Guidebook for Vila Nova de Gaia
Food Scene
Tappas Caffé Candal
549 R. Dr. António GranjoRestaurant of Francesinha
Grelhados do Candal
110 Alameda EmpresaTraditional Portuguese food.
Very good Take-away.
VINUM Restaurant &Wine Bar is the result of two families and two passions combining to create a unique experience. The Symingtons are a British family with a Portuguese heart. They have been producing Port and Douro wines for more than 130 years.
When they decided to launch a bold new restaurant project, they looked for co-founders with similar values. With SAGARDI, they have found the ideal creative partners who share their dedication to gastronomy and wine. The SAGARDI group is from the Basque region and was founded more than 20 years ago by Iñaki Lz. De Viñaspre. Today they run a global network of 32 restaurants, an achievement which is only possible with discipline, excellence and quality cuisine.
21 locals recommend
Vinum – Restaurant & Wine Bar
141 Rua do AgroVINUM Restaurant &Wine Bar is the result of two families and two passions combining to create a unique experience. The Symingtons are a British family with a Portuguese heart. They have been producing Port and Douro wines for more than 130 years.
When they decided to launch a bold new restaurant project, they looked for co-founders with similar values. With SAGARDI, they have found the ideal creative partners who share their dedication to gastronomy and wine. The SAGARDI group is from the Basque region and was founded more than 20 years ago by Iñaki Lz. De Viñaspre. Today they run a global network of 32 restaurants, an achievement which is only possible with discipline, excellence and quality cuisine.
Home cook cuisine. Lunch menu €6 (soup, bread, dish of the day, water, coffee)
Very good Francesinha!!
Perto do Cais
786 R. de Rei RamiroHome cook cuisine. Lunch menu €6 (soup, bread, dish of the day, water, coffee)
Very good Francesinha!!
An everyday market to buy and sell goods, enjoy a meal, appreciate a drink and listen to music concerts or browsing arts exhibition. The feel-good meeting point to hang out with friends or family in an ambience of fresh scents of just in products from land and sea.
25 locals recommend
Mercado Beira-Rio
148 Av. de Ramos PintoAn everyday market to buy and sell goods, enjoy a meal, appreciate a drink and listen to music concerts or browsing arts exhibition. The feel-good meeting point to hang out with friends or family in an ambience of fresh scents of just in products from land and sea.
With a vast selection of National and International wines, Enoteca 17•56 intends to unite the very best of contemporary, Mediterranean and fusion cuisine to the wine world.
With the city of Porto as one of the 10 Wine Capitals of the World, the Enoteca17•56, located on the Cais de Gaia, presents itself as a site for tastings and excellence, with a large gastronomic offer, where wine is king.
10 locals recommend
Enoteca 17•56 - Real Companhia Velha
44B R. de Serpa PintoWith a vast selection of National and International wines, Enoteca 17•56 intends to unite the very best of contemporary, Mediterranean and fusion cuisine to the wine world.
With the city of Porto as one of the 10 Wine Capitals of the World, the Enoteca17•56, located on the Cais de Gaia, presents itself as a site for tastings and excellence, with a large gastronomic offer, where wine is king.
Restaurante Ponte de Pedra Gaia
467 R. José FalcãoTraditional Portuguese cuisine
Graham's Port Lodge
141 Rua do AgroSightseeing
River bank full of attractions: Port Wine lodges, restaurants, traditional shops, market, church, convent, cable car, tourism office, sometimes music or markets....
Fantastic views and sunset
340 locals recommend
Cais de Gaia
Cais de GaiaRiver bank full of attractions: Port Wine lodges, restaurants, traditional shops, market, church, convent, cable car, tourism office, sometimes music or markets....
Fantastic views and sunset
Barcadouro – Sociedade de Turismo Fluvial e Terrestre Lda.
Loja 240 -161 Av. de Ramos PintoDouro cruises
Peculiar 17th century chapel Senhor da Pedra, rising upon one of the rocks by the sea, in Miramar (Senhor da Pedra beach).
According to the inscription of temple outside wall, there were pagan altars here before this Christian temple was created
59 locals recommend
Capela do Senhor da Pedra
Alameda do Senhor da PedraPeculiar 17th century chapel Senhor da Pedra, rising upon one of the rocks by the sea, in Miramar (Senhor da Pedra beach).
According to the inscription of temple outside wall, there were pagan altars here before this Christian temple was created
Teleférico de Gaia - Estação Cais de Gaia
331 Av. de Ramos PintoOn one of the many buildings peppering the quiet and winding streets of Gaia, Portugal, is a massive rabbit sculpture made from recycled materials and trash collected from the city.
The sculpture, which was brought to life by Portuguese artist Bordallo II (who often creates animal art using repurposed materials), serves as a subtle yet scathing critique of society’s wastefulness and its consequences for the natural environment. The art piece is also a call for increased social awareness of ecological sustainability.
