This private tour begins in the Plaza del Infante Dom Henrique, the navigator who laid the foundations of the Portuguese empire and whose influence extends across four continents. This iconic square is also home to the historic Porto Stock Exchange, Portugal's first stock market and one of the city's must-see attractions.
Faith has been a fundamental pillar of Portuguese identity, a clear example of this is the impressive Church of São Francisco, considered one of the most beautiful in the country. From there, the tour will take us to Porto's oldest neighborhoods: Ribeira and Barredo. Their streets and buildings tell the story of a city that has evolved over time, facing the growth of tourism and the effects of gentrification.
We will explore the remains of the medieval city, including its walls, gates, and former customs posts, while discovering the crucial role of the Douro River in Porto's development. On the riverbanks, we'll relive stories of bridges, French invasions, kings, queens, and legends that have shaped the city's destiny.
We'll take a boat trip to Vila Nova de Gaia, a town inseparable from Porto, where we'll visit the Monastery of Our Lady of Serra do Pilar, a World Heritage Site. We'll also explore the fusion of contemporary urban art and tradition at the Corpus Christi Convent.
Finally, we'll delve into the culture of Port wine, discovering its history and uniqueness at a local winery, where we'll understand why this iconic spirit is neither wine nor Port in the strictest sense of the word.