6 Bridges Douro River Day Cruise + Best Porto Boat Tours (2024)

Are you ready to enjoy a 6 Bridges Douro River Day Cruise on one of the best Porto boat tours?

The 6 Bridges Cruise is one of the best things to do in Porto, and for a good reason. Hop onboard replica Rabelo boats to experience part of the path that former wine merchants would take when bringing barrels of Port wine from Douro Valley to Vila Nova de Gaia. Or go for a more private experience on a yacht or sailboat.

Escape the city and relax while enjoying the river’s calm waters and seeing this adorable riverside town from the water. I’ve done the six bridges tour in Porto and will share with you if the 6 Bridges cruise is worth it, how long the day river cruise is, and the best Porto boat tours. 

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links; if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

What are the 6 Bridges in Porto?

There are a total of six bridges in Porto: 

• Ponte Dom Luis I
• Ponte do Infante
• Ponte de Dona Maria Pia
• Ponte de São João Bridge
• Ponte de Freixo
• Ponte da Arrábida

This list is the order in which you will see them during your river cruise. Each bridge is distinct from the next, having been built over multiple years, using a variety of architectural styles. Below is information about each of the six bridges in Porto.

Ponte Dom Luis I 

Ponte Dom Luis I connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia and is the most famous bridge in Porto. When you see a picture of Porto with a bridge, it is almost always Ponte Dom Luis I.

A double-decker iron arch bridge, the bridge takes its influence from Paris’s Eiffel Tower. The bridge opened in 1886, designed for automobile and pedestrian usage. 

Today, the upper level of the bridge is for the metro and pedestrians, and the lower level is for pedestrians and cars. I walked across the upper and lower parts of the bridge. I recommend experiencing the bridge from both the upper and lower decks.

Ponte do Infante

Ponte do Infante is the newest bridge in Porto, built in 2003. This upper-deck road bridge, Ponte do Infante, was built to replace the upper deck of Ponte Dom Luis and is used for automobile traffic. 

Ponte de Dona Maria Pia

Ponte de Dona Maria Pia is the oldest bridge that connects Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia, built in 1877. Its identity is often confused with Ponte Dom Luis I due to their similar shape, but they are each different.

Ponte de Dona Maria Pia is a wrought-iron single-deck arch bridge built for railway traffic. Today, the bridge is no longer used and is a landmark.

Ponte de São João Bridge

Ponte de São João Bridge is the futuristic looking bridge of Porto. This concrete bridge was built in 1991 for railway traffic to replace Ponte de Dona Maria Pia. Rail could travel faster on this bridge, so that was appealing. Its futuristic design allows for faster rail travel over the bridge than Maria Pia could provide. 

Ponte de Freixo

Ponte de Freixo is the most remote and interior bridge in Porto. Built in 1995, the bridge is another road bridge for automobiles to get between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Ponte de Freixo is double-wide, allowing for road traffic to cross from both directions simultaneously.

Ponte da Arrábida

Ponte da Arrábida is the widest of the six bridges in Porto, being 87 ft wide. Opening in 1963, Ponte da Arrábida contains six lanes of traffic plus two pedestrian lanes.

Upon its completion, it had the largest span of any concrete arch bridge in the world. In 2011, Ponte da Arrábida was noted as a National Monument.

Is the 6 Bridges Douro River Cruise Worth it? 

If you enjoy river cruises and a quick getaway from the city, a 1 hour Douro River cruise is worth it.

Is the Douro a little touristy? Absolutely. But I would counter that a river cruise is one of the best ways to experience the riverfront and see the city of Porto from a different perspective. 

Porto is known as the city of bridges, so you won’t want to miss this activity on your Porto itinerary. I recommend everyone take the short Porto river cruise at least once, especially if it’s your first time visiting Porto. 

11 Best Porto Boat Tours

1. Private Tour in the Douro (1 to 4 People) in a Boat Just For You  

⭐ 5/5 (243 Reviews)

The Private Tour in the Douro (1 to 4 People) in a Boat Just For You is one of the best Porto boat tours.

This private tour gives guests the opportunity to explore Porto’s stunning Douro River and its iconic bridges from an intimate perspective. A great pick for a romantic getaway or family vacation.

Your group will be able to enjoy unobstructed views of some of the city’s best landmarks and attractions as you cruise along this beautiful waterway.

Book near sunset and you will get iconic views of Porto by day and night as you cruise along the river. It can get chilly out on the water, so bring your light jacket and get ready for a memorable experience with this family-run boat tour.

