The picturesque city of Porto, stretching along the hills overlooking the Douro River, is unofficially recognized as the capital of the northern region of Portugal. Exciting excursions to Porto in Russian will help you to feel its indescribable flavor, cultural and gastronomic traditions. You will see the masterpieces of Baroque architecture, majestic neoclassical buildings, historical monuments and museums of the city in all their beauty and grandeur, and the taste of local cuisine and famous Portuguese wine will be a great addition to the experience.
Porto step by step
What could be more interesting for an initial acquaintance than plunging headlong into its history? For 4 hours of an individual walk for 1-3 people, led by an experienced Russian-speaking guide, you can go from the historic Lviv square along the picturesque streets with stepped architecture. Along the way, admire the view of the Se Cathedral, visiting the birthplace of the city, and then the route will lead to the Railway Station to admire the amazing décor of azulejo tiles.
From there, go to Freedom Square with the City Hall, then go to the old bookstore, the quaint interior of which became the prototype of the library from the movie "Harry Potter". Telling stories about the sights along the way, the guide will lead to the towering bell tower of the ancient Catholic Church of Clericush, from where to the openwork Luis bridge, erected by a student of the famous Eiffel. By paying only 63 €, you will get an initial idea of this amazing place.
First date with Porto
Tourists will get a bright kaleidoscope of impressions on a sightseeing voyage for 1-2 people, starting in the Cordaria area. First, the route will lead to the plane tree garden and laughing sculptures, from where you will go to the Clérigos tower to enjoy a picturesque panorama from the observation deck. Do not pass by the old bookstore, famous for its quirky décor. Then the path will lead to the architectural ensemble that adorned the squares of Trinidad and Liberdade, after which you will explore the foyer of the São Bento station, decorated with azulejo tiles.
From the colorful historic center - Ribeira, where you climb the hill to the Cathedral of Se, head to the old church, amazing interior decoration. Passing the fortress wall, along the Dora river embankment, you will climb to the Renaissance church of the 16th century. From its patio, you can admire the views of the cityscapes. A mini-trip, accompanied by an interesting story about the sights, costs 37 €.
Drive to the port city of Vila Nova de Gaia
You can get acquainted with the secrets of the city from history to wine, walking through its historical sites, as well as the Vila Nova de Gaia wine cellars, on a three-hour excursion for 1-4 people. Starting the journey from the City Hall from Liberty Square, the guide will lead you through the maze of streets of the ancient Ribeira district, where he will show you many architectural masterpieces. An unforgettable impression will be made by the facades and the interior of the Gothic Church of Se, the skillful panels of the São Bento station, tiled with azulejo tiles, a walk along the embankment, views from the openwork Luis bridge.
Crossing the bridge to the other side of the river, you will find yourself in the Vila Nova de Gaia wine region, where in the wine cellars you will watch how the famous port is stored and bottled. On the embankment, you will see ancient ships that used to transport wine to merchants. Then take the cable car to the second level of the bridge, from where you will have an amazing panorama. The tour will cost only 63 €, regardless of the number of people.
Welcome to Porto
Learn a lot of interesting things about the main attractions, perhaps by ordering an individual sightseeing walk for 1-4 people. For 3 hours of a leisurely walk, accompanied by a breathtaking story about the architectural monuments, you will see many ancient churches built in the Middle Ages in the Gothic and Renaissance styles. From the viewpoint of the 12th century Romanesque Xie Cathedral, take in the landscape of the old Ribeira district.
São Bento train station will amaze you with art panels about the history of Portugal, lined with azulejo tiles. Further, the guide will show the unusual McDonald's in Alados Square, the old Lello bookstore, which keeps many legends, the Clerigos Tower from where amazing views open. The acquaintance with the sights will end with a walk along the famous openwork bridge with a story about products made of rare Portuguese gold.
Fall in love with Portugal, fall in love with Porto
You will be able to sincerely fall in love with this beautiful country, getting acquainted with the life of the Portuguese, walking through iconic places with an excursion conducted for 1-5 people by a Russian-speaking guide. For 4 hours, starting from the central square of Avenida dos Aliados, you will have the opportunity to walk along the picturesque streets, admiring the architecture of the Se Cathedral, visit the highest tower of Clerigos, marvel at the quaint interior of the Lello bookstore, admire the azulejos tiled panels at the São Bento train station.
