duck tour porto

Já é possível passear em terra e navegar no Douro a bordo dos ‘patos amarelos’

A Porto Duck Tours já está finalmente a funcionar. O novo serviço de viagens para conhecer o Porto e Gaia oferece uma experiência em autocarros anfíbios, originais da Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Já imaginaste passear pelo Porto e Gaia e depois navegar pelo rio Douro no mesmo veículo? Desde meados de março, a Porto Duck Tours oferece um novo serviço de viagens a bordo de autocarros anfíbios, originais da Segunda Guerra Mundial.

Segundo Jorge Garcia, um dos responsáveis pelo projeto, “o serviço tem registado muita procura”. Neste contexto, aconselha os interessados a procederem à reserva online , especialmente, aos fins de semana, de modo a evitar quaisquer transtornos. De momento, os atrativos ‘ patos amarelos’ operam de quarta a domingo, com capacidade para 24 passageiros.

Origem do conceito dos autocarros anfíbios

A Porto Duck Tours inspirou-se num conceito inglês, que partiu dos passeios pelo rio Tamisa. Atualmente, um desses veículos, originais da Segunda Guerra Mundial, os famosos DUKW’s, circula entre as cidades do Porto e de Vila Nova de Gaia .

Diferentemente de outros anfíbios modernos, os nossos ‘patos’ têm caraterísticas únicas e transportam-nos até meados do século passado com o seu design da época ”, explica ao Porto Secreto, Jorge Garcia.

O roteiro dos ‘patos’

O roteiro dos ‘patos’ tem a previsão de 1h15 e decorre entre o Jardim do Morro (ponto de partida) e a Afurada, por estrada, a que se somam ainda cerca de 30 minutos de navegação nas águas do Douro .

No site da Porto Duck Tours, o percurso é apresentado de forma mais detalhada, incluindo alguns dos seguintes pontos turísticos:

• Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar;
• Ponte Luís I ;
• Sé do Porto ;
• Palácio de Cristal;
• Ponte da Arrábida ;
• Caves de Vinho do Porto , entre outros.

Os passeios custam 29€ para adultos, 17€ para crianças/adolescentes (até aos 16 anos) e seniores (a partir dos 65 euros). Para as crianças, com idades entre 0 e 1 ano, os bilhetes são gratuitos.

Horário: de quarta a domingo, com três horários disponíveis (11h00; 13h45; 16h00).

Mais informações: [email protected] / site oficial da Porto Duck Tours

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39 things to do in Porto with kids

With its twisting cobbled streets, its famous wine cellars and its historic architecture, you might think Porto is a city break for adults only. But while there’s plenty to tempt grown-ups (did I mention the port cellars?), the bright buildings and quirky street art are as captivating for younger visitors – and that’s just the start of the attractions in Porto with kids.

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You’ll find tours with a twist, some distinctly unusual ways to get around, eye-catching tiles and plenty of indoor options if – like us – you need to find the best things to do in Porto in the rain.

As a bonus, the relatively small centre and easy-to-use public transport makes it simple to pack plenty in – helped along by plenty of spots to refuel with ice cream (and pasteis de nata). These are my top 39 things to do in Porto with kids.

Contents - click to jump to a section

Head to the river

Porto rises up the hills above the Douro River, with Vila Nova de Gaia across the water – and La Ribeira, Porto’s riverfront, is still the heart of the city.

Cafes line the bank, you can wander the promenade stretching west and there’s always some street performances; we spotted giant bubbles being blown and an a capella group singing, dancing and flag waving.

Take a cruise

Sail under the six bridges which cross from the heights of Porto to the opposite bank on a boat trip along the river, on a classic 6 Bridges boat tour .

There’s a variety of different companies to choose from, which mostly leave from Cais da Ribeira and Cais de Gaia, and takes around 50 minutes to do a loop. There’s often commentary about the sights of Porto, but it wasn’t hugely exciting on our cruise: kids are likely to enjoy the views more than what’s coming through the headphones.

The boats themselves are fairly simple – seats with a small covered area, although there are fancier alternatives including port cruises if your kids are are happy to spend longer on board. Spot the traditional wooden rabelo boats as you sail too.

Or you can choose to cruise on one of the traditional boats themselves, like this 6 Bridges Cruise .

You can also get a discount on Douro River cruises with the Porto Card , with options valid for 1-4 days, including transport or without

Try a Duck Tour

Test out Porto’s Amazing Amphibious Adventure, a 75-minute Duck Tour of Porto and Gaia from land and the water that’s huge fun for kids (and big kids).

The bright yellow amphibious vehicles were originally used in the Second World War, although they’ve had quite a few upgrades since then

Commentary is in English and Portuguese, with a chance to see the city in a very different way than your average sightseeing tour.

Board a tram

The city’s historic trams still run two different routes through the city, including Tram 1 which follows the waterfront – you’ll spot the faded creamy yellow trams trundling around, and it’s easily more fun than taking the bus.

