
Best Day Trips
Welcome to Cooltour Oporto's blog – your guide to the heart and soul of Portugal! Embark on an exciting journey through the beauty, culture, and heritage of our country. Discover hidden gems, must-visit landmarks, and off-the-beaten-path experiences recommended by our expert guides. From Porto’s historic center to the Douro Valley, uncover the essence of Portuguese life, including local festivals, ancient tales, and authentic food. Learn insider tips to navigate like a local. All content is prepared with love by Cooltour Oporto, ensuring you experience Porto and Portugal like never before!

Cooltour Oporto Wins the 2025 Arival Award for Culinary Tours & Experiences
Cooltour Oporto has won the 2025 Arival TourReview Spotlight Award for Best of Europe in Culinary Tours & Experiences, recognizing its excellence in food tourism. This independent, data-driven award highlights the company’s commitment to providing authentic and high-quality gastronomic experiences in Porto and Northern Portugal. With previous accolades like the Viator Experience Award, Cooltour Oporto continues to stand out as a leader in cultural and culinary tourism.
March 26, 2025
Posted in:Tours & Experiences, Cooltour Oporto News, North of Portugal,

Things To Do in Porto, Portugal
Porto, Portugal, is a city full of vibrant experiences, from its rich food and wine culture to its historical landmarks and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re looking to enjoy delicious local cuisine, taste world-renowned Port wines, or explore the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district, Cooltour Oporto offers tailored tours to make your trip unforgettable. Download our Travel Guide App for insider tips and activities to help you plan your perfect Porto adventure!
December 27, 2024
Posted in:Tours & Experiences, North of Portugal, Porto,

Vinho Verde: A Unique and Historic Portuguese Wine Region
Vinho Verde is one of Portugal's oldest and most unique wine regions, celebrated for its fresh, aromatic wines with lower alcohol content. Located in Northwestern Portugal, it features diverse sub-regions and grape varieties, producing both white and red wines with distinct characteristics. Rooted in tradition yet embracing modern techniques, Vinho Verde continues to captivate an ever-growing audience of wine lovers worldwide.
December 12, 2024
Posted in:Places & Landmarks, Food & Wine, North of Portugal,

The Douro Region: How Geography Shapes Exceptional Wines
The Douro Valley is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world, recognised both for its stunning scenery and for producing the famous Port wine. The region's unique geography is fundamental to the quality and variety of its wines. With roots dating back to Roman times, wine production reached a milestone in 1756, when the Marquis of Pombal established the Douro Demarcated Region. This pioneering act regulated production, especially of Port wine, reinforcing the territory's importance in creating wines with unique profiles.
December 5, 2024
Posted in:Places & Landmarks, Food & Wine, Douro Valley,

DOURO VALLEY: Wine Styles, Grapes Varieties and Tradition
The Douro Demarcated Region, the world's oldest wine region, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and exceptional wines. Beyond iconic Port, it offers diverse DOC wines—robust reds, crisp whites, and the celebrated Moscatel do Douro—all showcasing the region's unique terroir and craftsmanship. A must-visit for wine enthusiasts.
November 28, 2024
Posted in:Places & Landmarks, Food & Wine, Douro Valley,

Cooltour Oporto Wins the 2024 Viator Experience Award
Cooltour Oporto, a renowned tour operator in Porto, Portugal, has won the 2024 Viator Experience Award for the third consecutive year. This recognition highlights their exceptional small group tours in the Douro Valley, offering personalized experiences that include winery visits, wine tastings, traditional lunches, and boat trips. The family-owned business continues to excel in showcasing the beauty and culture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
July 26, 2024
Posted in:Tours & Experiences, Cooltour Oporto News, Douro Valley,

Best Day Trips from Porto
Discover northern Portugal's culture, history, and gastronomy with day trips from Porto. Visit Guimarães, "The Cradle of the Portuguese Nation," with its UNESCO-listed historic center; explore Braga's ancient sites like the Santuário do Bom Jesus do Monte; enjoy Aveiro's canals and moliceiros boats; see Coimbra's historic Universidade de Coimbra and Biblioteca Joanina; and experience Pinhão's terraced vineyards and Port wine in the Alto Douro Wine Region. For in-depth experiences, consider Cooltour Oporto's tours.
June 12, 2024
Posted in:Tours & Experiences, North of Portugal,

Douro Valley: a unique wine region
A tour of the Douro Valley in northern Portugal is a truly memorable experience, even if you’re not a wine expert. The Douro Valley is a place worth remembering, capturing in photographs and filming. In the heart of the Douro Valley The deep blue waters of the magnificent Douro River, the myriad hues of vineyards…
October 10, 2023
Posted in:Tours & Experiences, Douro Valley,

Visit Braga
Discovering the best of northern Portugal involves visiting the beautiful bimillennial city of Braga, where the history of the distant past intersects with modern history and religion with tradition. Concerning infrastructure, Braga is the third city in Portugal, immediately after Lisbon and Porto. However, Braga is the oldest Portuguese city, with the most gardens and…
September 27, 2023
Posted in:Places & Landmarks, Braga,

Visit Guimarães
Touring the North of Portugal will never be complete without visiting one of the most historic Portuguese cities, Guimarães, near Porto and Braga. Feel the fascination and absorb a millennium of history in the city’s path, whose roots stretch back to the Copper Age, between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age (c. 5000-c. 1000 BC)….
August 7, 2023
Posted in:Places & Landmarks, Guimarães,