Experience the best of Porto with Withlocals

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Things to do in Porto

Our locals will give you the best experiences that Porto has to offer

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  Highlights & Hidden Gems of Porto

  4.9

  1577 reviews

  3 hours • City highlight tours

  from €35.78 per person
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  Sunday Flavours of Ribeira: 10 Tastings Tour

  4.9

  822 reviews

  3 hours • food tours

  from €77.21 per person
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  The 10 Tastings of Porto

  4.8

  1169 reviews

  3 hours • Food tours

  from €64.40 per person
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  Culinary Kickstart Tour: Porto

  4.9

  592 reviews

  2 hours • food tours

  from €41.18 per person
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  Withlocals Your Way! - Porto City Tour

  4.9

  211 reviews

  3 hours • Day trips

  from €36.34 per person
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  City Escape: Douro Valley Day Trip including Boat Ride & Wine Tasting

  4.8

  433 reviews

  8 hours • Day trips

  from €182 per person
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  Drinks & Bites in Porto Tour

  4.8

  105 reviews

  2.5 hours • Food tours

  from €53.38 per person
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  City Kickstart Tour: Porto

  4.9

  325 reviews

  1.5 hours • City highlight tours

  from €21.20 per person

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Things to do in Porto

A coastal city known for its magnificent architecture and natural beauty, Porto is a city that boasts many colours and flavours, combining a decadent history with a more modern vibe that attracts hip crowds from across the world. Porto welcomes travellers with open arms with plenty of things to do, check out below some incredible options!

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  Cruise along the Douro River

  One of the top things to do in Portugal is undoubtedly seeing the coastal landscape. When it comes to scenic waterways, Porto is on top of its game! The Douro River sits between Porto and it’s neighbouring region Vila Nova de Gaia, with several bridges that cross over including the famous Dom Luis bridge.

  Your local guide knows that starting at Cais Ribeira is the most scenic route to take and its best to go down the “ribeira” using a Rabelo-a boat that used to carry Port wine barrels in the olden days, so just follow their lead! If you’re not in the mood for a cruise why not sit by the shore and take in its beauty? Enjoy the cooling breeze from the river with your local host and experience all the Douro has to offer.

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  See the beautiful São Bento Station

  This train station is a major transportation hub of the city but is it’s Beaux arts style architecture that brims with a culturally- rich history, making it one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

  Built in 1903, São Bento was once a Benedectine monastery that was rebuilt into a masterpiece and designed by Jorge Colacao. The stunning design includes over 20,000 ceramic tiles that line the walls, illustrating a fascinating past. The first stone was actually laid by King Carlos I himself! This is a major destination for tourists alike but you can still get the local touch by grabbing a Portuguese custard tart at a nearby bakery on Rua Loureiro.

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  Go dance Forro

  Off the beaten path of touristy nightclubs, many locals reject the billboard charts and opt for a night of dancing up a storm to the rhythm of Forro. Forro is a type of Brazilian music and a dance that originated in the Northeast that combines elements of Zamumba, triangle and accordion. With 25% of the foreign population in Portugal being Brazilian, it makes sense they would have taught the Portuguese a thing or two about how to party!

  Club Ceuta features a live Brazilian percussion band on Saturdays, but to get your fix during the weekdays, head to Galerias de Paris on a Thursday for lessons. It doesn’t matter what day, you local guide can find the perfect Forro place for you. So, grab a partner and swing your hips to the contagious dance of Brazilian Forro, one of the top things to do in Porto!

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  Porto wine tasting with a local

  When visiting Portugal, it should be on your bucket list of things to do in Porto to try its famous Port wine. Wine cellars and lodges all sit next to the riverside in Vila Nova de Gaia, making it easy to spend a full day hopping from one to the next. For an authentic local experience follow your guide to the smallest wine cellar with more local brands that you can’t find elsewhere that easily!

  Vinologia is a great place to start your search as it has over 200 different Ports to try. Learn a thing or two through private guided tastings from knowledgeable locals who truly know what Port wine is supposed to taste like and the history behind it. Your local guide will be able to answer your questions on things like the aging process and technique and with all that wine talk you may end up bringing a bottle (or a case) home!

