Location: Vila Nova de Gaia
Top Things to do in Vila Nova de Gaia
Top 10 Free Things to do 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. 3+ arte
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 100 reviews
3+ arte - Cooperativa Artistica e Cultural is a Cultural project that aims to boost the arts in Vila Nova de Gaia. Art Gallery, Handicraft, Coworking, Port Wine... And more... Much more!
Reviewed By D3689FAjohnb - Northampton, United Kingdom
An "alternative" little gallery, set in an old warehouse in the heart of "port-land". We went for the port tasting and found a welcoming host and a fine sample of ports and cheeses. We chose the "basic" and "advanced" selections to share, along with two rustic cheeses from northern Portugal, tastefully presented. Our six ports, with the cheese cost approx 16 euros. We then browsed among the ethnic craft items, created by unassuming local arists and craftspersons, and bought presents for the family. Difficult to find but do persevere - such a friendly, welcoming ambience, as with so much of Porto.
2. Bintage Handmade
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Local shop with Portuguese fashion accessories careffully handmade with a unique and exclusive design.
3. Praia das Pedras Amarelas
4. 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.
5. Vasques De Carvalho
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 21 reviews
Vasques de Carvalho Brand House, located in the cellars area, aims to offer to the customers the chance to know the Port Wine with a different approach from the traditional cellar. We propose tastings in a pedagogic perspective, directed to a public interested in the Port Wine theme and its specificity, in a space designed for small groups, with sophisticated and quiet athmospheres, and also a garden, where each client may have a customized and exclusive service.
Reviewed By SonaCederquist - San Francisco, United States
After the big tasting rooms, Vasques De Carvalho was a nice respite. Small tasting room, friendly staff, & generous pours. The cheapest flight was 4 ports for 15 Euro.
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. 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!
8. Capela do Senhor da Pedra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 612 reviews
Reviewed By AkoSiAys - Bonn, Germany
This little chapel sits on some rocks on the beach. One reason enough to visit it! We reached the place by bike from the Luís I Bridge. It was a nice bicycle ride as there are good bike paths along the beach promenade. The chapel is actually simple but the location made it really unique. It is quite peaceful and hearing the waves while there is really calming. The view from the chapel is also nice. You can go around it and stay on the rocks behind the chapel to enjoy the breeze.
9. Centro Interpretativo do Patrimonio da Afurada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Paula_Trav - Helsinki, Finland
This is a small museum definitely worth visiting if you wish to undertand something about the importance of fishing in the village of Afurada (and similar places in Portugal) and the hardships associated to it. Even though small scale, the exhibition is clearly well thought out and beautifully arranged. When we visited the museum, there was an English-speaking gentleman who was able to answer our additional questions. I personally think that a visit to this small museum (and other small local museums) also serves as support and encouragement for local people to actively preserve local history and way of life, and to be proud of it.
