WOW – World of Wine is a cultural district set up in 2020 in former port wine warehouses on the Vila Nova de Gaia quay. It brings together several museums devoted to wine, cork, chocolate and the history of the region, as well as restaurants, bars and shops, spread over several buildings on the hillside. You can spend a whole afternoon there; the complex is especially handy on a rainy day. The ticket is for one day or two days, and each museum has its own entrance.
Highlights
The Gaia quay
The WOW district is on the Gaia waterfront, facing the Ribeira: the view from its terraces takes in the Dom Luís I bridge and the facades of Porto across the river. The site's restaurants and bars take advantage of this view.
The Wine Experience
The wine museum traces the history of the vine and port wine in the Douro valley, with a tasting at the end of the visit.
Planet Cork and The Chocolate Story
Two lighter museums: one tells how cork, an emblematic Portuguese material, is harvested and processed; the other traces the history of chocolate. These are the entries best suited to children.
Porto Region Across the Ages
This local-history trail follows the Porto region from prehistory to today, with models and reconstructions.
Pink Palace
The complex's pink building stands out from afar and opens later in the evening than the other museums, on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opening hours and prices
Most museums are open every day from 10am to 7pm (last entry); the Pink Palace is open from 10am to 7pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Hours change on public holidays. Prices, for one day or two, are shown on the official WOW website; they vary with the formula and the season.
Practical info
Tips
- Choose between the one-day and two-day ticket according to how many museums you really visit: you cannot see everything in one afternoon, and the museums have their own time slots. The restaurants should be booked, especially for weekend lunch and at sunset. The site is on a slope: there are steps, but also lifts. See also: Port wine cellars in Gaia, Gaia Cable Car, What to do in Porto when it rains.
How to get there
Rua do Choupelo 39, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia. Metro line D (yellow), Jardim do Morro station, then walk down to the quay (10 minutes). From the Ribeira, cross the Dom Luís I bridge on foot (about 15 minutes). The Gaia cable car drops you near the quay.
Opening hours
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