Location: Porto
Top Things to do in Porto
What to do and see in Porto, Northern Portugal: The Best Bridges
The town that gave the country (and port wine) its very name, Porto is Portugal’s second-largest metropolis after Lisbon. Sometimes called Oporto, it's an age-old city that has one foot firmly in the industrial present. The old town, centered at Ribeira, was built on the hills overlooking the Douro River, and today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 14th-century São Francisco church is a main attraction, as are the local port wine cellars, mostly located across the river at Vila Nova de Gaia.
Restaurants in Porto
1. Ponte de Dom Luis I
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,398 reviews
Built in 1886, this bridge links Porto and Gaia.
Reviewed By 364anac - Porto, Portugal
This Eiffel style bridge is the perfect spot to see the Rebelo boats where the Oporto wine barrels were carried down the river from the Douro valley, the historic Porto town center and a perfect background for the trip picture from the Gaia cable car (teleférico de Gaia)
2. Ponte do Infante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Infante Bridge was inaugurated on 30 of March 2003. It was designed by the engineer Adão da Fonseca and it was built to replace the upper deck lane of Luís I Bridge.
Reviewed By bogdanc600 - Bacau, Romania
Although not so popular as Ponte Dom Luis I, this bridge gives you a nice view over the Douro river.
3. Ponte Maria Pia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Maria Pia Bridge was built between 1876 and 1877, being inaugurated on 4th of November 1877. Its construction was in charge of the Parisian company Eiffel & C.ª, twelve years before the construction of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris./
4. Porto Bridge Climb
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,264 reviews
The only place in Europe where one can visit the arch of a bridge, experiencing an both iconic and impressive building for its size and elegance; it is the only national monument of the twentieth century in Porto. All tours are guided and include a number of safety equipments - harness, lifeline and handrail; even those who have vertigo can climb! Once we reach the top, there is a unique view of Porto, in a quiet and relaxing place that is now open to the public for the first time in 53 years. At the foot of the arch, an exhibition on the construction of Arrabida and the other 5 bridges that connect Porto and Gaia invites for a stroll on the riverside.
Reviewed By karenwY4979GC
We booked this in advance of arriving in Porto having seen it on 'Travel Man'. My husband was a bit nervous as he is not a fan of heights but the guide taking us up was most re-assuring and competent. We also opted for the optional group photos which were very reasonably charged and the ones taken by the drone were particularly impressive. We caught the tram down to the bridge which worked out well and really enjoyed the glass of port in the chocolate cup at the top to celebrate our achievement - highly recommended!
5. Ponte da Arrabida
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By I7935RSdaves - Kendal, United Kingdom
Walked west alongside the river from Vila Nova de Gaia. Read on Google that there were lifts to the top of the bride and pedestrians can walk across. This is out of date. The lifts are no more and the top level of the bridge is closed to pedestrians. You can book to "climb" over the arch. Instead, we walked further on to take the taxi boat across the river. Costs 2 euros and is fun!
