On the other side of the Douro River lies the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a satellite of Porto and where the famous drink takes its name. Although Port wine is named after the city of Porto, it is actually produced and stored in the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.

Visitors are welcome to visit the famous port wine producers' cellars and taste the divine nectar, while learning about the history of its production and storage. Many of these cellars overlook the banks of the Douro River, providing visitors with a virtual tour back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Additionally, there are a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops available for visitors to enjoy.

To see the places where grapes are grown for wine production, you can take a comfortable boat that sails up the Douro River against the current. This tour is designed for wealthy tourists with private cabins and excellent service from friendly staff. The boat travels upriver to the Upper Douro region, which has numerous wineries with over 300 years of history scattered on scenic hills.

For those with a more limited budget, there is also a boat ride option at a reasonable price that allows you to enjoy the view of Porto from the water. Vila Nova de Gaia has some great sandy beaches with blue flags as well, although that is a topic for another time.