During peak season, you may struggle to find space along this route so board at Infante, by the church of Sao Francisco, or the other end at Passeio Alegre.

A single ticket costs 6 Euros for adults, 3,50 Euros for kids, two-day passes are 6 Euros for kids, 12 Euros for adults.

Check out my complete guide to Portugal with kids here

Try a tuk tuk

Perfect for nipping through the city’s small streets, little eco-friendly tuktuks make for a much more quirky Porto tour than the usual options – and take an equally fun look at the attractions.

You can choose from different routes, on both the left and right banks as well as short versions – this two-hour TuktourPorto tour takes you from the city to the ocean, and is suitable for age 7+, while this Portuk Porto tour is a similar length but focuses on the historic centre. There’s a choice of sunset, daytime and night tours, and you even get a glass of port along the way!

If you want a shorter option, there’s also a 50-minute tuk tuk tour of the centre which is suitable for all ages. Buy tickets in advance or you can often pick up the tuktuks near the Torre dos Clerigos.

Take a bus tour

Hop on (and off) one of several bus tours which run around the city with the usual open top decks so you can soak in the city from your seat as you listen to the guide.

The Gray Line hop on hop off bus includes an optional boat ride, with 24h and 48 tickets available. Or Yellow Bus Porto has its own hop-on hop-off routes as well.

Take the cable car

See Porto from on high and get a bird’s eye view of the port cellars, the Douro and the city from the Teleferico de Gaia , Porto’s cable car.

The cable car runs from the Jardim de Morro park by the Dom Luis I bridge down to the port warehouses and the boat tours, so it’s easy to factor it into your exploring.

Easily one of the best things to do in Gaia apart from those port tastings – and as we discovered, there are some great views of Porto even when it rains. You can buy one-way tickets as well as round-trip options online.

Ride the funicular

The Gaia cable car isn’t the only place to get a good view – add Porto’s lift to your list as well, the Funicular dos Guindais , operated by a series of counterweights.

Climbing 61 metres up the side of a cliff from Ribeira to Batalha, it’s fun to ride for older kids and could also come in very handy if you’re exploring Porto with a baby…

Because with hills as steep as Porto’s, who wouldn’t want to hop in a lift at times!

Spot street art

Wander along the curving Rua das Flores, with its delis and boutiques, tiled buildings and floral displays and you can also see street art covering the electricity boxes along its length – all decorated slightly differently, it’s the perfect place to play spot your favourite.

Or head slightly further out to Rua Miguel Bombarda for more urban art among the galleries.

For older kids and budding artists, you can get a flavour of the art dotted all around the city on a dedicated Porto street art tour, including stops at different locations dedicated to urban art. This two-hour private tour visits some of the key areas as you explore Ribeira, or there’s a three-hour street art group tour led by a local resident, for a lesson on local artists as well as a chance to see some of the city’s different works.

Find the rabbit

Even if you’re not a huge fan of street art, who wouldn’t want to see a giant rabbit? Tucked away on a corner in Vila Nova de Gaia it was built using rubbish and local materials, then left half painted and half unadorned.

Keep your eyes peeled on the funicular, then you can see the work by Bordalo II a block back from the Gaia waterfront, not far from the funicular stop. Made from recycled materials and rubbish, the idea is to shine a spotlight on society’s wastefulness.

Watch a show in a church

For another art experience, check out the eye-catching Spiritus Multimedia show at Clerigos Church, a light installation projected onto the walls and roof of the church.

The 30-minute show mixes soundscapes and light with the church’s Baroque architecture, plus inspiration from a poem by Álvaro de Campos, “In the end, the best way to travel is to feel.” The perfect motto for a family city break in Porto!

See the tiles at Sao Bento station

If you want to explore further afield – Guimaraes, Coimbra or Aveiro (aka Porto’s Venice) are a few things to do near Porto – you’ll be starting your journey at the train station of Sao Bento.

But even if you have no intention of heading out of the city, it’s worth stopping by the 19th century station itself to admire the tiled walls with the 20,000 hand-painted azulejos representing events in Portuguese history.

Stretching from floor to (decorated) ceiling, you don’t need to know the stories to be impressed. The Capela das Almas near Bolhao market is another impressive spot, although you’ll see tiles all around the city. Why, my daughter wondered, don’t we do that at home? Good question…

For ideas of more great day trips from Porto with kids , check out my top picks

Cross the bridge

If the Ponte Dom Luis I looks oddly familiar, there’s a good reason – designed by a student of Gustave Eiffel (yes, Eiffel as in the tower), the soaring black metal arches and pylons are elegantly dramatic (and make for great photos).

The upper level is for pedestrians and metro trains only, or on a windy day (or with kids who don’t fancy being quite so high) you can cross with the cars on the lower part looking up at the iron struts.

Completed in 1886, it was a big improvement on previous river crossings – at the start of that century, you needed to walk across a bridge made from old port boats lashed together. 

Take a walking tour

If you’re trying to get your bearings, or discover some of Porto’s secret highlights, there are a string of fun walking tours of Porto with kids to try.

