Festa de São João: Trip Planning Guide
Porto, Portugal
Going to Festa de São João?
Porto's riotous midsummer festival is the city's biggest party, with the port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia playing a central role. While officially a saints' day celebration, port wine flows freely along the Ribeira waterfront, and several lodges host special tastings and events. Fireworks over the Douro at midnight are legendary.
Your trip blueprint
Skip the main waterfront chaos and visit the port lodges on June 22-23 when they host private tastings for festival-goers—Graham's and Taylor's typically pour their museum-reserve tawnies you cannot buy. The sardine grilling at street vendors uses wine-soaked coals that impart subtle port aromatics.
About Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is the world's oldest demarcated wine region, established in 1756, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its dramatic schist terraces carved into steep river gorges. The region is the birthplace of Port wine, produced from indigenous varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz.
Read the full Douro Valley wine region guide →Build your Douro Valley itinerary
Pre-filled for Douro Valley · Add your festival dates · Get a full day-by-day plan
Build my itinerary →