BlueDragon Tours

BlueDragon runs guided tours on two wheels and on foot from its base on Rua Alexandre Herculano in the Baixa. The brand is part of Boost, Urban Thrills SA, a tour company that also operates in Lisbon, and its Porto programme is designed for visitors who want to cover more ground than a walking tour allows without missing the stories behind the sights.

Porto's hills are the main obstacle to cycling, and the Porto Highlights E-Bike Tour deals with them by using electric-assisted bikes, which take the strain out of the climbs between the Baixa, the cathedral and the river. For a flatter ride, the Old Town and Riverside Bike Tour, also listed as the Porto Riverside Panoramic Bike Tour, follows the Douro, where the views of the bridges and the Gaia lodges are at their best. Segway tours, including the Porto Highlights Segway Tour and the Best of Porto by Segway Tour, are another way to cover the city's main sights in a short time, and a short briefing before setting off is usual.

Walking tours complete the range. The Best of Porto Walking Tour introduces the historic centre, the Food and Wine Walking Tour combines sightseeing with tastings, and the Porto Gastronomy Walking Tour is offered on a pay-as-you-go basis, where you choose what to taste along the way.

Book online, where current prices, durations and start times are listed. Wheeled tours usually have minimum age and other requirements, so check them before booking, especially for children and Segway tours. Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes, bring water and sun protection in summer, and expect to share some routes with traffic and pedestrians on narrow streets. Ask about helmets and safety equipment when you book if you have any questions.

BlueDragon suits active couples, groups of friends and families with older children who want a more energetic way to see Porto. Morning departures are the most comfortable choice in July and August, when the afternoon heat on the climbs can be tiring. The office on Rua Alexandre Herculano is a short walk from Praça da Batalha and São Bento station, and the company can be reached on its landline or mobile number for questions and bookings.