Hotels in Vila Nova de Gaia

Vila Nova de Gaia sits directly across the Douro from Porto's old town, and its whole identity is built on one industry: port wine. This is where the port houses — Graham's, Taylor's, Sandeman and the rest — have their lodges and cellars, stacked up the riverbank with their names painted huge on the roofs, visible from the Ribeira on the opposite side. The cellar tours and tastings are the main reason to come, and the riverside promenade and cable car up to the Jardim do Morro give some of the best photographs of Porto you'll find anywhere.

Be honest: Gaia itself is fairly light on standalone sights beyond the wine trade, and most visitors treat it as a lunch-and-tasting excursion from Porto rather than a base, which is reflected in the thin hotel count here. Porto's cathedral, Palácio da Bolsa and the other big draws are a short walk or tram ride across the bridge. Stay here if you want quieter nights and river views for less than central Porto charges, right along the waterfront near the cable car.