Car & Van Hire - Vila Nova De Gaia

Although Vila Nova de Gaia is a city in its own right, it is closely connected to neighbouring Porto. The two are separated by the River Douro, with Porto on the north bank and Gaia on the south. It is known for its wine cellars, where the famous port wine is stored and aged. It's also the town in Portugal with the most blue flag beaches. The water of the Atlantic is notoriously cold, but Gaia is still a top destination if you want to enjoy some fun in the sun!

Take a stroll around the downtown area to feel the city's unique vibes. The most interesting neighbourhood is Afurada, the historic fishing quarter. Nowadays, fishing is no longer the dominant industry in the area, but you'll still see dozens of little wooden boats setting off from the harbour each morning - and, of course, there are some great seafood restaurants. If you come on a Saturday morning, you can enjoy the market, which contains an eclectic mix of local produce, artisan food and drink, clothes, jewellery and other trinkets.

Make sure you pack your swimsuit, as you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches. With car hire in Vila Nova de Gaia, you can easily hop from one beach to the next, taking the time to decide which is your favourite. One that definitely should not be missed is Praia do Senhor da Pedra. This has an unusual, dramatic sight: a hexagonal chapel built right on the rocks at the water's edge. This has been named one of the most romantic spots in Europe, and it's easy to see why. Local legend says that if you are going to propose marriage here, you will need to do it on the fifth step up to the entrance of the chapel. If you pop the question on any other step, your relationship will be doomed!

There are plenty more beaches, of course. Praia de Matosinhos is a good choice if you want to go surfing, as it is known for its excellent waves. Praia de Lavradores has a vast stretch of sand and is ideal for a fun family day out. Some beaches are even fully accessible, allowing wheelchair users to enter the water with amphibious vehicles. They include Aguda, Miramar and Valadares Sur.

You can use a car or van hire in Vila Nova de Gaia to see more of the surrounding area. The city of Porto is famous for its massive bridges, narrow streets and charming old town. You can also visit other historic cities nearby, including Braga and Coimbra, or try going off the beaten track and exploring the smaller towns of the Douro Valley, each with its own special charm.

You generally won't find much free parking around Vila Nova de Gaia - or any other Portuguese cities, for that matter. On-street parking is frequently reserved for residents, so instead, you will need to go to a designated car park. Luckily, there are many of these around both Gaia and Porto. These days, most industry is concentrated in Porto, which means traffic flows in its direction in the mornings and away in the evenings. Keep this in mind when planning your day, so you can avoid the rush hour jam.

Portugal has a network of toll roads across the country. If you are planning a cross-country road trip, be prepared for some confusion. In some places, tolls can be paid in the traditional way, with cash or a credit card. In others, they are fully electronic. Generally, you will find electronic tolls in the Porto area and the north of the country, while around Lisbon, the older toll booths are still in place. To pay an electronic toll, your car will need to be fitted with a transponder. This will deduct the fee automatically. You can also buy a pre-loaded toll ticket that is valid for three days. Alternatively, you can pay retroactively at a local post office. However, you'll need to get the timing right: you cannot pay for the first 48 hours after driving through the toll booth. After that, you have a period of five days to pay.

Don't want to pay the tolls? There are always alternative routes available, using older, smaller roads. They will often also give you nicer views as you drive through the Portuguese countryside. The downside is that it might take you significantly longer to reach your destination. These roads are often poorly maintained and can be quite narrow.

In Northern Portugal, if you are driving on country roads, watch out for pedestrians. Several popular routes of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage go between Porto and Santiago de Compostela, and pilgrims are often forced to walk on the roads due to a lack of more suitable paths.