11 Things to Know About Visiting Porto's Wine Cellars - Helpful tips and tricks to plan your visit

Portugal is re-known for many amazing attractions, and the port wine cellars in Porto are no exception! These wonderful, educational and tasty destinations are well worth the visit. However, make sure to have a read at these 11 things to know about visiting the wine cellars in Porto before you go or else risk missing out! 

​11 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING PORTO'S WINE CELLARS  HELPFUL TIPS AND TRICKS TO PLAN YOUR VISIT

1.Not everyone enjoys the taste of port wine

​Port wine has a very distinct taste, even to none-avid wine drinkers, so if you've never tried it before you might find yourself surprise - either in a good or bad way, only one way to find out!

2. You will be walking - a lot!

You'll be walking between cellars, to explore the area and likely going up hill to take in the great view of Porto on the other side of the river. And you'll be doing most of this walking along cobblestone roads. Hence comfortable footwear is a must, along with clothing which allows you to easily move around. 

3.Most visitors are well dressed

Although it can be tempting to put on walking sneakers with sweat pants given the kilometers you'll be walking (many of which will be uphill) on cobblestone roads and the hot temperature, we recommend you think twice about it. After all, you're not on a hike! If you still opt to dress casually, perhaps try to dress it up with some jewellery or accessories, or otherwise just be okay with sticking out of the crowds (which isn't always a bad thing of course).

4.Prices vary (a lot!)

Before having a seat for some tastings, or assuming you'll be joining in on the tour, make sure to check the prices!

5. The Wine Cellars aren't actually in Porto

They're not very far though, being located just across the river in a town called Vila Nova de Gaia! It's walkable distance from Porto if you're up for a stroll, as you simply have to cross the river on the bridge and the wine cellars are only a couple minutes walk away from the bridge. However, you can also opt to take the public transport over to the other side if you'd rather relax and enjoy the comfort.

6. The wine cellars aren't all located in the same place

Many of the wine cellars are located along the waterfront near each other, however there are a few that are also reachable with a little walk. For example, the well known (and our personal favorite) wine cellar Taylor's is just 10 minutes' walk up hill from Sandeman's.

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7. The tours are great, but most cost money

Most vineyards offer tours which you can take in order to better understand port wine. They're educational, interesting and a must especially for wine enthusiasts or those fascinated by wine making in general.

8. The wine cellars only sell port

Now, we can't say for sure that this applies to all of them, but as a rule of thumb the wine cellars in Porto seem to only sell port wine - so hopefully you enjoy it!

9. Wine cellars hours can vary

Make sure to check the hours before heading out, however most open around 10 am and close early to mid-evening. Their hours can be even more limited during certain times of the year.

10. Test our port wine with some tastings​

Tastings are a great way to try a few different types of port wine from a wine cellar without having to consume too much. Typically there's a tasting included with the tours of the cellars, but if you've had enough with the tours or simply aren't interested in learning about port wine, these are the perfect alternatives!

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11. Most visitors only visit one or two cellarS

The majority of people visiting the cellars are truly interested in the experience. Port tastings, education regarding the port wine making process and the history of port wine and the cellars - all things port! So if you're planning to hit up multiple cellars in a short period of time to get intoxicated, expect to get many disproving looks. 

Bonus

There are many cellars, however the most popular ones include Taylor's Port, Caves Ferreira, Cálem Wine Cellar and Sandeman Cellars.

​​Now that you have learned these tips and tricks, make sure to enjoy your yourself as you experience Portugal's wine cellars in the Porto area!

​J&C

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