Off the beaten path tour of Porto

Explore the iconic neighborhood locals love and tourists never find.

Tour overview

1.7 miles / 2,7 km
3h
Junta de Freguesia do Bonfim
English or Portuguese
Exclusively private tour
No solo travellers (we're sorry!)

You can book this tour directly for groups up to 8 members. If you are traveling with a larger group, contact us.

What is included:

- Private guide.
- Coffee & snack at a local café.

What is not included:

- Personal Expenses.
- Gratuities (optional).

Cancellation Policy:

- Free cancellation up to 48h in advance.
- Tours run rain or shine.

Preço por pessoa

2
3
4
5 to 8
135€
100€
85€
75€
2
135€
3
100€
4
85€
5 to 8
75€

Tour overview

Wandering through Bonfim feels like opening a well-kept diary of Porto. You’ll walk past underground ruins hidden in plain sight, peek into the past through tiny 19th-century houses once home to countryside migrants, and soak in a secret panoramic view of Porto’s bridges that will leave you breathless. Along the way, we’ll stop at a traditional bakery to taste what many locals say are the best croissants in Porto — a flaky, buttery delight you won’t find in any guidebook. Between the old and the new, you’ll stumble upon hip coffee shops, creative spaces, and the rhythms of daily life in a neighborhood that stays off the tourist radar — but lingers in memory long after.

Local life Unfiltered

This isn’t the Porto of postcards — it’s the real, lived-in city. Walk through streets where generations of families have built their lives, sip coffee where students sketch and expats mingle, and get a feel for the everyday rhythms that make Bonfim so special.

Easy on the Legs

No hills. No rush. This flat, comfortable route is perfect for travelers of all ages, including those with mobility challenges or little ones in strollers — without compromising on depth, charm, or surprise.

Access the Inaccessible

From underground ruins to a hidden viewpoint with jaw-dropping river views, this tour gives you access to places and stories that even locals often overlook. It’s a side of Porto you simply won’t find on your own.

Your personal Porto trip planner

Our team of local experts will help you make the most of your trip, with insider tips and recommendations to optimize your time in the city, making it easy and stress-free for you.

History geeks wanted

Our guides aren’t just your average tour guides – they’re history geeks who love sharing their passion for the fascinating stories and traditions of Porto and Portugal with you. With their in-depth knowledge and unique insights, you’ll get a fun and engaging perspective on the city’s rich history and culture that you won’t find in any guidebook.

What our guests are saying

Craig Harzinski
New York City, NY

WOW! What a fantastic tour! I saw some truly fun places and saw what Porto is like outside of the tourist attractions, and I did it with some very fun people. Take the tour.

The tour guide was very friendly, very responsive and shared not only the information about the places we visited but also about their own experiences. It really brought it home for me. Take the tour.

It was even easy to do for an old guy … I mean … for a retired gentleman of a certain age … like me!

Did I mention you really, really should take the tour? Yeah, you should.

Helena Satina
Boston, MA

Fantastic one of a kind tour! It was a unique off the beaten path type of tour starting at Bonfim and ending beside a cliff overlooking Gaia and Dom Luis bridge. What stoke me during the tour was the Bonfim metro with the hidden archaic remnants. First time to see it after living for 15 months in Porto. I thought we’ve seen it all! Great job!!

Igor Pukhlov 
Seattle, WA

I went on the Off the Beaten Path Porto tour, in the Bonfim neighborhood, and it was incredible. Rodrigo (an amazing guide) showed us very interesting places, unusual azulejos, told us about the Portuguese freedom fighters and many other interesting stories about Portugal and Porto. The tour is a great mix of history, personal stories and breathtaking views of Porto, making it an unforgettable experience!

Portoalities - A Brand you can really trust.

5.000 happy customers since 2016
TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2022
120+ reviews with 4,99 stars on AirBnB experiences

All your questions answered… and then some!

Is it possible to join an existing tour group to reduce the cost of the tour?

We apologize, but our tours are exclusively private tours, and we do not combine different groups of clients. At our company, we firmly believe in our value proposition, which emphasizes privacy and the customization of tours to meet our clients’ needs, making private tours the best option.

If pricing is a concern, we recommend booking one of our standard tours, which are more cost-effective than a customized tour.

If the pricing of our standard tours is still not within your budget, we suggest exploring online group tour companies as an alternative option.

I am a solo traveler – Is it possible to join one of your tours?

Although we deeply empathize with solo travelers (Sara, our founder, has traveled solo around the globe), we regret to inform you that we are unable to accommodate them on our tours. As a small boutique company, conducting a tour for a single person would not be financially feasible.

