Porto Portugal from a Cruise Ship
When you visit Porto, Portugal from a cruise ship you will dock at the Port of Leixoes, and often times the cruise itineraries will list this stop as Leixoes (Porto), so the first thing to understand is the Port is Leixoes and the city is Porto.
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What to do when visiting the Port of Leixoes in Porto, Portugal from a Cruise Ship?
When you visit the Port of Leixoes in Porto, Portugal, you can expect all the old town charm that one of the oldest cities in Europe can offer. Full of colorful tiled houses, gothic churches, and restaurants with amazing food, Porto is set along the Douro River.
What is Porto known for?
Most famous for port wine, Porto is known for being the city where the wine ages in its cellars, is bottled, and is shipped all over the world.
It is Portugal’s second-largest city and has 220,000 in population. Porto is known as the city of bridges, with 6 bridges that all run over the Douro River and connect Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia.
Is Porto worth visiting?
Yes, it’s one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including 6 bridges over the Douro River. It’s full of old-town charm and beautiful churches.
📍Book Your Cruise to Porto (Lexios), Portugal
Where do cruise ships dock in Porto?
There are two docks in Leixoes. The first is the Terminal de Cruzeiros and the second is Doca 1 Norte – Passageiros, which will only be used if there are two ships in port. If you want to know for sure which dock you will be at, you can check here to see when and where your ship will dock.
The first terminal is fairly new and has lots of amenities, including a tourist shop and wifi.
No walking is allowed in the port. This means you must either be on a shore excursion offered by the ship or take the port shuttle bus (only a 1-minute ride) to leave the port. Once out of the port, you can then decide to stay in Matosinhos (the town where the port is located) or go to Porto.
Matosinhos has limited things to do. These include a market, a few stores, and a beach you can visit.
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Can I walk to the city center from the cruise port?
Porto city center is very walkable. Porto is a charming city with narrow streets brimming with cafes, historic churches, and an abundance of wine. While the city itself is quite walkable, the port lies 5.5 miles from the city center, making transportation the most practical option for reaching it.
How far is the port from the beach?
Matosinhos (the town where the port is located), has the largest beach in the area and you can walk to it in 5 minutes. This beach is renowned for its excellent surfing conditions.
Porto has several beaches within the city limits. From the city center, you can reach several different beaches in 20-30 minutes.
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10 Things to Do when Visiting Porto, Portugal from a Cruise Ship
Port Wine Tasting
Port wine is crafted in the picturesque Douro Valley and then transported to Porto, where it matures before being distributed across the globe. One of the most popular things to do in Porto is a cellar tour including a port wine tasting. There are walking tours, guided cellar tours, and combo vineyard wine-tasting river tours.
Cais da Ribeira
Ribeira is an authentic Portuguese neighborhood. It is in the heart of the old town and located on the riverbank of the Douro River. It is a great place for eating with lots of restaurants with scenic views of the Luis I Bridge and Vila Nova da Gaia.
Luis I Bridge
The Luis I Bridge spans the Douro River between Porto and Vila Nova da Gaia. As a double-decker bridge, you can walk across both levels. A cable car can take you to the upper level. The lower level is 564 feet in length, and the upper is 1297 feet in length.
Church of Santa Clara
The construction of the Church of Santa Clara in Porto started in 1416, with completion in 1457. The church, renowned for its striking Gothic architecture, presents a stark contrast between its interior and exterior. While the exterior remains understated and restrained, the interior is a masterpiece of opulent design. Nearly every surface is adorned with intricate, gilded carvings of cherubs, saints, and angels, showcasing extraordinary craftsmanship and detail.
Museu Romântico da Quinta da Macieirinha
Located in a beautiful mansion, the Romantic Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha in Porto illustrates what a nineteenth-century aristocratic house would look like. Each room is beautifully adorned with exquisite paintings and timeless antiques.
Casa-Museu Guerra Junqueiro
With a collection of Portuguese silver, jewelry, ceramic figures, precious metal objects, and antiques, the house museum Guerra Junqueiro is well worth a visit.
Foz do Douro
Foz do Douro is where the Douro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the more expensive areas in Porto to live in. There are two forts here to visit: The Fortress Sao Joao Baptista da Foz and the Fort of Sao Francisco do Queijo (called the Castle of the Cheese).
Palácio da Bolsa
Constructed in 1842, the Bolsa Palace, also known as the Stock Exchange Palace, is a stunning example of Neoclassical architecture. It is located in the historical center of Porta in the Infante D. Henrique Square. It is currently the headquarters of Porto’s Commercial Association.
The palace features a spacious central courtyard known as the Patio das Nacoes (Courtyard of the Nations). Encased in a glass structure, it floods the space with abundant natural light, creating an inviting and airy atmosphere. An impressive marble and granite staircase leads you to the golden room, covered in gold leaf, and the General Assembly Room, covered in wood.
Torre dos Clerigos
The Clerigos Church, a stunning example of Baroque architecture, stands in the heart of the city and dates back to 1763. Its iconic 250-foot bell tower, a landmark visible from numerous vantage points, adds to its timeless charm. From the top of the tower, there are stunning panoramic views of the city. With only 240 steps to reach the top, well worth the time to visit.
The admission fee to the tower also covers the Clerogos Museum, which exhibits religious artifacts and paintings from this church’s history.
Sightseeing Cruise on the Douro River
There is nothing quite like seeing the city of Porto and Vila Nova da Gaia from the Douro River. You will experience beautiful views of the six bridges as well as the opportunity to see many of the sites of Porto from the decks of the boat.
Many Douro River tours are available.
Cruise Ship Shore Excursions
Most ships offer shore excursions you can book on board. Click on the cruise line below to see the excursions currently offered.
Transportation in Porto
Bring good walking shoes because Porta is hilly. The best way to get around is by Metro, bus, or foot. Porto has an extensive public transportation system.
Also available are hop-on hop-off buses, taxis, metro, tourist trams, riverboats, river taxis, and cable cars.
The Wrap-Up: Porto, Portugal from a Cruise Ship
Visiting the Port of Leixios near Porto, Portugal from a Cruise Ship, you have a variety of things to see and do. From simply walking to the beach from the port entrance to taking a port wine tour or Douro River Tour, your day will be full of surprises and fun.
So whether you take a shore excursion from the ship or set out on your own, you are sure to make memories that will last you a lifetime.
