Private tours in Oporto & surroundings
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Program
Porto, the country´s second largest city and one of Europe's most charismatic cities has carefully preserved its architectonic
treasures. This is the city that originated and named Port Wine and Portugal, famed for its riverside hills, medieval alleys,
Parisian-style plazas, historic monuments and churches and a rather enchanting atmosphere.
Many leading tourist attractions and shops in Porto are to be found off the Avenida dos Aliados and the Rua Santa Catarina.
This wide Avenue (dos Aliados) is one of the central points of Porto. The wide boulevard is surrounded by impressive
Neoclassical buildings. At the head of this Avenue is the Camara Municipal (Town Hall) and at its southern end is the Praca da
Liberdade. Streets leading off the Avenue offer some of Porto main shopping streets. To the South East of the Avenue is the
Estacao de Sao Bento - Porto main train station, which is worth visiting to view the 20,000 azulejos.
Close by is rua das Flores - this small street which goes up towards the São Bento station is flanked by traditional businesses
and houses from the 18C with emblazoned facades. It was the old goldsmiths' and jewellers' street.
Close to the Avenida dos Aliados, there’s Torre dos Clérigos, a notable tower boasting exceptional views, prominent monument
and the symbol of Porto dating back to the 18th century. Not far Lello bookshop with a neo-gothic façade, and Carmo church
(has a splendid architecture) and Miragaia quarter (includes Santo António Hospital, the ancient city walls of Porto and several
palaces and churches).
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Praça (square) da Batalha is east of São Bento station and Avenida dos Aliados, one of the main squares in Porto and is near to popular attractions like the
University of Porto (Universidade do Porto), the Crystal Palace Garden (Jardim do Palácio de Cristal), Music Hall (Casa da Música with a fantastic
modern architecture).
The 12th-century Porto Cathedral – complex which also houses the Episcopal palace - resembles a fortress and enjoys a hilltop location from where you
can get your first views of the Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia. In Praça do Infante you can admire the Ferreira Borges market and not far Grilos church from
the XVI century in Renaissance style. The cathedral is just a short walk from the Praça da Ribeira in the old medieval town that lines the River Douro and
retains its medieval feel with lots of steep, narrow, cobbled streets lined with tall brightly painted houses all topped in terracotta roof tiles.
The Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange) is a fine example of 19th century architecture with its famous Arabic Room featuring laminate gold decorations. Sao
Fancisco church was constructed in the 1200s. Visitors can admire the Roman and Gothic styles of the church as well as its ravishing gilt wood work in the
interior.
The Dom Luis I Bridge dating back to the 19th century is on two levels, the lower part connects the Ribeira district with the area of the wine cellars in Vila
Nova de Gaia, while the upper bridge links the old town with the hill of Vila Nova de Gaia where the view from the monastery of Serra do Pilar over the
city and the river is outstanding. At Vila Nova de Gaia we’ll go to discover the secrets of Port wine. There are 58 wine companies spread out on the river
bank and we’ll comprise a visit to one of them with Port wine tasting included.
Seeing Foz (mouth of Douro river), Boavista quarter and crossing Arrabida bridge makes part of our plans.
This tour will have a free stop for lunch at a typical restaurant near Douro river, to taste the well-known Porto gastronomy, like bacalhau (codfish), ‘arroz
de cabrito’ (goat and rice dish), ‘arroz de cabidela’ (game stock and rice) and the historical city favourite, tripe ‘à moda do Porto’.
And you can take advantage of this stop to take a 50 minutes mini cruise on Douro river.
Other sights may include Santa Clara Renaissance church, Bolhão market, Soares dos Reis Museum, Cristal palace, Cedofeita Church.
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...Oporto, Portugal's second-largest city and the capital of its port wine industry, with many streets unchanged since the
Middle Ages, this city along the Douro River has a remarkably unspoiled assortment of architecture. The history of this
now great city had humble beginnings. The Romans gave the place the name of "Portocale”. The Moors later occupied it
in the early 8th Century. It was later captured in the name of the Christian army in 982. The place only expanded during
the Period of the Discoveries when Portugal became Europe's central point in trade. In the 15th Century the town was
one of the ship building centres in Portugal. The city has a number of distinctive atmospheres and this is very evident
when comparing the various parts of the city. As would be expected of such an important city it is full of fascinating
buildings. Oporto is full of charm with many art treasures, striking cathedrals, waterfront cafes and bars and an
atmospheric riverside Ribeira quarter. Despite being predominantly industrial, Oporto thrives on its history, culture and
wine…
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