Discovering Porto Aboard the Wondy | Douro Wonders

The Importance of the River Douro in Porto's History

Over the centuries, the River Douro has always been essential to the growth and development of the city of Porto. The river's connection to the Atlantic Ocean encouraged trade and the transport of goods from early on, contributing to the city's economic development. Even during the Roman occupation, the banks of the Douro had commercial activity, which intensified throughout the Middle Ages, with boats coming and going laden with goods. It was thanks to this trade that, over the years, the city gradually spread up the slopes beside the river.

But it was above all the port wine trade that made the River Douro even more important to the region's economy. From the 17th century onwards, port wine exports grew considerably and came to carry ever more weight in the city's economy. The traditional rabelo boats were used to carry barrels of wine from the Upper Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine was stored and aged in the cellars before being exported, mainly to England. Today, these boats are still part of the Douro landscape, although they no longer serve their original purpose of transporting wine.

The development of road and rail transport eventually reduced the Douro's importance for moving goods, which later led to the transformation and regeneration of the riverside areas. Nowadays, tourism is one of the main activities linked to the river, with boat trips attracting thousands of visitors. The Ribeira and the Cais de Gaia are also two of the most popular areas, with a wide choice of restaurants, bars and leisure spaces. Although it no longer has the commercial role it once had, the Douro remains a fundamental part of life in the city.

About Douro Wonders

Douro Wonders was founded by Inês and António, two Porto natives who met while working on the Douro and decided to start a business of their own. Inês has a background in photography and design, having lived abroad for several years and worked in maritime tourism in Australia. António, meanwhile, has worked in navigation on the Douro since 2019, so it is fair to say he knows the river and all its quirks very well. It was from their wish to combine their knowledge that the idea of offering boat trips for smaller groups was born, so as to have closer contact with visitors and guarantee a distinctive experience.

With the idea for the project settled, the next step was to find a boat that matched what they had imagined. After some searching, they found the one they were looking for in the Netherlands, bought it brand new and affectionately named it Wondy, a name that came from an adaptation of Douro Wonders. They then spent around six months customising it to their taste, with every decorative detail, such as the colours and upholstery, carefully thought through. The aim was to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere where visitors would feel at home, almost like a small living room on the Douro. It was precisely this care that gave the Wondy a personality of its own, including a mascot inspired by an otter.

The choice of the otter as a mascot was no coincidence either. These animals live in the River Douro and, according to Inês and António, they represent traits the two of them identify with, such as curiosity, a sense of adventure and adaptability. They also wanted to move away from the more traditional nautical symbols and give Douro Wonders' identity a different touch.

Our Experience on the Sunset Cruise

There are three types of experience on offer, the 7 Bridges Day Cruise, a 90-minute trip past the seven bridges of Porto, the Sunset Cruise, a two-hour trip at the end of the day, and private trips for those looking for something more exclusive. In our case, we did the Sunset Cruise, on a Sunday late afternoon, perfect for closing out the Sunday in style. We arrived at Douro Marina, in Afurada, in Vila Nova de Gaia, at around 4.45pm and headed to Gate B, where we would board the Wondy.

Around 10 minutes before 5.00pm, Inês and António came to meet us and invited us aboard the Wondy, although first we had to take off our shoes, one of the rules to help preserve the boat. We were charmed straight away by what we found! You can tell that care went into every detail, from the décor to the comfort of the seats. To our surprise, that day we were the only passengers aboard the Wondy, so we ended up with a private trip, in the company of the wonderful crew, Inês and António. As the next day was our wedding anniversary, we could not have chosen a better way to start the celebrations!

We left Douro Marina and headed towards the Ribeira, taking in both banks of the river. Along the way, we were served a Pink Porto Tonic, Douro Wonders' signature cocktail, which, I have to say, was really good! We then carried on sailing past the seven bridges of Porto until we reached the Freixo Bridge, where we turned back. Throughout the trip, we chatted with Inês and António, who told us stories and curiosities about the Douro and the city.

As we made our way towards the Foz, it was time for a tasting of two Portuguese olive oils, another of the experiences included in the Sunset Cruise. And I thought this was a really original choice by Douro Wonders, because there are plenty of port wine tastings around the city, but olive oil is not nearly as common! Inês explained how to do the tasting, starting by smelling the aroma of each olive oil, then tasting its flavour and, finally, pairing it with a little bit of bread. There were also a few ingredients that helped bring out the flavours, but I will not tell you everything so as not to give any spoilers!

After the olive oil tasting, we finally reached the Atlantic Ocean, where we got ready to watch the long-awaited sunset. And how beautiful it was! According to Inês and António, we were lucky to get a day with good conditions, which allowed us to head out to sea and enjoy this moment off the coast. However, this is not always possible, as it all depends on the swell and the weather. We stayed there for a while, taking in the sunset. Once it was over, it was time to head back to Douro Marina. And the truth is that those two hours flew by!

One of the things we enjoyed most was, without a doubt, the comfort of the Wondy and the attention to small details. During the trip, we saw other tourist boats passing by and the difference was quite clear, especially in the seats and the space available for passengers. But there is something else worth highlighting, the way Inês and António received us! They are super hospitable, they greet you with open arms and you can tell they love what they do. Douro Wonders is a great option for anyone looking for a more exclusive trip who wants to make the most of it. It is not just a boat trip, but a complete experience. It is true that it may be a little more expensive than other trips on the Douro, but, having done it, I think the price difference is justified.

It was, without a doubt, an excellent surprise and a trip I recommend wholeheartedly to anyone visiting Porto. It is a great way to get to know the city and see some of its most beautiful views from the river. But it is not just for tourists! Even for those who live here, like us, it is a great chance to break out of the routine and do something different at the weekend. If the weather helps and you manage to catch the sunset, even better! 🩷