“This boat ride was incredible! Great views, a great tour, and super hospitable guides! They were very friendly and welcoming right from the start, introducing themselves and making us feel very comfortable, they answered all of our questions and shared some very interesting information about the sights we were seeing and about Porto in general. They clearly love their city and love to share that with people! They even gave us a few glasses of “green wine” and let us try a red porto. On top of all of that they also recommended other places to visit in the city as well as great local places to eat dinner (he even made the reservation for us!). This trip was truly incredible and our experience in Porto was perfect thanks to this tour! We would highly recommend and will definitely book another tour when we come back.” – Bambi G (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Private Tour in the Douro ➜

2. Porto City Tour Full Day with Lunch and Six Bridges Cruise – Private Basis

⭐ 5/5 (4 Reviews)

See the best of Porto on this Porto City Full-Day Tour with Lunch and Six Bridges Cruise.

With a private guide, you’ll get an immersive experience of Portugal’s second-largest city, from its UNESCO World Heritage Site historical center to newer districts.

Indulge in a wine tasting, take a Douro River day cruise, buy your lunch while enjoying it with a view, and more. All while knowing that your money is going back into supporting the local community through the company’s pledge to support those in need.

“We were so lucky to have Mr. Andre Vidal as our tour guide for our full-day guided city tour. He is a very knowledgeable, well-organized, and well-attentive tour guide. Our small group of 7 people from 3 hotels and 3 countries is amazed by his professionalism and excellent service. As a used to be a senior tour guide in my working history, I want to give him a rating of 10+ out of 10. He speaks excellent English, excellent French, excellent Spanish, and Excellent Portugal. I have visited more than 35 countries. He is the best tour guide I have ever experienced in my life.” – Tripadvisor Reviewer (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Porto City Tour Full Day with Lunch and Six Bridges Cruise – Private ➜

3. Porto City Tour Full Day: River Cruise, Wine Cellars & Lunch 

⭐ 5/5 (56 Reviews)

Get ready for an unforgettable experience of culture and history on the Porto City Tour Full Day: River Cruise, Wine Cellars & Lunch.

This comprehensive full-day tour includes round-trip travel from your Porto hotel and all activity costs, leaving you free to explore Portugal’s historic city in comfort with an experienced driver and guide.

Experience Bolhão Market, try local wine at Porto’s renowned wine caves, take a sightseeing cruise on the Douro River and more. Get sweeping coastal views from various vantage points along your journey.

Even if you are travelling solo, they will pair you up with other like-minded travellers on this small group tour so you have the best time.

“First, it started with the ease of booking. Wonderful customer service Our guide Tiago arrived promptly; he was so kind and helpful – we were two older ladies with mobility issues. He made it easy for us to see the sights. Ah, the content: churches, Harry Potter book Store, the River Cruise, the Port tasting, wonderful lunch away from all the tourists. Finally, a chance to see the beach on a wonderfully sunny day. Great day; Well worth the money. I would do it again.” – JH (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability of Porto City Tour Full Day: River Cruise, Wine Cellars & Lunch ➜

4. Porto City Small Group Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting and Cruise in Douro River

⭐ 5/5 (24 Reviews)

See Porto in a single day on the Porto City Small Group Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting and Cruise in Douro River.

This full-day tour offers an exciting opportunity to explore this beautiful city while enjoying some of its best attractions, Porto Se Cathedral, Avinida dos Aliados, and the Igreja dos Clerigos. All this plus a river cruise and wine tasting.

It’s an early start, but with hotel pickup and drop-off included, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the best Porto has to offer.

“The guide very helpful , knowledgeable and accommodating and friendly. Recommend this tour to see porto in one day.” – Natalie S (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Porto City Small Group Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting and Cruise in Douro River ➜

5. Private Tour in Porto with Cruise and Visit to a Wine Cellar  

⭐ 4.5/5 (6 Reviews)

Journey through time on the Private Tour in Porto with Cruise and Visit to a Wine Cellar.

On this full-day tour, you’ll get to cruise down the Douro River, visit a wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia and explore some of Portugal’s best-preserved architectural treasures. Discover all the secrets and corners of Porto, popularly called the “Invicta”, meaning the Unbeaten City.

Take a break from the tour to go for lunch, and at the end of the day, you can transfer back to the hotel or stay in the center of Porto to enjoy the late afternoon and catch the sunset.

This is an unforgettable experience that will give you insight into Porto’s fascinating history and culture.

