Summary
On the right bank of the Douro, Valbom is a small town just upriver from Porto. You can effortlessly reach the city center, where you can engage in sightseeing, appreciate art and architecture, savor Port wine, and explore historic neighborhoods. Valbom, however, possesses its own charm, as skilled goldsmith artisans have been creating intricate filigree jewelry here for centuries.
The Douro waterside has also been revitalized with a scenic trail that meanders past river beaches and offers views across to the lush, wooded bank on the southern side. There are several beautiful historic properties by the water, some visible from a distance, while others are open for guided tours.
Let us delve into the noteworthy activities in Valbom:
1. Porto
This UNESCO World Heritage City is right on your doorstep in Valbom, making it easy to enjoy its offerings.
Porto boasts lively markets, museums, intricately decorated churches, stunning landmarks, and animated old quarters.
The iconic Dom Luís I Bridge stands as a testament to engineering excellence, built in the 1880s, arching high over the Ribeira neighborhood.
This vibrant quayside and square serve as the focal point for the renowned São João celebrations in June.
Additionally, it is essential to take a stroll along the Atlantic at Foz, admire the Art Deco architecture at Serralves, ascend the Baroque Clérigos Tower, and be captivated by the opulence of Palácio da Bolsa.
And that is only the beginning!
2. Quinta de Villar d’Allen
This pleasure house has remained within the same family since 1839, when the English businessman John Allen acquired it in an auction.
The residence was redesigned in the Eclectic style that gained popularity during Portugal’s Romantic era.
Visitors can partake in guided tours conducted by Allen’s descendants, where they will discover the family museum and tastefully decorated interiors.
However, the splendid parterre gardens are truly remarkable, particularly when the camellias bloom during the summer months.
This is a small camellia plantation, where guests can purchase plants as well as a bottle of the Allen family’s port wine from their cellar.
3. Lugar do Desenho
Valbom is the birthplace of the 20th-century painter Júlio Resende, who during his lifetime produced around 2,000 pieces of graphic art.
These works are showcased in themed exhibitions at Lugar do Desenho, which is managed by his foundation.
On the first and third Saturdays of each month, visitors can also gain access to Resende’s atelier-home, which was designed for him in 1962 by the architect José Carlos Loureiro.
Resende worked in this space for five decades until his passing in 2011.
4. Casa de Gramido
In the 2000s, the dilapidated Casa Branca de Gramido (White House) in Valbom underwent renovations, integrating a tourist office, a café, reception room, offices, and exhibition areas.
This building was selected for preservation as it hosted the signing of the agreement that effectively concluded the Patuleia, a brief civil war between the Septemberists (liberals) and Cartistas (conservatives), in 1847.
It also features a stunning location just above the Douro, making it a notable destination for those interested in Portuguese history.
5. Rota da Filigrana
Valbom is intrinsically linked to exquisite goldsmithery.
This craftsmanship dates back to the time of Roman goldmines in the Serra das Banjas mountains to the east.
However, since the late 1700s, the surrounding Gondomar municipality has emerged as a significant hub for this art, evident in the shimmering traditional costumes worn by women during festivals.
Five of Portugal’s eight largest goldsmiths are located in this area, and approximately 60% of the country’s gold jewelry production takes place here.
Much of this work is carried out in small, family-run workshops using age-old techniques, and some pieces can be viewed in showcases at the Casa da Gramado.
6. Prado do Repouso
Located on the eastern edge of Porto, adjacent to the Douro and under ten minutes from Valbom, Prado do Repouso is the city’s most extensive cemetery.
Though this may seem like a somber outing, the site features many stunning statues and mausoleums from the 19th century, crafted by notable artists such as Soares dos Reis and António Teixeira Lopes.
Be sure to locate the cemetery chapel and the charnel house for the Benedictine nuns of the Avé-Maria convent.
7. Zona Ribeirinha de Gondomar
Begin at Casa Branca in Gramido and follow a five-kilometer riverside nature trail that winds up to the Ribeira de Abade on the eastern edge of Porto.
As you journey east to west, you initially encounter a pastoral setting, with only a few homes amid the forest on the left bank.
Slowly, Porto will come into view as you approach the Ponte de São João, constructed in 1991. Just around the bend from this bridge is the 19th-century Ponte Maria Pia, crafted from wrought iron and engineered by the Eiffel Company.
The Quinta do Passal in Valbom is located along this route and provides free bicycle rentals.
