Porto , Portugal

Porto Private City Tour

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About this experience

A private tour of Porto and its historic city center. Admire the exterior of the 18th century Porto Cathedral, one of Porto's oldest monuments, followed by a panoramic viewpoint over Douro River where you can take in views across to the city Gaia. Head to Batalha Square where you can spot the 18th century Batalha Palace, then walk Santa Catarina Street, the city's main shopping street. Head to Liberdade Square where the monument to King Peter IV is centralized within a number of beautiful neoclassical facades, and continue to see the Clerigos Church and Tower, dominating the city at 250 feet tall. Venture to Ribeira Square, with its river view and three-story high monumental fountain, and visit a Porto Wine Cellars for a wine tasting.

Available options

High Season 2022

Duration: 4 hours<br/>Pickup included

What's included

Vehicle with Tourism Driver

Pick up and drop off at the hotel in Porto

Cockburn's Port Lodge experience: shared local guide & 3 premium Ports + 3 chocolates tasting.

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

Explore the city of Porto, visit the historic city center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Porto is known as the City "Invicta". It is the city that gave its name to Portugal - very early, when designated for Portus Cale, coming later to become the capital of Portucalense. Founded by the Romans in the fourth century Porto grew up on both sides of the river and on its hillsides. This Mediterranean looking city is located on the Douro River on the northwest coast of Portugal. It is on the itinerary of many discriminating ocean cruise lines and is the starting point for the ever-increasing popular vacation choice, river cruising, for this country.

Venture to Batalha Square: it's a historical public square located in the city of Porto. The Batalha area has been an important cultural spot for centuries. In 1794, it was here that the Oporto's opera house, the Royal Theatre of São João, was built. The theatre still exists, although the original building had to be replaced in 1908 following a fire. An important monument of the square is the Batalha Palace, a good example of a late 18th-century urban palace of Porto. The main façade, in a style intermediate between baroque and neoclassical, carries the coat-of-arms of the former owners.

Stop 3

Head to Santa Catarina Street, the most important shopping thoroughfare in Porto. This pedestrian street is located in the high part of town and starts from Praça da Batalha in the city centre, itself housing the pretty Igreja dos Congregados dedicated to Saint Anthony, with a beautifully tiled façade.

Walking down Santa Catarina, you’ll come across Via Catarina Shopping Center, which is also very close to the Mercado do Bolhão, which is worth visiting.

Stop 4

Liberty Square is Porto’s main square and it connects the old town with the modern part of the city. It's in the heart of Porto, very close to the Clérigos Tower and São Bento Railway Station.

In the middle of the Praça is a 10-meter bronze equestrian statue of King Peter IV from 1862.

At one end of Liberdade Square is Porto’s main artery, Avenida dos Aliados. It is flanked by modernist buildings from the beginning of the twentieth century, like the Town Hall and some of the city’s banks.

Head to Ribeira Square, with its river view and three-story high monumental fountain. It is a beautiful area to walk around along the Douro river and if desired, make an optional visit to Porto Wine Cellars for a wine tasting (payable on the spot). The Ribeira Square is a historical square in Porto. It is included in the historical centre of the city, designated World Heritage by UNESCO. It is crowded with restaurants, cafes, touristic stores and touristic attractions.
The buildings, which these days are half occupied, half vacant, are colorful and give the area a unique character.

What's not included

Entrances in monuments not included.

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Viator 5.0

2 reviews

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4★

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1★

Tripadvisor 5.0

2 reviews

5★

4★

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1★

Important information

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Up to 2 different languages might be spoken by the tour guide during the tours.

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