Tours & activities in Porto

Free Tour of Porto

Book the original Porto free walking tour and visit many of the city's highlights with a local guide

ABOUT THE Free Tour of Porto

Housing many of Porto’s major landmarks, the stunning historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this 3-hour free walking tour, your local expert guide will help you to tick off many of Porto’s must-see sites, such as the iconic Dom Luis bridge and the world-famous Lello bookstore, and you will also enjoy some truly stunning panoramic views.

 

Your Porto Free Tour meets at the Bishop António Ferreira Gomes, opposite Clérigos Tower. We never cancel; tours run rain, hail or shine.

 

One of Europe’s most beautiful city centers

You’ll be amazed by the stunning Porto city center, and won’t be at all surprised to learn of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Starting at the iconic Clérigos Church with its 75.6 meter tower, you’ll want to keep your cameras at the ready as your expert local guide leads you past the beloved Porto Cathedral, the amazing tiles of the renowned São Bento station, and past the 14th century city walls. You’ll even get a chance to see the world-famous Lello bookstore and hear how its connection to Harry Potter has made it one of the most popular bookstores on the planet today.

The sites and tastes of the Douro River

As you make your way through the twisting ancient streets and out of the city center, you’ll be faced with amazing panoramic views, and will encounter the impressive Douro River. Not only does the river host the iconic Dom Luís I bridge (built by Eiffel’s protégé Seyrig), it’s also the home to Porto’s famed Port wine industry.

Free Tour concept

The tips-based model of the Free Tour allows guests to support and reward only the highest quality tours, and to ensure that the tour fits within their expectations, and within their budget.

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Image for meeting point

The Porto Free Tour starts at the statue of Bishop António Ferreira Gomes, opposite the Clérigos Tower

  • Discover the Lello bookstore and its connection to Harry Potter
  • Photograph Porto's iconic blue tiles, or "azulejos"
  • Marvel at the impressively tiled São Bento station
  • Take in the fabulous panoramic views
  • Encounter the Douro River, with the Dom Luís I bridge and the Port wine cellars
  • Crane your neck up at the 75.6 meter Clérigos Tower
  • See the Porto City Hall and the Porto Cathedral

TOUR SCHEDULES

Today
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
PHOTOS
Inclusions & exclusions
What’s included
  • Local English-speaking guide
What’s not included
  • Gratuities for guide (optional)
Additional Information
  • Our business is connecting great guides and smart travelers, and we're proud that so many local guides employ us to welcome travelers like you on their journey through some of the world's best cities. No two tours are alike, and the sites, stories, and length of the tour will vary depending on what your freelance guide decides is best. That's why the tours we promote never get stale or feel scripted, and why both independent guides and savvy travelers prefer SANDEMANs
  • Unfortunately, we do not advise guests in wheelchairs to join the Free Tour due to old streets and uneven terrain. We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment caused
MAP
SANDEMANs employees at the Porto Free Tour meeting point
The Free Tour starts at the statue of Bishop António Ferreira Gomes, opposite the Clérigos Tower Open in Google Maps
Porto Cathedral
Santi Villamarín via Flickr
Porto Cathedral
São Bento Station in Porto
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
São Bento Station
Porto City Hall
By Diego Delso
Porto City Hall
Luís I Bridge views in Porto
Luís I Bridge
Lello Bookstore (Livraria Lello) in Porto
Lello Bookstore (Livraria Lello)
Clérigos Church in Porto
Clérigos Church
Tour start Tour starts here
End start Tour usually ends here
Tour usually covers

Customer reviews

What is a Free Tour?

 

The Free Tour is the best introduction to Porto! A general overview tour including many of the highlights of the city, the Free Tour usually lasts around 3 hours and is provided by a local freelance guide in partnership with SANDEMANs NEW Europe, so tour content can vary depending on your guide’s particular area of interest and expertise.

The Free Tour is a walking tour with no need for public transport and is designed for independent travellers, not groups. You can book your spot in advance online or simply show up at the start point on the day. There is no payment necessary at the start of the tour but you are welcome to tip your guide at the end!

We believe in supporting local communities and are committed to giving a voice to some of Porto's best local freelance tour guides, who passionately share the city's history and culture with their own unique and always-entertaining style. They'll never pressure you to tip; we believe that, if money is given, it should be voluntary and in direct proportion to the quality of the tour and the budget of the traveller.

Why join the SANDEMANs FREE Tour?

  • The route covers many of Porto's major landmarks
  • The meeting point is centrally located opposite the Clérigos Tower
  • The Free Tour is guaranteed to fit within your budget
  • The guides performing tips-based Free Tours are incentivized to perform every time

WALKING TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN PORTO

  • All tours
  • Select Tour
  • Third Party Activity
  • Private Tour

Participation in tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe is strictly on a voluntary basis. Neither SANDEMANs NEW Europe, nor the self-employed freelance guides who are the providers of the tours promoted by SANDEMANs NEW Europe, will be held responsible in any way for injuries to body or property incurred during tours. The tour guides reserve the right to deny participation in any tour, to any person, for any reason. Thank you for your understanding.

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