Ribeira
Old town waterfront on the Douro below the Luís I Bridge
The Ribeira is Porto's old town riverfront on the Douro, at the foot of the Luís I Bridge. Vila Nova de Gaia lies opposite, and you can walk to the other bank across the bridge's lower deck.
On this page
The riverside quarter
The Ribeira is the part of Porto's old town that sits right on the Douro. Above it, the lanes climb to the cathedral hill where the city began; opposite, on the south bank, lies Vila Nova de Gaia. This setting between river, hillside and opposite bank is among the qualities UNESCO highlights in the historic centre.
The World Heritage Site is named Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar. The Ribeira therefore lies in the middle of the listed area, and the bridge at its edge is named in the title itself.
Luís I Bridge
The Luís I Bridge links Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. It was built between 1881 and 1886 to a design by the engineer Théophile Seyrig, who had previously worked with Gustave Eiffel. It opened in 1886, and the lower deck was completed in 1888.
The bridge has two decks. A metro line runs across the upper deck, linking the area around the cathedral with Jardim do Morro in Gaia. The lower deck sits close to the water and starts at the Ribeira; it is open to pedestrians as well as other traffic.
Cais da Ribeira and Praça do Infante
The Cais da Ribeira, the district's quay, runs along the river. Set slightly back is the Praça do Infante. Both are starting points for walks along the waterfront and up into the lanes of the old town.
Boat trip under the bridges
From the water you can take in the Ribeira, the Luís I Bridge and the opposite bank in Gaia at a single glance. One example of such a trip is the Cruzeiro das 6 Pontes run by Douro Azul. The boat is modelled on the traditional rabelo boats and passes under the city's six bridges.
If you would like to spend more time on the river, head upstream to the Douro Valley.
Getting to the Ribeira
The easiest way to reach the Ribeira is on foot. Streets and steps lead downhill to the river from the Baixa and São Bento station, which means the way back is uphill. For travel to Porto itself, see Getting there.
Across to Gaia
From the Ribeira, the lower deck of the Luís I Bridge takes you across to Vila Nova de Gaia on the south bank. From there you look back at the houses on the old town hillside. For more of what Porto has to offer, see Sights.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Ribeira? +
The Ribeira lies on the north bank of the Douro, below the old town and at the foot of the Luís I Bridge. From the Baixa and São Bento station, it is a walk downhill to the river.
Can I walk across the Luís I Bridge? +
Yes. The lower deck of the bridge is open to pedestrians as well as other traffic and links the Ribeira with Vila Nova de Gaia. A metro line runs across the upper deck.
Is the Luís I Bridge part of the World Heritage Site? +
Yes. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is called Historic Centre of Oporto, Luiz I Bridge and Monastery of Serra do Pilar and was inscribed in 1996. For details, see Sights.
Are there boat trips under the bridges? +
Yes. One example is the Cruzeiro das 6 Pontes run by Douro Azul. The boat is modelled on the traditional rabelo boats and passes under the city's six bridges.
More in Porto
Sights
Porto's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its highlights include the Sé Cathedral, the Torre dos Clérigos, São Bento station with its tile panels, the Palácio da Bolsa and the Ribeira on the Douro.
Livraria Lello
Livraria Lello is a bookshop with neo-Gothic architecture on Rua das Carmelitas. Entry is by ticket, and the ticket value is deducted when you buy a book.