Top Portland Half-day Tours

Explore the heart of Portland and head out to see some of the area's hidden gems and less-visited spots with this guided sightseeing tour. Your guide, a born-and-raised Portlander who works as a college librarian by day, shows you off-the-beaten-path locations and shares with you all sorts of local lore along the way.

Visitors to Portland can easily miss some of Maine's most stunning sights, since you really need a car to explore the scenic coastline. Avoid the headache of arranging your own transportation or renting a car on this small-group guided tour of Portland's must-see sights. Stop in downtown Portland and visit three lighthouses, including Portland Head Light—an historic lighthouse perched on the rocky coast.

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Atlantic Ocean on our whale-watching tour departing from Portland, Maine. Set sail from the historic harbor, where you'll board a comfortable vessel equipped for a thrilling marine adventure. As we cruise along the rugged coastline, keep your eyes peeled for the majestic giants of the sea – humpback whales, fin whales, and minke whales are frequently spotted in these waters. Our experienced naturalist guides will be with you every step of the way, providing fascinating insights into the behavior and biology of these incredible creatures. The tour also offers the opportunity to observe a variety of other marine life, including seals, porpoises, and a wide range of seabirds. Don't forget to bring your camera, as you'll want to capture these unforgettable moments.

Maine is known for its seafood, and with this tour, you'll get to learn all about the industry, with the chance to sample some local delicacies along the way. You'll take a walk along the waterfront where lobster boats dock to unload their catches before heading out to a lunch of lobster rolls served with clam or seafood chowder and craft beer or soda pop.

Discover the lighthouses and coastal landmarks of Portland on a small-group biking tour. Hop on a provided bicycle and follow your guide to the Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge, and Portland Head lighthouses. Along the way, learn about their storied histories. Other highlights include the Liberty Ship Memorial, Cape Elizabeth, and Willard Beach. Set at a leisurely pace, the adventure also includes a complimentary lobster roll lunch at an award-winning food truck.

Explore the lighthouses of the South Portland Greenbelt Pathway by bicycle with this guided tour. You'll visit Bug Light, Point Ledge Light, and Portland Head Light with a local guide. You'll also have the chance to stop at a local food truck for a lunch of lobster rolls before returning to your starting point.

Food lovers can explore Portland's historic Old Port independently, but to uncover the best places serving traditional local fare, you really need a guide to lead the way. Taste the best that Portland has to offer on this guided foodie walking tour, complete with stops at up to seven different eateries—and enough tastings to replace a meal. Along the way, your guide offers some stories about Portland's food scene, so you can get familiar with the local culinary stalwarts.

Explore the Portland Peninsula by bike with this small-group guided tour. Start at the Eastern Promenade, making your way along the waterfront bike path until you reach the Back Cove Trail. Your guide takes you to the Old Port to see some of the City of Portland's prettiest old brick buildings, and you learn the significance of local food, history, and culture of this area.

Explore the beauty and history of Portland with this combo of a walking and driving tour. Dig deep into the city’s history as you stroll down cobblestone streets and admire old brick architecture by the waterfront. Visit bustling neighborhoods like Old Port and the Art District, stop at shops and restaurants whenever you please, and breathe in the coastal air. Then take a drive out to the east and west promenades, before swinging down to the famous Portland Head Light lighthouse. It’s the most comprehensive way to experience this unique, quirky city! After booking, check your email/text to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action while connected to WiFi or mobile data. Enter the password, download the tour, and enjoy it offline. Follow the audio instructions and route from the designated starting point. New, Lifetime access, no expiry. Use it anytime, on any trip, as many times as you want. This isn't an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Visit Portland’s scenic coast, historic sites and most vibrant neighborhoods with a sightseeing and shopping tour on a classic fire engine. Get great views of picture-perfect lighthouses and architecture from high up on the engine, and listen to live narration as you tour the city. Learn about Portland’s maritime past as you explore cobblestone streets with enjoy plenty of time to browse souvenir shops and sample the area’s most distinctive foods. Finish your tour in the heart of downtown, near historic wharves, restaurants and boutiques.