The City Highlights tour is suitable for all ages, and a great introduction to the city, as is this three-hour tour of the historic centre . while this Highlights, Gems and Curiosities tour adds in a few quirky sights as well as the usual options.

If you prefer to have your own private tailored family-friendly tour, check out the different options from Withlocals and Portoalities .

As well as the street art tours mentioned above, there’s also a fun Insta Perfect walk to capture some of Porto’s most shareable spots, or a Harry Potter-inspired walk sharing some of the places JK Rowling visited during her time in the city, including some inspirations for the wizarding world.

If your kids prefer a challenge, set off on a mission to protect the city’s heritage , solving riddles and clues, and passing some of Porto’s key sights along the way. You can also try a mini hunt of your own, and look out for some of the city’s symbols, including a lion and an eagle.

Want to theme your walk around Porto’s food, with a foodie walking tour of the city? Scroll down for more details

Discover the World of Discoveries

There’s a fun way to find out more about Portugal’s maritime and explorer history at the interactive World of Discoveries museum, which focuses on the Age of Discoveries.

You don’t need to know about Portuguese history before you visit, and the stories of life on board are fascinating even for kids who aren’t big fans of history – plus there are plenty of buttons to touch, screens to swipe and exhibits to get hands on with.

In one corner, barrels of spices conjure up the riches these explorers sought, while a small piece of chain mail is impressively heavy to lift. At the end, there’s also a small ride with a boat taking you from ‘Lisbon’ through the countries discovered by the Portuguese, as well as the new animals and cultures they found along the way.

The crashing CGI waves of the Cape of Storms, as the Cape of Good Hope was first known, are vividly real – and my daughter seemed entirely convinced by the legendary sea monsters depicted too.

You can buy tickets with free cancellation and it’s ideal if you’re searching for Porto indoor activities: the bad weather of our visit meant we found ourselves looking for things to do in Porto when it rains, although this is entertaining enough to keep on the list for sunny days too.

If your kids are too grown-up for something like World of Discoveries, check out Porto Legends: The Underground Experience , an immersive multimedia show which introduces you to the city’s history – and a few of its secrets

See Henry the Navigator

According to tradition, this Portuguese prince was born in Porto in 1394 and his statue now towers above the square that bears his name – around 10 minutes from World of Discoveries.

The explorer prince was at the forefront of the Age of Discoveries, when Portugal’s fleet explored the unknown seas, so his story is great to inspire small adventurers (or wannabe pirates).

Get a taste of a port cellar

Admittedly the tasting itself isn’t for children but you can’t go to Porto and not see at least one port cellar – they line the waterfront in Gaia, so you have plenty of choice, but we loved Caves Calem .

There’s a small interactive museum first, including a section to test whether you can identify different aromas, plus videos and exhibits to get hands on with. The tour itself then lasts less than half an hour, which is perfect for short attention spans, with images and information beamed onto the bigger barrels including the different water levels during recent floods.

The giant vats themselves – one of which can hold 60,000 litres – are thankfully watertight, so the port inside was unharmed. I tested a couple of glasses afterwards (and you can buy more) just to make sure.

Or at Ramos Pintos (opposite the playground!) there’s port and chocolate tastings, while you could also see the 100,000 litre vat at Taylor’s, as well as choosing port wine tastings with a Fado performance .

Visit the market

One of several traditional markets dotted around the city, the Mercado do Bolhao is a great place to wander around, with fresh produce, fish and cheese on the stalls, as well as a few souvenir stands dotted around as well.

Dating back to 1837, you can also stop for a bite in one of the cafes, pick something up for a snack or just soak up the atmosphere.

And keep an eye out for special events during the year, as well as picking up a few treats as a souvenir.

Join a food tour

Better for older kids than younger picky eaters (like my daughter), a food tour is a fantastic way to explore and try the local dishes at the same time – Francesinha is the best known traditional dish of Porto, a sandwich with meat, sausage and melted cheese in a beer sauce, often with a fried egg.

The inhabitants of Porto also have the nickname ‘tripeiros’ – you can pick from several stories as to why they’re called tripe eaters, but it’s another local speciality.

This series of 10 tastings focuses on some of Porto and Portugal’s classic dishes, including pastel de nata, and has vegetarian alternatives. Or this food tour visits markets and local businesses, finishing with lunch.

Go for ice cream

Around almost every corner you’ll find ice cream for sale, even (we found) on a rainy February day – one of the best places is Santini, a Portuguese institution which has a branch between Sao Bento station and the Clerigos Tower.

Or head to Cremosi, for its cold stone ice cream and unusual flavours, delicious concoctions at Amorino (which has three branches) or Gelateria Portuense, which has gluten-free ice cream as well as vegan and lactose-free flavours.

Whichever one you fancy, a scoop or two is always helpful if you’re in Porto with a toddler (or any age!) and need to bribe them up some of those hills…

Visit the Majestic Cafe

The Majestic Cafe might not be the cheapest place for a drink in the city, but it’s easily one of the most stylish – the Art Nouveau building first opened in 1921, and after work to restore it, is as glamorous as in its first heyday.