The tour program also includes an acquaintance with the medieval masterpieces of religious architecture. Going down to the embankment of the Dora River, you will see a mesmerizing view of the King Luis I Bridge. Here, at the pier, you can use a boat and sail along the river across 6 bridges to observe life on both sides of the coast. The guided walk will cost 72 €.
Daily City Walk
In a 2-hour walk with a guide telling fascinating stories about historical and architectural masterpieces and famous residents, you can learn a lot about this amazing city. The voyage takes place with a group of no more than 15 people. During this time, you will have time to comprehensively examine the unique panorama from 3 viewing platforms. Feel the atmosphere of the times of the Great Geographical Discoveries as you walk through the labyrinth of ancient streets to the port area.
Following the picturesque embankment of the Douro River, you will find yourself in Heinrich the Navigator's Square. This day will also be remembered for its iconic places: the train station, striking in the scale of the historical and artistic panel made of azulejo tiles, the majestic Palace of the Bishops, the Se Cathedral dating from the 12th century, baroque buildings and medieval churches. During a short trip, apart from history, you will find out where you can taste the best port wine, seafood, and spend your leisure time. The cost of the tour per participant will be 20 €.
Fall in love with the city at first sight
To irrevocably fall in love with this city, it is enough to see its historical and architectural business cards and find time for tasting port. An individual excursion with a Russian-speaking guide, calculated from 1 to 4 people, will help the tourist to do this. We will tell you what you can see in 3 hours in the first capital of Portugal, starting with its survey at the 76-meter Clerigos bell tower. Then there will be a visit to the bookstore "Livrari and Lello", full of mysterious mysteries. On the Freedom Square you will see the monument to King Don Pedro IV, and near the Town Hall you will hear its fascinating history.
We do not pass by the São Bento train station, famous for its azulejo tiled mosaics, we admire the Gothic Cathedral of Se, 3 more ancient churches, remarkable for their architecture. You will be amazed: the 60-meter facade of the Bishop's Palace, built in the Baroque style, the university building, the monument to Heinrich the Navigator, towering on the Infanta Enriques Square. The hike will end with a crossing to the other side of the river via the famous Luis Bridge to the Vila Nova de Gaia area and tasting the best port in an old wine cellar.A fascinating walk will cost 60 €.
Inimitable Porto
You will be able to feel the enchanting atmosphere of the city, taking a leisurely stroll along the picturesque Rebeira, and look at it from the heights of the best observation platforms, in an individual excursion. It will be led by a guide for 1 to 10 people. For 3.5 hours, passing through the labyrinths of ancient streets, you will learn a lot about the history of architectural masterpieces of the past centuries hidden behind the facades. On the Piazza Infanta Enriques, you will be told the history of the monument to Henry the Navigator, and walking along the embankment, appreciate the uniqueness of the ancient bridges that connected the banks of the river.
An unforgettable aftertaste will remain from a visit to a shop where hand-made chocolate and port wine tastings in the best wine shop. As you approach the Church of Do Carma, view the church wall decorated with traditional azulejo tiles. A historical panel of 20 thousand of these tiles will delight you at the São Bento train station. The end of this fascinating walk will be the openwork bridge of Luis I, which opens up amazing views of both banks of the Douro River. Cost 78 € for 1-5 people. With an increase in the number of participants, another 15 € for each.
The best observation decks
A tour of the observation decks will allow you to take in the streets, squares and architectural masterpieces from different angles. With the help of the top view and the guide's stories in Russian, you will be able to understand the intricate layout of the streets, so that you can then outline the routes for your own walks. A sightseeing walk lasting 4 hours is designed for 1 to 4 tourists. As you head from one site to the next, visit the sights along the way.
You will visit the highest tower-bell tower of Klerigos, the Se Cathedral, the magical Lollu bookstore, and the two-tiered Luis bridge. At Liberty Square, visit the Monument to King Don Pedro IV, from where you will walk to São Bento Train Station to admire the artful azulejo tile canvases that tell the story of the country. The walk ends with a crossing over the bridge to Vilu Nova di Gaia, where from the observation deck near the Pilar Monastery you can enjoy the stunning view of the ancient "northern capital", as well as a port wine tasting. A walk worth 104 € is accompanied by a fascinating immersion into the history of the city's tourist “business cards”.
