The 12 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.

Best for panoramic views

Time Out tip: With it being so ginormous, we recommend staying in Douro Valley for a few nights. This stunning hotel with outdoor pool certainly fits the bill.

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 surroundings too.

Best for flexibility and convenience - great for packing a lot into your trip  if your short on time.

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.

Best for culinary buffs after the real deal

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.

Best for historicism and architecture 

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.

Best for a romantic cruise

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.

Best for novelty and adventure

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.

Best for laid-back sophistication

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.

Best for a relaxed, informative tour with beautiful waterways

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.

Best for a twinkling city light backdrop

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.

Best for picturesque natural landscapes

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.

Best for an intimate tour 

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.

Best for outdoorsy types