Porto Off the Beaten Path & Visit Bolhão Market
Joined 2023
From the renovated Market Bolhão to one of the most intriguing districts of the eastern part of the city: Fontainhas.
Come to know the mysteries of Porto: the 19th century romantic garden of São Lázaro, the Fine Arts Faculty ambiance, the little local cafes and grocer's where you'll feel the local vibe.
Or the "Street of Islands"! “Islands” are picturesque dwellings from the industrialization period.
Time to the opposite: the “villas”, owned by the industrialists.
Still the magnificent Douro.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Mercado do Bolhão
- Beside the south entrance door, at Rua Formosa.
Start of the Tour - Mercado do Bolhão
Welcome to Porto's favorite fresh produce market (recently retored). Guided visit to understand its urban, historical and social context and features.
Time to enjoy its delicacies and to absorb its colors, smells and flavors!
Rua de Santa Catarina
Porto's main commercial street. Majestic Cafe and the former Palladium Galleries. Clothing and accessories shops and the History of Photography in Porto, along with the 1st film of our Cinematography.
We’ll start soon to leave behind the busiest areas and explore non-touristic neighborhoods, though this is a beautiful must-see.
Praça da Batalha
The 19th century bohemian square and its stories.
Santo Ildefonso Church, National Theatre St. John and Cinema Batalha.
Muralha Fernandina
One of the best preserved sections of the 14th century Fernandine wall, Santa Clara Church and the Chapel of Our Lady of August
Fontainhas District
We are at a typical little residential district featuring cube-like buildings with markedly geometrical lines, working class houses, with plants and flowers outside, ropes for clothes, bikes...
Now the place of the old municipal slaughterhouse and one of the best viewpoints over the river Douro and its famous bridges.
Following the “Street of the Islands”, the 1st public cemetery of Porto and the Military Museum.
Bonfim District
In the late 19th century, Bonfim was Porto’s main industrial center and this district contained the city’s major textile factories.
Main spots: City Museum, Bonfim Church, Alexandre Herculano High School.
Visit the Bonfim Church.
Coffee Break (or before, we set it when you wish).
Campo 24 de Agosto
The old "Road of the Bread", the meaning of the date August 24 and visit an archaeological site.
We have almost completed a circle and this is definitely one of my favorite strolls in Porto!
Thank you.
Ending Point
Campo 24 de Agosto
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
-Guide fee
-Tour in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese
-Visit to Bolhão Market, Bonfim Church and to an Archaeological site
-Food and drinks
-Souvenirs
-Lunch
-Transportation
Tour Important Information
-This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
-From the previous, this tour would not be suitable for people with mobility impairments or severe back/knee problems.
-Not accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
-I advise you to bring euros with you for personal expenses. In some situations, payment by card is not available.
-In case of Force Majeure, like severe weather warnings (for rain, wind or floods), I shall make my best efforts to reschedule the tour, communicating with you and we can agree even to cancel the tour.
Please pay attention: Market Bolhão is closed on Sundays.
Important message from the supplier
Please always contact me before booking to check my availability for the schedule chosen. Sometimes I am only available half of the day (morning or afternoon). Thank you.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2023
About Tour Guide Magda M.
Hello, I'm Magda and I would be so pleased to host your in my hometown Porto and/or other towns in the Northern Portugal.
I graduated in History of Art at Faculty of Humanities, University of Porto, worked as a teacher, art gallerist, bookseller and finally as a tour guide (and I loved all these previous jobs!).
My tours are focused on Architecture, Art and History, but the charm of Porto goes beyond that: traditions, legends, secrets, food...
My main purpose is to show you what really makes us different and unique.
(sometimes I'm the traveler, taking pictures of my favorite spots - you check the gallery :-)
I'm available and pleased to create the best plan for you, according to your preferences.
Looking forward to meeting you! Best
Reviews
Joakim H.
“Perfekt guide ”
We truly enjoyed our tour with Magda. She is very knowledeble and friendly. She is really flexible and adjusted our 3 hour tour to fit our interests. She answered questions with enthusiasm. She prepurchased skip the like tickets making life easy. She was also helpful with booking of transports and restaurant. My recomendation is, choose Magda!
Magda M.
Hi Joakim and the goup! Thank you so much for your review and appreciated my work. I am glad you enjoyed my city and will be always welcome! Warm regards, Magda
Kel B.
“Magda is superb. ”
I cannot say enough good things about Magda, and how well she took care of us on our tour of Porto. We booked the tour on very short notice, and I had asked her specifically to show us residential areas that we might consider renting later in the year. Specifically flat, areas with nice places to walk my dogs outside. She showed us areas in Matasinho that were by the water, as well as one of the sites that overlooked the whole city. As we looked over the skyline, she pointed out several important buildings and structures. What made her tour so special was that she gave us the history and the purpose of these buildings. I was also very impressed by her, taking the time to tell us about Carnation Day, its history, its importance, and pretty particular meaning to her. That was the icing on the cake. Her knowledge of Porto from having lived here all of her life really made a huge difference. I cannot recommend Magda highly enough. She will give you the best tour of Porto that you can possibly get. Kel Brown King George, VA
Magda M.
Dear Kel, I have so much appreciated the time with you and thank you very much for this beautiful review. I am glad that the tour was according to your expectations and wishes. I did my best. My warmest regards and greetings from Porto.
Harris K.
“Terrific and enjoyable”
Magda planned a separate morning visit to Coimbra, which was wonderful to see. She is very organized and efficient. Being flexible on a private tour is always the best because it lets you change on the fly and Magda was so accommodating to do exactly what we wanted. She was a terrific guide and we greatly enjoyed our time with her!
Magda M.
Dear Harris and Nina, such a pleasure to meet you! Thank you very much for the day we spent and for your kind review. I am very happy you enjoyed it. With kindest regards, Magda
$195/ per group
