Nostalgic and melancholic, but far from sad: Porto , the second largest city in Portugal , is a perfect getaway for any type of traveler. Here, time flies and flows, like the water of the Douro, between visits to colorful neighborhoods, churches full of white and blue tiles and toasts with wine and feasts based on francesinhas or cod dishes.
Do you want to get to know the city in the best possible way? Sign up for a free tour ! Which one? There are several, but to make it clearer, below we will tell you which are, for us, the best free tours of Porto.
1. Free tour of the essentials of Porto
This 2.5-hour tour is perfect for all first-time visitors . Guided by a local who knows Porto like the back of his hand, you'll pass by must-see places such as Avenida dos Aliados, the main artery and heart of the city, the Torre dos Clérigos , the University (Harry Potter fans, you'll be interested), Sao Bento station , which hides much more than the hustle and bustle of the trains, the Cathedral and the picturesque Ribeira area , the neighbourhood that lies on the banks of the Douro River.
It is the most complete and popular free tour of Porto, so if you want to do it, book it from home.
→ Reserve your place here
→ And if the schedule doesn't suit you, sign up for a free night tour !
2. Free urban art tour of Porto
Behind its decadent atmosphere, Porto hides a colourful and vibrant soul . It is no coincidence that many urban artists have come here to leave their mark on some of the city's walls. With this tour you will visit several of the best street art murals and learn more about its bohemian and modern side. For us, it is a must!
→ Reserve your place here
3. Free tour of the legends of Porto
Did you know that Porto has the Fountain of Eternal Youth? And that this city is closely linked to Harry Potter? With this free tour you will discover a lot of curiosities, legends and mysteries of Porto . A guide will take you through the city telling a thousand anecdotes and revealing stories of great navigators, churches with catacombs and… well, we better keep quiet and let you enjoy this interesting tour.
→ Reserve your place here
4. Free Harry Potter tour of Porto
And speaking of Harry Potter, Porto was a great inspiration for JK Rowling when it came to creating her magical world, which has left its mark on so many childhoods (and adolescences). To discover some of the places that the writer focused on, there's nothing better than this thematic tour. Are you up for it?
→ Reserve your place here
5. Alternative free tour
This tour combines visits to must-see places , such as Sao Bento Station or Porto Cathedral, with other more curious ones that many tourists often overlook. This is the case of the Teatro Sá de Bandeira, the Mercado do Bolhao, or the legendary Café A Brasileira and Café Majestic. The tour couldn't end any better: you will walk across the Luis I Bridge to the other side of the Douro and enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the city.
→ Reserve your place here
Other essential (paid) tours in Porto
Even if you have to spend a lot of money, there are some tours and activities that we consider almost obligatory on any trip to Porto. For us, at least these are:
- Cruise of the six bridges
- Tour of Vilanova de Gaia and its wineries
- Guided tour of the Cálem winery
- Fado show at Casa da Guitarra
- Excursion to Aveiro and Costa Nova
We tell you which are the best excursions from Porto and how to do them .
As you know, free tours are not completely free, at the end it is always good to tip the guide. But how much to leave? This depends on each person, as a rule it is around €10 per person, although it can be more depending on the tour, the knowledge and the work the guide has done, etc. But we insist, it is a totally personal decision and do not feel obliged to give more than you think he deserves.
We hope you like our recommendations of the best free tours in Porto (in Spanish) . Do you know any more? Have you done any? Leave us a comment and tell us about your experience.
