Best Porto Tours + 21 Things to do in Porto Portugal (with photos)

I am so excited to show you my favorite city in Portugal with my selection of the best things to do in Porto. Plus, to save you time, I have curated for you the different options of Porto tours, including Porto walking tours, Porto city tours and Wine tasting tours in Porto. This way you can become more intimate with this soulful city!

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Porto is a vibrant city with a lot of Soul and history. No wonder why it made it on the Unesco World Heritage list. Simply walking the street is fascinating. And I am in love with the Dom Luis Bridge I 🙂 I know I am exaggerating a little bit. But this is not the Port wine talking!

Below I will first share with you my favorite places to see and visit in Porto so that you can create your own Porto Tour.

But if you want to learn more, having a guide on a Porto Tour will allow you to dive into the history and vibe of the city. There are plenty of options that I have curated for you: Porto walking tours, Private Porto city tours, Wine tasting tours and other excursions with unique perspective such as tiles, street art or food!

Let's start with a short video to get an overview of Porto:

Want to freedom to explore at your own pace? I understand. In that case, here are some suggestions to create your own Porto itinerary and experience.

Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

I don't recommend the Hop on Hop off bus in every city. I think for example it is a waste of money in Lisbon. But in Porto is was really great!

What to see in Porto on your Bus Stops

Walking around the river

One of my favorite activities in Porto to to just stroll by the Douro river on both sides and to cross the Dom Luis Bridge. The views are fantastic from every angle!

Carmo Church

This building is actually composed of 2 churches separated by a tiny 1m wide house​: the Carmelite church and the Carmo church.
On its side is a beautiful wall covered with blue Azulejos tiles. And both churches deserve a visit for their rich interiors of Baroque and Rococo styles.

Lello Bookstore

Clerigos Tower

Se Cathedral

I think the Se cathedral was my favorite locations and one of the best things to do in Porto.
It is situated at the end of the Upper platform of the bridge. Even if you don't have time to visit, you should go to the esplanade in front of it to admire the view.

But if you have time, enter the 13th century cathedral and pay to visit the beautiful cloister with many azulejos tiles and the surprising ceiling of the Chapter house..

Bolsa Palace

In the Lower part of Porto stand the Bolsa Palace. Not my favorite location, but I am listing it because it would be a nice visit for many people.
The building is neo-classic and some rooms offer unique decors with arabic influence.

St Francis Church

A little bit hidden by the side of the Bolsa Palace, the St Francis church (Sao Francisco) dates back to the 14th and 15th century.
It is very austere from the outside but the once inside, you realise that every inch is covered in baroque decors with gold. Estimation vary between 100 and 300kg of gold used.
No photo allowed inside for visitors.

Serra do Pilar

Now let's move to the other side of the Douro river in Vila Nova de Gaia. Walk up to the Serra do Pilar Monastery. It can be visited. But the best part is the view from the park around (photo above). It was one of my favorite views of Porto.

Porto Caves

But the main attraction of Nova Gaia are all the Porto wine caves. There are so many. And all with a title lol: the oldest, the biggest, the oldest in the same family etc etc.

If you don't know which one to visit, The Hop on Hop off bus includes a ticket with a visit to one of the cave. Their choice of partner may change overtime.
When I was there, I visited the Cockburn cave and had a really good time. There was a great atmosphere, the staff were really nice and my dad was happy with the tasting (I don't drink).

Porto Beaches

The second bus loop takes you to Foz do Douro with the 2 small forts and the beaches. I recommend stopping at Castelo fo Quiejo and enjoying a leisurely walk by the sea all the way to the Sao Jao Baptista Fort before hoping back in the bus

Porto Museums

Porto is also home to some good museums:

• Museum of Vinho do Porto to learn more about Port wine
• Museu do Carro Electrico if you are a big fan of trams
• Casa do infante in the Ribeira neighborhood by the water to visit the House of the Prince
• War history and Art museums, especially Saores do Reis if you want to learn more about Portuguese art

There are a lot of things to do in Porto!

Porto has so much history, that I think a guided tour is a fantastic idea to discover the city. This will help you have another perspective on what you are seeing.

