Home > Destinations > Europe > Portugal > Locations > Porto

Porto

The City That Gave Portugal Its Name and Its Wine

Design my trip

Private Porto tours and Douro Valley escapes, arranged by local experts

The best Porto tours are the ones that follow the river. Our local experts start you in the granite lanes of Ribeira, take you across the Dom Luís I bridge on foot as the light drops, and into the Vila Nova de Gaia cellars where port has been ageing since the eighteenth century. Between tastings there is time for the blue azulejos of São Bento station, a bookshop worth the queue, a francesinha in a tiled tavern, and the beaches at Matosinhos when the sun holds. Upriver, the terraced vineyards of the Douro open up for a day on the water or a night at a family quinta, especially during the September harvest. Each itinerary is private, hand-built to suit the length of your stay and what you actually want from it.

How it works

Every step of our process is built to ensure you get exactly the journey you're dreaming of.

1. Share the trip you have in mind

Dates, who is travelling, what matters most. We hand it to the right local expert, a named person who lives there.

2. Meet the person responsible for it

Your local writes the proposal personally, within 48 hours, and refines it with you until it fits.

3. Travel with someone on call

Secure payments, trusted bookings, and your local reachable while you are away.

Porto and the Douro, planned end to end

Tell us when you are coming and a local expert takes it from there

Plan my trip to Porto

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Porto?

May, June, September and October are ideal, with 18 to 25°C, moderate crowds and fair prices. Summer brings the beaches and the São João festival on 23 June. Winter is cheap but wet.

How many days are sufficient for Porto?

Three days suit the city itself, including Ribeira, Gaia's cellars and a river cruise. Four or five let you add a full day in the Douro Valley, and a week covers Braga, Guimarães or the Minho coast.

What is a must do in Porto?

Cross the Dom Luís I bridge on the upper deck, tour a port cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia, see the tiles at São Bento station, ride a rabelo boat on the Douro, and eat a francesinha.

What are the best Porto tours to book?

Port cellar tastings in Gaia, walking tours through Ribeira and Miragaia, Douro Valley wine days with a driver, river cruises under the six bridges, and food tours around Bolhão market. We arrange each one privately.

Should I visit the Douro Valley from Porto?

Yes, it is the finest day out from the city. The drive takes about ninety minutes, and a good day combines two quintas, lunch above the terraces and a short boat trip. September brings the grape harvest.

Where should I stay in Porto?

Ribeira puts you on the waterfront but on steep, busy lanes. Baixa and Cedofeita are central, flatter and quieter, while Gaia offers the best views back at the city. We hand-pick the hotel once the plan is set.

Will I share my Porto tour with other travellers?

No, every itinerary we build is private. Your guide, driver and cellar visits belong to your group alone, so you can stay longer at a tasting, skip a museum or start the day when it suits you.

What is included in a Porto vacation package?

Typically airport transfers, a hand-picked hotel, private guides, cellar and quinta visits with tastings, Douro transport and restaurant bookings. Flights, travel insurance and personal spending are arranged separately.