Expect queues outside, so get there early or choose an unpopular time, but there’s everything from cake to port cocktails on the menu (and pasteis de nata, natch).

Better with slightly older kids who’ll appreciate the style and elegance (and the sheer treat of having something to eat or drink here) than with a toddler.

Hit the beach

Head west along the coast from the river and you’ll discover another of Porto’s secrets – this city break comes with a slice of beach.

Several slices, in fact, although Praia de Matosinhos and the Praia do Ourigo are two of the easiest to get to and two of the best beaches in Porto for kids, around 20 minutes from the city on either the bus or metro.

If it’s not a sunny day, you’ll still get to see the waves crashing on the shore, while it’s a popular spot with locals when the sun shines. There are bars and restaurants along the seafront to refuel between sandcastle building too.

Porto Sea Life Centre

Peek beneath the waves along the same stretch of coast, you’ll find Porto’s Sea Life Centre , the biggest in the north of Portugal.

There’s a mini quiz for kids, with a prize to be won if you get all the answers right, feeding times and clever viewing sections, as well as sharks, turtles, rays, fish galore and perhaps the biggest spider crab I’ve ever seen.

The signs are mostly translated into English as well and as with all Sea Life centres, there’s information about the local area and marine life – plus a small play area at the end. Not only for wet days, but it’s perfect for passing a few hours in Porto in the rain and a lovely option if you visit Porto with toddler.

Santo Inacio Zoo

Meet the animals at the Santo Inacio Zoo is one of the biggest attractions in Porto for children. Stretching for 15 hectares with 260 different species it has won awards for its conservation programmes.

It’s home to Himalayan snow leopards and Asian lions, as well as a string of other big cats, plus a chance to watch live feedings of the otters, lemurs, penguins and lions too. You can spot birds of prey displays, see a pygmy hippo, a string of snakes, rhinos and a whole lot more.

One of the highlights is the with a special glass tunnel which lets you get unexpectedly close to these big cats, plus you can take a journey across five continents of nature with the Wild Life Demonstration.

The zoo is a short drive from Gaia or the end of the Metro line D at Santo Ovidio.

You can also get joint tickets for the zoo and Sea Life Centre if you’re visiting Porto with kids who love animals

Visit Livraria Lello

Indulge your little bookworms. You don’t need to have read the Harry Potter books to love Livraria Lello , the bookshop which is famously said to have inspired JK Rowling. With its winding spiralling staircases and floor-to-ceiling shelves of books, it could have come straight from a magical world (as could quite a lot of Porto).

There’s an English children’s section with both classics and more modern kids’ books, not to mention souvenirs and plenty of choice for adults. If you do buy anything, the price of entry (8 Euros for adults and kids aged 3+, children under 3 go free) is deducted from the cost.

Be ready to queue if you want a photo taken, but while it’s busy, people did their best to allow everyone to get the famous shot. If you’re looking for ideas of what to do in Porto when it rains, this is a great place to while away some time browsing, although it may well be even busier than usual.

Discover the puppet museum

Tucked away near Rua das Flores is the small Museu das Marionetas , a lovely little museum with a display of puppets from fairytales, as well as from a popular Portuguese kids’ TV show from the 80s which reminded me of the Muppets, and several from adult theatre.

Only a few Euros to get in (less if you have a Porto card ), kids can also get hands on with a couple of puppets, learn a bit more about how some are made and see marionettes from different stories… including, to my own delight, Joanica Puff – aka Winnie the Pooh in Portuguese.

It’s small but while I expected to be in and out quickly, we ended up spending an hour wandering around. There are plenty of opportunities for kids to play, as well as sit back and watch, which makes it another lovely option if you’re in Porto with toddlers.

Visit the tram museum

Uncover some vintage transport at the Museu do Carro Eléctrico , or tram museum – ideal for kids who love different forms of transport (which means pretty much all younger kids) with everything from horse-drawn streetcars to original trams from the 60s on display.

Children under six are free – your ticket also gives you one free ride on the city’s tram network.

It’s only a small museum, so don’t expect to spend too long exploring but it’s a fun option to while away half an hour (or more with big tram fans).

Explore the Museum of Transport and Communication

Crack some codes at the Museum of Transport and Communication , where there’s a string of activities to keep kids entertained.

One of the fun activities includes the chance to crack a secret code in the Communicate exhibition, but as it’s set in the city’s Customs House, you can also play at being a Customs Officer too, before eyeing up the collection of Presidential cars.

Enjoy the Chocolate Story

Your kids might not be excited by port or cork – two of Porto’s biggest industries – but chocolate is sure to appeal.

As well as getting a look inside a genuine chocolate factory, you can also discover more about the origins of cocoa and how it’s transformed from bean to bar. Needless to say, there’s also a chance to test a few samples.

