Learn everything about going from Porto to 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge.
The 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge is the latest landmark in northern Portugal. Located in the municipality of Arouca, it has been attracting atention from all over the world!
This is our guide on how to make your way there from Porto!
There are several options depending on your goals, budgets and timings!
Here are some of them:
1 – Arouca 516 Suspension Bridge and Paiva Walkways Tour
This is our organized day tour from Porto to the suspension bridge.
We depart from Porto everyday between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. with a convenient pick up at your accomodation.
If you wish to visit 516 Arouca and the Paiva Walkways while learning more about Portugal… If you wish to have a great time without worries and logistical concerns… this is the way!
Just relax… and enjoy!
Included:
Pick up at your accomodation
Transfer Porto / Arouca / 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge / Porto
Tickets for the 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge
Tickets for the Paiva Walkways
Typical Regional Meal
Detours Guide
Drop off at your accomodation
2 – Driving from Porto to 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge
If you are considering to drive by yourself from Porto to the 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge, here is what you should know.
Arouca is located on the southbound of Douro river, so if you are in Porto inevitably you will have to make your way south through one of Porto’s bridges.
a)If you booked your entry for the bridge through the Alvarenga Gate:
See instructions from Arrábida Bridge to 516 Arouca Alvarenga Gate Parking Location
See instructions from Freixo Bridge to 516 Arouca Alvarenga Gate Parking Location
You are advised to leave your vehicle in the designated parking and walk from there to the entry gate.
The walking distance is roughly 1Km, and you should consider a 20 minutes easy walk until the entrance.
The path to the entry is clearly marked and easy to follow. We strongly advise you against parking your vehicle off the designated parking site as it may be harming the normal flow of trafic of this small village.
There are no WC available on the entrance of the bridge!
b) If you booked your entry for the bridge through the Areinho Gate:
See instructions from Arrábida Bridge to 516 Arouca Areinho Gate Parking Location
See instructions from Freixo Bridge to 516 Arouca Areinho Gate Parking Location
This is a very small parking lot, and frequently overcrowded in the summer and weekends.
From this parking to the entrance of the bridge, bear in mind that it will take you around 40 minutes, including a steep stairway.
Make sure you get in time to make the most of your day without rushing.
A strong piece of advice… the nearby beach bar “Casa do Areinho” is a great place to get some refreshments and use the WC!
There are no WC available on the entrance of the bridge!
If this parking lot is full, you have an alternative parking 1 Km up the road.
If by now you are running out of time… instead of heading down to the river and following the Paiva Walkways to the Bridge, you can take a shortcut to the entrance of the bridge.. walk up the road for 700 m and turn right on the dirt road. Follow “Cascata das Aguieiras” signs… and find the Areinho entrance at the end of the road!
3 – Using public transportations from Porto (Campo 24 de Agosto) to 516 Arouca Suspension Bridge
Step 1 –> Porto / Arouca
On workdays there are buses available with stopover in São João de Madeira. The connection from Porto to Arouca
takes between 01:55 and 02:25 depending on the time of the day. The last departure from Arouca to Porto is at 17:50.
On saturdays there is one bus available in the morning (arriving in Arouca at 11:50) and one in the afternoon. Last bus leaves Arouca at 06:00.
On sundays there is only one afternoon bus.
Step 2 –> Arouca / 516 Suspension Bridge
Once in Arouca, there are taxis available by the monastery. A normal taxi fare between Arouca and the bridge is 25€ each way.
We hope that this article may help you experience in our country!
