Porto , Portugal

Porto City Tour Half Day - Private

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(77 reviews)

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Mobile or paper ticket accepted

About this experience

The award of "Best European Destination" assigned in 2012, 2014 and 2017 gives to Porto the highlight of beeing the only city in Europe to get this conquer 3 times. Adding the award of " Best Vacation Destination" owned in 2013. we get enough motifs to visit and check the reasons behind of these awards.

Explore Batalha Square, Santa Catarina Street, Majestic Café, Bolhão Market, and Aliados Avenue in the UNESCO-listed historic center.

Enter in S. Bento Train Station and Se Cathedral, this last one from the 12th-century.

See the Clérigos Church, a masterpiece by architect Nasoni, with its Classic Renaissance style and view the Neo-Gothic facade of the Lello Bookstore.

Appreciate the sights from Ribeira with the typical Rabelo boats.

Tour a Port wine cellar in Gaia to learn about the production and enjoy a tasting.

Available options

Porto City Tour Half Day - Private

Pickup included

What's included

Private transportation

Porto City Walking Tour (available from the day after your experience)

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Guided visit to a Port Wine Cellar/Lodge in Gaia with tasting of different Port Wines

Private tour

Professional guide

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

Welcome to Porto!!

At the designated time and place our private guide will be there to welcome you to Porto and show you the incredible sites of this one of the oldest cities in Europe.
This private half day city tour of the city of Porto will be guided by an expert guide which will drive you through the historical center, giving you explanations of the most important sites and will take you to a renown Port Wine Cellar in Gaia for a guided visit (shared with other passengers) including a tasting of different Port Wines.

Stop 2

Steping down of the transportation, your private guide will take you to famous train station São Bento to admire the incredible lobby filled with titles with representation of the Portuguese history through the centuries.

Stop 3

Other stop will be at the entrance of the Cathedral of Porto.
This incredible building is dated as one of the oldest in town and its located at the birthplace of the city. From that location you will be able to see the historical city center, the douro river and the south shore of the River and its wine lodges.

Stop 4 Pass by

Lello bookshop is consider to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. It is also very famous as it inspired the writer JKRowling on her process of creation of the universe of Harry Potter.
Entrance is not included as theirs always a huge queue, but the guide will give you all the explanations from the exterior, giving the perfect appetizer for you to enter and visit later on your own.

Your guide will drive you to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the Wine Lodges are located, where you will join a guided tour of a renown Wine Logde with a local expert guide and enjoying a tasting of different Port Wines.
Please note at Wine Cellar might be changed to other similar one with the same experience. The guide visit to the wine cellar is shared with other passengers.

What's not included

Food and drinks, unless specified

Lunch

Gratuities

Available languages

Guide guide

PT EN FR ES

Reviews breakdown

Viator 4.9

19 reviews

5★

4★

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1★

Tripadvisor 4.9

58 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Specialized infant seats are available

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Driver/Guide

Luggage support not available – please contact supplier before booking if you have bags. Itinerary subject to change as needed.

Itinerary might be amended in case of need

Guided visit to Port Wine Cellar/Lodge is shared with other passengers, not private.

Activity duration may vary due to traffic; avoid scheduling other plans immediately afterward.

Discover Porto in a unique way with a Free Walking Tour with Living Tours, available to all customers who book this activity. Our Free Walking Tour is available on a daily basis, in English and Spanish, at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. departing from Living Tours Agency located in Rua Mouzinho da Silveira 352, 4050-418 Porto

About Porto

Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is a vibrant coastal city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and delicious cuisine. With its picturesque Ribeira district, historic bridges, and world-famous port wine cellars, Porto offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and modern charm.

Top Attractions

Ribeira District

The Ribeira district is the historic heart of Porto, known for its colorful buildings, narrow streets, and lively atmosphere. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit for anyone coming to Porto.