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  Enjoy the view through the eyes of a local

  Miradouros (which means viewpoints) are scattered all over Porto since the city is full of hilly cobblestoned roads that grant opportunities to get a fantastic view of the city’s gorgeous landscape. Centralized in a Jewish neighbourhood, from Miradouro Da Vitoria you can see not only the colourful houses but also several cathedrals, the Douro river and wine cellars.

  Miradouro Virtues is considered to be more of a hidden gem that locals frequent because the wind from the riverside keeps it cool on those hot and humid days. Catch the magnificent views of the sunset and listen to an old local tale from your guide that says that when you look down you’ll see a fountain with water that’s believed to cure diseases. And, if people-watching is your thing, visiting these viewpoints are one of the top things to do in Porto, since you can observe local passerbys and take in the buzzing energy around you.

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  Find some deals at the local Bolhão Market

  Markets are without a doubt one of the top things to do in Porto to get the local vibe of the city, as locals of the city know that,this is where they can get the best deals and the freshest products.

  Visit the Bolhão Market with a local and you’ll be amazed at the lively energy of the market in the early morning on Friday and Saturdays. Stalls with fresh produce, cheeses, olives, smoked meats, pottery, sausages and breads are plentiful and when accompanied by a local that speaks the language, you’ll easily score a deal. Bargains aside, another great thing is that everything is incredibly fresh-you’ll literally see fresh fish lying outside to dry, most likely caught from the Atlantic Ocean earlier that morning.

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  Explore the other side of Porto in Vila Nova De Gaia

  Vila Nova De Gaia is easily identifiable by its Port wine cellars and lodges but although it matches Porto’s iconic architecture, it’s still truly a hidden gem as it never gained quite as much popularity as it’s sibling. Located south bank of the Douro river facing Porto, you will not have to worry about crowds of tourists in this district as it is generally quieter so you can enjoy your sightseeing in peace.

  Locals reside here to avoid the noise and chaos of the touristy neighborhoods but just because it’s quieter doesn’t mean it doesn’t have plenty of things to offer. Go to one of the many rooftop terraces to enjoy the breathtaking views and parks like the Jardim de Morro, where you can also go to enjoy a nice picnic. So, if you want to see the other side of Porto (literally!) then Villa Nova de Gaia is your best bet!

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  Stroll along the roads of the Miradouro

  This is definitely an up and coming district of the city and one of the top things to do in Porto. As you stroll along, there’s a great selection of local bars and cafes to stop in for a drink. One of the highlights of Miragaia is its ancient buildings that were constructed below the river and once served as a hub for boats being built in the shipyard during the iconic Discoveries era. Your local guide can show you and explain all about them!

  What makes this district incredibly picturesque, and visiting its ultimately one of the best things to do in Porto, is the array of colorful houses in pastels that are incredibly pleasing to the eye. The celebratory vibe of this area is evident during the Sao Joao do Porto festival, where locals of Miragaia rejoice during midsummer. Ask your local guide when this festival takes place and maybe you will be luck enough to go!

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  Learn a thing or two in a cooking class with a local

  The pride of Portugal lies in their cooking and after having a bite of their classic Francesinha dish or Caldo Verde soup you’ll understand why! By immersing yourself in the local gastronomic culture, you will get a chance to grasp a deeper understanding of some seriously delicious recipes from locals in the area who know their stuff!

  Learning how to cook meals from the source is the ultimate way to get to know the country’s heritage and can be a real bonding moment for you and your local host. Your friends and family will be impressed with the culinary skills you picked up from your travels and your fond memories of the adventure will stick with you every time you prepare the dish yourself, making this one of the top things to do in Porto!

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  Enjoy a home cooked meal with a local!

  You don’t really know a city until you’ve tasted it’s cuisine. With a gastronomic heritage as rich as Porto’s, your local host will be more than happy to share with you the mouthwatering delights the Portuguese have to offer.

  Home cooked meals are made with love and there is nothing better than an experience to try food that you’ve never had before. You get to learn so much culture and the many stories behind these traditional meals when feasting with your local host. They throw in that extra spice that you would only know to add if you were from the area and the Portuguese are known to encourage you to eat more and more, so expect to be satisfyingly full by the end of the meal!

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