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Porto Half-Day Tour: History, Monuments, Wine Tasting
4.6
214 Ratings
Porto
Embark on a half-day journey in Porto. Unravel the city’s history, explore its major monuments, wander around enchanting gardens, and uncover scenic viewpoints with breathtaking vistas.
Embark on a half-day journey in Porto. Unravel the city’s history, explore its major monuments, wander around enchanting gardens, and uncover scenic viewpoints with breathtaking vistas.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Teatro Nacional São João - This historic building, erected in 1910, stands on the site of the Real Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1908. It features stylistic symbols representing pain, quality, hate, and love. The main façade reflects its renovation in the Louis XVI style, typical of early 20th-century France. Designed by Marques da…
- Teatro Nacional São João - This historic building, erected in 1910, stands on the site of the Real Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1908. It features stylistic symbols representing pain, quality, hate, and love. The main façade reflects its renovation in the Louis XVI style, typical of early 20th-century France. Designed by Marques da Silva, it is recognized as a building of public interest. Its primary goals are to create and present theatre shows of various genres and to promote greater public access to specialist, classic, and contemporary theatre works, covering both national and international drama repertoires. The building also connects the Carlos Alberto Theatre to the São Bento da Vitória monastery.
- Muralha Fernandina - This Romanesque wall, built in the 12th century, marked the administrative and urban boundaries of Porto after a long period of scattered population. Significant remnants of this structure have survived through the years.
- Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar - A World Cultural Heritage site, construction began in 1538 and was completed around 1670. Initially built to house the Augustinian Friars of the Monastery of Grijó, it later served as a base for the liberal army during the Civil War of 1832-1834. The war left it in disrepair until 1834, when the Royal Brotherhood of Lady of the Pilar and later the Group of Friends of the Monastery of Serra do Pilar, in 1925, restored the entire building. The church, with its circular plan, features a dome surrounded by a balcony, and the cloister is also circular with 36 Ionic columns, the only example in Portugal. From its grand terrace, one can view the entire riverside area of Porto and Gaia up to the Arrábida Bridge, and the historic center, highlighting the Cathedral and D. Luís I bridge. In the opposite direction, one can see the Fontainhas area and the São João bridge.
- Ponte de Dom Luís I - Designed by engineer Teófilo Seyrig, a disciple of Eiffel, it was inaugurated in 1886 and consists of two overlapping iron decks. The bridge is 395 meters long and 8 meters wide, with its arch still considered the world’s largest in forged iron. Today, the upper deck is used by the Metro of Porto, connecting Porto’s Cathedral area to the Garden of Morro and Avenida da República in Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Igreja de São Francisco - The city’s most significant Gothic temple, construction began in the 14th century. It is one of the most important Baroque works, with its gilded interior from the 17th and 18th centuries. Its lavish gilded woodwork led Count Raczinsky to describe it as the ‘Church of Gold.’ He added, ‘The gilding of this church is so beautiful and rich that it surpasses everything I have seen in Portugal and the entire world.’ Noteworthy are the Tree of Jesse and the catacombs. It has been a National Monument since 1910 and a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO since 1996.
- Palácio da Bolsa - A National Monument, the Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace) is owned and headquartered by the Commercial Association of Porto. Designed by Joaquim da Costa Lima in a neoclassical style in 1842, it is located in the historical center and is one of the most visited monuments, with the famous Arabian Room as its main highlight. As a Cultural and Conference Centre, the Stock Exchange Palace offers unique conditions for hosting events and excellent initiatives. It is part of the Urban Wine Route and is accessible for people with reduced mobility through a side entrance.
- Jardim do Infante Dom Henrique - Established in 1885, this square is surrounded by Mercado Ferreira Borges and Palácio da Bolsa, located in the historical center. It features a small garden, under which an underground car park was built, and a Monument to the Infante D. Henrique, inaugurated on the 5th centenary of his death. Its construction began in 1894 and was completed in 1900, symbolizing the triumph of Portuguese navigation and faith.
