Come along on a trip to one of the most exciting wine-themed cultural districts of the moment

If you are looking to expand your knowledge about winemaking, wine regions, different styles of wine, enjoy some wine tastings, and above all have a lot of fun, the latest generation of wine museums (those built over the past say 10 years) are worth to plan a trip completely on their own.

Let me introduce you to one of the most intriguing wine museums I had the pleasure to visit to date; and I’ve seen quite a few over the years travelling to wine regions and beyond.

World of Wine, or WOW it is also known, opened its doors as recently as in summer of 2020. Though not the best timing for a place aimed to attract large crowds (thanks to you know what), it quickly became one of the most popular attractions in Portugal’s beautiful city of Porto.

This awesome wine destination is much more than a wine museum (or the sum of the six different museums it includes in total).

World of Wine is a destination inviting those who come to visit to get lost in many cultural and sensory adventures. Interactive exhibits, art displays, music events, shopping, along with a range of food and wine experiences mean, you can spend several days at WOW and never get close to a point where you will start to get bored.

How World of Wine came to life

For centuries the area on the south bank of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia now hosting the World of Wine cultural district used to be the home of Porto’s famous port houses. When regulations stipulating that port wines could only be shipped from Porto changed in 1986, local port wine houses started to consolidate operations in the Douro Valley, where the grapes for the wines are coming from.

While the idea transforming the area into a wine tourist destination was born quickly, it took the group behind World of Wine (The Fladgate Partnership, the company behind such famous port wine names as Taylor’s, Fonseca, Croft, and Krohn) way longer to realize the project than they would have thought.

If you ask me, starting works for the 55,000 m2 World of Wine district only few years ago was likely the best thing that could happen to the area. Because it now belongs to the latest generation of wine museums spoiling the visitor with incredible sensory and interactive experiences, and beyond that it incorporates other exciting wine-related activities and exhibitions.

What to consider before visiting Porto’s World of Wine district

To be honest, World of Wine cultural district is so much more than just a wine destination, and with a total of six museums, shopping, entertainment, and dining along with picture-perfect views over Porto on the other side of the river, you will have a great time here even without much planning ahead.

But if you are planning a visit to World of Wine, make sure to check the event calendar on the WOW website. Temporary art exhibitions, musical events and special food and wine experiences are taking place throughout the year, and you might just find the one you would regret to miss.

How to purchase tickets for World of Wine in Porto

There is no access fee to the district itself but if you wish to visit the museums or take part in workshops and master classes, you need to purchase a ticket.

There are various options available based on how many of the different museums, workshops, and events you want to visit.

Tickets can be purchased for each of the museums individually but with so many different interesting themes to be explored, I definitely recommend opting for one of the multiple museum tickets. Depending on your interests and time available to visit, you can purchase combined tickets for two, three or five museums. If you purchase tickets for more than one museum, they will remain valid for a longer period (between one to three months depending on the number of museums included).

While it is highly unlikely you will stay in Porto for a month or even longer – unless you choose to life here as a digital nomad for a while – you can easily visit two or three of the museums during a stay of two or three days.

What is the best time to visit World of Wine in Porto

Porto is a year-round destination though if you are planning to explore the city and surroundings like the nearby Costa Verde (the green coast literally starting at the outskirts of Porto), or the slightly more distant Douro Valley, the best time to visit is from March/April through to October. With the summer months by far the most crowded.

The colder months (from November to February/March) are still typically mild but the proximity to the sea brings wind and rain from the Atlantic Ocean. The upside is that you still can get lucky, and the sun comes out and the number of tourists in the city drops dramatically; albeit it’s still high enough for most hotels and restaurants staying open.

If you specifically come to spend time at World of Wine to improve your wine knowledge, consider coming during the winter months. This means, visitor numbers will be low, and you will have the museums almost to yourself. On the downside, many of the restaurants will only open for dinner and not all might be open on the same day, slightly limiting your choice.

What to expect from the various experiences offered at World of Wine in Porto

Set in a complex of converted historic port wine cellars in the Vila Nova de Gaia district on the south bank of the Douro River, World of Wine or WOW is rightly called a ‘culture district’ rather than a wine museum.

Restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, a wine school where you can learn how to taste wine, and a total of seven different museums will keep you busy for days if you like.

If your time is limited, I recommend setting aside at least half a day to visit one or two of the museums, check out some shops and have lunch or dinner at one of the various restaurants.

So where should you start when visiting World of Wine in Porto for the first time?

Visiting The Wine Experience Museum at World of Wine in Porto

Heading to The Wine Experience sounds like a must for wine lovers. Using the latest innovations of AV technology, the visitor will be guided through the process of winemaking, from the vineyard to the glass.

You will learn how grapes are grown, what impact different types of soil and climate have on grapes (and thus the wines), learn about different types of grapes, the harvesting process and how the grapes are turned into wine.

Making your way through the exhibition, you can also test your wine knowledge along the way.

Have you ever wondered what type of grape you are? Take the 90 seconds needed for the interactive quiz to find out.

Or do you want to know what type of wine is the most fitting for your taste? Take the wine quiz to find out.

Apparently, I am the ‘delicate & complex to medium bodied red’ type of wine lover.

Visiting Pink Palace at World of Wine in Porto

If you love rosé wines, the Pink Palace is your happy place.

Of course, the main attraction of this place remains the exciting journey through the world of rosé wines. Literally.

The five tasting stations offer you the enjoyable opportunity to taste five different styles of rosé, from the classic Provence-style rosé to Portugal’s most famous rosé, a sparkling rosé and a pink port wine.

Visiting The Chocolate Story at World of Wine in Porto

Chocolate and wine are going hand in hand, and The Chocolate Story will guide you through the story of chocolate production. On site you will find an actual chocolate factory as well.

You can even compose your own chocolate.

But before you reach the production floor, you will learn about the history of cacao, how it came to Europe, what the difference between cacao and cocoa is, and much more.

The sensory section, where you can detect the different flavour profiles of chocolate from various regions is real fun.

The other museums to visit at World of Wine in Porto

The wine world might move slowly away from cork as a main means to seal bottles. Yet cork continued to be closely related to wine, and it also remains an important industry in Portugal. Dive into the world of cork at Planet Cork and learn more about this fascinating product and what – besides of cork stops – you can create with cork.

By the way, if you have ever wondered how much you weight in cork, at Planet Cork you get the chance to find out!

If you ever wanted to learn about the rituals and stories serving throughout the whole history of 9,000 years of making wine, head to The Bridge Collection.

Finally, Porto region across the ages offers an intriguing picture into port wine making over the centuries and more about the city of Porto itself.

What to do at World of Wine in Porto beyond visiting the museums

What makes World of Wine so existing is the variety of experiences you can have beyond visiting a museum.

The activities around and beyond wine are seemingly endless: wine tasting, wine masterclasses, wine sessions hosted by renowned local winemakers, food and wine themed dining experiences, chocolate making classes, temporary exhibitions, music events, various restaurants, cafes, and bars.

If you are serious about learning more about wine in general and the exciting wines of Portugal, than make sure you check out the Wine School at World of Wine. Courses and special seminars are spanning the whole range from beginner level to professional, and are above all a lot of fun.

Where to stay when you visit World of Wine in Porto

The area hosting the World of Wine complex for centuries has been considered the home of port wine. Yet, while the historic port wine cellars attracted a lot of visitors to the other side of the Douro River, the spot was never considered a prime location for those living in or visiting Porto.

This is one of the reasons most hotels in Porto are located at the other side of the Douro River, in the historic part of the city. Since it only takes a short walk over the beautiful Dom Luís I Bridge to reach Vila Nova de Gaia, you have plenty of places to choose from.

If you come to visit World of Wine in the first place, however, or if you are looking for a place that offers both luxury and an awesome culinary experience, The Yeatman hotel is the place to be.

The Yeatman opened its doors in 2010, but it is nonetheless part of the World of Wine complex and undoubtedly one of the leading wine-themed hotels in the world. The hotel, which belongs to the renowned Relais & Chateaux hotel group and is owned by the The Fladgate Partnership, is located right above the WOW exhibition district, less than five minutes walking distance.