Discover Maine's picturesque coastline on the South Coast Tour, featuring iconic locations like Nubble Lighthouse and the charming villages of York, Ogunquit, and Kennebunkport. Enjoy breathtaking ocean views along Marginal Way, savor the freshest New England clam chowder, and indulge in delicious Maine lobster. This private driving tour, lasting 6.5 hours, is perfect for couples, families, or groups, with flexible pick-up options along the coast. Whether you're an avid photographer or a history enthusiast, the knowledgeable guides will tailor the experience to your interests, ensuring a memorable adventure along Maine's stunning shores. Explore coastal gems including Nubble Lighthouse and Perkins Cove Enjoy lunch featuring Maine lobster along the water Private tour accommodating up to 5 passengers. We have larger vehicles at an additional cost. Guided experience with insights into local history and culture

With this small-group walking tour, you'll go beyond lobsters and lighthouses and get a look at the true Portland, Maine—across 400 years of history. Meander downtown and the Old Port, visiting hidden landmarks and learning about Wabanaki leaders and other people and events left out of the history books. Discover centuries of destruction, revival, underrepresented perspectives, and other elements that mainstream tours gloss over.

Learn about Portland's history with this walking tour, which will take you through the Old Port, downtown, and waterfront areas. You'll see all sorts of historic attractions, including the home of Hendry Wadsworth-Longfellow, the Eastern Cemetery, and the Abyssinian Church, all with a professional guide on hand to share stories about the city's past.

All of our tours are done in a comfortable vehicle with a local driver guide and can be done at your pace. Tours can always be customized to your interests. This particular tour will show you all the main sites of Portland proper and then all of the South Portland lighthouses, including admission to the Portland Headlight at Fort Williams Park. After Portland, you will head on down the highway to Kennebunkport to visit this popular coastal village that former President George W. Bush and family called their summer home. We have a standard routing but being a private tour, we can tailor your experience to you interests.

Introducing Portland’s World of Flavors Walk highlighting hidden gems and great flavors that give Portland its cosmopolitan flair. Enjoy this walkable city with a big palate on our international journey, tasting locally sourced foods prepared with the recipes, customs and spices from other lands. On this 2.5-3 hour tasty romp through Portland’s historic Old Port and waterfront, you will enjoy the flavors while learning their food pathways and the owners journeys to Maine. Portland’s World of Flavor serves up a diversity of tastes and ethnicities in a compact area, packing a punch of flavors you will love. All tour experiences are highly educational and entertaining with trained, local guides.

All our tours take place in a comfortable vehicle with a local driver-guide and can be tailored to your pace. This private tour is done in our larger passenger van that can take up to 12 passengers. We’re happy to customize the experience to match your interests. This particular tour covers all the major sights in Portland, followed by a visit to the South Portland lighthouses, including admission to Fort Williams Park to see the Portland Headlight. After exploring Portland, you'll journey down the highway to Kennebunkport, a charming coastal village that served as the summer retreat for former President George W. Bush and his family. While we have a standard route, as a private tour, we can personalize the itinerary to suit your preferences.

Some cities are best seen from a car window. Portland, Maine is not one of them. On this fully private e-bike tour, it's just your group, a local guide, and five hours of spectacular coastal scenery — with a Maine lobster roll along the way. Ride through the Old Port's cobblestone waterfront and fishing piers. Climb to Fort Allen Park for sweeping Casco Bay views. Cruise the Eastern Promenade before crossing to South Portland to walk the breakwater to Bug Light, designed by the architect of the U.S. Capitol dome. Continue to Spring Point Ledge — the only lighthouse of its kind you can reach on foot — then Portland Head Light, commissioned by George Washington in 1791. Finish on the Western Promenade, a hidden hilltop park with views to the White Mountains that most visitors never find. Lunch is a fresh Maine lobster roll at a waterfront spot worthy of the occasion. No strangers, no set pace — just your group and the best of coastal Maine.

Spend three hours kayaking through Casco Bay with this small-group tour led by a professional guide. You'll launch from Mere Point in Brunswick and paddle over to a couple of different islands, with the opportunity to see all sorts of marine birds, and maybe even a seal or two, along the way.

This isn’t just another sightseeing trip—it’s a curated journey through Maine’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems, woven together into one unforgettable day. From the elegance of Portland Head Light, the nation’s most photographed lighthouse, to the playful charm of Eartha, the world’s largest rotating globe, every stop reveals a different facet of Maine’s character. Guests walk a historic suspension bridge built by the engineers of the Brooklyn Bridge, explore the state’s proud maritime heritage in Bath, and visit the legendary L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport. What sets this tour apart is the balance of scenery, history, and culture: stunning coastal views, hands-on heritage at museums and memorials, and Maine icons you won’t find grouped together anywhere else. And because it’s a shorter itinerary, it’s the perfect choice for cruise ship passengers or travelers with limited time who still want a rich, memorable Maine experience.