If you are traveling alone, you may consider booking a tour for two people with us, but we acknowledge that this can be a costly option. Alternatively, we suggest exploring group tour operators for a more affordable alternative.

Do you organise Family friendly tours?

The availability of family-friendly tours depends on the destination of your choice.

In Porto, our tours primarily focus on history and are not specifically tailored for families. However, we warmly welcome children on our tours and our guides are exceptionally patient and friendly. Additionally, we make a special stop at the best ice cream shop in town to ensure an enjoyable experience for kids.

In Douro Valley, we offer dedicated family tours. For further details, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

What if I need to cancel my reservation?

We understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned when you’re traveling, and you may need to cancel your reservation. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Our cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 48 hours before the tour starts and receive a FULL refund. That way, you can book your tour with us without worrying about unforeseen circumstances.

If you need to cancel your reservation, just send us an email and we’ll take care of the rest.

What if I want to change the date of my tour?

We understand that plans can change, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request. If you need to change the date of your tour, please let us know as soon as possible and we’ll check our availability.

While we can’t guarantee that we’ll be able to change the date, we’ll do everything we can to find a suitable alternative for you. If we have availability on the requested date, we’ll be happy to reschedule your tour.

Why should I choose your Porto tours over your competitors, if they are cheaper?

At Portoalities we believe that if you prioritize excellence over price, you should choose our tours. Here are a few reasons why:

  • With almost a decade in the business, we have established a strong track record of satisfied customers and have built a reliable network of partners to ensure a seamless tour experience.
  • We have the most knowledgeable guides; people who have a solid background in history, spend months in training (unlike other tour operators, that feed very inexperienced guides to the lions!) and have years of experience. They have lived all their lives in Porto, are passionate about our region, and unapologetically geeky about Portuguese culture, Port wine making, and Porto’s history.
  • We provide a comprehensive and immersive experience, including skip-the-line access to all monuments on the tour and a freshly ground coffee and snack at the famous Bolhão market.

So, while we may not be the cheapest option, we strive to provide exceptional value and ensure our customers have an unforgettable experience.

Can I customize the itinerary for this tour?

This tour follows a set itinerary that covers the city’s highlights and hidden gems.

However, we would be delighted to design a fully customized tour that fits all your travel needs and desires!

Please note that customized tours are always more expensive than booking standard tours.

If you’re interested in a customized tour, we’ll be happy to provide you with a quote based on your specific requests. Please email us at sara@portoalities.com to start planning your dream tour.

What if it is raining?

We always run our tours rain or shine, but we understand that some people might not feel comfortable walking in the rain. If that’s the case, we have a few options to make the tour more enjoyable for you. We can stop at a cozy café for a warm drink while we wait for the rain to pass, and we can also spend more time inside monuments.

We do recommend that you come prepared for the weather, as Porto’s climate can be unpredictable. It’s a good idea to bring a waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes or boots for walking, and a scarf to protect yourself from the wind.

If the forecast is for heavy rain and you prefer to reschedule the tour for another day, we’re happy to accommodate your request (subject to availability). Just let us know as soon as possible so we can make the necessary arrangements.

Are restrooms available?

Yes, there are public restrooms available throughout the city and your guide will be happy to direct you to the nearest one during your tour.

Is transportation provided?

We don’t offer hotel pick-up services for any of our walking tours of Porto. However, we carefully choose meeting points that are easy to find and conveniently located. You’ll receive all the details about the meeting point in your tour confirmation email. If you have any questions or concerns about finding the meeting point, please feel free to reach out to us and we’ll be more than happy to assist you in any way we can.

What if I get tired during the tour?

This is a private walking tour in Porto, and we understand that the city is quite hilly. However, we can customize the pace according to your needs, and take as many breaks as needed. If you need to rest or take a break, simply let your guide know and they will be happy to accommodate your needs. We can also stop for coffee or refreshments at any time during the tour. Our goal is to ensure that you have an enjoyable and comfortable experience exploring our beautiful city! 🙂

How many people can go on the tour?

This tour can be booked directly for groups of up to 8 people. If your group is larger, please contact us at sara@portoalities.com for pricing and availability. We have experience accommodating larger groups – our largest group to date consisted of 60 people!

What if I still got some questions?

Sure! Please email them to sara@portoalities.com – but please make sure that your question is truly not cover on this page 😉

Off the beaten path tour of Porto
From 270€ (2 people)
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  • Trusted brand with 500+ 5 star reviews.
  • Free cancellation up to 2 days in advance.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This tour regularly sells out… We highly recommend booking as soon as possible to avoid missing out!

Off the beaten path tour of Porto
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