The 13 best tours for exploring Porto in style

Take a day to fully drink in all that Portugal has to offer in the wine stakes with a trip to the Douro Valley. Whilst in the stunning UNESCO-listed region you’ll find the wondrous trappings of port, a tipple this country is synonymous with. Taste it in its natural habitat – the vineyard – and take in the stunning scenery. After that enjoy lunch in the quaint village of Pinhão, followed by a winery visit, before heading back to Porto.

Appreciate Porto at your own pace with a hop-on-hop-off ticket for the city’s sightseeing buses. These follow two main routes: one around the attractions, historic sites and beaches of Porto; the other heads out to nearby towns, including Matosinhos and Vila Nova de Gaia. The buses are open-top, so as well as getting you to Porto’s main tourist spots, they allow a lovely way to take in the sun and surroudnings too.

Fancy four hours of food-fuelled sightseeing? Sign up for a tasting tour of Porto and get a local guide to take you to all the best cafes and markets. Try classic dishes, such as bolinho de bacalhau (cod fritters) and the renowned custard tarts, pasteis de nata. And don’t forget to fit in a cheeky snifter of port, one of the country’s best exports.

Allow a knowledgeable local to introduce you to the rich history of Porto on this hugely popular tour. They’ll guide you on foot around the city, covering its UNESCO-listed centre, baroque architecture and famed churches. As you walk, you’re guide will reveal stories of Roman rule, Moorish invasions and French destruction. They’ll also lead you to see cellars where port is aged.

In half a day you can get to Aveiro, a coastal town near Porto that’s built alongside the Ria de Aveiro lagoon and has similarities to Venice. The houses jut right up against the water, where numerous boats float. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring the pretty waterways and take a ride in a traditional moliceiro (like a gondola). Finally, visit the picturesque Costa Nova beach and get a good look at the old fishing huts there, before heading back to Porto.

Save some sightseeing energy with a little help from Segway. You can tour the city on one of these self-balancing electric scooters, led by an expert guide, who will take you around Porto’s Ribeira neighbourhood. Get a good look at famous spots like Porto Cathedral, São Bento Station, Bolhão Market and Dom Luis I bridge.

What makes port so special? Find out on an informative taster tour. As well as learning about the wine’s history ad production, you’ll find out how to tell different types of port apart and when is the optimum time to drink it. This particular tour includes seven port tastings in three different wineries and a traditional wine cellar.

Experience the beauty, wine and rich history of Porto with a local guide at your side. Hear all about the Roman additions to the city’s architectural footprint, find out what it’s like to be in an authentic port cellar (with a tasting) and board a boat that’ll take you along the Douro River so you can see the six bridges that connect Porto and Gaia.

What better way to spend an evening in Porto than with dinner and a show? And not just any dinner, or any show for that matter. After a guided drive through the city at night, you’ll be treated to a selection of Portuguese delicacies, accompanied by a two-hour live performance from traditional fado musicians. We’ve tried it and had a lot of fun. Recommended.

Lots of areas in Portugal are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but Peneda-Gerês National Park is a particularly beautiful one. The lush green valleys are worth a whole day trip, on which a knowledgeable guide will take you past waterfalls, ponds and mountain ranges, before stopping at a local restaurant for a locally-sourced, authentic Portuguese meal.

Take a fun tuk-tuk tour through the winding streets of Porto, experiencing the city from a unique point of view. Pass the striking Cathedral, the exquisite Lello library (the history of which dates back to 1869), and the Serra do Pilar monastery. Plus, enjoy lunch in Matosinhos by the River Douro. Collection and drop-off is also included in the price.

Get up early to experience this leisurely three-hour bike ride around the beautiful city. Because this tour is by bike, it allows you to venture further than you could by foot, so you should be able to see everything from the Douro River to Porto’s City Park in the northwest.

Splash the cash with a guide in the know, who can personally chaperone you to all of Porto’s finest shops, including some of the biggest names in fashion. Browse Bolhão market for traditional Portuguese wares and food. Then head to the city’s art district, Miguel Bombarda, followed by fuss-free shopping at El Corte Ingles department store. Whatever you’re after, your local guide will know where to go.