The sculpture is positioned on the building in such a way that the rabbit is seemingly folded in two, with one half being multicolored and the other unpainted, which serves to illustrate the materials’ original colors. It is for these reasons that the artwork is called the “Half Rabbit.” Metal pieces, street signs, and plastic containers are just some of the materials used to create the rabbit’s eyes, ears, and whiskers.
source: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/half-rabbit
Half Rabbit
de Rua Dom Afonso IIIOn one of the many buildings peppering the quiet and winding streets of Gaia, Portugal, is a massive rabbit sculpture made from recycled materials and trash collected from the city.
The sculpture, which was brought to life by Portuguese artist Bordallo II (who often creates animal art using repurposed materials), serves as a subtle yet scathing critique of society’s wastefulness and its consequences for the natural environment. The art piece is also a call for increased social awareness of ecological sustainability.
The sculpture is positioned on the building in such a way that the rabbit is seemingly folded in two, with one half being multicolored and the other unpainted, which serves to illustrate the materials’ original colors. It is for these reasons that the artwork is called the “Half Rabbit.” Metal pieces, street signs, and plastic containers are just some of the materials used to create the rabbit’s eyes, ears, and whiskers.
source: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/half-rabbit
São Pedro da Afurada
Shopping
Beautiful mall with lots of international shops, restaurants, hypermarket, cinema,...
80 locals recommend
Arrabida Shopping
244 Praceta de Henrique MoreiraBeautiful mall with lots of international shops, restaurants, hypermarket, cinema,...
El Corte Ingles de Gaia
1435 Av. da RepúblicaCantinho das Aromáticas is the only urban organic farming project in Europe to produce aromatic plants, from seed to final product.
7 locals recommend
Corner of the Aromatic
508 Rua do MeiralCantinho das Aromáticas is the only urban organic farming project in Europe to produce aromatic plants, from seed to final product.
Pingo Doce Coimbrões
99 R. Bombeiros Voluntários de Coimbrões
Continente
16 R. de Luís de Aguiar
Jumbo
Praceta de Henrique Moreira
Mercadona
447 R. EmissorParks & Nature
Praia de Lavadores
751 Av. da Beira-MarLavadores beach
Fishing village with beautiful restaurants of fresh fish
Marina boats
Protected area for birds watching
Beautiful for running, cycling, walking, skating,...
19 locals recommend
Afurada
Rua do CabedeloFishing village with beautiful restaurants of fresh fish
Marina boats
Protected area for birds watching
Beautiful for running, cycling, walking, skating,...
Jardim do Morro station
Beautiful park with amazing view and sunset
Praia de Salgueiros
C2 Avenida da Beira-MarBeach Canide (South)
3297 Avenida da Beira-MarPraia de Valadares
Praia da Madalena
450 Rua do MarPraia de Francelos
Praia de Miramar
Aguda beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Vila Nova de Gaia coastline. It preserves a traditional ambiance, mixing fishermen, local inhabitants and a faithful legion of summer holiday sunbathers. You can reach this beach by road, train or by the cycle path that connects Cabedelo (Foz do Douro) to São Félix da Marinha (Espinho).
20 locals recommend
Aguda Beach
25 Av. Padre Guilherme Aguda beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Vila Nova de Gaia coastline. It preserves a traditional ambiance, mixing fishermen, local inhabitants and a faithful legion of summer holiday sunbathers. You can reach this beach by road, train or by the cycle path that connects Cabedelo (Foz do Douro) to São Félix da Marinha (Espinho).
Praia da Granja
Rua São FélixParque Biológico de Gaia
Rua CunhaMunicipal Lavandeira Park
Rua Almeida GarrettThe Gaia townhall decided to transform the gardens surrounding the Conde das Devesas manor into an open park to the public.
The presence in this garden of numerous camellias, and even the existence of a variety of a camellia called “Conde das Devesas", motivated the development of a "Parque das Camélias" project. The camellias would have arrived in Portugal before entering in England and from Portugal they spread to Galicia. In the 19th century they reached Australia via England.
There is also an ancient tulip tree that makes the visitor feel in front of a monumental living being
Park Farm Devesas - Garden of Camellias
162 R. Dona Leonor de FreitasThe Gaia townhall decided to transform the gardens surrounding the Conde das Devesas manor into an open park to the public.
The presence in this garden of numerous camellias, and even the existence of a variety of a camellia called “Conde das Devesas", motivated the development of a "Parque das Camélias" project. The camellias would have arrived in Portugal before entering in England and from Portugal they spread to Galicia. In the 19th century they reached Australia via England.
There is also an ancient tulip tree that makes the visitor feel in front of a monumental living being
Entertainment & Activities
Golf Quinta do Fojo
238 R. Nova do FojoPerfect for Golf lovers
Zoo Santo Inacio
4503 R. 5 de OutubroParque Biológico de Gaia
Rua CunhaEstação Litoral da Aguda
S/N R. Dr. Alfredo Dias
Holmes Place Vila Nova de Gaia
93 R. Amélia de Sousa LuzBig Gym with a large variety of activities
Meo Marés Vivas Festival
Rua da PraiaSão João Party
The official party of São João starts on the evening of the 23rd June. Appreciated by tourists and much the pride of local Porto residents, more than 200,000 people take part in the revelry, culminating in a spectacular firework display over the River Douro lasting about 15 minutes, usually around midnight.
