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From the Sé to Ribeira
The walk everyone wants to do in Porto, told in half an hour and all downhill.
Porto audio tours and self-guided walks
Porto always finds its way to the river.
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Walk through Porto, story by story
Head down towards Ribeira among façades, shops and memories of a working city. Bridges open up the view; the walks bring you closer to the people who lived by the Douro and changed its streets.
Start with “From the Sé to Ribeira”. The walk everyone wants to do in Porto, told in half an hour and all downhill. You start behind the Cathedral, where a dig found twenty layers of city in three metres.
Then there’s “The Baixa: from Rua das Flores to Bolhão”. Porto didn't stay inside its walls: every century it cut itself a new street, and almost always something had to disappear. You start on Rua das Flores, laid out in 1521 with rules for its façades, and on the river that runs buried beneath your feet.
For another side of the city, try “From Cedofeita to Lapa”. You start on Rua de Cedofeita, where Pedro IV lived when the bombs drove him out of his palace, and where the town council moved in too. You reach the square where, one midday in 1832, the city watched an army that was far too small march in, and where, in 1958, a general said his heart would stay in Porto: hold on to that line.
Keep exploring with “The Douro and its bridges: from the Ribeira to Gaia”. For Porto, the other bank has always been a problem. You start on the Ribeira quayside, by the candles of the Alminhas, where in 1809 a bridge of boats sank under a crowd.
Choose by neighbourhood or by the stories that interest you: each route shows its distance, stops and approximate duration before you set off. The audio is written for walking, with a clear distinction between documented events and local legend. Download it in the app, put on your headphones and pause whenever something catches your eye. English and Spanish are included.
Start for free
From the Sé to Ribeira
Walk down from the Cathedral to the river in eleven stops: twenty cities beneath your feet, a banner that cost a man his life, a riot over wine, a bishop who went off to watch, the Barredo after the 1974 revolution, the flood of 1909 and the merchants who built themselves a palace.
Explore the free walkFind your Porto walk
The map shows where each walk starts. Choose a theme below to find the stories you like.
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Porto, before you go
Tiled façades, steps and pauses with the Douro in view: Porto is made for measured walks. Group nearby places together; the map draws much easier lines than your legs will find.
Before visiting Porto
How many days do I need in Porto?
Our Porto guide has suggestions for one, two and three days. Start with one area rather than trying to fit every walk into a day; leave room for travel between neighbourhoods and any indoor visits.
Can I explore Porto on foot?
Gradient. The Sé stands above the Ribeira. Expect steep streets and steps; going downhill still needs good shoes. Underfoot. Cobbles, granite and polished steps become slippery in rain. Stop before looking up at a façade.
Which Porto route is free?
“From the Sé to Ribeira” is the free route: 11 stops over 1.35 km, with an approximate duration of 47 minutes. You can see its map and stops on the route page.
When is a good time to visit Porto?
Spring and early autumn work well for a mixture of streets, gardens and interiors without the strongest heat. June brings São João and plenty of street celebrations. Choose accommodation carefully if quiet matters.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
