Fabulous experience from beginning to end. Very well run organisation, spot on time greeting and departure with full pre sail information and advice. The boat is immaculate and so very comfortable. The group was small with more than ample room to get the best views of the river and catch the rays if we wished. Skipper Jon and co-skipper Camilla are just the most friendly, informative and knowledgeable guides. We had such an easy dialogue with Jon and learned more about Porto and The Douro during the 2 hour sail than at any other time of our Porto stay. The river, Porto City and the Fos are incredible seen from the water. If that wasn’t enough, the delicious wine and snacks were more than we could ask for! A great value experience and an absolute must do for anyone visiting Porto. Thankyou Jon, Camilla and BBDouro
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Boat Tour
- Wi-fi
- Glass of Port Wine
Excludes
- Snacks
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- MEETING POINT When arriving at Douro Marina, wait at pier D gate for one of the skippers, identified with BBDouro equipment, to make your check-in and accompany you to the boat.
Return
- MEETING POINT When arriving at Douro Marina, wait at pier D gate for one of the skippers, identified with BBDouro equipment, to make your check-in and accompany you to the boat.
Itinerary
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to visit the most emblematic areas of both cities, from the sea. Some of the iconic elements you will view are the Wine Caves, the Ouro Street, Clerics Church, the Rabelo Boats (used to carry the wine barrels from the north of the river) and also the Douro Estuary, a protected area with a lot of wildlife.
Douro Marina opened to public in February 2012. Altogether, the work corresponded to an investment of 8.5 million euros, 2.5 million of which were allocated to floating equipment. The dock has the capacity to accommodate 300 vessels, up to 20 meters. The port has an area for boat repair and maintenance, shops, restaurants and some companies related to water sports.
Afurada is situated on the edge of the river Douro, almost next to the mouth and has an area of 6.500 inhabitants. Its first inhabitants were dedicated to fishing, being the same the almost and only economic activity.
The Arrábida Bridge is an arch bridge over the Douro River that connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. Since the 1930s, it was necessary to create alternative connections to the old bridges (D. Maria Pia and Luís I bridges) in order to respond to the increasing flow of traffic. At the time of its construction in 1963, the bridge had the largest reinforced concrete arch of any bridge in the world. The Arrábida bridge was the second bridge between Porto and V. N. Gaia to be built for road traffic, being one of six bridges in the city of Porto. They are, in order of construction - Luís I Bridge, the Arrábida Bridge itself, the São João Bridge, the Freixo Bridge, and the Infante Bridge. On 22nd June 1963, the Arrábida Bridge was finally inaugurated, during the mandate of Nuno Pinheiro Torres, with four lifts so that pedestrians could overcome the distance of seventy meters from the river to the board, making pedestrian crossing much easier. In the mid-1990s, the lifts stopped working.
Founded in 1992, with the aim of preserving and displaying a large collection of electric cars and other vehicles, with great historical and heritage value, the Tram Museum provides visitors the possibility of getting to know up close the history and development of public transport on rails in the city of Porto. It is located in a building where the Massarelos Thermoelectric Plant used to operate, which was built in 1915 to produce energy for the electric vehicles that circulated in the city. Entering the tram is like plunging into the past. Its interior remains faithful to the design of the early 20th century, where wood and iron reign supreme. The backs of the seats have a peculiar characteristic: they move, allowing the passenger to choose which way to turn during the journey. When visiting Porto, be sure to board Line 1 and be amazed by the wonderful scenery of this unforgettable route.
It was built in 1776 and is divided in three parts, by pilasters: in the central part, a gate with a broken pediment, with a niche in which we can see the image of the patron saint, S. Pedro Gonçalves Telmo, and two columns topped with Corinthian capitals. At the top, two side windows and a circular window. At the sides, the bell towers are topped with ornaments on each side and topped by an iron cross. There is a clock between the bell towers and the cupola. The facade is covered with tiles.
