Cais da Ribeira in Porto: the quay walk, restaurants and rabelo boats
The Cais da Ribeira is the pedestrian quay along the Douro in the Ribeira district, below the Dom Luís I Bridge. It is Porto's most photographed promenade: coloured houses behind, rabelo boats and the Gaia port cellars opposite. It is free and open at any hour, and takes 20 to 30 minutes to walk (an hour with a stop). The district has been UNESCO-listed since 1996.
Highlights
The quay walk
The quay is pedestrian, flat and lined with terraces; you follow it from the Praça da Ribeira to the foot of the bridge. It is the best viewpoint on the Gaia cellars.
The rabelos
These flat wooden boats once carried port barrels from the vineyards to Gaia. Some are moored as decoration; one source says some serve as floating restaurants. Cruises leave from the quay.
The restaurants
The quay is lined with restaurants serving cod, grilled fish and francesinha, often touristy. For better food, guides recommend the lanes behind, Rua dos Mercadores and around the Praça da Ribeira.
Practical info
Tips
- Come early in the morning or after 7 pm: by day the quay is packed and the terraces dearest. For the district's history and paid visits, see the Ribeira guide. To see the quay from the water, a six bridges cruise leaves from here. Beware of menus displayed without prices.
How to get there
On foot from São Bento (about 10 minutes downhill) or from São Bento metro station. The quay is next to the Dom Luís I Bridge.
Opening hours
Our guides that feature it
Nearby
See on the map →
Comments
No comments yet.