There are many reasons why you should visit Porto. Because of its rich history, Porto boasts different churches – some of which date back to the 18th century. Porto also features several gardens, hills and even one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores. And because this city is near The Douro, a region that produces different kinds of wines, you can expect that traveling to Porto will give you the opportunity to satisfy your wine-seeking taste buds. Porto is also very diverse, which means that your travel experience to this city will not only be limited to wine tasting sessions or lunch in one of the city’s vineyards; you’ll also have the chance to taste its local cuisine.
If you’re traveling to Porto for the first time, you might not have any idea where to go or how you can make the most of your trip. You’ll end up running in circles once you arrive in the city – which can result in financial expenses and a potentially unsatisfying travel experience. To steer away from this direction, consider booking the following food tours in Porto.
Porto food and wine tours
One of the main reasons why people travel is to expose themselves to different local cuisines while embracing the culture of how these dishes are made. Some dishes are unique to one area and can only be made with years of practice from the locals. If you want to experience all of these things in Porto, opt to book a food and wine tour. With this tour, you’ll enjoy many wine tasting sessions that are paired with smoked sausages, olives, bread, and cheeses – among others. You can also taste different varieties of seafood and meat from the countryside. And the best part of the tour? You can interact with the locals and learn how certain dishes are made. Who knows, the locals you converse with during this tour might even help you recreate a dish from Porto.
Porto private and wine meals tour
Drinking wine can provide a lot of health benefits. It reduces the risk of stroke, lowers cholesterol levels, boosts the immune system and increases bone density. But you don’t really need all of these reasons to pour yourself a glass of wine, right? If you’re someone who’s fascinated by wine and dreams about sipping a glass every chance you get, book a Porto private and wine meal tour. This tour will let you taste the variety of wines available in Porto.
Travel agencies will also allow you to customize this tour. You can choose where and when you and your family will eat. You can have an intimate lunch either in the middle of a vineyard or in front of a rustic mill. If eating lunch outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, you can have dinner with the locals. This option can be the perfect avenue for you to try different local dishes and pair these with different wines.
Olive oil walking tour
Aside from wines and its local cuisine, Porto is also known to produce world-class olive oils. The climate in this city is appropriate for a large variety of olive trees. Because of this, olive trees grow healthier and can provide olive oil products that contain a very high degree of quality. If you love cooking and consider olive oil an important ingredient to almost all dishes, this tour might be perfect for you. Aside from tasting wines and foods, an olive oil walking tour will include visiting cultural sights in the city, checking out traditional markets, and tasting several types of olive oil. All of this are done on foot and with a local guide.
Since this tour will let you taste different olive oils locally produced in Porto, you’ll know which type to bring home and add to your future dishes. The olive oil you’ll purchase from Porto might be the only thing you’ll need so that you can finally prepare a perfect salad at home!
Tasting Porto’s local flavors
Regardless of how you search on the internet, there will be several eateries and restaurants that are only known to the locals. Even if these food spots aren’t openly advertised on the internet, these continue to operate because of their authenticity and tradition that attracts customers. If you want to experience these during your next trip to Porto, look for a travel agency that offers a tasting tour of all of Porto’s local flavors. With this tour, you’ll eat your way through the city and discover the local eateries and hangout spots that serve the most delectable local dishes. This is probably the best way to tour a city, right? You’ll have the chance to eat like a local and determine where to eat or hang out – all thanks to a friendly local who will be your guide throughout the tour.
Seafood festival experience
Some people consider meat a staple in every meal, while others choose seafood. If you’re one of the latter, your Porto trip will never be complete without having a seafood festival experience. This three-hour tour is designed to let tourists feel as if they’re at sea by eating the best seafood from the region. This tour will fill your stomach with different seafood dishes while allowing you to have fun at the same time. And no, the seafood festival experience isn’t just about eating two dishes from the menu with a dessert afterward; this is an all fish and seafood meal with lots of beers and wines. You’ll be served a large plate full of clams, fish and other seafood.
Preparation Is Key
Traveling can do wonders for your soul, especially if it’s well-planned. If you’re looking forward to visiting Porto anytime soon, look for travel agencies that offer the food tours mentioned in this article. Once you find one, inquire about their services, costs and any other details that can affect your travel experience. If you’re amenable to their terms, book the tour right away. Doing this will guarantee that your Porto trip will be one for the books!