Built in the second half of the 19th century, the New Customs building was designed by the French architect Jean Colson, following the strong mercantile dynamism that then characterized Oporto, centered on the banks of the Douro. The New Customs Building is then inaugurated, with a notorious contrast with the architecture of the old 15th century buildings, characteristic of Ribeira. Composed of a central body and two symmetrical side bodies, Colson essentially used iron in its construction, but with the particularity of adding other materials such as stone, small bricks and wood. However, as construction progressed, modifications and various types of structure were introduced: ashlar pillars and stone vaults on the ground floors, iron columns and vaults on the intermediate floors to metal and wooden structures. In the central body, the top floor is topped by a unique Riga oak roof. It is one of the largest and most awarded Congress Centre in the country
The Virtudes Municipal Park is located in what used to be the “Companhia Hortícola Portuense”. Designed by José Marques Loureiro (1830-1898), it was bought in 1965 by Porto City Hall and renovated in 1998. One of the peculiarities of this garden is that it is vertical, in other words, it develops in terraces down the slope, so that almost everywhere you have a unique view of the Alfândega, the Douro River, and Vila Nova de Gaia. O Palácio de Cristal, da autoria do arquitecto inglês Thomas Dillen Jones, foi construído em granito, ferro e vidro, tendo o Crystal Palace londrino por modelo. Instalados no centro do Porto, estes jardins foram projetados pelo berlinense Emil David (1839-1873), no âmbito da construção do próprio edifício do Palácio de Cristal.
Designed by the Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, the Clérigos Tower is more than 75 meters long and was completed in 1763. Initially its function was to be a bell tower, but over the years it has also been used as an orientation point for boats, as well as a strategic point for military battles. The visit to Clérigos Tower includes a walk of 225 steps to the top where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Porto and Gaia.
Vila Nova de Gaia waterfront has been an important shipyard and trading post since the 18th century. The Gaia Quay is famous for Port Wine, since it was here, for centuries, that the river port was located, from where various goods were exported and imported. The Rabelo boats would anchor here, and the barrels of wine would be unloaded to be aged in the cellars of the more than 50 wine companies in Gaia, where the already formed wine would be bottled and ready to be exported. Due to a major refurbishment, that ended in 2003, and made this quay even more attractive for leisure and tourism, this space won the 'Tourism Award - Enhancement of Public Space'. This is the area where all the Port Wine cellars are located. Most of them offer guided tours where they explain how the wine is made, stored and distributed, and teach how to distinguish different types of port wine through a tasting. There are about 30 different cellars.
Rabelo boats are typical from Douro River. For decades they transported the famous Port Wine between the remote wine region and the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia. Since there were no roads or railways, the producing farms had only the river as a means of transporting the barrels. At that time no dams had been built, so the Douro River was very treacherous, with fast currents that became more dangerous in the narrows and gorges. The task of sailing thus required experienced sailors who could bring the precious nectar to a safe port. With the completion of the railway line, it is believed that the last voyage of these vessels for the transportation of Port Wine took place in 1964.
The Ribeira is one of the oldest, most popular and typical places in the city. It is part of the Historical Center of Porto, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of medieval origin. It has always been an area of much commerce and movement of people, due to the proximity of the river. In this part of the city lived one of the most striking and charismatic personalities of the city, the Ribeira’s Duque, who became known for having saved several people from drowning. For this achievement, after his death a tribute was paid to him. The square next to the pillar of Luís I Bridge is named after him and has a memorial stone.
Situated by the upper deck of Luís I bridge, next to Serra do Pilar, Morro Garden presents an abundant green area, a children's playground and an open-air auditorium, frequently hosting shows. It also has a belvedere with panoramic views over the city of Porto and the Douro River.
The Serra do Pilar Monastery is an austere 17th century church that has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. The church, classified as a National Monument, stands out for its circular floor plan, covered by an imposing hemispherical vault, surrounded by a balcony and crowned by a lantern. Inside, the gilded and white carved woodwork stands out. It preserves a beautiful cloister, also classified as a National Monument, with a circular vault with a central rib supported by 36 Ionic columns. This Mannerist monastery is a unique example in Portugal, as the church and cloister are circular in plan, a model that comes from civil architecture. Its geographical location was crucial in 1809 during the invasions by Napoleonic troops and in 1832-33 as a military base during the liberal struggles. Elevated to fortress status, it has since been converted into an artillery barracks.
