Porto full day private tour from Lisbon

The city of Coimbra known internationally for its University (one of the oldest in Europe), was the capital of Portugal until 1255. The “City of Knowledge”, as it is known, breathes culture everywhere, from the banks of the Mondego River to the hills where the university is located. Here we will visit the Joanine Library, considered by the British newspaper The Telegraph , “…the most spectacular library in the world…”. Its construction was commissioned by Portuguese King Joao V. This baroque-style library of indescribable beauty and wealth, was the result of the cultural vision of the richest monarch in Europe at that time. His royal safes were overflowing with gold from “Minas Gerais” in the Portuguese colony, Brazil. Free time to walk in the town’s center and visit the Santa Cruz Church where we can find the tombs of the first king of Portugal, King Afonso I and of his son King Sancho I. You can also try tasting the local sweets and pastries “Pasteis de Santa Clara, “Pasteis de Tentugal” and the ” Arrufadas de Coimbra” if you so wish.

Time to taste the famous “leitao da Bairrada” (suckling piglet cooked on wood fired oven) at one of the many local restaurants (optional). This is one of the most typical and celebrated dishes of Portuguese cuisine. Of course, there is a variety of other choices in the region for your lunch if you so desire.

Porto is one of the most beautiful European cities. We will start our visit with a panoramic view of the seafront at the beach in Matosinhos, travelling along the coast reaching the “Foz” at the mouth of the Douro river, passing through the old medieval city district of Miragaia and arriving at the Clerigos Tower.

Here we can photograph the symbol of this city: the Clerigos Tower. Built-in 1754, the Tower is 75 meters high and at the time, the tallest building in the city of Porto. Next, we will visit Lello bookshop where author JK Rowling found the inspiration to write the best-seller “Harry Potter”. It is without a doubt one of the most outstanding bookstores in the world. Lello’s architectural beauty is a great attraction for a vast number of tourists. We will stop for photographs at Carmo Church (Igreja do Carmo) noted for its marvelous exterior facades decorated with blue and white ceramic tiles.

The train station of Sao Bento is internationally renowned for its interior tile panels depicting important events in the history of Portugal. Another stop on our tour is the Porto Cathedral which began construction in the 12th century. It is one the city’s oldest monuments built in the Romanesque architecture style and its location, high above the city, is a perfect place to see the fantastic views of the Douro River and the bridges that join its two banks together.

Here we can find the wine cellars of the famous Port wine. Optional wine tasting and visit to one of the cellars of the first demarcated wine region in the world: the Port Wine Region.

“Rabelo” was the name given to the boats that carried the wine barrels from the vineyards at the upper Douro Valley to the wine cellars in Gaia. If you so choose, you can take a pleasant 50-minute tour on one of these boats, and ride along the Douro River to see the six bridges that cross it, as well as enjoying the amazing panoramic views of the city of Porto.