Why choose this Maia tour ?
Explore the stunning city of Porto with our private full-day tour experience that promises to leave you awe-inspired. As you travel around the city, you’ll witness some of the most magnificent sights including the picturesque Ribeira Square, the magnificent Porto Cathedral, and the iconic Torre dos Clérigos.
Our tour also includes a stop in the charming coastal town of Afurada, where you’ll enjoy a free time for lunch while taking in the breathtaking ocean views.
Don’t miss the chance to visit one of Porto’s famous wine cellars, where you can taste the world-renowned Port wine and learn about its production process.
Other notable stops on our tour include the historic São Bento train station, with its exquisite tiled walls, and the lively Bolhão Market, where you can experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Porto’s bustling food scene.
With so much to see and experience, our private full-day tour is an unforgettable way to discover the vibrant city of Porto.
Make the most of your Maia adventure
What makes Private Full Day Porto Tour with Driver-Guide and Cellar Visit a unique experience ?
Placed amidst an attractive tourist destination, Porto, Leixões has increased its cruises’ operation. Following the open of the new Cruise Quay, in April 2011, the Port of Leixões started to have two docking berths for cruises and to receive larger ships (up to 300m). In 2012, the number of passengers increased 81% and the number of ships 25%. 75.613 passengers have visited Porto. In 2013 the Port of Leixões expects around 70 cruise calls corresponding to more than 66.000 passengers and 30.000 crew members visiting the region.
Fort São Francisco Xavier (Cheese Castle)
Built in the 17th century to protect the coast from the pirates of North Africa, it is located on a cheese-shaped rocky hill, thus obtaining the name Castelo do Queijo (Cheese Castle).
She Changes, known locally as anémona (the anemone), is a sculpture designed by artist Janet Echelman for the cities of Porto and Matosinhos, Northern Portugal.
It is beautiful and looks like a huge fishnet than moves with the wind, it is fluid piece of art.
The fortress was built at the end of the sixteenth century to protect the coast and the Douro entrance.
Modern strongholds were added (sec. XVII) to the original structure of this fine example of military architecture and the access gate to the fort (18th century).
The Arrábida Bridge, designed by Edgar Cardoso and with a span of 270 m, was, for some time, the longest reinforced concrete bridge span in the world.
Inaugurated in 1963, it sits 70 meters above the average water level.
Bronze sculptures sit on top of the four great pillars that support the central span, adding to the bridge’s innovative spirit and modernist style.
A neoclassical building, built in the 19th century, according to a project carried out by the engineer Jean F. G. Colson.
It has two facades, one facing the Douro river and one facing the city.
Note the structural solutions that resorted to the use of iron in conjunction with other materials – stone, brick or wood – depending on the functionality of the different spaces.
In 1987, it was decided to house the future Museum of Transport and Communications.
Opened in 1992, the Museu do Carro Eléctrico (Tram Museum) contains a collection of trams and other auxiliary vehicles which used to run along the streets of Porto and left a mark on the history of light urban rail transport in the city.
Its holdings also include an example of the horse-pulled American trolley buses which were first introduced into Porto in 1872.
Housed in the old Massarelos power station, a listed municipal building, the museum also exhibits some of the original equipment used before.
Planned by the engineer Teófilo Seyrig, a disciple of Eiffel, it was inaugurated in 1886 and it is composed by two overlapping iron decks.
The bridge has 395 metres long and 8 metres wide, and its arch is still considered to be the world’s biggest one in forged iron.
Nowadays the upper deck is used by the Metro of Porto, connecting the area of Porto’s Cathedral to the Garden of Morro and to the República Avenue in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Gustavo Eiffel’s first masterpiece, which he worked on with Theóphile Seyrig, was inaugurated in 1877 and remained in use for 114 years.
It has a double hinged arch that supports a single-track railway deck on truss pillars.
In 1982 it was classified as a national monument and in 1999 it gained international recognition as being of historical importance to civil engineering due to its innovative construction.
This railway structure, by Edgar Cardoso, connects Campanhã station in Porto to all southern destinations with the first station being General Torres in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Its central span of 250m, was a new world record among the bridges in “portico”.
The three spans are supported by two large piers founded in the riverbed close to each of the riverbanks.
The inauguration took place on June 24, 1991, the day of São João.
The bridge was inaugurated in 30 March 2003 following a project by the engineer Adão da Fonseca.
It was built to replace the upper deck lane of the D. Luís I Bridge, used now by the metro line D .
With a 371 metres long and 20 metres wide deck, it is a Maillart-type arch bridge, built at a high altitude level, presenting a span-rise ratio of 11,2, with a 280 m arch span – a world record, it is considered by the world experts to be one of the most elegant of its type.
This wide avenue, flanked by a group of buildings from the 20s and 40s, is closed on the southern side by the Cardosas building (19th century), and at North by the City Hall.
In the centre of the Praça da Liberdade (Liberty Square) stands the king’s D. Pedro IV statue, inaugurated in 1866.
The city’s most important Gothic temple, whose construction began in the fourteenth century,
It is one of the most important works of the Baroque, by its gilded interior from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
It was the exuberance of its gild carved wood work that led Count Raczinsky to describe it as the ‘Church of Gold’.
And, overwhelmed, he adds: ‘The gild of this church is so beautiful and rich that goes far beyond everything I have seen in Portugal and in the whole world’.
It is worth of notice the Tree of Jesse, as well as the catacombs.
It is a National Monument since 1910 and World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 1996.
TASTING: 5 PORTO WINES
PLACE: DONA ANTÓNIA TASTING ROOM
This intimate tour focuses on the character of Dona Antónia Adelaide Ferreira. It highlights her life and her work, so important to developing the Porto Wine business and the Douro Region. The tasting includes a selection of five porto wines bearing her name.
Tour Description & Additional Info:
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
Options To Choose for Your Trip:
Private Full Day Porto Tour with Driver-Guide and Cellar Visit Inclusions:
Included with Your Ticket
- Certified Tourist Driver.
- Personal accident and liability insurance.
- Our executive vehicles offer Wi-Fi, bottled water, refreshments, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Not Included
- Admission to venues & attractions along the tour route.
- Gratuities are not included and is left to individual discretion.
- Extra – Fado Concert – €20.00
- Extra – Dinner with Fado Concert – €45.00
- Extra – Visit a Port Wine cellar with wine tasting – €25.00
- DONA ANTÓNIA VISIT – €28.00
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Special Instructions:
- This Tour is Provided by Endless Weekend Tours.
- Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Lisbon.
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- This Tour is Rated 5 Stars based on 5 valid reviews on VIATOR.
- Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
- Maximum 7 Travelers is accepted for booking.