Luís I bridge is the main connection between Porto and the neighbouring city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Made of metal, the bridge measures approximately 395 meters long and 8 meters wide, and is divided into two decks connecting both the upper and lower parts of the city. The man responsible for its construction is Théophile Seyrig, who built it on the orders of King Louis I, after whom it is named. Seyrig had already worked with Gustave Eiffel on the D. Maria Pia bridge and followed the architectural style of his master. Completed in 1888, the Luís I bridge is still today one of the most emblematic points of the city of Porto.
With 66.35 hectares, the Local Nature Reserve of the Douro Estuary is on the south bank of the river mouth, near the fishing village of Afurada and includes Cabedelo and São Paio Bay. Among the natural values it protects, the highlight goes to the birds that live here or pass through here and that can easily be observed, as it is located in the migratory corridor known as the “East Atlantic Route”. The visit can be made freely through the suspended walkway.
The Passeio Alegre Garden was designed in the late 19th century and is classified as a Public Interest Property. It was designed by the architect Émile David, who is also the architect of the Crystal Palace Gardens. It is a space rich in flora, and many of the trees here are centuries old. Visitors can enjoy the shade and admire the place where the waters of the Douro River merge with those of the Atlantic Ocean. You can find a granite fountain, designed by the architect Nicolau Nasoni, the author of Torre dos Clerigos. Known as the "turtle fountain", it was built in the 18th century to adorn the gardens of Quinta da Prelada, and only in the 20th century was it transferred to the Passeio Alegre Garden. The two obelisks, which mark one of the entrances to the garden, were also designed by Nasoni. Don't miss the bandstand, which is occasionally used as a stage for various concerts, and the public toilets, built in 1910.
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Reviews
We really enjoyed this trip. It was very fancy. We got one drink and peanuts as snack. If you want to drink more, the price was also reasonable. It was incredible to see the ocean and groups of seagull.
It was a beautiful boat, amazing hosts and views. Highly recommend! Went out to see the ocean and a few bridges. Didn't see all 7 bridges as the boat mast was too high to fit under a bridge. Sunshine, beautiful music, great hosts with stories. A lovely afternoon!
I blindly and quickly booked a tour with Viator well, I was in Porto. It was our first time there, and we didn’t know what to expect. When I say that we had the most amazing time on this tour, I mean it. The staff was friendly, accommodating, communicative with us, they were just incredible with us. On the boat, the captain and crew were incredible, and I would do this again without a second thought. This was probably the best trip I had while in Portugal
Excellent!! This is a 5 Star experience! The cruise takes off from the marina on the opposite end of the old port and gives you a glimpse of the Duro river, Porto and Villa Nuevo de Gaia which should not be missed. Our guides Miguel and Filipe from BBDuro Yours were very knowledgeable and pointed out both historical facts and new developments which was super cool. We definitely recommend going on the sunset river cruise takes off!
We thought we had booked a seven bridge tour at sunset (5-7pm), but due to the tall mast on the boat we could only go up to Porto. The tour we did ended up sailing out past the breakwater, we saw the sun set which was absolutely amazing. There were only six guests on the boat which was lovely, captain was had lots of interesting facts as we sailed up and down the river.
I thought this was excellent. Great value for money and not over crowded. The boat felt like luxury and the wine was also very nice. I’d definitely recommend 👌
We had a great time on this boat tour of the river. The captain and skipper were very friendly and personable and shared facts about the area with us. We even got to see the Queen’s Jubilee boat! They served us port wine and took nice pictures of us at the front of the boat. This boat trip was very relaxing, I highly recommend it!
We had an amazing time sailing the river with our small group—this is by far the best way to see both the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. The sunset was magical and the views were 10/10.
We had a wonderful evening cruise with friends. We took some beautiful photos of the bridges, town and the sun as it set. Fun time!
