Walking Tour - History of Tiles in Porto

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Porto, Portugal

2 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Designed for those with an eye for artistic detail, this 3-hour walking tour of Porto enhances the elaborate craftsmanship of its architecture. As you explore Porto’s UNESCO-listed historic center, visit buildings adorned with the colorful tiles that have become the city’s trademark. Learn about the city’s industrial history and see highlights such as the Sao Bento Train Station and Carmo Church. Small-group tour limited to 10 people.

3-hour walking tour of Porto's UNESCO-listed historic center
Train your eye to appreciate the elaborate craft work of Porto's tile-making industry
Visit Porto highlights such as the Sao Bento rail station and Carmo Church
Delve into the industrial and cultural history of the capital of northern Portugal
Small-group tour limited to 10 people

What's Included

Professional art historian guide
Local guide

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Igreja do Carmo
R. do Carmo, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal
By the tiled facade, i will be there holding a paper with your name

End point

Sao Bento station
Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal

Itinerary

Your tour begins by the Fonte dos Leoes (Fountain of Lions), located outside of Carmo Church in Porto’s UNESC)-listed center. Here, you’ll greet your guide and embark on a journey to Porto’s architectural highlights.

Learn about Porto’s artistic heritage, discovering the different techniques used to paint and create tiles, and how they’ve developed over the years.

See, too, select churches, stores, and house that showcase Porto’s tile-making prowess. Inside Sao Bento rail station, marvel at dazzling mosaics depicting dramatic battles and historical events.

Your tour concludes after three hours of tile appreciate, beside Ribeira Square.

Sao Bento Railway Station

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Museu da Cidade do Porto

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Igreja do Carmo

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Stroller accessible
A maximum of 10 people per booking

Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 28 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Tiles Everywhere!

Edward_B, Oct 2025

If you are totally into ceramic tiles, or want to learn the basics, this tour is for you. Susana was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

Wonderful experience in Porto

Sharon_F, Sep 2025

We had the opportunity to walk and explore the beautiful Portuguese tiles in Porto with a most lovely and intelligent lady, Susana. Not only did we learn about the history of Portuguese tiles, but we explored the streets and buildings and found the tiles that we had learned about. Susana incorporated the history of Portugal and of Porto into this extremely educational and enjoyable walking tour. We also got to sample some special and delicious treats of Porto. Portuguese tiles are gorgeous and they are so much more meaningful when you know how they are made, why they are made and what to look for while admiring them. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the wisdom and company of Susana as you explore and learn about Porto.

This was a super tour -...

Sally_S, Sep 2025

This was a super tour - extremely interesting, educational and entertaining. Nuno is a man of many talents and interests. His excellent commentary and information on the history of tiles was supplemented by local history, street art and architecture. It opened our eyes to things we would not otherwise have noticed. We would heartily recommend the tour.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thanks Sally

Perfect tour

Leidei_D, Jun 2025

Nino was so knowledgeable and explained many interesting details about the azulejos and more… Would highly recommend this tour!

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thanks Leidei and Abby

Very interesting experience!

Anita_T, Jun 2025

This was such an interesting tour! Nuno had a clear passion about Porto, architecture, art and the history of the tiles in Porto was so interesting. We learned so much on our first day in Porto that it has us really looking at buildings a lot differently to see if we could identify the things that Nuno explained to us. We really enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it if you're looking for a unique experience!

Not just tiles!!!! This is one of the best city tours we have experienced!

Larry_B, Jun 2025

Wow! We loved this tour and just cannot say enough good things about Nuno, our tour guide! This man is an expert on the tiles of not only Portugal, but the world! We learned history of tiles, manufacturing, colors, patterns, history of Porto, saw many 3xamples, visited a tile museum, saw examples of street art, visited unique shops, were given excellent recommendations and had an amazing time! Great tour!

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thanks Larry, was a pleasure.

Tile Tour

Carla_G, Nov 2024

Very interesting tour filled with tons of information. Tour helped me notice things I hadn’t beforehand

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thanks Carla.

Great tour of Porto

megan_c, Oct 2024

Very interesting tour, Nuno’s architectural background was a very nice addition! He was very accommodating and knowledgeable.

Worth the three hours

Margaret_L, Oct 2024

Nonu had a very vast knowledge on Portuguese tiles. Having studied Architecture and having completed a masters on tiles the tour contained great history and personal stories of these wonderful Portuguese tiles.

Fantastic tour of Porto

Ingela_G, Sep 2024

Fantastic guide, so experienced and knowledgeable sharing what he knows about Porto in so many aspects!

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Thanks Ingela.

Highly recommend!

Lenzi_C, Jun 2024

Nuno was knowledgeable, friendly, and gave such a fun and engaging tour! He not only taught us about the tiles and their history, but also incorporated other knowledge during the tour, such as the vibrant street art and general Porto culture. He went out of his way to give recommendations for our personal Porto explorations. Highly recommend this fun and interesting tour!!

Porto Tiles

Mary_B, May 2024

Our tour guide was brilliant - so knowledgeable and relevant at the same time. Enjoyed learning about the city we were in

Tiles--the essence of Porto

Suzanne_S, Mar 2024

We learned SO MUCH on this walking tour and appreciate our guides depth of knowledge about tiles. He also shared information about current street art as we viewed different types of tile art throughout Porto. Wonderful experience!

Perfect tile tour

Jennifer_P, Nov 2023

Great tour! His knowledge of the city and tile history was impressive and his appreciation of art was evident. It was so fun to tour with someone who is an artist himself and is a Porto native. I would definitely do this tour again.

Interesting and informative tour

Jennifer_W, Oct 2023

Terrific tour - we learned so much about Porto, history, architecture and the tiles. Would strongly recommend this tour to people interested in the unique style found in Portugal.

Great guide, great tour

Pat_M, Jul 2023

You can’t visit Porto without seeing tiled facades everywhere. And to truly appreciate this unique feature of the city, you must take Nuno’s fascinating and hugely informative tour! From the Carmo church to the São Bento railway station, the walk takes you through the highlights of Porto’s tile heritage. Nuno is the perfect guide, learned and eloquent. One of the best tours we’ve ever experienced - cannot recommend highly enough!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thanks Patrick and Maeve. Next time , Archeology

Great tour!

Anne_C, Jun 2023

Nuno was a wonderful guide-very knowledgeable and personable. We learned so much about the architecture and tiles of Porto! Highly recommend this tour.

Don’t miss this tile tour!

JESSICA_R, May 2023

Nuno was incredibly knowledgeable and interesting. Would definitely recommend. Saw ancient to contemporary tiles, the tile bank and some great street art.

Truly an Expert-led Experience

Sara_U, Feb 2023

Nuno Knows so much about the tiles of Porto, and this tour is a fascinating look at how the tiles arrived in Porto, how they were created, how production evolved, and a look at how they are seen and used today. The tour covers a lot of ground and goes beyond the popular streets. It’s a great mix of huffed gems, unexpected surprises, and a lot of information. Nuno will take you beyond the surface of what makes the tiles in Porto so interesting. I would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone with an interest in architecture or design.

Très belle visite notre 1er jour à Porto

Dominique_L, Apr 2025

Nous avions choisi cette visite notre 1re jour à Porto. Cela permet de découvrir la vieille ville et tous ses centres d’intérêt, le guide est très interessant et nous donne des conseils pour les restaurants