“Our 10 night river cruise and excursions were great. But the very last day I arranged a private tour with eco tours in Porto Portugal. Absolutely wonderful and far better than the excursions offered on the ship. My mom is 86 and has mobility issues so private tours are life saving for our family. Daniela was our tour guide and he went far and above our expectations in ensuring my mom was able to see everything and experience hard to get to places like the Churchill wine tasting room. He literally backed up an extremely narrow cobblestone road inches from hitting cars and side of building to bring my mom up to the front door. During the tour, he made sure the tour guide carried a chair around for my mom to sit on as well. He was extremely knowledgeable and spoke English very well and was loud enough for all of us to hear in the very luxurious van. Bravo eco Tours! Highly recommend!” – TripAdvisor Travler (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Private Tour in Porto with Cruise and Visit to a Wine Cellar ➜

6. Porto: Private Charming Sailboat Tour on the Douro River

⭐  5/5 (33 Reviews)

The Porto: Private Charming Sailboat Tour on the Douro River is one of the most memorable boat tours in Porto.

Enjoy 2 hours of relaxation with friends or family as you cruise along the riverside of Porto and Gaia, taking pictures of the Dom Luis Bridge from the best spots. Sip on sparkling green wine or the famous Port wine while listening to custom music, all without leaving the comfort of your own boat.

Pack some snacks and get ready for an amazing way to explore one of Europe’s best cities and its stunning river.

“The trip is pretty good!! More than perfect!! And those boatmen were so friendly that told us the history of Porto. We sat in the front of the boat to view the seascape and the colorful houses, meanwhile we tasted the topical green wine which was so great!!! I’m satisfied with this journey! It’s worth!” – GetYourGuide Traveler, Spain (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Porto: Private Charming Sailboat Tour on the Douro River ➜

7. Best of Porto Guided Tour with Lunch, Cruise & Wine Tasting  

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 Reviews)

Have an unforgettable day out in Porto on the Best of Porto Guided Tour with Lunch, Cruise & Wine Tasting.

This full-day tour offers a combination of sightseeing, food, and wine tasting that will leave you feeling satisfied and full of new experiences.

Admire the exterior of the Cathedral and São Bento Railway Station on a guided walking tour. Take a panoramic tour in Boavista and Foz do Douro. Visit a local wine cellar and taste fine wines. Break for lunch and then cruise along the Douro River.

This is one of the best Porto boat tours and is sure to provide something special for everyone. The only thing you will want after this day is more wine.

“Very interesting little town. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the city. We saw amazing views of the city from Porto and the town across Porto. Wine tasting was cool, the boat ride always also cool. Overall amazing day” – GetYourGuide Traveler (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Best of Porto Guided Tour with Lunch, Cruise & Wine Tasting ➜

8. Porto Wine Tasting Boat Tour  

⭐ 5/5 (14 Reviews)

Find the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion with the Porto Wine Tasting Boat Tour.

This 2-hour cruise on the Douro River is perfect for private parties, with a sound system and onboard wifi available to make it just right for your occasion.

You’ll get amazing views of the city from this boat as it passes by all 6 bridges in Porto.

“Wow I cannot share how great of an experience my partner and I had. We were skeptical of the price as it seemed to good to be true, so we signed up and arrived early, and was ensured we were all set to go for our 3pm boat tour. We hung out at the nearby cafe until Ines came to retrieve us to start our boat ride. To our surprise, we had the whole boat to ourselves! Andrés and Ines showed us around the river and were very friendly and knowledgeable of the history of Porto. They then brought out various different wines to taste and paired them with delicioso chocolates. We had some great conversations and they even recommended some local restaurants for dinner. On the way back to dock, we were greeted with a beautiful sunset sky and docked at 5pm. Such a lovely experience, would recommend to anyone visiting Porto with a loved one or group of friends. Thank you so much Andres and Ines!” – Edgar (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Porto Wine Tasting Boat Tour ➜

9. Porto: Electric Tuk-Tuk City Tour and Douro River Cruise  

⭐ 4.6/5 (355 Reviews)

The Porto: Electric Tuk-Tuk City Tour & Douro River Cruise is one of the most unique ways to see the city.

This amazing tour offers visitors an unforgettable tuk-tuk ride through some of the city’s most iconic sites and attractions, such as Sao Bento Station, the Clerigos Tower, and the Lello Bookshop. Plus, you can see the city from a different perspective on a cruise down the Douro River.

With a 50-minute tuk-tuk ride and 55-minute river cruise, this is an adventure that cannot be missed.

You can split your tour across multiple days on your trip to Porto or enjoy it all at once.

