Rabelo Boats on Douro River

Set against the charming historic district of Porto, traditional rabelo boats gently float on the Douro River. These flat-bottomed boats were once used to transport barrels of wine from the upstream vineyards of the Douro Valley down to warehouses near the river’s mouth. Though tankers have now taken over their role, rabelos still sail today as cruise and ferry boats, adding a nostalgic touch to Porto’s scenic landscape.

Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia is located across the Douro River from Porto. Portugal's third largest city is famous for its numerous warehouses where the specialty of port wine is aged. Touring the wine cellars and viewing the Historic Centre of Porto on the other side of the river from observation spots is a regular part of the trip. You may also want to take the cable car that connects the hilltop to the riverside and enjoy a short stroll on the air while having the quaint scenery all to yourself.