Book tickets with free cancellation or you can also get entry with a combined ticket to WOW Cultural District – WOW stands for World of Wine, with plenty of chances for grown-ups to try some local vintages, including some from the Douro Valley, but also entry to Planet Cork and Porto Region Across the Ages , which celebrates Porto and its history and heritage (including a full-size replica of the city’s tram).

Find the giant trowel

Get ready to find the giant trowel – among other attractions in the grounds of the Serralves Museum . Home to the city’s modern art collection, you’ll find a string of contemporary works including a giant red trowel, and lots of green space to explore between artworks.

The 18-hectare Serralves Park is also home to a treetop walk experience, high up in the canopy of the trees, as well as a farm, the Cinema House and an Art Deco villa.

Definitely one of the quirkier things to do with kids in Porto.

Paint your own tile

If you’ve been inspired by the artwork at Sao Bento train station, or by some of the street art and modern art in Porto, there’s a chance to unleash your own creative side at a tile-painting workshop .

The two-hour session includes a glass of port (or fruit juice for kids) as well as a brief history of tiles and tile decoration in Porto, then you can pick an existing design or come up with your own, and pick your creation up two hours after the class finishes.

Open to all ages, but the workshop is better for older kids who’ll enjoy creating their own artwork souvenir.

Visit the Crystal Palace gardens

Just like its namesake and inspiration in London, a Crystal Palace once stood in the gardens of the Palacio de Cristal, opened in 1865 where it stood until 1951.

These days there’s plenty of green space to run around, themed gardens like the Garden of Feelings and the Garden of Aromatic Plants, and great views – and no entrance fee if you’re looking for free things to do in Porto.

Home to a string of plants including rhododendrons, camellias, araucarias, ginkgoes, and beech trees, the gardens are also filled with fountains and statues, as well as a small chapel and museum, which was once home to the exiled King of Sardinia.

Climb the Clerigos Tower

It’s 225 steps to the top of the Torre dos Clerigos – where 49 bells hang in the tower (you have been warned if you’re there when they ring!).

But the fantastic 360 degree panorama to look out over makes every thigh-burning step worthwhile. The 18th century tower is one of Porto’s main landmarks, so you’ll also get to see it as you explore the city, while there’s a light and sound installation inside the church itself.

Enjoy the views

It seems like there’s barely a bad view of Porto, whether you’re peering down atmospheric winding streets or gazing out across the river to the brightly painted houses – so even if you don’t fancy climbing the tower, make time for at least one stop to soak up the views.

On the Porto side, the Miradouro da Vitoria looks out towards the red roofs and domes towards Ribeira and beyond. Or across the river, the Jardim de Morro has some of the best views in the city, looking both ways along the Douro, down to Gaia and across to Ribeira from under its palm trees.

Escape the labyrinth

Wander the maze in Sao Roque park, in the east of the city, which also has a lovely playground – a nice trade-off for kids in Porto if they’ve wandered round a port cellar for you!

Once owned by the Calem family (of port fame), you can also find minarets and water features, as well as sculpture dotted around.

Visit the Dragon stadium

Find the city’s dragon – not a fire-breathing kind, but the symbol of the FC Porto team playing at football ground, Estadio de Dragao, also in the east of the city.

You can visit the museum with a guided tour of the stadium as well, to discover more about the Portuguese Primeira Liga team, including a chance to see their trophy collection.

Great fun for small football fans, even if they’re not FC Porto supporters, you can visit the museum any day, but the tours of the stadium aren’t available on match days, so it’s worth checking the fixtures before you book and visit.

Step into the catacombs

At the Igreja Sao Francisco , one of the biggest attractions is outside the church itself – down in the catacombs lies tomb upon tomb of monks and some of the city’s wealthiest inhabitants.

Keep an eye out for the glassed over section where you can look down onto piles of bones for a fabulously creepy option in Porto with children.

Then head to the church where the Gothic exterior hides an opulent extravaganza of decoration – over 300kg of gold dust was supposedly used to decorate it, while every flat surface seems to be ornamented including a carved wooden Tree of Jesse sculpture. No photos allowed, alas.

Play mini golf

Hit a hole in one and shelter from the sun under the trees at one of Porto’s mini golf courses. Clube de Minigolfe do Porto has two separate 18-hole adventure golf courses at the Jardim do Passeio Alegre, near the river Douro to the west of the city and not far from the Fortress of Sao Joao da Foz,

Or there’s a fun indoor mini golf experience , lit by UV and neon light for something slightly different, just north of the historic city centre.

Hit the shops

Need more ideas of what to do in Porto with kids? Among the wine merchants and port stores, there are plenty of great places for souvenirs.

Loja Tradições on Rua das Flores is ideal for traditional Portuguese crafts (drop by Chocolateria Equador a minute away for some deliciously grown-up truffles) while there are classic toys at A Vida Portuguesa on Rua da Galeria de Paris near Livraria Lello, and tempting kids’ brands at Alma Viva .

For more ideas on things to do in the country outside Porto, Portugal with kids is one of my favourite destinations – how about this quirky collection to inspire as well as these great day trips from Porto .

