The best hotels overlooking the Douro River

The Douro River is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Now, if a hotel allows you to wake up almost on top of the water, it is likely to be considered as one of the best. This is the case of the Pestana Vintage Porto & World Heritage Site, which is located in the historical square of Ribeira and, therefore, with the river right at its edge.

First you must realize that this guesthouse did not open in 1872, and that there was not even any accommodation here at that time. The name of this River House comes from the iron walkway and colourful stained glass windows that allow access to the 19th century mansion. The 1872 River House is right on top of the Bacalhoeiros Wall and, therefore, right on top of the river, hence the "River" in the name.

It is said that to have the best view on the city you have to go to all the way to Vila Nova de Gaia. And if going to Gaia means staying at The Yeatman, then no one will mind. Surrounded by old Port wine cellars, this is one of the best hotels in the area, much thanks to the view. And they take full advantage of it: the 82 rooms and suites have terraces with panoramic views of the river and the city, as well as the indoor pool and Dick's Bar (no joke, that is the bar’s actual name).

Sonae Capital took only a year to transform the former headquarters of Balleteatro (the first theatre and dance school in Porto) to a hotel with 56 rooms and two penthouses, the third of the group in the city. As the name implies, the space is in the heart of the Ribeira, with a postcard view over the house and over the river. Wonderful.