It’s an awesome experience to glide through the city from the river. A wonderful time with this crew. White port wine was offered with a nominal fee for additional refill. Weather was good. Sunset was beautiful. The sailboat was large and sleek. All in all a worthwhile experience in a beautiful city. Cruising under its 6 bridges was a gas & leaves a lasting memory. Well done !
Lovely relaxed atmosphere and very friendly and informative crew ....stunning scenery and a glass of port thrown in...perfect 👌
Wonderful evening (our last) in Porto. The crew was excellent and very fun to chat with. Very restful experience after all our walking and perfect ending for our trip.
What a fab cruise treated very well by very knowledgeable team . Everything was explained to us and throughly enjoyed our time on board beautiful boat . Many thanks would recommend.
This was an amazing experience… small group, and we sat in front of the boat, which made it feel very private. The tour lasted 2 hours, and they gave us a blanket to warm up. It really was worth it.
My wife and I had a fantastic time!. Highly recommend! Service and information shared was great and the boat was very clean
Flying in from Los Angeles for my first visit to Porto, booking a tour with BBDouro turned out to be an absolute highlight of the trip. The boat was immaculate, and the small group size gave the entire experience an exclusive, semi-private feel. Captain Castillo and Lucas were exceptional hosts — genuinely welcoming, highly knowledgeable, and always eager to answer questions while sharing fascinating historical context about the city. Complete with a complimentary drink and top-tier hospitality, it felt like a VIP experience at an surprisingly accessible price point. I am still surprised I got all this value for the price point. While there are countless cruise options along the Douro, BBDouro offers unmatched value. Highly recommended for anyone traveling to Portugal!
It was great...best experience!! Our tour guides were pleasant and very knowledgeable of their surroundings. The boat was clean and very comfortable. The Port wine was delicious. I highly recommend this Sunset cruise. Very well organized and worth the money that was paid.
Beautiful 2hr tour with Miguel! Very relaxing trip to see 6 bridges of Porto while sipping wine was a perfect mid vacation afternoon. I little history lesson and some ideas of what to do in our few days here. We realize we should have stayed longer here.
A leisurely cruise along the Duoro with fantastic first mate Lucas as our guide and waiter. His historical knowledge of places on the riverside was second to none, and his hosting skills were excellent. It was very comfortable with only a small group of people on the cruiser and you felt very safe in the hands of our Captain steering the cruiser.
This experience is worth much more than it cost. A beautiful boat. Plenty of room and facilities.There was 9 passengers on this trip and Lucas and Junior, took great care of us. One of our group is partially sighted and getting on and off for her was no problem with their help. A snack of cheese, ham, olives and crispbread along with a bottle of wine between 2, was all that was needed on this 2hr cruise down the river. Lucas was very knowledgable and spoke several languages. He was happy to take our photos, assist our friend around the deck and made a real difference to the enjoyment for us all. The trip exceeded our expectations.
Beautiful views, very relaxing, boat crew were very informative and accommodating. I would highly recommend this trip.
Another great experience through viator. Please be aware It is based at the Marina and not Porto. I booked as the reviews were really good but did not realise it was at the Marina. However that said we got an Uber to the Marina at little cost, early enough to have breakfast at an amazing café next to the pick up point. The staff were knowledgeable, polite and very attentive. There was 5 of us and 2 others on the boat. This made it really personal and enjoyable. We all had a great time, it was one of our highlights of our Porto trip really personal. it does not go under all the bridges due to the mask but it's well worth forgoing them, as once you've seen one bridge you've seen them all! I would definitely recommend this trip on your visit to Porto. P.S and the little café on the pier!
The boat was clean and nicely appointed with soft seats and ample space for all 16 of us in the group. Captain André welcomed us aboard and our hostess, Kamila was gracious and ensured that we were comfortable throughout the cruise. The only thing that we expected but didn't get was to be shown the various points of interest along the river. No running commentary is needed but just a few pointed remarks to help with interpreting what we were seeing. I believe this would have enhanced the experience.
Excellent river cruise, great staff, and good value. Going to the edge of the Atlantic ocean was a complete surprise. Thoroughly recommend it.
