City Tours in Porto

Since 1996, Porto's historic downtown has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it doesn't take long to understand why once you start exploring its cobblestoned streets.

On a city tour in Porto, you can walk or ride around this cozy city nestled into the north side of the Douro river with a guide to provide historical context to the elaborate church façades and building interiors covered in "azulejos" (painted Portuguese tiles).

Check out this helpful guide on city tours, one of the most fulfilling sightseeing tours in Porto.

Which city tour in Porto should you choose?

When deciding on a city tour in Porto, you have plenty of different options to choose from. Whether you prefer to explore the city by foot or on two or four wheels, there's a tour to match your needs. Here are some of the most popular Porto city tours.

3-Hour City Highlights Walking Tour

On this half-day walking tour, you'll visit all the must-see spots in Porto's historic downtown district. Starting at the expansive Sé Cathedral with incomparable views over the Douro River, you'll then make your way down to Avenida dos Aliados.

In Aliados Square, you'll have the perfect photo opportunity in front of city hall with its enormous sign that spells out Porto in big blue letters. Then, you'll head up the hill to Torre dos Clérigos — the church tower that points up highest in the Porto skyline.

Half-Day Electric Bike Sightseeing Tour

If you're looking to cover more ground on your city tour, a guided Porto city tour on an electric bike is a great idea. Considering the hilly terrain of Porto, an electric bike is really the only way to go unless you've got quads of steel!

This e-bike tour offers plenty of language options with Dutch, German and French also available besides the customary English, Spanish and Portuguese. If you want to take a young child with you, baby seats are available as long as you request in advance.

2-Hour Segway Tour of Porto's Historic Downtown

On a Segway tour in Porto, you can conveniently climb its many hills by simply leaning forward on the handles of your Segway. Rain or shine, you'll be able to glide up and down the cobblestone streets of this historic city (ponchos are provided if necessary).

Please note that there are age and weight restrictions to participate in a Segway tour. Riders must be at least 12 years old and they cannot weigh less than 45 kg (100 lbs) or more than 118 kg (260 lbs).

Porto City Tour in a Model T Ford Electric Vehicle

For a ride around Porto in ultimate style and comfort, look no further than a Porto city tour in an electric vehicle replica of a Model T Ford. Although the vehicle might seem a little cheesy at first, it's a comfortable and eco-friendly way to explore the city. Plus, it fits in with Porto's historic charm.

Another bonus of this tour is that you get to travel much farther than the other tours described above. You'll visit places on both sides of the river and can even detour to the seaside for wonderful ocean views.

Off-the-Beaten-Track Private City Tour

If you want a more personalized tour to places other than the main tourist attractions, then this is the tour for you. Your private guide will take you to more authentic areas along the Ribeira and recount lesser-known tales of Porto's inhabitants.

Your guide can take you to see the most impressive street art in Porto with stops at some of the trendiest, up-and-coming cafes and bars where locals go to hang out. Book this tour only if you want access to places no tourist will ever find.

Are there any combos available with Porto city tours?

Yes, there are a couple of good combos available if you want to do different activities during your city tour in Porto. Whether you're looking to get on the water or get your nose into a glass of wine, you've got options.

Tuk Tuk City Tour plus Douro River Cruise

By land and by sea, this combination city tour gives you views of Porto from all the angles imaginable. First, you'll hop on a tuk tuk for quick and easy navigation of Porto's hilly alleyways for a one-hour guided tour.

Then, you can follow this with a Douro river boat tour that'll take you to see the six bridges that span the river during a one-hour journey. You'll receive an open ticket for the boat cruise, so you'll have up to 30 days to redeem it.

Full-day City Tour with Lunch, Wine Tasting and Boat Cruise

This is a great option if you want a more leisurely pace to explore Porto throughout the entire day. As the tour is capped at eight participants, you're ensured to have a more exclusive experience with your guide. It even includes a boat cruise!

A highlight of this Porto city tour is the wine tour and tasting at a historic Port wine lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia on the southside of the river. The wine tasting combined with a traditional Portuguese lunch is sure to leave your group satisfied.

Which places will you visit?

Almost every building and side street in Porto's historic downtown offers something worth seeing and appreciating. However, these are some of the highlights of the must-visit places during your city tour.

Clérigos Tower

Torre dos Clérigos, the tower of Clérigos Church, is one of the best places to get a bird's eye view over the entire historic downtown of Porto and even across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia, as long as you have the legs to climb its 240 steps.

Sé Cathedral

The Sé Cathedral is one of Porto's most important and ancient monuments. Construction on this pre-Romanesque church began in the mid-12th century and it has served as an epicenter of Porto's religious activitity through the centuries.

Lello Bookshop

Touted as an inspiration for J.K. Rowling as she was writing the first novel in the Harry Potter series, there's no doubt that there's something magical about this bookshop. The beauty of its winding staircase can only be fully appreciated in person.

How much should you expect to pay for a city tour in Porto?

You should expect to pay anywhere from €30 to €75 for a Porto city tour, depending on the type of sightseeing tour.

Walking tours and tuk tuk tours are the most affordable options at around €30 while the Model T Ford electric vehicle tour is only a bit more at €40.

E-bike tours will cost you around €45, which is the same price as the private off-the-beaten-path walking tour. A Segway tour around Porto will be about €55.

At €75, the full-day city tour is the most expensive option, but it's actually quite a deal considering it not only includes a guide for the entire day, but also lunch, wine tasting and a boat cruise.

What is included with your Porto city tour?

Each tour is quite different from one another, so they will include different items. For example, the e-bike and Segway tours include your vehicle, helmet and personal liability insurance.

Some tours include admission to the sites you'll be visiting, while other tours you need to pay separately, so it would be best to confirm the details of the tour before booking.

Where do they typically start?

Most tours will start in Porto's historic downtown area near the Sé Cathedral or São Bento train station.

How long do they normally last?

Most Porto city tours last from two to three hours, although some tours also have half-day and full-day options.

Are they wheelchair friendly?

Unfortunately not. Due to the hilly terrain and cobblestoned streets, most city tours in Porto are not wheelchair friendly.

When is the best time for a city tour in Porto?

You can have a great city tour in Porto throughout the year, although the winters tend to be a bit wet in Porto, so you might have limited visibility and need to wear a poncho.

The summers are typically quite mild in Porto compared to other places including southern Portugal, so late spring and early summer (May to early July) is an excellent time to enjoy comfortable temperatures while avoiding the peak of the tourist season (late July to late August).

Travel tips

• Beware the hills. Although Porto is walkable in terms of distance, sometimes the difficulty of the walk has more to do with the incline of the hill.
• Use public transport. There's a funicular on the Porto side of the river and a cable car on the Gaia side of the river that'll take you quickly up the hill from the riverside.
• Pace yourself with Port wine. This delicacy is seductively sweet, so you may not realize that it packs a punch at 20% ABV.