World of Discoveries: at the heart of a perfect day in Porto

The visit that gives meaning to the city’s history

There are cities that reveal themselves little by little, and Porto is one of them. But there are also places within a city that have the power to organise an entire visit around themselves, through what they offer, the story they tell and the place they occupy.

In the heart of Miragaia, in the former warehouses of Real Companhia Velha, World of Discoveries holds 500 years of Portuguese journeys. In our view, it is the ideal starting point for discovering Porto from the outside in, because the city is filled with memories of the sea, and it is here that many of those memories take shape. If you come to visit us, here is our invitation to spend a whole day around this house.

Morning on Rua do Almada

Just a few minutes from the museum, Rua do Almada is one of Porto’s oldest and most charming streets: traditional shops, tiled façades and quiet cafés where breakfast is still served without hurry.

For those who prefer to stay in this part of the city, close to everything, yet away from the noise,  we recommend Almada 234, with elegant apartments just a short walk from the historic centre.

Step out without a map. Lose yourself in the side streets, peek into an old bookshop, try a warm pastry in a neighbourhood bakery. It is the perfect prelude to the afternoon ahead.

The World of Discoveries visit

In the early afternoon, make your way down to Miragaia. The streets begin to narrow, glimpses of the Douro appear between colourful façades, and it is here, just a few metres from the river, that you will find us.

Our interactive exhibition takes around an hour to explore. It includes multimedia rooms dedicated to the preparation of the voyages, navigation, routes and the peoples the Portuguese encountered around the world. At the centre of it all is a boat ride through thirteen life-size scenes recreating the route of the navigators: from the Cape of Storms to Brazil, passing through India, China, Japan and Macau.

It is one of the most immersive ways to step into history. And we can assure you: it works just as well for children, grandparents and that other half who usually “doesn’t like museums”.

Late afternoon on the Douro

After a journey through centuries in roughly an hour, we recommend a journey of minutes on the river that made it all possible.

Close to the museum exit is the dock where River Sightseeing moors its traditional Rabelo boats. The Bridges Cruise lasts around fifty minutes and shows Porto from below: the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, Dom Luís I Bridge and the golden late-afternoon light drawing itself across the city’s tiles.

A natural complement to an afternoon spent with history.

Dinner with the river in front of you

To round off the day, choose a restaurant in Ribeira for a traditional dinner, or head up to Vila Nova de Gaia for one of the many rooftops overlooking illuminated Porto.

Cod, francesinha, grilled octopus, every choice is a good one, as long as it ends with a glass of Port wine. And yes, the wine took the city’s name because it once left this very river on its way to the world. Another journey that began here.