Porto Walkers

Porto Walkers is a team of local guides who describe themselves as a group of passionate locals keen to show visitors around, and the company calls itself the city's most experienced local tour company. Its daily free walking tours are among the most popular in Porto and are a simple, affordable way to get your bearings on the first day of a trip.

The classic Porto Free Walking Tour runs every day at 09:30 and 10:45 and covers the historic centre, with stories about the city's history, traditions and daily life. A second free tour, the Porto Lifestyle Free Walking Tour, runs every afternoon at 15:30 for those who prefer to start later in the day. As with most free tours, there is no fixed price; guests tip the guide what they think the tour was worth at the end. A Spanish-language free tour is also offered.

Alongside the free tours, Porto Walkers runs paid experiences. The Port Wine Tour sets off every day at 15:00 to explain how port is made and to taste it, while the Tapas and Vinho Verde Experience runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:30. The Sunset and Night Views Walking Tour leaves daily at 17:00, and a Pub Crawl runs from Tuesday to Saturday at 22:30 for those who want to meet other travellers. Combination tickets pair several of these, and private group tours, corporate team-building and bachelor or bachelorette parties can be arranged.

Booking through the website is recommended even for the free tours, as it lets the guides plan group sizes; a weekly booking calendar shows availability. Meeting points are given when you book. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water in summer, as the routes involve steep streets and steps. Bring an umbrella in the rainy months.

Porto Walkers suits solo travellers, students, couples and budget-conscious visitors, and the evening options are good for meeting people. A morning free tour on the first day of a trip is a sensible plan: it gives you an overview of the layout of the city and a list of places to return to, and the guides are usually happy to answer questions about restaurants, transport and day trips at the end of the walk. The company can be contacted by phone or by email for bookings and questions.