8. Museu Nacional da Imprensa
A short distance from the Allen estate is Porto’s National Press Museum.
This museum features intricate machinery from various periods and is divided into three exhibitions: Typesetting, Printing, and Finishing.
A notable aspect of the museum is that many displays are interactive, allowing visitors to operate the machinery themselves.
Additionally, you can compare the laborious manual typesetting process with the automated devices that became prevalent in the 20th century.
The museum also includes a small section recounting the history of Porto’s Rodrigo Álvares, who became Portugal’s first printer in 1497.
9. River Beaches (Praias Fluviais)
One advantage of being upriver from Porto is that the Douro remains tranquil and clean, with only the occasional tour boat passing by.
In close proximity to Valbom are some of the finest beaches along the river.
If you’re interested in a day filled with leisure, it is significantly easier than traveling to Matosinhos, the nearest ocean beach, while the river offers a safer environment for swimming.
Beaches such as Zebreiros, Lomba, and Melres are conveniently located and accessible from June to September.
Lomba is particularly noteworthy for its expansive sandy area, monitored by lifeguards, flanked by deep pine forests both behind and across the river.
10. Estádio do Dragão
Moments away on the eastern side of Porto is the impressive home of the city’s leading football team.
FC Porto holds a prominent place in Portugal’s football history, having won the European Cup/Champions League twice.
The Estádio do Dragão, with a capacity of 52,000, was completed in time for Portugal’s Euro 2004. Unless Benfica or Sporting Lisbon visit, home matches rarely sell out, providing an opportunity to witness top-tier football from August to May.
During the off-season, tours of the stadium are available, including a museum that showcases the club’s achievements and narrates its European victories in 1987, 2003, 2004, and 2011.
11. Vila Nova de Gaia
Situated on the left bank of the Douro, adjacent to Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia is a distinct city renowned for its port wine cellars.
While we will discuss the cellars shortly, it is imperative to cross the Dom Luís I Bridge to experience the finest view of Porto.
This stunning panorama can be enjoyed from the terrace of the Serra do Pilar monastery, where the Ribeira, the bridge, and the skyline of the upper town come together beautifully.
Gaia’s riverfront quay is a convenient boarding point for tour boats, and Vila Nova de Gaia is renowned for its beautiful Atlantic beaches, several of which have received Blue Flag awards along the coastline down to Espinho.
12. Zoo Santo Inácio
Across the Douro from Valbom lies an enjoyable excursion for younger visitors.
Since its establishment in 2000, the zoo has prioritized animal welfare, featuring expansive habitats, all set within the serene pine woodland of an old wine estate.
A new attraction to explore is the glass tunnel in the lion enclosure, providing a unique perspective as the lions often rest on top of it! Throughout the zoo, visitors can encounter over 260 species, including meerkats, capybaras, pygmy hippos, Humboldt penguins, numerous reptiles and insects, as well as African herbivores such as zebras and giraffes.
13. Douro Cruises
In front of the printing museum, a small marina houses several boat tours that operate along the Douro.
This is Marina do Freixo, named after the stunning palace that overlooks the water here.
The 18th-century palace, designed by the renowned Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, now serves as a luxurious historic hotel (Pousada). A typical cruise lasts around 45 minutes and guides you under the six bridges crossing the Douro.
Alternatively, consider an evening dinner cruise when the city is illuminated and magical.
14. Port Wine
This fortified wine is produced by infusing grape spirit into wine, thereby interrupting fermentation.
In Vila Nova de Gaia, numerous cellars that have aged Port for over 200 years ascend the hillside.
Prior to the advent of road transport, casks were transported down the river on rabelo boats from the Upper Douro Valley and landed at the quay.
For connoisseurs, there is a comprehensive list of renowned lodges and cellars, with over 20 offering guided tours.
Newcomers can explore the details surrounding this delightful beverage, learning about the distinctions between tawny, vintage, colheita, and garafeira wines.
15. Local Gastronomy
In this region, lamprey (lampreia) is abundant and is in season from January to April.
A gastronomic event occurs in March to celebrate this fish.
This fish can be prepared in various ways, including in a risotto or a stew with red vinho verde wine.
The Festas do Concelho in Gondomar during September and October feature caldo de nabos, a hearty vegetable broth with turnips, beans, potatoes, and carrots.
Additionally, vinho verde is produced around Valbom, characterized by fresh, crisp whites and light, elegant reds.
