If there is one city that knows how to blend heritage, flavor, and storytelling, it’s Porto. And if there’s one company that manages to capture all three in a fun, friendly, and deeply memorable way, it’s Porto Walkers.
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Very recently, we joined two of their most popular experiences — the 3-hour Tapas Food Tour and the 3-hour Wine Tour in Vila Nova de Gaia. Each one offered something completely different, yet both delivered the same outcome: a richer understanding of Porto, its people, its food, its wine, and its soul.
Below is an in-depth review of both tours, what to expect, and why they’re absolutely worth adding to your Porto itinerary.
Review: Porto Walkers Tapas Food Tour & 3-Cellar Wine Tour — Two Amazing Ways to Experience Porto
We were kindly hosted by PortoWalkers; however, all opinions and experiences shared are entirely our own.
1. Tapas Food Tour: A Culinary Walk Through Bolhão & Historic Porto
A Tour Centered Around the Heart of Porto’s Gastronomy
The Tapas Food Tour is not your typical “take a bite here, walk a bit, take a bite there” kind of experience. What makes it stand out is its focus on Bolhão, Porto’s beloved central market and a living museum of the city’s culinary traditions.
The tour begins here, among the colorful stalls, friendly vendors, and the unmistakable aroma of freshly baked bread, cheeses, and cured meats.
Bolhão is more than a shopping stop — it’s a symbol of Porto’s spirit, and the guide made that abundantly clear by sharing unique, quirky, and often surprising historical facts about how the city’s gastronomy evolved over the centuries.
We learned about old recipes, local produce, and Porto’s deep connection with the sea and the countryside.
A Generous Spread of Food (Come Hungry!)
One thing is certain: you will not leave this tour hungry. In fact, the portions are so generously served that it feels more like a progressive full meal than a tasting tour. We sampled a wide range of authentic Portuguese delicacies:
- Traditional cheeses and charcuterie
- Local bread and olive oil
- Seafood bites and small plates
- Bolhão specialties
- And of course — the iconic pastel de nata
Every stop felt thoughtful and well curated, highlighting family-run eateries and spots you would genuinely want to return to later.
A Lovely Stroll Through the City
After exploring Bolhão, we continued walking towards the city center, passing the Municipal Hall and making our way closer to Clérigos Tower, one of Porto’s most recognizable landmarks.
The walk was relaxed, scenic, and perfectly paced, with the guide continuing the storytelling — mixing food history, city history, cultural anecdotes, and lots of humor.
And then came one of the highlights…
A Picnic With a View: Moscato & Pastel de Nata
Because the weather was absolutely perfect during our tour, our guide surprised us with a charming little picnic. We sat outdoors, enjoying glasses of sweet Moscato paired with pastel de nata, taking in the atmosphere, the golden Porto light, and the gentle buzz of the city around us.
It was simple, but magical — one of those moments that makes travel feel special.
Verdict: A Perfect Introduction to Porto’s Food Scene
The Tapas Food Tour is ideal for first-time visitors who want to understand what makes Portuguese cuisine so soulful. The food is plentiful, the insights are unique, and the walk is scenic without being tiring. If you love good food and great storytelling, this tour will exceed your expectations.
Click to view the full tour here
2. Porto Walkers 3-Hour Wine Tour: Three Cellars, Endless History, and Iconic Views
While the food tour dives into Porto’s gastronomy, the Wine Tour takes you across the river to Vila Nova de Gaia — the legendary home of Port wine cellars.
What instantly stands out about this tour is that it doesn’t limit you to just one winery.
Instead, you get a curated, immersive experience in three different cellars, each offering something unique and helping you understand the full story of Port wine from grape to glass.
A Deep Dive Into Port Wine History
Porto Walkers excels at storytelling, and this tour was no exception. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, explaining everything from:
- The origins of Port wine
- Why Gaia became the hub of wine storage
- The differences between Ruby, Tawny, White, and Reserve Ports
- How wine production changed over the centuries
- The role of the Douro Valley and its climate
The explanations were clear, engaging, and never felt overwhelming. Even if you’re a total beginner, you’ll walk away feeling confident about what you’re tasting — and why it tastes the way it does.
Three Cellars, Three Perspectives
Visiting multiple wine cellars added so much depth to the experience. Each stop offered:
- Different architectural styles
- Different aging methods
- Different tasting selections
- Different stories
By the end of the tour, we didn’t just “try wines,” we understood how tradition, craftsmanship, and terroir come together to create the Port wines sold around the world.
We stopped at Calem wine cellars, Porto Cruz (including a visit to their rooftop bar), and relaxed at the Piano!
Generous Tastings & Stunning Views
Let’s be honest — people come to these tours for the wine. And Porto Walkers definitely delivers. There was plenty of wine, and each tasting was thoughtfully presented. We tried various Port styles, allowing us to compare flavors, aromas, and textures.
Between cellar visits, we also enjoyed beautiful views of Porto’s skyline across the river. Gaia’s waterfront is famous for its sweeping panoramas of the city — terracotta rooftops, bridges, church towers — and walking through this area made the entire experience even more memorable.
Verdict: The Best Introductory Wine Tour for First-Timers
If you want a comprehensive yet beginner-friendly introduction to Port wine, the Porto Walkers Wine Tour is perfect. It’s educational, fun, well-paced, and incredibly generous with tastings.
The guide made history come alive, and visiting three different cellars gave us a much richer understanding than a single-venue tour ever could.
Check out this wine tasting tour here
Final Thoughts: Two Tours Worth Adding to Your Porto Itinerary
Porto Walkers has built a reputation for a reason — and after joining both their food and wine tours, it’s easy to see why. Their guides are passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in giving you a deeper connection with the city.
- The Tapas Food Tour offers an intimate, flavor-filled journey into Porto’s culinary roots, centered around Bolhão and ending with a delightful picnic moment.
- The 3-Cellar Wine Tour provides a comprehensive introduction to Port wine, packed with history, tastings, and breathtaking views of the city.
Together, these tours offer a perfect blend of culture, flavor, and storytelling — and they’re an excellent way to enrich your Porto adventure. If you’re planning a trip to Northern Portugal, we highly recommend adding both to your itinerary. They are fun, informative, delicious, and unforgettable — everything a great tour should be.
Pin: PortoWalkers Review – Top Food and Wine tour in Porto
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