- Jardins do Palácio de Cristal - This beautiful botanical garden is one of Porto’s most cherished retreats, with lawns interwoven with sun-dappled paths and adorned with fountains, sculptures, giant magnolias, camellias, cypress, and olive trees. It is a mosaic of small gardens that gradually reveal themselves as you wander, along with stunning views of the city and Rio Douro.
- Mercado Ferreira Borges - Built in 1885 by order of the City Council to replace the old Mercado da Ribeira (Ribeira Market), it operated as a market for a short time and has since been used for various purposes. It is an important example of iron architecture in Porto, later renovated to become an entertainment venue, now home to the Hard Club.
- Alfândega Porto Congress Centre - A neoclassical building constructed in the 19th century, designed by engineer Jean F. G. Colson. It features two facades, one facing the Douro River and one facing the city. Notable are the structural solutions that used iron in conjunction with other materials—stone, brick, or wood—depending on the functionality of the different spaces. In 1987, it was decided to house the future Museum of Transport and Communications in the building belonging to the Association with the same name. Restoration and adaptation works were carried out according to the project by architect Eduardo Souto Moura. The Association for the Transport and Communications Museum (Associação para o Museu dos Transportes e Comunicações-A.M.T.C) also manages a Congress Centre, spread across various areas in the Building of Alfândega Nova do Porto.
- Igreja dos Carmelitas - A 17th-century church with a classical façade dating from the 1850s. The project is attributed to architect/painter Nicolau Nasoni. The altarpiece, in Porto rococo style, was considered a stylistically revolutionary piece. The building is designated a national monument.
- Jardim de João Chagas - Better known as Cordoaria Garden, this garden has been called João Chagas Garden since 1924. Its popular name comes from the rope makers who worked here for about 200 years. In the 19th century, the Municipality decided to transform the Praça da Cordoaria into a public area. The project, by German landscaper Emile David, was built in 1865/1866. The garden features statues of Ramalho Ortigão and António Nobre, a set of sculptures by Juan Muñoz from 2001, and “O rapto de Ganímedes” (Kidnapping of Ganímedes). As part of Porto 2001, European Capital of Culture, this garden underwent remodeling.
- Torre dos Clérigos - The Clérigos Church is a Baroque church in Porto, Portugal. Its tall bell tower, the Torre dos Clérigos, is visible from various points in the city and is one of its most iconic symbols.
- Igreja do Carmo - A church built in the second half of the 18th century. Due to its architecture and interior carvings, it is considered one of the most remarkable buildings of Porto rococo. In 1912, its lateral façade was covered with tiles. The drawings on these tiles were designed by Silvestre Silvestri, featuring figurative compositions alluding to the cult of Nossa Senhora (Our Lady). The building is designated a national monument.
- Fonte dos Leões - The Fountain of the Lions (Portuguese: Fonte dos Leões) is a 19th-century fountain built by the French company Compagnie Générale des Eaux pour l’Etranger. Cast by the Val d’Osne foundry in France, it is largely a replica of the fountain in the Town Hall Square of Leicester, England.
- Antiga Cadeia da Relação - A granite building dating from 1582, rebuilt in 1767 in neo-classical style, designed by architect Eugénio dos Santos, initiated by João de Almada e Melo and financed by Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro. It features a geometric sequence of windows (103 in total). This polygonal-shaped building has four façades, two of which relate to its main functions: the main façade on Rua de São Bento da Vitória provides access to the Court sector. The other façade, opening to the Cordoaria Garden, was originally constructed for the direct passage of prisoners and is now the building’s main entrance. Camilo Castelo Branco, one of Portugal’s most famous writers, charged with adultery, and the famous Zé do Telhado, charged with theft, were held here. Between 1999 and 2002, the building was restored under the direction of Eduardo Souto de Moura and Humberto Vieira to become the current Portuguese Centre for Photography, including an exhibition center.
