These two twin cities, separated by the Douro River and connected by several bridges, including the famous Luis I, are the main reference for tourism in the north of the country.

One of the good options for arriving there is via the Douro Valley; After enjoying the most famous vineyard region in the world, on the outskirts of Vila Nova de Gaia, you will find one of its relics:

The Capela do Senhor da Pedra, whose appearance is highly valued at dusk.
Built on a rock in 1686, it is believed to have its origins in an ancient pagan cult, with a naturalistic character from pre-Christian people, whose deities were venerated in full nature, having subsequently been converted to Christianity.

The Douro River runs 897 km from the Serra de Urbión in Spain to its mouth in these twin cities, and its last 213 navigable km are of inestimable value for Portuguese agriculture and tourism.

The city of Porto, with around 240 thousand inhabitants, is famous for its liqueur and fortified wine, with the addition of wine brandy, which gives it unique and exclusive characteristics.

The origin of this city dates back to 200 BC when it was called Portus Cale and then Condado Portucalense, from which Portugal was formed.

Ribeira is one of its oldest and most typical places and attracts many tourists with its colorful houses, bars, restaurants and festive atmosphere.

Vila Nova de Gaia, with more than 300 thousand inhabitants, is also very pleasant and is characterized, mainly, by the Cellars (where Port Wines age) with their tasting programs and by the Monastery of Santo Agostinho da Serra do Pilar, a one of the most notable buildings of classical European architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whose construction began in 1538 and continued for centuries.

Finally, the postcard of the two cities:
The Louis I Bridge, from 1888, designed by Belgian Théophile Seyrig, a collaborator of Gustave Eiffel, hence its similarity with the famous French tower.
It is an iron bridge with an arch of 172 m and a 45 m arrow, providing a length of 385 m and two decks, the upper one exclusively for metro since 2005 and the lower one for cars.
This beautiful bridge reigns supreme in the landscape, being very photogenic, particularly at night, when it's all lit up!