In a nutshell
- In this article, we introduce you to the best tours in Porto — from classic walking tours to food experiences and day trips. Our top pick for first-timers is the Porto walking tour.
- Special experiences are absolutely worth it too — like a food and wine tour or a full-day trip to the Douro Valley.
- We cover all 9 of our recommended Porto guided tours in detail below — so you can pick the ones that fit your trip.
- Still looking for a place to stay? Check out our Porto hotel tips for our top picks by neighborhood.
Classic City Tours in Porto
Classic tours are perfect if you’re visiting Porto for the first time — you’ll hit all the famous highlights without having to figure out what’s worth your time. Here’s our overview of the best city tours in Porto for first-time visitors.
Walking Tour of Porto
Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or in a small group, a three-hour walking tour of Porto is a fantastic introduction to the city.
Your guide spends three hours showing you Porto’s most beautiful attractions, sharing the history and story of how the city evolved. Along the way, you’ll visit the Cathedral and the legendary bookshop Livraria Lello.
For a first visit, this tour is really excellent — you’ll pick up loads of practical insider tips for your stay and can ask as many questions as you like.
The tour is also available in English, which makes it a great opportunity to plan the rest of your days in Porto with the help of your guide.
Our tip: Do this tour as early as possible in your trip — that way you can actually put the guide’s recommendations to use.
Bike Tour Through Porto
On a bike tour, you’ll cover so much more ground than you ever could on foot — and see parts of Porto that most visitors miss.
You’ll ride through the historic district past the key sights, then through parks and along the Douro all the way to a small fishing village by the beach. And to keep things easy, you do it all on an e-bike tour in Porto.
At one point you’ll even cross the Douro by boat, which gives you yet another set of stunning views of the city. Your guide comes packed with stories about Porto and plenty of advice on how to make the most of your time in this port city.
Over the three-hour tour, you’ll cover a solid distance — and the hills that would exhaust you on foot are totally manageable on an e-bike. Like the walking tour, we’d recommend doing this one early in your stay.
Old Town Tour by Tuk Tuk
Another great option is a tuk tuk tour through Porto. These little vehicles are a seriously cool way to discover the city and its highlights.
You’ll putt-putt through the old quarter with your guide, past loads of sights and along the Douro. There are a few photo stops along the way, and if you’re up for it, a glass of port wine too.
Most tuk tuks fit three people, though three adults is a bit of a squeeze. You can also book for larger groups — there are now bigger tuk tuks available with more room.
Tours run at various times of day. Personally, we love the evening ride the most — the atmosphere in Porto after sunset is just something else.
Food & Drink Tours in Porto
A culinary tour is basically essential in Porto. You’ll learn about the local food scene and pick up insider recommendations for restaurants and wine bars you’d never find on your own.
Food Tour & Wine Walk Through Porto
Food and wine. Honestly, that combination just screams vacation — warm summer evenings, good company, guitar music in the background. Porto is a fantastic place to really dig into that food culture, and the best way to do it is on a food and wine tour in Porto.
Follow your guide to the best cafés and tascas (taverns) in the city and eat alongside the locals. This tour isn’t about ticking off famous sights — it’s about local knowledge, incredible Portuguese food, and great drinks.
Book the Porto Food & Wine Tour
Wine Tasting in the Douro Valley
If you want to learn more about Portuguese wines and the traditions behind them, the Douro Valley wine tasting tour is absolutely worth it. Bring your camera — the entire valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason.
This full-day minibus tour is a proper all-inclusive experience. You’re picked up at your hotel in Porto and head first to a winery for a guided tour and tasting.
Then it’s on to a boat trip on the Douro and a Portuguese lunch, before heading to a second winery for more tasting.
Included in the price: guided tours and tastings at two wineries, a boat trip, lunch, all transportation, and your guide. For everything that’s packed in, the value for money is excellent.
Book the Douro Valley Wine Tasting Tour
Unique Tours in Porto
Even if you’ve been to Porto before, there are a few experiences that are genuinely worth doing again.
Boat Tour on the Douro River
For just under an hour, a boat tour on the Douro River gives you the best possible view of the famous Ribeira waterfront.
An audio guide fills you in on everything you’re seeing as you cruise past the city’s landmarks. We’d suggest doing this one right at the start of your stay in Porto.
Book the Douro River Boat Tour
Fado Night Tour
A visit to Porto without a traditional fado evening is simply not complete. If you want to go deeper into Portuguese musical tradition on your night out, the Porto fado night tour is exactly what you’re looking for.
Your guide picks you up from your hotel in a minivan and you start with a sightseeing tour through the old town and along the riverfront.
The restaurant is steeped in tradition. While you’re served delicious Portuguese dishes — fish, meat, or seafood — the musicians on the small stage in the middle of the room set the atmosphere.
We really appreciate that after this packed evening of port wine, food, and fado, you’re dropped back at your hotel around midnight. No figuring out late-night transport — it’s all taken care of.
Book the Porto Fado Night Tour
The Best Day Trips from Porto
If you have a bit more time, getting out of the city is absolutely worth it. These are the excursions we’d recommend most:
Peneda-Gerês National Park
If all that city sightseeing has you craving some nature, a day trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park is a great call. The whole area is a genuine green gem of Portugal — with a bit of luck, you might even spot deer or a golden eagle.
You’re picked up at your hotel in Porto in the morning and head into the park with your guide, traveling part of the way by 4×4.
Once inside the park, you’ll do a series of short hikes through the forest to beautiful viewpoints, waterfalls, and green lagoons. Pack your swimsuit and a towel — in good weather there’s a chance to swim.
Lunch is included in the price, which is handy because all that fresh air works up a real appetite.
Book the Peneda-Gerês National Park Tour
Day Trip to Guimarães & Braga
Want even more culture? If you have the time, you really shouldn’t miss a side trip to medieval Guimarães and Braga, home to the famous Bom Jesus do Monte Cathedral.
Neither city is far from Porto, and you can visit both historic towns in a single day trip.
Your guide picks you up at your hotel in a minivan in the morning and you head into the Portuguese interior.
You’ll explore the medieval old quarter and castle of Guimarães, the Palace of the Dukes, and then Braga with its impressive cathedral. A traditional Portuguese lunch is included to keep you going between stops.
Both cities rank among the absolute top highlights in Portugal, and your guide comes loaded with background information on the historical sites. If you’re into history, this is the day trip for you.
