Although it’s Porto that probably comes to mind when you think of Portugal’s famous Port wine, it’s actually across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia that wine produced in the region is stored and aged. This small coastal city, south of the Douro river, is lined with wine cellars and family-run restaurants serving simple, homemade fare. Most Porto visitors only explore the wine caves along the riverside, but we also take you to unusual and undiscovered food shops far off-the-beaten-path so you can get a real taste of local life in Porto.
Your day starts with an espresso and a traditional Pastel de Chaves (a pastry from Chaves, a city northeast of Porto) before we whisk you off for an exclusive guided tour and wine tasting at the oldest still functioning port wine cellar in the world. You’ll see vintage wines dating back to the 18th century and learn the delicacy of wine tasting as you sample a selection of Ports.
After all of that that sipping, you’ll be more than ready for some delicious local food! We stop at three humble neighbourhood eateries where you’ll meet the owners and sample classic Portuguese dishes made with love. Enjoy a freshly made Francesinha sandwich, as well as other local favourites paired with wine and beer produced in the country.
On our way back, we stop at Mercado Beira Rio, a new-age food market where the locals come to buy and sell goods, eat, and enjoy music concerts and art exhibitions. It’s the perfect authentic spot for our last wine tasting of the day.
Join us on this merry food and wine experience in the heart of Porto’s wine district.
