Porto Six Bridges Cruise: What to Expect

The Six Bridges Cruise is Porto’s classic boat trip, a short, relaxing ride along the Douro on a traditional-style rabelo boat, past the bridges that link Porto and Gaia. Here’s what to expect, where to board and how to make the most of it.

Quick answer: the Six Bridges Cruise lasts about 50 minutes and departs every half-hour or so from the Ribeira waterfront and from Gaia. It passes all six bridges, including the iron Maria Pia (built by Gustave Eiffel’s company) and the Dom Luís I. Tickets are cheap and easy to buy on the day, or you can book ahead with a port tasting. See Six Bridges cruises.

The six bridges

1. Arrábida Bridge: a huge concrete arch near the river mouth. You can climb it on a guided tour.
2. Dom Luís I Bridge: the iconic double-deck iron bridge between Ribeira and Gaia.
3. Infante D. Henrique Bridge: a slim modern concrete bridge.
4. Maria Pia Bridge: an elegant iron railway bridge from 1877, built by Gustave Eiffel’s company and now out of use.
5. São João Bridge: the railway bridge that replaced Maria Pia.
6. Freixo Bridge: the motorway bridge furthest upstream.

Where to board

Boats leave from the Cais da Ribeira in Porto and the waterfront in Gaia, by the port cellars. Several companies run the same route, and you’ll see sellers along the quay. See Ribeira and Gaia.

Combine it with

• A port tasting in Gaia. See cellar tastings.
• A sunset cruise instead. See Porto sunset cruises.
• A full-day Douro cruise upriver to Régua or Pinhão. See Douro river cruises.

Tips

• Sit on the open deck for photos.
• Afternoon light is lovely on the Ribeira façades.
• Great with kids: it’s short and easy. See Porto with kids.

More: things to do in Porto and the best boat trips in Portugal.

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