Best of Porto Walking Tour

This 4h walking tour has excellent reviews. On foot you will have time to appreciate the vibe of the different neighborhoods and notice the architectural details of the city. You will be able to discover many of the best sights in Porto.

Full Day Porto Private Tour

Just sit back and relax on this full day Porto private tour. No need to look for the place, the guide will take you to the best locations in Porto and all the way to the beaches of Foz. Having someone guide you to pick the best food is also great, and lunch is included.

Douro River Bridge Cruise

A way to get a different perspective of a city is from the water. If you did not take the hop on hop off which includes a small cruise, you can book a special cruise in one of the the traditional boats.
During the 50min you will discover the many bridges above the Douro River and learn more about the history of Porto.

Porto tours are also available with different means of transportation, depending on what you like 🙂

Those were the 'classic' Porto Tours where you learn about the history of the city and its general architecture. But you might be interested in one specific aspect of Porto, and I have found original tours of Porto for you:

Porto Tiles Tours

This is a tour I wish I had done. The Azulejos tiles are everywhere and are stunning. I would have really loved to learn more about their history and fabrication.
This 3 hours walking tour will take you to some of the best displays in the city, as well as the museum and some depots and stores.

Porto Napoleon Tour

Want to learn more about how Porto resisted the attacks of Napoleon and the French soldiers? A special tour with a history teacher. 

Porto Street Art Tour

Discover the work of Local and foreign artists on the walls of Porto. This is a great way to discover off the beaten Path Porto, away from the tourists

Fado and Night lights Tour of Porto

Porto is beautiful during the day but it is also sparkling during the night!

Porto Football Tour

Football fan? This tour takes you to the FC Porto Museum and Stadium

Self Tour with your hop on hop off

If you opted for the Hop on Hop off bus (red one) you can visit their current partner cave and enjoy a wine tasting.

3 hour Porto Wine Tasting Tour

However if you wan a more in depth experience, opt of a dedicated Porto Wine tasting tour.
There are not that many way to organize a wine tasting Tour, so they are all similar. They take you to 2 or 3 cellar for visits and tasting.

I have found for you a Tour with 3 visits, several testing and really good reviews:

Porto has a great food culture. There are these small eateries with set menus which are very tasty and offer a great atmosphere. Want to learn more about gastronomy in Porto and Portugal? Discover the 3 different options of Porto Food Tours.

Food Walk Tour

Wow, I have rarely seen a food tour program with so much tasting planned. This sound tasty! Coffee, pastries, cheese, sausage, wine, olive oils, spices... You mght be an expert by the end of the tour LOL.

Porto Tascas Tour

As I told you, there are a lot of small eateries but it can be difficult to attempt a visit when you are by yourself. This guided tour, will take your to the world of the Tascas (the local pubs) where locals meet to eat and discuss

Cooking Class

And finally, learn to cook Portuguese specialities with a workshop-lunch!

There are also many fantastic day trips from Porto to architectural and historical wonders as well and nature ones.
One of the most famous is the Douro Valley Porto Tour to discover where the grapes grow in a gorgeous setting.
There are many organized tours offered. This one with 2 wine tasting included has great reviews!

or Check out my suggestions for
the best day trips from Porto Portugal

While you enjoy the Best Porto has to offer, you might need a place to stay 🙂
Here are some suggestions I have collected for you.

The Porto airport is quite active and there are many flights to arrive directly in the capital of North Portugal.

To facilitate your arrival, you can book you private transfer right now.

And, if your budget is tighter, o worries. You can also book a shared transfer.

Porto is easily accessible from Lisbon by Train.

It will take you between 2h35 and 3h depending on the train.

You can check times and book your seat on Rail Europe.

One of the best way to visit a country is on a road trip 🙂 - So rent a car and explore more of Portugal.
Or just drive from Lisbon to Porto on the Motorway. It will take you 3 hours.

You can compare rental prices on rentalcars.com

It is quite a long drive for a day trip, but if you are staying in Lisbon and absolutely want to have an overview of Porto, you can book a private day tour. Check out the program and Book.

Want to see more of PORTUGAL?

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