Sightseeing tour of the historical center
Historical center - Ribeira is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. A walking tour of the protected areas of Ribeira and cultural and historical masterpieces, designed for 1-4 people, will give the opportunity to see all the city's "business cards" in 4 hours, learning their amazing stories. You will walk along the Ribeira embankment, visit the unique Lello bookstore, which became the prototype of the Harry Potter Library, the medieval Se Cathedral, the Carmelite Church and the Jewish Quarter.
We will devote some time to acquaintance with the skilful design of the foyer made of the famous blue and white azulejo tiles at the railway station and the facades of Baroque churches, amazing inside with gilded wood carvings. The tour will conclude with an introduction to traditional local cuisine at a good local cafe. Cost without lunch 104 €.
Gastronomic excursion
A private tour for 1-5 people will help you learn a lot about traditional Portuguese food and local delicacies from a Russian speaking guide. Duration 4 hours. Walking along the picturesque streets, you will make several gastronomic stops, starting with a visit to a shop selling cheese and marmalade. In addition to enjoying the taste of these local products, you will learn many stories related to their production and consumption.
The next stop will be a cozy pastry shop, where you will be amazed by the traditional pastel de nata, washed down with aromatic coffee. After seeing a series of sights, it will be time to go to a cozy place to taste the local green wine with an original sandwich. Then a cafe will wait for you with a dish that is served at all family holidays and of course with Portuguese ham - prezuntu. The walk ends with a tasting of the Tawny port in a wine bar located in the historic Ribeira. The walk will cost 60 €, excluding the cost of meals and groceries.
Meet Porto!
You will learn amazing stories about the past and present of the city. In 4 hours you will see historical sights that keep amazing legends. You will have to explore the Clérigos tower, with a unique structure of the dome, admire the Freedom Square with the monument to King Pedro IV, towering on a horse. At the São Bento train station, admire a story-driven wall panel created by azulejo tiles.
You will be amazed by the majestic buildings of the Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, and Santa Caterina Street, which is the heart of the city, will immerse you in the atmosphere of a bustling life. Have a cup of coffee at McDonald's with a retro interior in the style of the 20s of the last century, and then, passing through the amazing openwork bridge to the other side of the Douro River, try different sorts of port in a cozy cellar. The total price is 91 €.
Fitness excursion through the streets
An exciting and rewarding workout lasts 2.5 hours. From 1 to 6 people can take part in it. Put on your sneakers and set off to conquer the hills of the city, admiring its picturesque streets with art deco houses and the color of the facades that present the Ribeira. The fitness walk will start from the square near the fountain with winged lions, from where you will go to the Clérigos tower, examining the facades of the Art Deco houses, go up to the Catholic Cathedral of Se, from which there is a descent to Rebeira.
Through the historic district, you will take an easy step to the Foch district to watch the mooring of fishing boats, feeling the age-old atmosphere of the city. It will be interesting for you to hear the history of the Arrábida Bridge and the ancient church - the site of the baptism of Henry the Navigator. The tour will finish in front of the oldest lighthouse in Portugal, from where you will return to the city center by tram. The cost of the fitness tour will be only 50 € for all participants.
Portuguese tale of Green Wine
Fans of original alcohol and unusual cheeses will love the tour "The Portuguese Tale of Green Wine". In the company of a Russian-speaking guide, you will spend 3.5 hours in a country estate located on the slopes of the Minyu region. This estate has been producing the famous Portuguese green wine since 1870.
Here you will find out why wine is called green and why it occupies a special place among the variety of Portuguese wines. You will see the old Gedes winery, where the traditions of making unique wine have been preserved since the 19th century. After visiting the winery and strolling through the garden, you will go on a wine tasting with 2 varieties of traditional local cheeses, also made on the family estate. An excursion for 1-7 people costs 90 €, regardless of the number of participants, tasting is paid separately.
Photo walk
In order to photograph historical and picturesque places and yourself against their background, it is worth taking part in an individual excursion for 1-3 people. Walking along streets with a unique flavor to the old quarter of Ribeira, go down to the Dora River embankment. On it you will reach the Luis Bridge, where you will make stunning views from the height of the former northern capital and its satellite Vila Nova de Gaia, the repository of your wealth - port wine.