* First published February 2018, last updated 2024 *

THINGS TO DO IN PORTO WITH KIDS: PIN FOR LATER

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. I received a Porto Card, river cruise and entry to Sea Life and World of Discoveries courtesy of the Porto tourist board but all opinions (and unlucky weather) are my own.

Serralves villa courtesy of Depositphotos, all other images copyright MummyTravels

Award-winning family travel blogger and mum to the mini traveller, aka Minnie. Together we've visited Europe, America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia, tried a cruise and a road trip, and survived countless long-haul trips. London (UK) based. Serious beach habit.

66 Comments

Wow, what an amazing list of things to do. Would really love to visit Porto.

Thanks! It is a gorgeous city – rain or shine (though shine if you can get it 😉 )

I’d only associated with port but there seems to be loads of things to do with kids #citytripping

Loads! (And port too)

An amazing city with so much to do. You did marvelously well to get the pic of your daughter walking up Livaria’s stairs. You must have amazing patience! Wilbur. #citytripping

Thanks! It definitely gets crowded in there but people were pretty good at waiting and letting others take photos which was nice – although you have to seize the moment.

Wow Cathy, what a comprehensive lovely article, you definitely put Porto with kids on our list! Such a pity to hear about the weather, indeed it makes a difference – we have been always very lucky on our Portuguese trips and my boys assume it’s the country of blue skies. Tripe dishes are also a delicacy in Romania – but I must confess I never appreciated it 😉 Loved your street art pics and suggestions for Porto and chocolate tasting and I can totally see why it would be popular with kiddies and grown ups alike! #citytripping

I think I’ve only had blue sky in Portugal before now too, so took me a bit by surprise – and I admit I passed up the chance to actually eat the tripe myself!

I just adore Porto, it’s one of the best cities I have visited over the last few years. If you ever return, I can highly recommend visiting Aveiro with the kiddies! #CityTripping

Aveiro was on my list for this trip, but the weather was just so bad that we had to give it a miss this time 🙁

What a great list, I’ve been to Porto and love it but now I need to find the Rabbit next time we go 🙂 #CityTripping

Thanks! The rabbit is fab – relatively new, so a good excuse to go back 😀

So much to do with kids of all ages. I’d love to do the art tour! #citytripping

They have some great tours to choose from – was very tempted by a street art one myself.

I liked Porto so much I didn’t wanna leave. Love the pictures, taking me right back to that gorgeous place. #CityTripping

I can imagine!

Now that’s a list… Blimey you wouldn’t be bored would you? And who’d have thought there are tuks tuks in Porto!

You certainly wouldn’t! And they’re such a fun idea.

I’m looking forward to the day when I can enjoy a food tour with my two! So many things to do in Porto – sounds as though you could be there for weeks.

I should definitely have made the most of it when she was littler! I did a great one in Miami when she was in a buggy, and she snoozed most of the way while I scoffed everything.

This is great Cathy – and I’m very jealous that you made it inside the famous bookshop! There were huge queues to get in when we were there in August, so we didn’t manage it.

I can imagine it must be heaving in peak season – it was pretty crowded on a wet Wednesday in February (literally) so it seems getting their for opening or closing is a good bet regardless. My daughter hasn’t read Harry Potter yet and she was still wowed by it, it is amazing.

I’ve always wanted to visit Porto and now I want to go even more! My kids would love the boat trip and the street art.

Hope you get there! It is a really fun city to explore.

Wow, serious amount to do there for both kids and adults! #citytripping

There really is – and plenty more for adults too (apart from the port)

We took a tuk-tuk ride in Lisbon ( and tram and funicular) so it’d be fun to do the same in Porto too:) and visit the porto cellars and that awesome bookshop:) #citytripping

Definitely – fun forms of transport always make it even more fun exploring.

Street art, art tour and giant rabbit. What better reasons could there be?

Absolutely! And port too…

Ah man, tuk tuks are getting everywhere these days, aren’t they?! lol. Nice to see there’s lots to do here with kids though. mine are a little older than yours but still need to keep them occupied! 😉 #citytripping

They are! I do love a tuktuk though, more fun than a car or a bus.

I’ve never considered Porto. Love the Livraria Lello, but then again I love Harry Potter 🙂 #citytripping

Definitely worth it for that (although there can be big queues in peak season)

You’re right about the 50-minute river cruise, the commentary is not hugely exciting as it seems to highlight the engineering aspect of the bridges only. I remembered falling asleep on that cruise compounded by a few glasses of wine earlier 🙂 #Citytripping

One thing I did find tricky with the commentary was that it didn’t give you much clue about where to look – less essential with the bridges, but it would be giving interesting detail about the buildings and I wasn’t even quite sure which side it was on. More fun to sit back and just soak up the scenery (or doze in the sun 😉 )

I’ve really been wanting to take my daughter to Portugal, and I’m so glad there’s so much to do! I’m relieved by the idea of boat rides and tuk tuks as I heard the streets are not terribly stroller-friendly, so this will make our trip so much simpler. Thank you! #citytripping

Masses to do – and I certainly saw some people with buggies, but there are a lot of hills and uneven surfaces so it’s not ideal for littler ones (similar to Lisbon, as far as I remember) The south is probably better for that age.

