The Ribeira and the Luís I Bridge on foot

What it is

It is the walk that best explains Porto: going down from the centre to the Ribeira, the district of narrow, colourful houses pressed against the Douro, crossing the river by the lower deck of the Luís I Bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia and coming back along the upper deck, at the top of the arch, with the whole city in front of you. It is free, takes about two hours on foot with stops and is part of Porto's historic centre, a World Heritage Site since 1996.

The bridge

The Luís I Bridge was designed by the Belgian engineer Théophile Seyrig, who had already worked on the Maria Pia Bridge. Work began in 1881; the upper deck opened on 31 October 1886 and the lower one in 1888. It is 385 metres long and its iron arch spans 172 metres. Since 2005 metro line D has run across the top, beside a pedestrian pavement; below pass cars and pedestrians.

The route step by step

1. From the cathedral to the Ribeira. Start on the Sé esplanade, with the first view over the rooftops and the river. Go down the district's streets and stairs towards the river; it is ten or fifteen minutes of steep descent.
2. The Ribeira quay. Stroll along the Cais da Ribeira, among café terraces, with the tiled façades and the moored rabelo boats in front. The six bridges cruise leaves from here if you want to see it from the water.
3. The lower deck. Cross to Gaia on the bridge's lower level, a few metres above the water. On the other side is the Gaia quay, with the port wine cellars, such as Taylor's, and the view of the Ribeira head-on.
4. The climb to Jardim do Morro. Go up to the garden, above the southern end of the bridge, on foot up the slope or on the Gaia cable car, which links the quay with the top. A little higher, the viewpoint at the Serra do Pilar monastery opens up the view over the whole city.
5. The upper deck. Return to Porto along the top, on the pavement beside the metro tracks. This is the high point of the walk: the Ribeira, the cathedral and the river at your feet. When you reach the Porto bank you are back beside the cathedral.

Distance, climb and time

About 3 km in total, with two short, steep climbs: the one back up from the Ribeira is avoided by crossing at the top, and the Gaia one you can do by cable car. Allow two hours with photo stops, more if you sit at a terrace or visit a cellar.

When to go

All year round. The best time is the end of the afternoon: the sun sets downriver, the light falls on the Ribeira façades and from the upper deck you watch the lights come on. At midday in summer it is hot and there is little shade on the bridge. In June, on St John's night, 23 to 24 June, the Ribeira is packed to the brim.

Safety and children

On the upper deck, walk only in the pedestrian area: the metro passes very close. Hold children's hands. Anyone with vertigo will notice the height. With a pushchair, the descent to the Ribeira by stairs is heavy going; better by the streets with ramps, or on the Guindais funicular, which links the Ribeira with the upper part of Batalha.

Getting there

Start at the cathedral, ten minutes' walk from São Bento station. If you prefer to start at the top, metro line D stops at São Bento and, on the other side of the bridge, at Jardim do Morro.