanico.up.pt/

Parque Biológico de Vila Nova de Gaia
There are many activities dedicated to environmental education in this 35-hectare agroforestry area. Information on the website. There are many other parks worthy of interest in the city of Gaia.
Parque biologico de Gaia
Rua Cunha, Avintes, Vila Nova de Gaia
Tel: +351 227 878 120
www.parquebiologico.pt

By train

In about an hour, many trains allow you make excursions to some portuguese cities around Porto.

Guimarães: medieval city where its streets and castle await you. Historically associated with the foundation of Portugal, they will spend a pleasant day in the “cradle of the Portuguese nation”.

Braga:city known for its religious heritage. Museums, churches, basilicas that will make you delight. Among others, a little distant from the city, classified as UNESCO heritage, you will find the Bom Jesus Sanctuary: you can reach it using the hydraulic funicular and then go down on the sacred path with its majestic staircase.

Aveiro: known for its architectural heritage and its canals. You will discover the charm of this city, which was the Portuguese capital of salt, navigating the channels of ancient “moliceiros”, boats traditionally used to harvest seaweed.

Viana do Castelo: At the limits of the Lima River is this charming coastal town of Minho, with the sanctuary of Santa Luzia, which from the top provides a magnificent panorama of the Portuguese coast and the green hills. A beautiful cultural destination with, among other things, the museum of the old Gil Eanes hospital ship.

By boat

The Douro River, a world heritage site, invites you to dream. A one-hour tour of the “Rabelos” will allow you to discover the 6 bridges that connect Porto to Gaia. It is also possible to make various types of cruises that allow you to admire the fantastic landscapes of the wine region of the upper Douro. You can also combine a one-way train journey that passes along the
banks of the river and then a return by boat, where you will be dazzled by the beauty of the Douro: while admiring the impressive landscapes, vineyards and dams, you can enjoy an aperitif or a Portuguese meal.