Porto
Port tasting in Porto
Port is made up the Douro valley but has always aged by the sea. For centuries the casks came downstream to Vila Nova de Gaia, the town facing Porto across the river, and the lodges are still there. Cross the bridge and you can taste centuries of wine trading in an afternoon.
14 November 20265 min read
Picolo Editorial
In short: port tasting in Porto
The port lodges are in Vila Nova de Gaia, a walk across the Dom Luís I bridge from Porto's old town. Taylor's and Graham's sit up the hill with views over the river, while Sandeman and Cálem are on the waterfront. Book tours online, and choose one lodge for history and one for tasting. The Yeatman, a wine hotel above the lodges, is our first choice.
Last checked: November 2026.
How the lodges work
Port is a fortified wine. Grape spirit is added during fermentation, stopping it while the wine is still sweet and strong. The young wine was traditionally shipped down the Douro to Gaia, where the cooler, damper air by the sea suited long ageing in cask. Many of the houses were founded by British merchants, which is why so many of the names on the lodges are English.
The lodges
Taylor's
Founded in 1692, Taylor's is one of the oldest port houses. Its lodge sits up the hill, and the tour is self-guided with an audio guide. It takes about an hour and a half, costs around €25 and ends with a tasting on a terrace overlooking Porto.
Graham's
Graham's is based at its 1890 Lodge, high on the hill with one of the best views over the city. Guided tours range from short visits to private tastings, and the house has its own restaurant, Vinum, with a terrace above the river. Book a table ahead.
Sandeman
Sandeman sits on the waterfront and is known for its figure in a black cape and hat, the Don. Tours last from about 50 minutes to two and a half hours. On the riverside terrace you can also order a glass without taking a tour.
Cálem
Cálem is on the waterfront, closest to the bridge. Its tour lasts about an hour, passes through an interactive museum and ends with two ports, for around €22. In the evening there is a version with fado, Portugal's melancholy song tradition.
How to choose
For the view: Graham's or Taylor's, up the hill.
First visit: Cálem or Sandeman, down by the river.
Evening out: Cálem's fado tour.
Depth: pay a little extra for tawnies aged 10, 20 and 30 years, which show how time in cask changes the wine.
Before you go
The climb to Taylor's and Graham's is steep. Take the Teleférico de Gaia cable car from the riverside to the top of the bridge, or take a taxi up and walk down. Tours can run long, so leave time between bookings. To see where the grapes grow, the Douro Valley is a train or bus ride away: see From Porto to the Douro Valley.
Picolo picks the hotel for you
Picolo is the hotel guest's best friend. We take on the role of guide and do the work before you book: we look at the hotels in the area, where they stand, what guests say and what is actually there. Then we choose the one hotel that suits this particular trip best. For a port trip the choice fell on The Yeatman, which stands above the lodges and belongs to the company behind Taylor's. Guests rate it 9.8 out of 10 on Hotels.com.
Our first choice in Porto
The Yeatman
The Yeatman stands on the hillside in Vila Nova de Gaia, above the port lodges, and every room has a balcony or terrace facing Porto's old town. It is owned by Taylor Fladgate & Yeatman, the company behind Taylor's. The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and has a list of around 1,300 wines, almost all of them Portuguese. The spa uses grape-based treatments, and the outdoor pool is shaped like a decanter. In the evening you watch the old town light up across the Douro.
Frequently asked questions about port tasting in Porto
Where are the port cellars in Porto?
The port cellars are in Vila Nova de Gaia, the town facing Porto across the River Douro. Walk across the lower deck of the Dom Luís I bridge from the Ribeira district and you reach the waterfront lodges, such as Sandeman and Cálem. Taylor's and Graham's are higher up the hill.
Which port cellar is best to visit?
It depends on what you want. Graham's and Taylor's have the best views, up the hill. Cálem suits a first visit and runs evening tours with fado, and Sandeman has a fine riverside setting. Many visitors combine one hillside lodge and one on the waterfront.
Do you need to book port cellar tours?
It is recommended, especially in summer and at weekends. Most lodges sell tickets on their own websites, from short tours with two ports to longer tastings of aged tawnies. Taylor's often takes walk-ins, but restaurants such as Vinum should be booked.
What is the difference between ruby and tawny port?
Ruby port ages briefly in large vats and keeps its deep red colour and fresh berry fruit. Tawny port ages for years in small casks, turning amber and taking on notes of nuts, caramel and dried fruit. Tawnies labelled 10, 20 or 30 years show how time in cask changes the wine.
Sources
Details of the lodges, tours and prices come from Earth Trekkers and Art Visit Guide. Details of The Yeatman come from the Michelin Guide, Decanter and The Hotel Guru. Wurminister and Jairo took the photographs of Porto and Gaia, via Wikimedia Commons. Hotel photographs are from Hotels.com (Expedia Group). Last checked November 2026.
Cheers from Porto
Picolo Editorial