From pristine beaches to Portugal’s second-biggest city on the doorstep, Vila Nova de Gaia city breaks are a mixed bag.
City breaks to Vila Nova de Gaia
While Porto is the typical go-to city in northern Portugal, its next-door neighbour has plenty to shout about, too. From its centuries-old wine cellars to its soft-sand beaches and restaurant-lined waterfront, it’s certainly not lacking in sights. If you do fancy popping over to Porto, you’ll be pleased to hear that it’s easy to get there. The only thing that separates the two cities is the Douro River, and it takes just five minutes to walk across the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge.
Soak up the views from the Gaia Cable Car
The city’s cable car is right next to the riverfront, and it offers some of the best panoramas of neighbouring Porto on its 300-metre ascent. The return journey takes around 10 minutes, but it’s worth hopping out at the top and exploring the Jardim do Morro and the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar. The former’s a hilltop garden with palm trees and panoramic views, while the latter’s a former monastery with equally outstanding vistas from its viewing platform. And, once you’ve finished, you can take the short trip back down to the waterfront, where there’s a string of bars and restaurants dishing up local plates.
Best time to go to Vila Nova de Gaia
The weather rarely drops below double digits here, so even in the coldest month of January there’s a pleasant temperature. The warmest months are between July and September, when the mercury usually sits in the mid-twenties, while rainfall’s usually at it’s heaviest between October and December.
Top things to see and do in Vila Nova de Gaia
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