We had a group of 6 people and we all enjoyed our 2 hour 12 bridges cruise with BBDouro. They staff were very friendly and informative and the whole experience was great and of course the good weather helped. Would definitely recommend this company and this river cruise. Its definitely the best way to see porto from the river. Thanks for a lovely experience.
Miguel and Matilde were absolutely fabulous during the tour. Matilde provided great information and Miguel was a careful and confident captain. We had a wonderful sunset cruise and it was exactly what we hoped it would be.
We had an excellent time on board Extremely informative The skipper & tour guide could not have been more helpful & accommodating I am an old aged pensioner of 82 & my wife is nearly 80 from Ireland We met a lovely lady from Nova Scotia & four lovely ladies from England on board I was the only man in the group Would recommend this company.
The tour was excellent. Both staff were very accommodating. There were only 6 guests on board so it was relaxing. Staff gave good information. The only trouble we had was the meeting point location that was sent via Google maps was inaccurate and a passing local person helped us find the meeting spot
prepare yourself for a scenic and peaceful cruise surrounded by stunning views on both sides! Miquel and Joanna made it extra special—warm professionals who know how to make strangers feel like family.
Everything was soft and very well organised. Really friendly crew. I would definitely do it again if I ever go back to Porto.
Great weather Good Sailing Great captain and Mate I feel the trip was cut a little short since we couldn’t go to the ocean. No fault of anyone.
Great easy cruise with very gracious hosts. With the height of the mast we were only able to pass through 3 bridges not six. But still great relaxing boat ride with group of 10 or less. Took a brief leap into the ocean and saw a dolphin or two.
It is so relaxing and fun. What a great way to see another view of the beautiful city. The staff is wonderful and made the experience that much more fun. Leonora and Fernando were amazing!
Best tour we took in Porto. Small group was amazing, excellent staff and Captain. Would’ve been better if we knew the marina was across the river- but once we got there - awesomeness
Loved this trip. Well organised. So relaxing and cool on a hot day. The boat was beautiful and very comfortable
Had a lovely time with an excellent crew. Guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating. The boat was very comfortable and relaxing. Made our whole day.
It was a wonderful experience. Lucas was an engaging and enthusiastic guide, and the boat was clean, comfortable, and a joy to ride in. We had perfect weather, and the whole ride was just so lovely.
Fantastic!!! So relaxing and a wonderful way to see the river. Carlotta and Ravi were great too!
We had an absolutely wonderful boat tour in Porto on September 6th, 2026! Miguel and Lucas took such great care of us from start to finish. They were incredibly attentive, friendly, welcoming, and made the whole experience feel very special. The tour itself was fabulous! Beautiful views, a wonderful atmosphere, and truly one of the highlights of our time in Porto. Miguel and Lucas made it even more memorable with their warmth and hospitality. We had such a great time!
From start to end we had amazing experience . Greta staff . Amazing views . Entire family was impressed .
Wonderful relaxing cruise great skippers and the river is just stunning!! We enjoyed a delicious port wine and snacks during the ride what’s not to like!
That it was small and organized, I thought the staff was friendly. Unfortunately the sunset was only a little visible due to the fog. But that’s the weather.
Amazing afternoon on the river. Sitting out front, smooth sailing and drink in hand. Weather was perfect. Views of Porto were great. Went out of the heads also. Our guides were friendly and attentive.
The boat was lovely! Junior was a great, fun guide and the wine was amazing. 10/10 recommend :)
Overall nice experience with the boating tour. We were caught off guard though that not all drinks were included until the end of the tour when the crew was requesting payment. Probably only the first glass of port wine we consumed was complementary.
A terrific experience, top highlight of our trip. Two wonderful guys, kind, caring, and professional! We will for sure book with you in the future! Thank You!
Brilliant trip. We booked small group trip & it was-just me and my partner. Guides really helpful and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend
It was turned to private tour with Miguel and Camilla. Very enjoyable and relaxing. Very recommended
It is a very comfortable vessel for a small group. Carlotta and Miguel were excellent. We were served a delicious glass of Port and nibbles.
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