- Livraria Lello - The building housing the library was inaugurated in 1906. Its beautiful Art Nouveau façade with neo-Gothic details is noteworthy. Inside, the library is decorated with painted plaster imitating wood and features a magnificent staircase linking it to the upper floor—one of the first reinforced concrete works in Porto. Also notable is the large stained-glass skylight, bearing the library’s monogram and motto: ‘Decus in Labore.’ In 2008, the English newspaper The Guardian ranked this library as the world’s third most beautiful, as did Lonely Planet in its guide “Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011,” describing it as an ‘Art Nouveau gem,’ particularly highlighting its ‘neo-Gothic shelves’ and the ‘lolloping red staircase.’

What's Included
- Local guide
- Wine tasting
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Local guide
- Wine tasting
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group/family will participate
- Each Tuk Tuk as capacity for 2, 3, or 4 adults of average height, (up to 75kg each). For larger groups, we’ll use multiple vehicles, but we will always travel in a group, making the same stops at same time.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group/family will participate
- Each Tuk Tuk as capacity for 2, 3, or 4 adults of average height, (up to 75kg each). For larger groups, we’ll use multiple vehicles, but we will always travel in a group, making the same stops at same time.
Location
R. de Augusto Rosa 180
Rua de Augusto Rosa
In front of Café Batalha.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(214 Ratings)
5 stars
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Jennefer_c
Jun 7, 2025
Getting to know the real Porto - Excellent guided tour of all the main attractions of Porto. Our guide Bernardo was a fount of knowledge about the history of the sites as well as the local foods and restaurants to try. Thanks to him we got to enjoy some local restaurants that offered traditional food we thoroughly enjoyed. The port he provided toward the end of the tour was also much appreciated. Highly recommend this activty m
Review provided by Viator
Valerie
May 31, 2025
Must Do!! - Our tour was perfect! Ana was awesome. She took us all around Porto to historical sites and to some areas that had less tourists and were more quaint. She shared some good local restaurants and took us to a farmers market, which we went to for lunch to next day. Ana was very casual, personable, informative & accommodating. This was perfect for our first activity after arriving because we got the general layout of the city without having to walk up and down the hilly streets. I highly recommend taking this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosaliet107
May 28, 2025
Porto up close - Anna was a wonderful tour guide. Made our Porto sightseeing a fun adventure. Saw a lot in the time we had. Saw just what we wanted.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_b
May 28, 2025
Awesome!!! - We had a wonderful guide on our tour. Gabby was so knowledgeable and fun. We would recommend her over and over again.
Review provided by Viator
Kim_j
May 26, 2025
Great start of our trip - Bernardo was a great tour guide and knew a great deal about the city of Porto. So glad it was the start of our trip
Review provided by Viator
Ewout
May 18, 2025
Great! - Absolutely recommended to discover a large part of the beautiful city of Porto in a short time. Seen several neighborhoods and received info from the enthusiastic guide. Sure thing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gerry_h
May 12, 2025
Perfect way to see the... - Perfect way to see the many sides of Porto in a relatively short period of time, although it was a 3 hour tour. Good insight by the driver on historical spots and the vistas shown were beautiful. A glass of port at the end of the tour was a nice touch.
Review provided by Viator
Jean_o
May 10, 2025
The best city tour ever! - Anna, our entertaining, friendly guide gave us a fantastic experience on her tuk tuk. We travelled through narrow cobbled streets and saw sights that we would never have seen on our own. Her light hearted humour and kindness was very much appreciated. Thanks Anna.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_k
Jun 13, 2025
Good way to see the city! - Great tour of the city! We saw areas and views that we would not have found on our own. Covered both sides of the river, Porto and Gaia.
Review provided by Viator
Annj-houtx
May 19, 2025
Lot of driving. Not a lot of stops - The plus - we covered a lot of ground that we couldn’t have on foot.
We stopped about 5 times to get out and look at viewpoints that were nice but there were no admissions to anything like the detail said so that was disappointing.
Our guide was mediocre. Don’t have a lot of energy in his presentation
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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