WOW – Cultural District
Rua do Choupelo 39, Porto, Portugal, 4400-088
The latest jewel in riverside Porto’s cultural crown is the WOW — Cultural District, a drinking and dining hub in the historic neighborhood of Vila de Gaia. Here, you can find seven interactive museums and 12 restaurants and bars, as well as wine-themed workshops—including classes on how to pair wine with sweet treats and chocolate.
The basics
Highlights of the WOW — Cultural District include the Wine Experience, a museum that traces the journey of wine from grape to bottle; the Cork Museum, which explores Portugal’s cork craft trade; and the Chocolate Story, which culminates in a visit to a real chocolate factory. There’s also a wine school where you can enhance your knowledge of Portugal’s biggest export, and casual and fine dining restaurants serving everything from vegan fare to steak and freshly-caught seafood.
Things to know before you go
You can buy combo tickets for the museums at a discounted rate, in packages of 2, 3, or 5 museums.
Wine tasting classes and workshops are subject to availability and tend to book up fast, so be sure to secure your spot well in advance.
While you need to pay for the museums and workshops, wandering around the shops and cafés of the WOW – Cultural District is free—and level walkways make it accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
How to get there
From Porto’s main Sao Bento train station, WOW — Cultural District is a 3-minute ride on the yellow D line of the Porto Metro. The closest station is Jardim de Morro, which is a 10-minute walk from the district. You can walk from the historic district of Ribeira, across the Luis 1 Bridge, within around 20 minutes.
When to get there
The museums in the WOW – Cultural District are open from mid-morning until early evening every day of the week. The restaurants and bars typically open from lunchtime until late in the evening, but check the specific restaurant’s opening times as some may differ slightly. In October, the district hosts Portugal’s annual chocolate festival.
Travel back in time at the Bridge Collection
While most of the WOW — Cultural District is dedicated to drinking wine, the archeological artifacts inside the Bridge Collection trace 9,000 years of drinking rituals throughout the ages. More than 2,000 objects help you discover the ways different civilizations enjoyed wine throughout the centuries—including radioactive glasses and a drinking horn made from rock crystal.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!