That street art blew me away – the bunny one – wow!

It’s incredible isn’t it!

I’ve been thinking a little bit about travelling with kids lately and I’m glad to see that activities and places that would keep them happy would also be interesting to me. Hopefully that means I’m a kid at heart? #CityTripping

I think that’s the best way to be! And although she often appreciates things differently, I’ve had a lot of fun at places aimed at kids over the past few years, and discovered that she enjoys a lot of places which aren’t immediately child-friendly. Plus you get an excuse to do lots of things you haven’t been able to since you were 10 😉

I love that Rabbit! Porto is a great City perfect for a mini break or a jumping off point for the interior. You’ve made me want to go back! #CityTripping

Isn’t it amazing – my daughter spotted it first from the cable car: ‘Look at the rabbit, mummy!’ I thought we were playing some kind of game, then saw what she meant…

I keep reading more and more about PORTUGAL and it is one of the only countries I have not visited in Europe. Definitely on my radar now to visit! Porto looks lovely! #citytripping

What a fabulous post… sorry about the weather, but it seems like you made the most of it! We missed out on Porto during our trip to Portugal as I stubbornly instead we head south from Lisbon to see the Benagil Sea Cave… sadly weather wasn’t on my side either and the waves were too fierce for the journey… Next time I’m heading to Porto! #citytripping

What a great list! I’m heading to Portugal in May and am SO excited, although we won’t be making it up to Porto! During our first trip, anyway. 🙂 #citytripping

You had me at the travel options, to be honest. And I do love a decorated station. But it only got better from there. Can;t think why I’ve never been to Portugal.

SO many fun things to do! I’m sorry you had rain for part of your trip, but there are good indoor options. You’ll have to plan a return trip to catch more sunshine and do all these fun activities!

That sounds the perfect solution!

What a great list! Thank you for the amazing information posted on this blog. This miniature getaway to Portugal is just enough time to fall in love with one of its most splendid cities.

Thanks! And absolutely, a few days there was just right.

Portugal is my new obsession – especially those little custard tarts! Next stop: Porto!

I love it – not least for the custard tarts 🙂

I love Porto so much! Shamefully I only had two days to explore it. But the river cruise and port wineries were definitely highlights! I can’t wait to go back, I’ll have to try your other recommendations. Thanks for sharing!

The port cellars were amazing! I could very happily have done more tastings and tours along the riverfront…

Sounds like a fun experience!

It’s a lovely city

Hiii! Im from Lisbon & i’ve been in Porto once but i didn’t know so many things to do in Porto! I’ve to come back! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! How is it possible im being portuguese & don’t know all these stuff? I’m embarassed now! This summer my travel’s destination was Madrid. Have you been there?

😀 It’s always the way that we love to see the world and sometimes miss what’s on our own doorstep. Madrid is somewhere which is on my list but haven’t made it there yet.

That is a good article but you should just have name it “37 things to do in Porto” and not adding “with kids” … Coz you have just listed activities you find on Google and none of them is particularly done for kids, except maybe the parks.

Thanks for the comment – and of course there’s nothing to stop adults doing all or most of these as well, but the idea was to choose activities suitable for families (as there are plenty of other things in Porto which are less relevant for kids). My daughter and I have visited the city, so I can assure you it’s not just a list taken from Google.

that is supposed to be a list to do with kids? only 2 or 3 of those items would be suitable for kids what child wants to visot a cellar Smh

I’ve done significantly more than 2 or 3 of these with my own daughter, so apart from the cellar I’m not sure which ones you find so non-child friendly? And while not every cellar in Porto is great for kids, the one I mention has some fun interactive sections in the museum (which she enjoyed) as well as a chance to see the giant barrels, so there’s a lot more than sitting around being bored while the adults drink port.

From all these activities, what exactly are the children ones? I’m Portuguese but I live in Ireland, and I can tell you my two kids will not enjoy any of these adult activities… Maybe World of discoveries.

I’m sorry to hear not one of the 37 options I suggest would appeal to your kids – the ideas are designed to suit different ages and interests so I wouldn’t expect everyone to want to do everything, but I’m a bit baffled that you don’t think going to the zoo/aquarium, or the beach (or eating ice cream!) is child-friendly?

The tips are based on my own experience with my daughter who loved the puppet museum and the interactive displays at the port cellar (obviously not all cellar visits would work for kids), the boat trip, the street art, the cable car, World of Discoveries, seeing the amazing tiles in the station… I could go on but it’s all listed in the post.

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Porto Duck Tours

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PORTO DUCK TOURS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

The Curious Duck

• The Places I Go
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I have a serious love affair going on with Porto.  First off, I love Port so this city is a playground for anyone who likes port and port tastings.  Even if you don’t think Port is for you, give it a try and visit some tasting rooms.  Port is actually produced North of Porto in the Duoro Valley but it is shipped down and stored in Porto in the cold and damp Port houses.  The food in the region is great, the city is beautiful and I hope you can appreciate how special this city truly is. 

