Our Porto Beginners’ Guide Tour is the cultural crash course every first-time visitor deserves, helping you understand the city far beyond its postcard beauty. It’s a deep dive into culture, architecture, stories, and local flavor, ending exactly as it should: gathered around a table, sharing a traditional Portuguese lunch.

Porto Unveiled: A Crash Course in Portuguese Culture

Porto didn’t just give Portugal its name: it helped shape the country’s identity. This walking tour unpacks the city’s bigger story: how it shaped Portugal, how centuries-old traditions continue to thrive, and how the people of Porto think, eat, and live today.

From world-famous monuments to corners travelers rarely stumble upon, from street myths to sociological insights, and finally a comforting meal that ties it all together… this is the perfect first chapter of your Porto story. We call it an Arts & Culture walking tour. Guests call it their “aha!” moment in the city.

This is a private walking tour in Porto, meticulously designed by an archaeologist with 17 years of fieldwork in Northern Portugal. Secure your spot today (we only open a few slots each month).

7 Reasons Why People Love our Porto Beginners' Guide

• A cultural crash course in Porto: A curated itinerary by our in-house specialist Ricardo Brochado, former archaeologist and Porto expert. Tourist trap–free

• Led by expert local storytellers: Trained guides with deep historical knowledge who connect the dots between culture, architecture, economy and history

• Private, relaxed, and personalized (4–5 hours): No rushing. No crowds. Just time for real conversations, questions, and customized insights based on what interests you most

• History you can taste: Each stop reveals another layer of Porto’s identity, ending with a hearty Portuguese meal that ties the whole story together (expect local delicacies and regional beverages)

• The perfect first day in Porto: The best way to understand Porto before discovering it on your own

• Feel-Good travel: Insurance is included — and so is a donation to a local NGO supporting Porto’s homeless community. You enjoy the city while giving something back

• Expert recommendations for the rest of your trip

FAQs about our Porto Beginners' Guide Tour

• Is this a private tour? Yes, this is a private walking tour

• Who will lead the tour? If Ricardo Brochado is unavailable, the tour is led by one of his highly trained and trusted tour guides

• What language is the tour in? All our tours are run in English but we can provide Portuguese or Spanish-speaking guides upon request, for closed groups. Just ask us at [email protected]

• Do you accommodate dietary restrictions? Yes! Please let us know when booking so we can provide suitable alternatives

• Is this tour suitable for all ages and fitness levels? Absolutely

• What if it rains? No worries, our experiences run rain or shine

• Are restrooms available during the tour? Yes, you’ll have restroom breaks along the way

• What should I bring? Comfortable walking shoes and, of course, an appetite!

• Can I just show up, or do I need to book in advance? Tickets must be purchased in advance; we don’t accept walk-ins

Peace of mind policy

Let's imagine that you are unable to make the tour. Can you have a refund? The answer is yes.

• Cancellation requests submitted until 72h before the tour start will be fully refunded (minus the processing fees);

• Cancellation requests submitted between 72h and 24h before the tour start will be refunded in 80% of the total purchase value (minus the processing fees);

• Cancellation requests submitted 24h or less before the tour start are not eligible for any refund.

Refunds can only be processed back to the original credit or debit card used in the purchase. Processing fees: 1.5% + 0.25€ for European Union cards and 3.25% + 0.25€ for non-European Union cards.

As part of our "Peace Of Mind Policy", the first two cases listed above are eligible to be converted into Gift Cards. These are issued with the same purchase value, free of processing fees penalty, and two-year validity. They can be used and topped up for any Taste Porto product. They can be redeemed by the customer or regifted.

Taste Porto: Our Promise to You

At Taste Porto, we don’t settle for the postcard version of the city. Sure, Clérigos Tower is stunning and the Lello Bookshop is beautiful, but Porto is more than its greatest hits. Our tour guides invite you to go deeper - because our mission is that, by the end of your journey, Porto won’t feel like a place you’ve visited; it’ll feel like a place you’ve come home to. Tens of thousands have experienced it. Anthony Bourdain approved. Rick Steves agrees. Now it’s your turn. Come taste the real Porto with us!