Your tour begins at the square of Henry the Navigator, also known as the Infante of Sagres - the cornerstone of imperial Portugal and Oporto's most cherished son. This square is also home to Portugal's first stock exchange, the Porto Stock Exchange.
One defining aspect of Portuguese history and character is faith. During your tour, you'll explore and discuss the Church of San Francisco, arguably one of Portugal's most beautiful churches. You'll delve into Ribeira and Barredo, Porto's oldest neighbourhoods. You'll learn about how the medieval city functioned, its old customs, and most importantly, the significance of the Douro River.
Like many great cities, Porto was born on this river's banks. On Porto's bank, you'll hear tales of bridges and French invasions, queens and kings, legends and stories, heroes and cowards. Next, you'll cross by boat to the other shore, Vila Nova de Gaia, or Gaia for short. Although not part of Porto, the two are intrinsically linked. You'll gain an understanding of Gaia's place in Portugal. You'll witness the contrast between modern and controversial urban art and traditional, legend-filled sites like the Convent of Corpus Christi.
Finally, you'll explore the most famous aspect of both shores - Port wine. At a small winery, you'll learn why it's neither wine nor Port wine, marking the end of your tour.
Guided walking tour