St John‘s festival is much loved by Portuguese people of all ages and is very much a family event. Traditions range from launching hot air balloons into the sky and hitting plastic hammers on the heads of passers-by, to waving garlic in people’s faces, jumping bonfires and offering friends and relatives potted basil plants decorated with traditional poems. It’s a time to get together with friends and family; or take a walk through the streets towards the spectacle of the best firework display in town.
The main attraction is the fun it provides as well as the local holiday. It’s a day to put one’s troubles aside and enjoy some fun and laughter. The streets are full of stalls and decorations, music can be heard everywhere and popular songs are sung. Since the weather is usually warm this time of year, the traditional fare is delicious grilled sardines, green peppers and traditional Portuguese cabbage soup, called Caldo Verde. The smell of grilled sardines fills the city as it radiates from street corners and gardens to restaurants and beaches.
For the strong hearted, the party will go on until sunrise with many parties taking place on the beach. Those who don’t want to brave the crowds usually have a party at home.
340 locals recommend
Cais de Gaia
Cais de GaiaSão João Party
The official party of São João starts on the evening of the 23rd June. Appreciated by tourists and much the pride of local Porto residents, more than 200,000 people take part in the revelry, culminating in a spectacular firework display over the River Douro lasting about 15 minutes, usually around midnight.
St John‘s festival is much loved by Portuguese people of all ages and is very much a family event. Traditions range from launching hot air balloons into the sky and hitting plastic hammers on the heads of passers-by, to waving garlic in people’s faces, jumping bonfires and offering friends and relatives potted basil plants decorated with traditional poems. It’s a time to get together with friends and family; or take a walk through the streets towards the spectacle of the best firework display in town.
The main attraction is the fun it provides as well as the local holiday. It’s a day to put one’s troubles aside and enjoy some fun and laughter. The streets are full of stalls and decorations, music can be heard everywhere and popular songs are sung. Since the weather is usually warm this time of year, the traditional fare is delicious grilled sardines, green peppers and traditional Portuguese cabbage soup, called Caldo Verde. The smell of grilled sardines fills the city as it radiates from street corners and gardens to restaurants and beaches.
For the strong hearted, the party will go on until sunrise with many parties taking place on the beach. Those who don’t want to brave the crowds usually have a party at home.
Miramar Golf Club
Avenida Sacadura CabralArts & Culture
A beautiful example of religious architecture, embracing the convent, the church and cloister, in circular plan. It's located close to the upper platform of D. Luís Bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia. In 1996, the Historic Centre of Porto was classified UNESCO World Heritage site, also including this Monastery
175 locals recommend
Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar
Largo Aviz A beautiful example of religious architecture, embracing the convent, the church and cloister, in circular plan. It's located close to the upper platform of D. Luís Bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia. In 1996, the Historic Centre of Porto was classified UNESCO World Heritage site, also including this Monastery
The house was constructed in the late 19th century by architect José Teixeira Lopes, the brother of the sculptor António Teixeira Lopes, who lived and worked there until his death in 1942. The sculptor himself donated his collection to Vila Nova de Gaia Town Hall. There we can find the works of António Ferreira Lopes in marble, bronze and plaster, as well as coal or sepia drawings. Apart from his collection, there are also the sculpture works of Soares dos Reis and Oliveira Ferreira, the paintings of Vieira Portuense and Gustavo Doré, along with decorative art collections, Portuguese and foreign earthenware, tapestry, etc.
22 locals recommend
Casa-Museu Teixeira Lopes
32 R. Teixeira Lopes The house was constructed in the late 19th century by architect José Teixeira Lopes, the brother of the sculptor António Teixeira Lopes, who lived and worked there until his death in 1942. The sculptor himself donated his collection to Vila Nova de Gaia Town Hall. There we can find the works of António Ferreira Lopes in marble, bronze and plaster, as well as coal or sepia drawings. Apart from his collection, there are also the sculpture works of Soares dos Reis and Oliveira Ferreira, the paintings of Vieira Portuense and Gustavo Doré, along with decorative art collections, Portuguese and foreign earthenware, tapestry, etc.
Quinta da Boeira is a welcoming space with the possibility of tasting the wines of their own production.
The visitor can also enjoy a visit to the exhibition of replicas of ships and galleons from the 15th to the 16th century, and the property gardens.
It is also possible to visit, under reservation, the interior of the largest bottle in the world.
9 locals recommend
Quinta da Boeira
170 R. Teixeira LopesQuinta da Boeira is a welcoming space with the possibility of tasting the wines of their own production.
The visitor can also enjoy a visit to the exhibition of replicas of ships and galleons from the 15th to the 16th century, and the property gardens.
It is also possible to visit, under reservation, the interior of the largest bottle in the world.
Convento Corpus Christi
13 Largo de AljubarrotaTrain station
Vila Nova de Gaia station
Largo 5 de Outubro