Porto, Portugal

River Sightseeing Cruise + World of Discoveries + Burmester Cellars

4.5 2,226 Reviews Approx. 3 Hours
River Sightseeing Cruise + World of Discoveries + Burmester Cellars - Photo 1
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Overview

This all-in-one experience combines a relaxing cruise along the Douro River, an immersive journey through Portugal's Age of Discoveries, and a guided visit to one of Porto's most prestigious Port wine cellars. Begin your adventure aboard a traditional Rabelo-style boat as you sail along the scenic Douro River. Admire Porto's UNESCO World Heritage-listed riverside, the colourful Ribeira district, the famous Dom Luís I Bridge, Vila Nova de Gaia's historic wine lodges, and the city's six iconic bridges.

About the activity
Free Cancellation
Mobile Voucher
Family Friendly
Instant Confirmation

Highlights

  • Spectacular views of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, and the six famous bridges
  • Entry to the interactive World of Discoveries Museum
  • Indoor themed boat ride through the Portuguese Age of Discoveries
  • Guided tour of the historic Burmester Cellars
  • Learn about the production and history of Port wine
  • Mobile E-Voucher Accepted – No Need to Print Tickets!

Itinerary

Your experience begins at the River Sightseeing departure point, where you'll board a traditional Rabelo-style boat, inspired by the vessels that once transported Port wine barrels along the Douro River. After presenting your ticket, relax and enjoy a leisurely cruise through the heart of Porto.

As you sail along the Douro River, admire Porto's spectacular UNESCO-listed waterfront, the colourful Ribeira district, Vila Nova de Gaia's famous wine lodges, and the city's six magnificent bridges, including the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge. During the journey, a multilingual audio guide in 16 languages shares fascinating stories about Porto's history, architecture, maritime heritage, and its close connection to the Douro River.

Following your cruise, continue to the World of Discoveries, an interactive museum dedicated to Portugal's remarkable Age of Discoveries. Journey through immersive exhibitions featuring life-sized recreations, multimedia displays, historical artefacts, and educational exhibits that bring the country's maritime legacy to life. The highlight of your visit is an indoor themed boat ride that recreates the epic voyages of Portuguese explorers across Africa, India, China, Japan, and Brazil, providing a unique and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

Your adventure continues with a visit to the historic Burmester Cellars, one of Porto's most respected Port wine producers. During a guided tour, you'll discover the centuries-old traditions of Port wine production, from grape cultivation in the Douro Valley to ageing in oak barrels. Learn about the craftsmanship, history, and heritage that have made Burmester a celebrated name in Portuguese winemaking.

The experience concludes with a tasting of carefully selected Burmester Port wines, allowing adult visitors (18 years and over) to savour the distinctive flavours and aromas of this world-famous fortified wine. This carefully curated combination of river sightseeing, interactive history, and authentic wine culture offers one of the most complete and memorable ways to discover Porto.

What's Included

What's Included
  • River Sightseeing Cruise
  • Multilingual audio guide (16 languages)
  • Admission to the World of Discoveries
  • Indoor themed boat ride
  • Guided tour of Burmester Cellars
  • Port wine tasting (for guests aged 18+)

Schedule

Porto Departure:

  • April – October: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Every 30 Minutes
  • November – March: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Every 60 Minutes
  • Duration: 50 Minutes
  • Meeting Point: The departure point is located at Cais da Ribeira do Porto.

Porto–Gaia Departure:

  • April – October: 10:30 am–12:30 pm, 2:30 pm–6:30 pm | Every 60 Minutes
  • November – March: 10:30 am–12:30 pm, 2:30 pm–4:30 pm | Every 60 Minutes
  • Duration: Approx. 1 Hour
  • Starting Points: Av. de Diogo Leite 5, 4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia

Burmester Cellars:

  • Timings: Open from 10:00am to 1:00pm & 2:00pm to 7:00pm
  • Last Entry: 6:15pm
  • Duration: Approx. 45 minutes
  • Address: Largo Dom Luís I 1, 4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

World of Discoveries:

  • Tuesday to Friday: Open from 10:00am to 6:00pm
  • Weekends and public holidays: from 10:00am to 7:00pm
  • Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
  • Address: Rua de Miragaia 106, 4050-387 Porto, Portugal

Redemption Info

  • Please present your mobile or printed voucher at the River Sightseeing ticket office before boarding your cruise.
  • Follow the instructions on your voucher to access the World of Discoveries and Burmester Cellars.
  • If required, reserve your preferred cellar tour time in advance.
  • It is recommended to arrive at least 15–20 minutes before your selected departure time.

