Bem-vindo A Architectours Porto

The Távora - Varosa valley – full day trip!

 Distance: about 300km 

Price: € 135 / person   

The valley, limited by the Douro and the Varosa and Távora rivers, brings us a different aspect of the Douro region. Due to a geological reverie, here you will find no port wine vineyards but a different type of spirits, the espumante, a tradition that goes back to the 1600s, through the effort of the Cistercian monks of the area, who between prayer and work found the time to enjoy the drink. In fact, it’s something rather embedded in their own tradition as these same Cistercians, in Belgium, became known as Trappist, where they favoured beer-brewing, however, Portugal is a wine-drinking country, thus the shift of their labour.  Our aim is to explore the region, skirting the rivers and the mountains to the south, the history of the white and black river fleets, explore Lamego, capital of the region, a city going back to Roman days. In the valley we also find also unique things, at Lazarim we have one of the most typical Carnival celebrations, still full of resonance of primordial traditions, the tower-bridge of Ucanha, or the stumpy church of Salzedas. Thus visit and to look into the life and history of once the most important Cistercian monastery in the region and visiting a string of small towns as we reach out to the Douro once more, and thence taking the embankment road, one of the most scenic routes in Portugal, the world they say, we speak of the EN222, back to Régua, where we will get a first foray into the port and Douro wines cultures!  

Itncluded: Fully guided tour, coffee break (tasting the famous bôla de Lamego) Visit to the lodges of Murganheira/Raposeira, castle and cathedral of Lamego, Museum of Iberian mask, Monastery of S. João de Tarouca and a tasting of Port in Régua. Furthermore, it includes insurance. 

Not included: Restaurant (regional cuisine).  

Full day trip 

Distance covered about 200km, starting and ending in Porto. 

Price €100 / person (minimum 2 and up to 3 people).

 The main idea is to cover the major cities of the lower and central Minho, namely Guimarães, (known as the cradle of the Nation), Braga (once the capital of the Roman province and metropolitan See) and Barcelos (linked to one of the most curious tales of Portugal,) thence we’d move towards the coast in Esposende to try weaving into the city’s narratives and the cityscape also covering some of the latest world heritage locations as the route of the Sacred Hills in Northern Portugal, namely the hills of Penha, Bom Jesus, Sameiro, wrapping the tour on the Hill of Saint Felix and taking in the breath-taking view as the sun sets over the Atlantic. For lunchtime, we want to look for a regional restaurant for the hearty meals of this part of Portugal. 

Price Includes Fully-guided tour, Coffee break, Ticket for Castle and the Ducal Palace in Guimarães, the cathedral of Braga, the Pottery Museum, and the tasting of the famous pastries known as Clarinhas de Fão. Furthermore, it includes the insurance for the trip. 

 Does not include:  Restaurant (regional cuisine).

3 hour-long city tour 

Price €40 / person (minimum 2) - special prices for groups over 5 people / free for children!

Massarelos has always been a unique community, straddling old estates once devoted to farming, later converted to leisure, stringed by old lanes. However, there are many stories to discover around this quaint township, for instance how Massarelos led the way in the “business of the sea” and how it changed the history of the city of the country at large. 

As always, we shape our stories not only in the territory, the stories of yesteryear but also in the currently built heritage, the cityscape, reason why here we will find some of the most unique modern projects, the Faculty of Architecture, the Hotel Vincci or the Douro’s Place, projects that broke away from established practices around Porto. Yet, this more than a layered story of the city, it is a lived and living one, we will assess the coming transformations as well some the most wonderful and most hidden viewpoints you can find. 

Discover a different Porto, the city not present in any guide.

Price €60 / person (minimum 2) - includes door to door transportation 

Discover the Hidden Charm of Moinhos de Jancido – A Green Escape Near Porto

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Foz do Sousa, , the Moinhos de Jancido offer a perfect blend of history, nature, and tranquillity. This beautifully restored set of ancient watermills, once essential for local grain production, now serves as a picturesque retreat, where the sound of flowing water and birdsong replaces city life's rush.

The trail follows the Sousa River, revealing breathtaking natural scenery at every turn. This hike immerses you in greenery, crystal-clear streams, and panoramic viewpoints that showcase the reality of life in northern Portugal.

🌿 Reconnect with nature. Step into history. Experience the magic of Moinhos de Jancido. 

Distance, 5,5km / 3,1 miles - very easy, should take about 2h30 hours to cover, no special gear needed, just comfortable clothes, shoes, (of course, if you’re not the most sure-footed individual a trekking pole is advisable, as this is a natural setting.

Then we’re off to Senhora do Salto – A Majestic Natural Sanctuary in Aguiar do Sousa

Hidden in the heart of Aguiar do Sousa, Paredes, Senhora do Salto is a breathtaking natural wonder where steep cliffs, rushing waters, and legends intertwine. This dramatic gorge, carved by the Rio Sousa, creates a striking landscape of towering rock formations and crystal-clear waters, offering a peaceful retreat just a short drive from Porto, no hike, just a leisurely walk around the banks of the river Sousa.

 In the meantime (or after, as it might suit the appetite, we will make a stop at a local tavern bizarre foods Portugal? Perhaps not, however, this is a trip to discover the deep Portugal lifestyle, made of a mix of city life and countryside settings which we call rurbanity!

3 hour-long city tour 

Price €45 / person (minimum 2) - special prices for groups over 5 people / free for children!

There's a saying: "do not trust a Jew or the people he’s related to

Nor in a Viseu man, for he’s untrue

But the Braga-born, you’ll surely agree, is the worst of the three.

However, the Porto man with his plot is worse than the whole lot!"

we're the latter!

Step into the rich and often untold story of Porto’s Jewish heritage. On this immersive tour, you’ll journey through centuries of resilience, faith, and cultural revival. Wander through the old streets of the city where secret synagogues once thrived behind closed doors, and hear the tales of the crypto-Jews who kept their traditions alive in the shadows of history.

Trace the footsteps of medieval Jewish merchants and scholars who helped shape the city’s character, and uncover the deep ties between Porto and the wider Sephardic world.

The tour weaves together moving stories of survival, from the Inquisition to World War II, when Porto became a haven for Jewish refugees fleeing the horrors of the Holocaust.

Along the way, you’ll experience Porto’s unique atmosphere, blending the echoes of its Jewish past with the vibrant cityscape of today. and learn about the extraordinary life of Captain Barros Basto, the "Portuguese Dreyfus," who dedicated himself to rebuilding Porto’s Jewish community and help many to escape the horrors of World War 2.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about hidden narratives, this tour promises a meaningful and unforgettable encounter with Porto’s Jewish soul as we trace some unique locations as well!

Discover a different Porto, the city not present in any guide.