Porto - no shore excursions offered

[SunnyNy]

I'm on an August cruise that calls on Porto (Leixoes).  So far, no shore excursions have been offered by the cruise line, Windstar and I was told recently that it's possible none will be offered "but anything can happen".  I'm looking for DIY options.  I've read that a hop-on bus is an option but was also considering a taxi. Are taxis readily available both at the pier in town?  And what would be a good area to focus since our ship departs at 2:00 pm?  Maybe there are local tour companies that will pick up at the port?

I have the same issue with the ports of St. Malo and Bordeaux but with much longer stays - no excursions offered and no promise of them at a later date.  I'll post those separately, but would welcome ideas there as well.  Thanks.

[Milhouse]

The missus and I are also on an August Celebrity cruise that stops in Porto/Leixoes for the day and are planning to DIY.  I haven't been to Porto but the missus was on a similar cruise last year (Nov 2023) with her parents and sister stopping in Porto.  

 

She indicated that for her experience last year, there were a few taxis at the edge of the port entrance but not a bunch queued up.  Instead, they took an Uber from the port into Porto and back for about $15 each way. 

I'm debating whether we'll take public transportation into Porto or just take an Uber as it's fairly inexpensive.  

 

The missus had a be a bit conservative in her sightseeing with her parents in tow so they kind of focused on the waterfront areas and vicinity along the Douro River west of the Ponte Luis I bridge:  The Ribeira district north of the river and Vila Nova de Gaia south of the river.  I'm not sure how much more you'd be able to cover if you're departing at 2pm.

 

We're going to try to be a bit more ambitious and cover more ground.  Here are some of my initial notes I've taken with respect to some markets and streets we want to potentially explore.  We're in port until 6pm but I doubt we'll hit them all. 

Mercado do Bolhão:  Food market with some souvenirs
Mercado Beira Rio: Riverside Food Market
Mercado Bom Sucesso:  High end food market with some performances
Avenida dos Aliados - Main street
Rua do Almada - Shops, souvenirs, etc. 
Rua de Santa Catarina:  1.5km shopping street with Capela das Almas (church with interesting facade)
Rua de Cedofeita: Nice pedestrian street. 
Rua das flores:  Pedestrian street w/ refurbed buildings/shops/cafes
Rua de Miguel Bombarda:  Shopping street

 

We also want to hit up a few places for these local specialty sandwiches:  Francesinha, Bifana, Presunto, and Salpicao.

[lydnsyd]

Your 2pm departure time is very tight to fit much in. Leixoes is around 30mins drive away & I guess you will have to be back onboard the ship by 1pm. We had a similar early departure on a previous cruise and decided it was too stressful to try to get to Porto. Personally I would just hope your cruise line comes up with some excursion and opt for that.

[SunnyNy]

6 minutes ago, lydnsyd said:

Your 2pm departure time is very tight to fit much in. Leixoes is around 30mins drive away & I guess you will have to be back onboard the ship by 1pm. We had a similar early departure on a previous cruise and decided it was too stressful to try to get to Porto. Personally I would just hope your cruise line comes up with some excursion and opt for that.

Completely agree, lydnsyd. After giving more thought to this,  I'm not comfortable venturing out on my own with such an early departure time.  Hopefully, Windstar will come through.

[SunnyNy]

2 hours ago, Milhouse said:

The missus and I are also on an August Celebrity cruise that stops in Porto/Leixoes for the day and are planning to DIY.  I haven't been to Porto but the missus was on a similar cruise last year (Nov 2023) with her parents and sister stopping in Porto.  

 

She indicated that for her experience last year, there were a few taxis at the edge of the port entrance but not a bunch queued up.  Instead, they took an Uber from the port into Porto and back for about $15 each way. 

I'm debating whether we'll take public transportation into Porto or just take an Uber as it's fairly inexpensive.  

 

The missus had a be a bit conservative in her sightseeing with her parents in tow so they kind of focused on the waterfront areas and vicinity along the Douro River west of the Ponte Luis I bridge:  The Ribeira district north of the river and Vila Nova de Gaia south of the river.  I'm not sure how much more you'd be able to cover if you're departing at 2pm.

 

We're going to try to be a bit more ambitious and cover more ground.  Here are some of my initial notes I've taken with respect to some markets and streets we want to potentially explore.  We're in port until 6pm but I doubt we'll hit them all. 