Photo lovers will be interested in the handsome station, the interior of which is decorated with a skillful panel of 20 thousand azulejo tiles. Decorating with such tiles will amaze you on the wall of the Carmelite church. Take a photo walk into a retro McDonald's, decorated in the style of the 30s of the last century. The walk will end at the observation deck, which offers a stunning panorama.A four-hour walk, accompanied by an interesting story about the main tourist attractions, will cost 160 €.
Wine tasting and delicacies
Anyone interested in the local alcoholic culture should just take the time to visit an authentic wine cellar, where they will tell about the wine traditions of the area. You will stop in the best wine cellar with a luxurious collection of intoxicating drinks, where you will be offered a tasting of wines - port, sparkling and green, accompanied by an interesting story about the varieties of wine.
Traditional Portuguese delicacies and delicacies will help you fully experience the aroma and flavor of the drink: local cheese, prezuntu, cookies made by hand according to old recipes and a set of assorted local fruits. As a result, each participant can purchase an excellent alcoholic drink as a gift. The price will be 75 € + 5 € from each participant for a tasting.
By land and water: from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia
To enjoy the panoramic view and the river walk to the original wine cellars with barrels of Portuguese port, you must take part in a tour for 1-4 people, which will take you by land and water to Vila Nova de Gaia. The wine cruise will begin with a two-tiered fishnet bridge built by a student of Eiffel. After admiring the dizzying panorama of the two cities separated by the blue ribbon of the river from its height, go down to the embankment.
A walk along it will lead to the pier, where, after boarding a boat, the participants will sail along the river, bypassing 6 bridges, to the place where the Dora River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, amazed by the beauty of the embankments with palm alleys, beaches, colorful fishing boats, you will moor to the shore of Vila Nova de Gaia, the cradle of port wine. There, in an authentic wine cellar, raise a glass of wine for Portugal! Pay only 50 € for 4 hours. Additional charge for river cruise and wine tasting per person.
Cradle of Portugal: Guimaraes and Braga
You can learn about the place where the Portuguese kingdom was born in the 12th century by taking a car tour in which you will get acquainted with Guimaraes and Braga. It will begin with the 11th century fortress Castelo de Guimaraes. Its observation towers offer an amazing panorama of the surroundings and the Palace of the Dukes of Bragan in the distance. In the ancient city of Braga, founded 2.5 thousand years ago, many historical and cultural monuments have been preserved.
Participants will visit several ancient churches, admire the design of the Cathedral, visit the Municipal Square and take pictures at the luxurious Pelican Fountain. Then they will admire the medieval Arcade Palace, named after the arches that adorned it, the ancient tower behind the palace, and beautiful mansions. In Braga, there will be an opportunity to take a lift to the center of Catholic pilgrimage - the Bon Jesus complex. An exciting journey costs 425 €, regardless of the number of participants.
Car excursion: "The Tale of the Bussaco Forest"
Take a break from the tourist bustle of Porto by taking an individual car excursion to the fabulous forest of Bussaco, spreading on the mountain slopes in the vicinity of Coimba. The medieval woodland is remembered for its picturesque landscapes and fascinating history. In the heart of the forest, a park with exotic trees and shrubs was planted by Carmelite monks. In its surroundings of the park, tourists are presented with a miracle of architecture in the form of a luxurious palace with towers and spiers - the Palacio de Bucaco hotel.
It amazes with the skillful decoration of the facades and interiors. Celebrities prefer to rest in it, far from prying eyes. In addition to the palace, walking along the forest paths, you will see ancient monastic buildings - cells, chapels, gazebos and grottoes. Here you can enjoy the taste of local wine, buy it and take many beautiful photos. A trip to the Bussaco fairy tale costs 425 €.
Portuguese Venice: Aveiro
Aveiro is an ancient picturesque town located south of Porto, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. You will learn many interesting facts and legends about the founding of the town, which is called the "Venice of Portugal" and the "city of tiles". On the way to Aveiro, you will climb the ancient castle of Santa Maria de Fairra, standing on the mountain. Its walls offer an amazing view of the surroundings.
A special charm of Aveira is given by the numerous Art Nouveau houses with facades decorated with traditional azulejo tiles. The houses lining the canals with sailing colorful boats resembling gondolas evoke associations with Venice. Here you will see many attractions, including an amazing 15th century monastery complex built in 3 architectural styles - Manueline, Baroque and Gothic. Locally made "fugaca" bread can be purchased. Tour price 425 €.