The Activities

PORT TOURS & TASTINGS, PORTO

My favorite tasting and tour.  The staff was knowledgeable and was great about answering all of our questions.  We upgraded our port tasting to one of the more expensive ones which was totally worth it since you don't usually get to try the very expensive ones at home.  I spent about two hours here which was longer than I stayed at most, I really loved it!

I spent a good amount of time in the tasting room at Churchill.  The staff were friendly and informative.  I also ended up buying several bottles of their 2011 Vintage which apparently, 2011 is the year to get! Anyway, I loved it!

Other Port Houses visited for tastings that were a ton of fun:

TAYLORS, OFFLEY, RAMOS PINTO, CALEM, SANDEMAN

I recommend only doing one tour and doing it at Graham's. Make sure to still visit others for tastings.

PORTOLOGIA- LA MAISON DES PORTO

This is a small restaurant/wine tasting/port tasting venue, in the older section of the city (right near Pestana, see below).  The staff is extremely helpful and lets you try ton's of delicious ports and wine. It's also interesting to hear the point of view of someone who is not affiliated with a specific port house across the river.  You will learn a lot about smaller makers and they have some excellent cheese and chocolate pairings.  So fun!

VINUM RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR, PORTO

I went here for lunch before doing a tour of the port cellar.  It was absolutely amazing.  The staff gave me a table with an amazing view and all I could do was stare! This is the type of place that is in such an amazing location that they could get away with serving bad, overpriced food-but they don't! The food quality is absolutely fantastic.  Yes, it is a bit expensive, but I was fine with the price because the food justified it.  The staff and service were also great.  There is a small house right next door where a local family lives with a lovely farm, chickens etc.  It was very cool to see that right next door to this amazing property.  You must go here!

THE WINE BOX- VINHOS & TAPAS

This is another restaurant in the old part of the city.  It is a small place where you should make a reservation.  The staff is great and it's fun to do a bunch of small plates here.  The food is delicious.  I would definitely recommend!

This restaurant was recommened to me while I was traveling and it hit the spot! Portugal is famous for this pork sandwiches with mustard.  This place is nothing special in terms of ambiance, but it's cheap and delicious. 

The Lodging

THE YEATMAN HOTEL, PORTO

Ahh, I fell in love with the Yeatman. It is hands down my favorite of the three hotels I stayed at in Porto.  The Yeatman is on the side of the river with all of the Port Producers.  This is a large, luxury spa hotel.  It overlooks the river, bridge and other side of Porto.  The views are beautiful.  Make sure you book your room with breakfast included, you will NOT want to miss the breakfast.  The spread is enormous and delicious, you won’t be disappointed. I booked a wine bath with a light massage and I will say I was a little disappointed.  I would skip this service in particular but the spa facilities are really nice, so if you have time to lounge there, it’s great.

PESTANA VINTAGE, PORTO

This hotel is located on the same side of the river as the Intercontinental but it’s not directly in the center, it’s on the water overlooking all of the Port Houses.  There are many good restaurants on this side as well.  You can also easily walk across the bride to the other side of the river so it’s accessible in that sense.  If you want to stay in this area, I think I would recommend checking out a different hotel.  While some of the staff was extremely helpful, some were not and it gave me a slightly bad taste in my mouth. 

THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL, PORTO

The reason I stayed at the Intercontinental was because I was visiting the city for New Years Eve and this hotel is directly across from the square where the celebrations all go down.  This is a very nice, a bit expensive, hotel in a great central location on the other side of the river.  It is also very close to all the bars and restaurants that get crowded later in the night.  If being in the city center is for you, so is this hotel.

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The city of Porto Wine. This is a tour to get to know the Ribeira area between Sé and Serra do Pilar. Entitled to a Porto Wine.  

All of this on board of a Tuk Tuk!

The perfect way to walk in the city, with your family, with a group of friends or at an event of your company. Eco Tuk Tuk is quiet and can take you to the best views of Porto and its history.

All of this on board of a  Tuk Tuk!

Come and see the best viewpoints in Porto. Choose the best landscape to serve as a background for your travel memories and also the ideal place to admire one of the most beautiful sunsets in Europe.

ORIGINAL WAY TO VISIT PORTO Have fun in an Urban Adventure

On board a TUK TUK, with the help of the guides, you can go to all points of Porto, take photos and learn the history, legends and secrets of Porto, in a fun way!

We are a family owned and operated business.

Urban adventure aboard a TUK TUK.

PROFESSIONAL GUIDES Our guides will help you choose the sites for the best photos and learn about the history of each corner of Porto! Urban adventure aboard a TUK TUK.

We had loads of fun with our driver - he would take us to the coolest places to take pictures, he took pictures of us and recommended places for dinner and clubbing that were really cool!!

James Smith

So much fun>>

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