The Hilton Porto Gaia is a stylish recent addition to Vila Nova de Gaia (or just Gaia), which is technically a separate city from Porto, but in reality it’s just a quick walk across the bridge and the Douro river from the city centre. It’s a short way up a hilly side street that you’ll find the Hilton. It’s a slick, unapologetically modern hotel with the air of a luxury business hotel. Its public spaces are airy and welcoming, starting with the large lobby, and crowned by its cocktail bar, Magma, which has great views across the river to Porto.
The hotel’s facilities are generally strong – it has a wellness centre, complete with swimming pool – and my experience was that the overall service was warm and easy. The hotel’s food and drink offering hits a high standard. It offers a sprawling and varied buffet breakfast in a spacious dining room. I was happy to try some impressive local dishes and wine at dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, Composto, where the staff were friendly and knowledgeable.
I was lucky to try one of the hotel’s King Duplex Suites, one of its most expensive and spacious options, but all the rooms feel fresh and contemporary (the hotel only opened in 2001).
Neighbourhood
The riverside area of Gaia that houses the Hilton has been redeveloped in recent years and become a popular spot for eating and drinking. There are several port wine cellars to visit in the area, and if you’re especially excited about local foodstuffs there’s also the Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardines shop nearby. The quayside also houses a cable car which takes you to the top of the city in a few minutes, allowing you even more easily to walk across the bridge to Porto proper.
Nearby
The Teleférico de Gaia is the cable car that lifts you above the river bank in Gaia and glides you up to the higher point of the Jardim do Morro where you can enjoy great views of the river and surrounding area.
The Dom Luís I Bridge is a two-deck bridge allowing you to walk (or drive) across to Porto both at river level or at the level of the higher point of both cities. Its network of iron girders may remind you of the Eiffel Tower: an early design by Gustave Eiffel was rejected, but engineers and architects close to his practice were involved in its design and construction.
WOW – World of Wine is a collection of museums and other experiences in the area that offer a good introduction to the neighbourhood’s central role in the production and distribution of port wine. Yes, there’s plenty of opportunity to taste the stuff too.
Time Out tip
Time Out’s very own Time Out Market Porto opened in the city in May 2024. It’s a brisk 25-minute walk from Gaia (remember there are ups and downs all over this city), and once there you can enjoy a selection of food from some of the city’s best chefs who, between them, have five Michelin stars. The Market is housed in a stunning re-development of part of Porto’s Sao Bento train station.