An original stroll along the quays of Porto, beyond the city center

Have you explored the historic center and the city center of Porto ? Have you been to the Western Porto area and visited the Porto wineries ? Does the city seem to have no more secrets for you? We suggest you expand your circle of acquaintances even further, to go and stroll along the quays in the less touristy neighborhoods ! By public transport, on foot or by electric scooter, by bike? Let's go!

Photos from the article: Porto Guide

Go for a walk past the Dom Luis Bridge on the east side

We recommend a lovely walk to admire the bridges and go to the quays where the Douro cruises depart. You can then continue to enjoy the river in its more rural habitat!

Departure from the Dom Luis Bridge, Vila Nova de Gaia side. Everyone is heading towards the quays where the Porto houses and the cable car are located, we will go in the other direction! Take Rua de Cabo Simao. It is a pretty little cobbled street, which offers you a bucolic path, with very pretty panoramas of the Historic Center and Bonfim opposite. You will pass by the Capela do Senhor de Alem, recently renovated. Continuing as close as possible to the river (do not go up the street, stay along the river), you arrive at the pier of the Infante Dom Henrique bridge. Admire its modern design !

You will pass the Ponte Dona Maria Pia, which dates from the ^19th century, it was designed in the same style as the Dom Luis Bridge. At one point, Rua Cabo Simao becomes smaller, like a small path and it always runs alongside the river. Continue to a small café and you will arrive at the quay where the cruise ships leave, larger and wider than the Rabelos. It is a nautical center and a wooden footbridge on stilts continues the path for a few hundred meters. It is bucolic! There are few tourists in this place, you will see families, fishermen... Continuing you will arrive at a pretty park and just behind, a river beach (Praia de Areinho).

We turned around at this point, but you can continue this walk to the Ponte do Freixo. There is no public transport, to continue the walk, you can either stay entirely on foot, or you can rent bikes to enjoy superb views of the Douro! Under the Ponte do Freixo, another small path of the same style continues ( Rua Pedra Salgada ), then the Passadicos Encosta do Douro, a fairly long hiking trail of about 4km, pleasant on sunny days! You will be 7km from the Dom Luis Bridge, either you return to the city by cutting through the interior, or by following the river.

From Vila Nova de Gaia to the Ocean!

Another option, in the other direction! Departure, still at the Dom Luis bridge. We will walk towards the tourist quays and then continue along the river. There is a cycle path, you can rent electric scooters (be careful to take a well-charged one) or better: a bicycle! On foot it also works, we can return by bus...

Walk along the Gaia quays and continue to the Cais de Gaia. Be careful, there are quite a few cars, but after that it will be quieter. A small footbridge allows you to stay comfortable away from vehicles. We continue to the Ponte da Arrabida. Maybe you will see people climbing it?! We continue on the Rua da Praia which will take us to the very charming Afurada district, a former fishing district. Take a trip to this picturesque little village. There are good restaurants, cozy cafes, a delightfully slow atmosphere compared to the center of Porto. Continuing, we arrive at the Douro Marina. This is the marina with its nautical activities. You can rent canoes, stand-up paddle boards and book surfing lessons !

We catch up with the cycle path, we pass in front of the Douro Estuary Nature Reserve. Here, there are bird watching posts, footbridges from which to enjoy a beautiful view of the city on one side and the estuary and its birds on the other. The Rua do Cabedelo takes you to the beach ! On one side the Cabedelo do Douro beach, on the other you start the coast which looks out onto the ocean. A pretty seaside promenade allows you to stroll as long as you like. The beaches alternate, the small restaurants, the cafes… It’s a holiday atmosphere !

We recommend that you take these walks into account for the return journey! You can rent bikes; it's convenient and economical; you'll go further and be less tired.

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