Location: Vila Nova de Gaia
Top Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in Vila Nova de Gaia, Northern Portugal
Vila Nova de Gaia, or simply Gaia (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈvilɐ ˈnɔvɐ ðɨ ˈɣajɐ]; Proto-Celtic: *Cale) is a city and a municipality in Porto District in Norte Region, Portugal. It is located south of the city of Porto on the other side of the Douro River. The city proper had a population of 178,255 in 2001. The municipality has an area of 168.46 km². and a total population of 302,295 inhabitants (2011), making it the most populous municipality in Norte Region. Gaia together with Porto and 12 other municipalities makes up the commonly designated Porto Metropolitan Area.
Restaurants in Vila Nova de Gaia
1. Porto Surf Escape
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
We are on one of the best coasts of the Atlantic Ocean for surfing! If you want to try, learn or get better on your surfing, stand up paddling, bodyboarding or kitesurfing, you should call us or visit our Surf School!
2. Feeldouro
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 53 reviews
We are a charter company based in Oporto, Portugal. We have Greenline boats that we charter with and without skipper to navigate exclusively the Douro River. We present a ecologic concept and we make the difference with the best design, comfort and exclusivity. Oporto was elected Best European Destination for three years 2012, 2013, 2014 and, along with the Alto Douro region, classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
3. Megapaintman Paintball
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Paintball field located in Gaia, just 5 minutes from the center of Porto. Spend 2 hours shooting your friends in the biggest paintball field of Porto. We have 4 scenarios, all with different experiences. You play in all of them. Come spend your bachelor party with us! Previous Booking is require.
4. Mar Douro
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
Mar Douro is a nautical business that provide sailing tours and sailing experiences on the Douro river and coast line of Porto (the European best destination 2017). Mar Douro wants to provide their customers the best experiences and nautical emotions in a cheerful, private and friendly environment. The sailing tours and sailings experiences are conducted in a charming and classic motor sailor built by the reputed Swedish boatyard Hallberg-Rassy. The Hallberg-Rassy 94 Kutter with the name Argonauta has a length of 10 metres and capacity for 10 passengers and two crew. There are Hallberg-Rassy 94 Kutter who have crossed the Atlantic The hull of the boat reminds of the beautiful lines of a traditional Portuguese fishing boat. Come aboard to Argonauta and experience a different Porto, on the water…!
5. Cantinho das Aromaticas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 132 reviews
The Cantinho das Aromaticas is an urban organic farming project, unique in Europe, which produces aromatic plants from seed to final product. The entire productive garden can be visited, and it is possible to wander freely around the farm, or, if you prefer, ask for a guided visit for groups. With an area of 10 hectares, we have 3 hectares under cultivation with over 180 different herbs. In our herbal tea house you can taste several different organic herbal teas.
Reviewed By Joanalc
Definitely recommend to visit Cantinho das Aromáticas. It´s a beautiful quite big farm, the surroundings are simply breathtaking! It feels like you are travelling around the world with aromatic plants, the smells, the flavours, amazing! An unique experience just 10min. driving from Porto center. You are in the city, but completely outside. For nature lovers. Bought a lot of spices there that I use a lot for cooking.
6. Serra do Pilar Viewpoint
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,291 reviews
Reviewed By The_Loup_Garou - Phoenix, United States
While visiting the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar we took advantage of the Serra do Pilar Viewpoint, looking down on the Lower Douro Valley, and the City of Oporto, from the Vila Nova de Gaia side of the River, and parts of Vila Nova de Gaia, also. While we had specifically come for the Monastery, the Serra do Pilar Viewpoint was an added bonus. From our hotel, The Yeatman, the walk to the viewpoint is not the easiest. Though we started on high ground, to begin with, we were headed to even higher ground. For probably the most commanding view of all of the Lower Douro Valley, this is the spot! It is not to be missed, and one can throw in Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar as an added bonus. A “two-fer” if you will.
7. Estacao Litoral da Aguda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
The Littoral Station "ELA" opened to the public in July 1999 at Praia da Aguda, a small fishing village on the Portuguese Atlantic coast, located south of the river Douro estuary in the area of Vila Nova de Gaia.The station is divided into:- a Fishery Museum exhibiting ancient and modern equipment;- an Aquarium displaying the local aquatic fauna and flora;- a Department for Education and Research dedicated to marine ecology, aquaculture and fishery.
8. Zoo Santo Inacio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 558 reviews
Take a walk on the wild side and visit the biggest and greenest zoo in Porto. There are more than 600 animals and 200 different species, all living in spacious and green habitats.
Reviewed By HighWycombeCouple - High Wycombe, United Kingdom
A hidden gem that is not well signposted, but trust in Google Maps and you will be fine. We went in early February, Winter hours mean it is closed on Mondays, so beware. We were blessed with a sunny day albeit windy. Us, son and his fiancée and their 20 month old daughter. Concessions in theory are for over 65s, but being Portugal grey hair was enough. They were buying season tickets as the zoo is but a 20 minute drive for them and as twos and under are free they intend to make full use of the zoo as a regular place to go. Attractions such as penguin feeding, lion feeding etc start as soon as the zoo opens. The zoo is very much like Chester in the UK being very rare breed and conservation centric, though the site is a bit smaller than Chester. The way the enclosures are designed you get very much up close and personal to the animals. Beware of some of the monkeys as they have a habit of relieving themselves through the bars and if you are under it you will smell the rest of the day. On a peak season day the two car parks would be under pressure. It is downhill to the ticket office so, of course, it is uphill back to the car. Catering is by means of numerous cabins and vans around the whole site and a central restaurant. Low season only the restaurant was open. Well priced, but with what may be seen by some as limited choices. Animals can be adopted and your name appears on the side of the enclosure. The emphasis is on communication of issues surrounding the animals in the wild. With everything that is available by way of attractions and exhibitions the zoo caters for all ages from toddlers through to adults. In sum a great day out for all the family and well worth the 15€ admission.
9. Jardim do Morro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 425 reviews
Reviewed By Bozeman-Dublin - Trim, Ireland
A fantastic viewpoint at the upper cablecar station, one of the best views you will get of Porto. They have landscaped a beautiful park here, including an amphitheatre- like set of curved concrete benches for you to sit on and drink in the view. The best time to go is in the evening as the sun sets. There will be musicians and a great vibe as a combination of tourists and chilled locals meet to chat and watch the sun go down over the Douro and Porto . I loved it here, I went back every evening I was in Porto!