Historical 2-3 hours Free to explore

Livraria Lello

Livraria Lello is one of the most famous bookstores in the world, known for its stunning neo-Gothic interior and as an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

Cultural 1 hour €6 (includes a book voucher)

Clérigos Tower

The Clérigos Tower is a iconic Baroque bell tower that offers panoramic views of Porto. Climbing the 240 steps to the top is well worth the effort for the breathtaking views.

Architecture 1 hour €5

Dom Luís I Bridge

This double-deck iron bridge spans the Douro River, connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia. The upper deck offers stunning views of the river and the city.

Architecture 30 minutes Free

Port Wine Cellars

Vila Nova de Gaia is home to many of Porto's famous port wine cellars, where you can learn about the history of port wine and enjoy tastings.

Cultural 2-3 hours €10-€30

Must-Try Local Dishes

Francesinha

A hearty sandwich made with layers of meat, covered in melted cheese and a special sauce, served with fries.

Lunch/Dinner Contains meat and dairy

Bacalhau à Brás

A traditional Portuguese dish made with shredded cod, onions, potatoes, and eggs.

Lunch/Dinner Contains fish and eggs

Tripas à Moda do Porto

A traditional Porto dish made with tripe, beans, and spices, slow-cooked to perfection.

Lunch/Dinner Contains meat

Pastéis de Nata

Delicious custard tarts with a flaky pastry crust, often dusted with cinnamon or powdered sugar.

Dessert Contains dairy and eggs

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Serra do Pilar Kayaking on the Douro River Sunbathing at Praia do Castelo do Queijo Enjoying a port wine tasting Visiting the Livraria Lello Exploring the Ribeira district Swimming at Praia do Castelo do Queijo Boat tours on the Douro River

Best Time to Visit

May to September

This is the peak tourist season with warm weather and plenty of sunshine. It's ideal for exploring the city and enjoying outdoor activities.

18°C to 28°C 64°F to 82°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: Portuguese
Widely spoken: English, Spanish, French
English: Widely spoken in tourist areas

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Time Zone

GMT+1 (Western European Time)

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Porto is generally a safe city for travelers, with low violent crime rates. However, petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, can occur in tourist areas and on public transportation.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight, especially in tourist areas and on public transportation
• Be cautious when using taxis, and always ensure the meter is running or agree on a price before starting your journey
• Avoid walking alone at night in quiet or poorly lit areas

Getting there

By air

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport • 11 km (7 miles) from city center

By train

Porto Campanhã, Porto São Bento

By bus

Porto Bus Terminal (Terminal de Camionagem de Porto)

Getting around

Public transport

The metro system is efficient and easy to use, with six lines connecting major points of interest.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Bolt, Uber

Rentals

Car, Bike, Scooter

Neighborhoods

Ribeira Bolhão Foz do Douro Miguel Bombarda

Day trips

Braga

50 km (31 miles) • Full day

Braga is a historic city known for its beautiful churches, monasteries, and the Bom Jesus do Monte sanctuary.

Guimarães

40 km (25 miles) • Full day

Guimarães is a historic city known as the birthplace of Portugal. It's home to a well-preserved medieval center and the stunning Guimarães Castle.

Douro Valley

80 km (50 miles) • Full day

The Douro Valley is a stunning wine region known for its terraced vineyards, port wine cellars, and scenic boat tours.

Festivals

São João Festival • June 23-24 Festa de São João • June 24 Porto Wine Festival • September

Pro tips

Visit the Livraria Lello bookstore early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and long queues
Take a port wine tasting tour to learn about the history of port wine and sample a variety of wines from different cellars
Explore the historic center of Porto on foot, as many of its narrow streets and charming squares are best discovered by walking
Try the local cuisine, such as Francesinha, Bacalhau à Brás, and Tripas à Moda do Porto, at traditional restaurants and cafes
Take a day trip to the Douro Valley to see the stunning vineyards, visit port wine cellars, and enjoy a scenic boat tour on the Douro River