Fernwayer’s Porto Tours

Porto never set out to compete with Lisbon. Portugal’s second city always stood out on its own. There’s the Port wine, which ages across its margins in Vila Nova de Gaia. The traditional tascas dishing out hearty portions of francesinha or the grilled fish that comes straight from the Atlantic. And a distinctive architecture ranging from historic tiled facades to avant-garde buildings designed by award-winning architects. This is a working city, with factories still in motion, cellars ageing wine as we speak, fishermen setting out for a day’s catch, and creatives crafting away in their studios.

When curating our Porto tours, we wanted to highlight the people behind the scenes, focusing on human connections, while showcasing the rich traditions that make Porto so special. We found architects, art historians, cultural entrepreneurs, and food enthusiasts ready to reveal their side of the city.

You could spend a day sampling petiscos (small dishes to share) between a century-old market and favorite local haunts, immerse yourself in the life of a fisherman, or cruise along the Douro River, taking in the city’s skyline, before disembarking for a Port wine tasting. If you’re drawn by the architecture, set off on a tour of the city’s Art Nouveau buildings alongside an art historian or capture modern landmarks like Serralves and Casa da Música with an architect/designer. Porto is also a great base to explore the Douro Valley and the North of Portugal, where we offer day trips that combine hiking, food, wine, and folk traditions, sparking conversations with local communities along the way.

Our tours take you across historic districts, art hubs and into the seaside to explore how the city has evolved through the years. You’ll follow an art historian as she reveals the city’s remaining Art Nouveau facades and old-style cafés, or venture through Ribeira with an architect exploring the district’s trading history of cod and Port. A river cruise takes you along the Douro while sticking close to town for a Port tasting, or you can hit the road to visit the vineyards of the Douro Valley. And if it’s fresh fish you’re after, you’ll want to travel to Matosinhos to witness a day in a fisherman’s life.

Explore our essential Porto tours below or see all Porto experiences here.

Architecture and Heritage Tours

Experience Porto’s famous landmarks with a local expert in our private architecture and heritage tours. Follow an art historian as they reveal the city’s iconic tiled facades or witness the Art Nouveau buildings that remain. Step into the Ribeira district to explore the history of cod and Port trade or capture the contemporary features of Serralves and Casa da Música, immersing yourself in the city’s creative scene.

Food and Drink Tours

Discover Porto’s hearty culinary heritage in one of our food tours. Sample a variety of petiscos — Portugal’s answer to tapas — at local hideaways and bustling markets and learn about the dishes the city is known for. Hop on a boat and enjoy a scenic ride along the river, before stopping for a Port wine tasting, or venture further west to Matosinhos to experience the city’s thriving fishing industry, meeting a fisherman as they return with their fresh catch.

Day Trips from Porto

Our Porto day trips take you beyond the city to explore natural landscapes, craft markets, and remote villages. Set off towards the Douro Valley for wine tastings and boat rides along the Douro. Venture through the wooded trails of Peneda-Gerês National Park or take a day trip to Arouca to cross a vertigo-inducing suspension bridge stretching across a 516-meter gorge. Each tour has been meticulously designed to connect you deeply with local communities and their cultures, whether that’s the artisan shaping the black ceramics of Bisalhães or a cultural curator sharing the enduring traditions of Portugal’s northeast.

Porto Neighborhood Guide

Baixa

Shopping streets like Rua de Santa Catarina and food markets like Mercado do Bolhão and Time Out Market make up the city’s lively downtown district. From here, you can easily access landmarks like the Cathedral, Clérigos Tower, or the São Bento train station. Recommended Experience: Petiscos in Porto

Ribeira

The city’s oldest district is renowned for its row of brightly-colored buildings overlooking the Douro River. It’s usually pretty lively with people walking along the promenade or hanging around the bars and cafés. From here, you can easily reach the Port wine cellars across the margin. Recommended Experience: Ribeira, River & Trade

Cedofeita

Just west of downtown, Cedofeita is home to the city’s popular art district, with galleries dotted along Rua de Miguel Bombarda. It has a relaxing vibe with cool cafés and design shops to browse through.