Mercado do Bolhão:  Food market with some souvenirs
Mercado Beira Rio: Riverside Food Market
Mercado Bom Sucesso:  High end food market with some performances
Avenida dos Aliados - Main street
Rua do Almada - Shops, souvenirs, etc. 
Rua de Santa Catarina:  1.5km shopping street with Capela das Almas (church with interesting facade)
Rua de Cedofeita: Nice pedestrian street. 
Rua das flores:  Pedestrian street w/ refurbed buildings/shops/cafes
Rua de Miguel Bombarda:  Shopping street

 

We also want to hit up a few places for these local specialty sandwiches:  Francesinha, Bifana, Presunto, and Salpicao.

This is great information, Mulhouse.  I'm in port such a short time on this cruise, but I'm going to safe this for another cruise when I'll have a longer stay.

[Hlitner]

Much depends on where you will be docked.  But the main port at Leixoes, is within walking distance of the train/metro that will whisk you right into Porto.  That being said, with a 2pm departure (which makes zero sense) would discourage me from even leaving the ship.  In fact, that kind of early departure would keep me from booking that particular itinerary.

 

Hank

[alserrod]

Hello:

I was in Porto last summer and I will try to give you some ideas

- from the port you can go to the center by metro very comfortably (it is a metro-tram, outside the city it is on the surface, inside it is underground)
- seeing "everything" is impossible. There is a very interesting cruise called "of the six bridges" along the Douro River. As you have a long boat trip, I will avoid the river section (it is very beautiful but you don't have time to see everything) and some monuments in the area. Be careful, if anyone wants I suggest that area but we will forget about others

The route would be

- Puerto >> Two Allies Avenue by metro. It is necessary to transfer in Trindade. Everything very easy
- Allies
- Igreja do Carmo
- Livraria Lello (it is essential to reserve an entry time). I recommend you research Harry Potter and Porto because the writer was living there before starting to write. Also search on Google for the historical uniforms of the University of Porto, or look at the fountain of lions in front of the Igreja do Carmo
- Torre dos clerigos (climb to the top)
- Sao Bento Station
- Battle Square
- Santa Catalina Street. Check out Majestic Café, the best in Porto. If you have time you can come in for a drink (check the prices before entering)
- Mercado do Bolhao, recently recovered

and here we can take the metro to the port again. It is not necessary to go back to the beginning (Allies). Everything is very close but from Bolhao there is no need to transfer

I am not a Porto specialist. I've only been last summer but I have some photos and gathered information.
If anyone needs anything else, feel free to ask.

[clcmdse]

We would like to visit two port wine cellars and have lunch. Our ship docks from 9:00 to 6:00. Is that doable? I am a little worried about whether cabs or Uber drivers are available. Would hate to get stranded. 

[alserrod]

All caves in Porto are around Jardim do Morro metro station.

It is the next one after Sao Bento (train station and cathedral).

 

 

Just to be clear..... you may get down after you cross this bridge. It is impossible to get lost

 

 

 

In this river side you have also some river ships to make a toor indeed.

 

It is enough to go from the port to the cave area by underground. Quite easy

 

 

 

[WESTEAST]

We will be in Porto next year and doing research on CC, another poster recommended GPSMYCITY app:  https://www.gpsmycity.com/gps-tour-guides/porto-3570.html.  Found it very helpful and informative in planning DIY days in Porto and other cities.  You download on your phone and use offline which means you don't have to worry about a data plan. 

[edinburgher]

On 5/21/2024 at 1:15 AM, clcmdse said:

I am a little worried about whether cabs or Uber drivers are available. Would hate to get stranded. 

No need to stress as the metro is your other option and it is fairly simple to use. It will take you close to your ship with only a short distance to walk.

 

Re port houses.  Do check opening hours and if tours are offered in more than one language at certain times of the day.

 

We twice visited Grahams(one of our preferred brands) which is uphill from the waterfront at Vila Nova da Gaia. On both occasions pre-pandemic they ran a mini shuttle uphill (we walked down)  but I think someone posted quite recently that post pandemic the mini shuttle is no more, and without that, it would be a steep uphill walk, although there are views once you get there.. I would check recent reviews for port houses as on both occasions we saw coaches delivering large groups to Sandemans right on the waterfront and you may want fewer people on your visits.

 

It would be a good idea to check some of the port house websites to know which you will visit and at which time if you wanted an english language tour and tasting And for some it may be necessary to pre-book.

 

You get lovely photos of the waterfront and the port houses with their names on the roofs from the Dom Luis bridge.😀

Edited May 22 by edinburgher

[Mrs f.]

Spain Day Tours  offers a shore excursion in Porto. We've used the, several times in other cities and have been pleased.