“The guide Frédéric was very friendly and had a lot to tell us about this magnificent city. He answered all our questions and the tour of the city in a tuk tuk allows you to see a lot of things and as the vehicle is slow, we were able to take all our photos. Frankly I recommend. We also took the boat to admire the 6 bridges of the Douro and also we liked the walk, especially since the weather was very nice.” – GetYourGuide Traveler, France (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Porto: Electric Tuk-Tuk City Tour and Douro River Cruise ➜

10. Porto Boat Tour

⭐ 4.5/5 (102 Reviews)

The Porto Boat Tour is an amazing experience that takes you through the Douro River and its stunning estuary.

You’ll have a chance to enjoy breathtaking views of churches, bridges, and other sites while sipping on a glass of port wine. Take in all the beauty of nature with wildlife sightings along your 2-hour cruise.

With blankets provided during winter months and comfortable Bénéteau sailboats, this is Porto boat tour that will leave a lasting impression. It’s even better at sunset!

“We enjoyed a very pleasant cruise down the Douro river and out to the harbor area. It was very personalized as we were the only couple on the boat. The couple taking us out were very friendly and helpful. It was much preferable to the other cruise boats that were packed with people.” – Tet M (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Porto Boat Tour ➜

11. Private Yacht – Experience of the 6 Bridges and Douro Estuary Natural Reserve

⭐ 5/5 (1 Reviews)

The Private Yacht – Experience of the 6 Bridges and Douro Estuary Natural Reserve tour is great for couples, families and groups who want to take in some of Portugal’s best sights while enjoying a unique experience on board.

This 2-hour small group tour sails along the calm waters of the Douro River to get away from the crowds, taking short breaks so you can admire all its beauty and capture photos that will last forever.

Cross the six iconic bridges of Porto while listening to your favourite music playlist via a Bluetooth speaker – making this trip even more enjoyable. Take in breathtaking views as you sail towards the mouth of the river at Douro Estuary Natural Reserve.

“Excellent trip Made the best even out if bad weather Our guide and Captain were both fantastic Will do this again in summer” – K.S (see more reviews)

Check Prices & Availability: Private Yacht – Experience of the 6 Bridges and Douro Estuary Natural Reserve ➜

The 6 Bridges Douro River Day Cruise in Porto: What It’s Like

After scootering around Lagos and parasailing in Albufeira on Portugal’s southern coast, I was ready for more adventures in this beautiful country. Arrive early to check in for your river cruise before its departure time. After checking in, you will line up to board the boat, prepared to board when the ship is ready. Choose an open seat and get ready to sail. 

Depending on the tour you choose, there may be an audio part of the tour explaining the history of the six bridges. My river cruise did not include an audio tour.  

Once the boat sails, relax and feel the wind in your hair. Both sides of the boat offer a great view, as whatever you can’t see well on one side, you will see again on the return trip. I loved seeing each of Porto’s six bridges and enjoying sitting down after a long day of sightseeing.

Seeing Porto from the water is charming and well worth the ticket price. If I didn’t take the river cruise, I wouldn’t have seen half of the bridges in this adorable town. I recommend the 6 bridges cruise as part of your Porto itinerary.

Tips for the Best Experience with Your Porto River Day Cruise

• Plan your river cruise close to sunset if you plan to watch the sunset from Porto’s waterfront area. Porto is known for their incredible sunsets, so you will want to plan where you will be to watch it. We took our cruise around 5 pm, then stayed in the waterfront district until the sun had set.
• During the cruise, you cannot sit at the front of the boat as your seat, but you can take a photo with the view.
• If you sit on the left outer edge of the boat, be prepared to be splashed. During my tour, we got splashed, but the rest of the ship stayed dry. It wasn’t a big deal for us, but other people moved after that. Something to note when choosing where to sit during your ride. 
• Book a ticket in advance to ensure your spot. If you don’t know your schedule, buy your ticket for the same day, but be prepared that not all time options may be available. I bought my tickets on the same day and had to pick a time slightly later than I intended but it worked out. 
• Tie up your hair unless you are okay with it tangling in the wind.

FAQs about 6 Bridges Cruise Porto

Final Thoughts: Is the 6 Bridges Cruise Worth it? + Best Porto Boat Tours

The 6 bridges Douro River day cruise is worth it for the unique perspective of the city and bridges, and the best way to see them is on a Porto boat tour.

From taking panoramic tours of Boavista and Foz do Douro to tasting fine wines or sailing along the tranquil waters of the Douro River, there’s something special for everyone on these best Porto boat tours. 

Whether it’s with family, friends or on your own, this unique adventure will provide lasting memories that you’ll cherish forever. 

The best Porto boat tour is the one with the smallest group size – Private Tour in the Douro (1 to 4 People) in a Boat Just For You.

Happy travelling!

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