Vila Nova de Gaia

Technically a separate city, Gaia sits across the river and is home to the famous Port wine lodges. Book a tasting, set off on a cruise, or simply take in the views of Porto from viewpoints like Jardim do Morro or the WOW cultural district. Recommended Experience: Between the River and the Port

Bonfim

While it’s mostly residential, Bonfim is an up-and-coming area on the east side of town. Art students hang around here as it houses the Fine Arts University, and you’ll find a range of bars and cafés for a drink, especially around Praça dos Poveiros.

Miragaia

One of Porto’s old Jewish districts was located in Miragaia. The district follows the riverside promenade from Ribeira, but it’s much less busier. Highlights include the Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis and Centro Português de Fotografia.

Boavista

The wide Avenida da Boavista leads to this modern district where offices meet big hotel chains. This is where you’ll find Casa da Música, a striking concert hall designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. There’s also a food market and a botanical garden not far away. Recommended Experience: Porto By Design

Foz do Douro & Matosinhos

Head west and you’ll soon hit the Atlantic, and the seaside districts of Foz do Douro and Matosinhos. Besides the beach, this is where you’ll find some of the city’s best seafood restaurants, with fresh fish being grilled right in front of you. Recommended Experience: Fish: A Portuguese Love Affair

Where should I base myself in Porto? The area around downtown, known as Baixa, is ideal if you want to be within walking distance of most attractions, like the Clérigos Tower and the Cathedral. For a slice of history, opt for Ribeira, the city’s oldest district, or Miragaia. Cedofeita is further from the metro line, but offers a quieter atmosphere and easy access to gardens and art galleries, while Vila Nova de Gaia works well if you’re focused on wine tastings and river views rather than sightseeing on foot.

How do I move around effortlessly? While you can walk pretty much anywhere, you’ll eventually come across some steep hills. You can skip some of them by hopping on the metro or taking an Uber. If you do decide to walk, be sure to bring sturdy shoes.

What’s the smoothest private arrival? A private transfer from the airport straight to your hotel is the most comfortable option. Although there’s a metro that connects to downtown, the stop may be far from your hotel, and you may need to climb a few hills. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also available.

How far ahead do I need to book restaurants? Most traditional restaurants don’t require bookings, particularly at lunchtime. However, popular contemporary spots and fine-dining restaurants should be booked several days ahead, especially on weekends. 

When should I visit to avoid the crowds? The best time to visit Porto with fewer crowds is around late spring or early fall. Avoid the height of summer, unless you want to catch the city’s biggest festival in June. Winter is quieter, but it tends to rain a lot more then.

How many days do I need to experience Porto properly? Three days is enough time to cover the highlights and explore a few different neighborhoods.

I want to explore beyond the city. What are the best day trips from Porto? If you’re a wine lover or simply want to see the vineyards up close, the Douro Valley is an excellent choice for a day trip, though you might want to stay here a little longer to make the most of the landscape. From Porto, you can also easily reach Gerês, the country’s only national park, and the Paiva Walkways in Arouca. If you want to know more about Portugal’s folk traditions, head south towards Barcelos or up to the remote villages of the northeast.

Do I need to book wine lodges and tastings in advance? While many cellars accept walk-ins, some will require a booking, especially in high season.

What food is typical in Porto? Porto is famous for its hearty dishes. Francesinha is the most popular dish here. A cousin of the croque-monsieur, it consists of several layers of meat and cheese sandwiched between two slices of bread, and drenched in a spicy tomato sauce. Other city classics include the cachorrinho, a sort of hot dog cut into slices, which is ideally for sharing, and the tripas à moda do Porto, a tripe stew that can be an acquired taste for some. Close to Matosinhos, restaurants specialise in grilled fish, and you’ll also find a canned fish factory here, which makes Portugal’s infamous canned sardines.