Best known for its port wine production, the Portuguese coastal city of Porto is also picture-postcard pretty, with its stately bridge, cobbled streets and eclectic architecture making it a delight to explore on two wheels.
(Photo: Bluedragon City Tours / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
From the medieval riverside district – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, no less – to the city’s commercial and cultural heart in downtown Baixa, it doesn’t take long to discover Porto’s abundant riches. One of the best ways to explore the city is by bike, either independently or as part of an organised group. For the latter, there’s a wide choice of guided bike tours available – and here are three of the best.
Guided Electric Bike Tour
Ride through Porto’s historic heart on this 3-hour guided e-bike tour, with the gentle e-power of your bike doing the hard work as you traverse the city’s famous hills. Over the course of the tour, you’ll explore colourful medieval lanes in Ribeira, admire the Romanesque grandeur of Porto Cathedral and take in sweeping views from the Dom Luís I Bridge. Among the landmarks you’ll pass along the way include the Clérigos Tower, Cordoaria Garden, Gomes Teixeira Square, Lello Bookstore and Aliados Avenue. As you stop at each place of interest, your guide will regale you with facts and tales about the city’s long history and culture. From €43 per person.
Sunset Bike Tour
(Photo: Rojs Rozentāls via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Porto offers a feast for the eyes at any time of day, but perhaps never more so than at sunset. Aboard an e-bike, you’ll ride effortlessly along the banks of the Douro River, through leafy parks and out to the beaches of Foz and Matosinhos. With the bike taking the strain, you can soak up the golden light and coastal scenery without breaking a sweat. Following dedicated cycle paths and quiet routes, this three-hour tour reveals hidden corners that few visitors experience on foot. The tour price includes bottled water and fruit snacks. From €49 per person.
Private Bike Tour
For a more intimate and exclusive experience, this 3-hour private tour may well fit the bill. Designed around your interests, you and your select group of family and friends will be accompanied by a local guide as you pedal (with e-bike assistance) past colourful Ribeira streets, Baroque churches and along the banks of the Douro River. The flexible route might take you to hidden viewpoints, vibrant markets, or even out towards the Atlantic coast. With a private guide offering personal attention and local insight, the tour combines sightseeing and storytelling in equal measure. From €56 per person.