Know Before You Go

  • Wear comfortable clothing and bring a light jacket, as it can be cooler and windier on the river in the evening.
  • Comfortable, non-slip footwear is recommended.
  • Don't forget your camera or smartphone to capture the beautiful sunset and panoramic views of Porto.
  • The cruise operates subject to favourable weather and river conditions. Routes or schedules may change for operational or safety reasons.
  • Food and beverages are not included unless specifically stated in your booking.
  • Smoking is not permitted onboard.
  • Pets are not allowed, except for certified assistance dogs.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the cruise.
  • Please follow all safety instructions provided by the crew during boarding and throughout the journey.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled cruise departure.
  • The attractions may be visited on the same day or on separate days within the ticket validity period, subject to operating hours.
  • Wine tasting is available only to guests aged 18 years and above.
  • Cruise departures are subject to weather and river conditions.
  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Cancellation Policy

  • To get the full refund, you must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the activity/tour start time.
  • If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time, you will not get any refund.
  • Modifications/ changes are allowed at least 24 hours before the activity/ tour start time.
  • You must contact us through email. The activity/tour's local start time determines the cut-off times.

Disclaimer

  • There may be unexpected changes in the timetable due to public holidays, weather conditions or other unanticipated situations.
  • During major events, summer vacations, and weekends, the city will be quite busy. We will do everything we can to provide a smooth and consistent service! In such cases, no reimbursement is allowed.
  • Tours run regardless of the weather. Weather-related refunds will not be issued unless the service is discontinued due to inclement weather.
  • The service provider preserves the right to amend or cancel the itinerary due to city events or force majeure.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can easily book tours and activities through our website. Simply browse our destinations, select your preferred tour, choose your date and number of participants, and complete the secure online payment process. You'll receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher immediately after purchase.

After booking, you'll receive a voucher via email. For hop-on-hop-off tours, exchange your voucher with the bus driver or staff at any designated stop to receive your physical ticket. For other activities, present your voucher (digital or printed) at the meeting point specified in your booking confirmation. Keep your ticket safe throughout the tour validity period.

We accept all major credit/debit cards. You can pay with a VISA debit or credit card, a MasterCard debit or credit card, Maestro, Visa Electron or American Express card.
 
Please note: We are based in the United Kingdom. Depending on your bank, an international transaction fee may apply. For more details about potential charges, please contact your card provider directly.

Yes. Your payment is absolutely safe with us. All transactions are protected with SSL encryption and processed securely. With our secure online payment system, your information is encrypted and protected against fraud. We use industry-standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocols to safeguard data transfer, and all personal information is stored in secure environments not accessible to the public.

You will receive a confirmation email with your booking voucher immediately after purchase. If you do not receive it within a few minutes, please check your spam/junk folder.If any activity requires manual confirmation from the supplier/ tour operator, your booking will be confirmed within 24 hours.

Still haven’t received it? Contact us at booking@activity-crest.com and our team will be happy to assist you.

Your reference number will be displayed on the confirmation page after you complete your booking and in the confirmation email you receive once your tour is confirmed. All booking reference numbers begin with “ACTXXXX”.

If you don't receive your confirmation email within 30 minutes of booking, please check your spam/junk folder first. If it's not there, contact our customer support at booking@activity-crest.com with your payment details and booking information. We'll resend your confirmation and voucher immediately.

Yes. You can modify your booking after purchase. Modifications depend on the specific tour's terms and conditions. Some bookings allow date changes up to 24-48 hours before the tour, while others may have stricter policies. Contact us at booking@activity-crest.com as soon as possible if you need to modify your booking. Please note that changes may be subject to availability and additional fees.

Please bring a printed copy of your ticket voucher. Some local suppliers also accept vouchers shown on a mobile device (check the activity page for details). A valid photo ID is required for the traveler named on the ticket. For certain activities, a valid ID for each participant may be required – this will be clearly stated on your ticket.

Our cancellation policy varies by tours. Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. For specific cancellation terms and refund conditions, please check the individual tour page before booking. To cancel your booking, contact us at booking@activity-crest.com with your booking reference number.

Customer Reviews

4.5
based on 2,226 reviews
Rating Distribution
5 stars
1,580
4 stars
382
3 stars
166
2 stars
93
1 stars
5
Comfortable and Convenient

"The service made our sightseeing day much easier. We enjoyed comfortable seats, excellent city views, and convenient stops that allowed us to explore attractions without unnecessary travel."

A Memorable Experience

"The entire tour was enjoyable from beginning to end. Beautiful views, helpful commentary, and convenient stops made it easy to experience the city without feeling rushed."

Wonderful Way to Travel

"We loved seeing the city from the upper deck. The route covered many interesting areas, and the freedom to hop off whenever we wanted was extremely useful."

Ideal for Sightseeing

"This tour was a convenient way to explore popular attractions. We enjoyed informative commentary, comfortable transportation, and the flexibility to spend extra time at places we liked."

Simple and Enjoyable Tour

"The hop on hop off service made exploring the city straightforward. We saw several landmarks, enjoyed great views, and appreciated being able to continue our journey whenever convenient."

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