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Porto Portugal
Most river cruise ships visiting Porto will actually call on the Douro River Cruise Terminal, located across the river in Vila Nova da Gaia. A quick trip across the stunning D. Luis Bridge will bring you in to Porto. As a bonus, many port winery tours are available right in Vila Nova da Gaia.
Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours has opened a new dock for exclusive use by both Scenic's and Emerald Waterways' river ships. The dock is conveniently located in Cais de Maragaia, a historic area of Porto and a five-minute walk from Ribiera Street, one of Porto's riverfront promenades.
There’s a special kind of energy in Porto: one that buzzes with an infectious appetite for all the good things in life – especially food and wine.
The best way to get to know this fabulous culinary scene is by diving straight in. Choose a restaurant along the banks of the River Douro and settle into the city’s al fresco dining culture. ‘Bacalhau’ (salted cod) and freshly grilled octopus pair perfectly with a glass of dry white port – but the star of Portuguese cuisine is the original, sweet red port. Take a tasting tour of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia or get lost in the maze-like streets of the medieval Ribeira district to seek out the best varieties in the city.
After quenching your thirst, let your attention turn to Porto’s breadth of impressive architecture. São Francisco Church wows visitors with its lavish baroque interior and gilded carvings, while the blue and white-tiled facades of the Chapel of Souls captivate with their intricate picture stories.
For the best views in town, cross Dom Luís I Bridge from São Bento railway station, or climb the 240 steps to the top of Clérigos Church, an 18th-century tower located in the heart of the city. Meanwhile, the golden sands and consistent swells of Matosinhos Beach will keep any sunbather or surfer content for the afternoon.