Architectours - To live and to know Porto

After tracking the lost streets of Foz Velha, we're back to Foz, to Foz Nova, which overlaps the township of Nevogilde. A location set almost in time out of mind, yet, we might as well have called it "The last days of Nevogilde", not because the township is about to disappear, but because the changes initiated twelve decades ago have gained new momentum. The rural, farming land has been receding at an ever quicker pace, so we're off to discover the last rural remnants of what once was a farming village in Porto as we get a whiff of the ocean breeze!

As a sense of place tour, rather than something laden with commentary, where we trace the layout, the history, the architecture, the sprawl of the city and what being a Portonian across the centuries, here the narrative is different, it's the streets themselves that are in the limelight, well, better said, the lanes and alleys that make the true underbelly of Porto. Though not pedestrianized, they eschew most vehicle traffic, thus making an enjoyable domestic experience, lined by small lots and all sorts of kinks and nooks, some to be expected others not at all. Although the turning of phrase might be interpreted in manifold ways, this is Porto at its most intimate (urban) experience!
Important Information:

Tour Language: ENGLISH (will not burden you much with commentary, the aim truly is walking and seeing this Porto 2.0 unfold before us).
Day: Sunday, 19th of October
Time: 16h00-18h30
Price: €15, (free for children up to 15, we’ll be already there some minutes before the scheduled time for the check-in and take the payment).
Meeting point: Parque da Cidade (Column Portico - see on photo section)
End point: Same location - loop
Distance: 4km /2,5 mil (not flat, but not hilly, gently rising and lowering with the landscape - dog friendly!
How to sign up for the tour?
Just send us a private message or by sms/whatsapp to +351 910430259 or by email to architectoursporto@gmail.com

An off-the-beaten-path day of nature, heritage, and discovery.

Looking to explore beyond the usual tourist routes? Join us for a relaxed and scenic day along the Tâmega River, starting in the charming town of Amarante. We’ll walk along the former Tâmega railway line, now transformed into a peaceful riverside trail surrounded by greenery, small farms, and sleepy villages. It’s a perfect chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and enjoy Portugal at its most authentic.

Along the way, we’ll stop to admire old railway bridges, local flora, and the quiet beauty of the northern countryside. You’ll hear stories about the region’s past—from Roman times to the golden age of rail—and how nature is gently reclaiming this forgotten path.

To wrap up the day, we’ll visit the Roman ruins of Tongobriga. Far from the crowds, this open-air archaeological site reveals what life was like in a Roman town over 2,000 years ago. With its bathhouses, streets, and temples still visible, it’s a place that inspires both curiosity and awe.
This is the perfect outing for expats who love walking, nature, and a good story. Come along and connect with Portugal in a deeper, more meaningful way.

📏 Distance just a little under 13km / 8 miles – easy to intermediate, it is a well kept and well groomed path, follows along the river and then brings us up to the former Tâmega railway line, nonetheless it’s a bit of a distance to cover thus we’ve allocated some 4h00 hours to cover it in a leisurely place, but it will take whatever it takes for you to do. No special gear is needed, just comfortable clothes and adequate footwear, (of course, if you’re not the most sure-footed individual, a trekking pole is always advisable).

Then, we’re off to Freixo for an altogether different experience! Not the one in Porto, we speak about the place once known as Tongobriga.

Once a thriving centre of Roman life, Tongobriga flourished with public baths, a forum, temples, and well-planned streets that still whisper the rhythms of daily life from two millennia ago. Unlike crowded ruins elsewhere in Europe, here you’ll walk freely among foundations and open fields, where sheep now graze between ancient stones.
Therem a small interpretive centre offers context and insight into the Roman occupation of this inland region, revealing how Tongobriga became a cultural crossroads between indigenous peoples and the empire. It’s the perfect blend of storytelling, landscape, and quiet discovery

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (do not skip this section):
💰 Price €45/ person (includes door-to-door transportation - drive to the location and back to your home), guide fees, entrance to the archeological site.
🚗 “I do have a car, thus wouldn’t need a ride, can I join? Yes, absolutely, we have special conditions, do enquire!
How do I sign up for the tour? Because seats are extremely limited, RSVP-ing alone is not enough, we'll have to insist on advance payment, only that will secure a place. To this effect, do send us a message and we will tell you how to proceed, you can do it here directly, by
Whatsapp at +351910430259 or by email at architectoursporto@gmail.com. As our capabilities are not limitless, (quite the opposite), the first ones to do it will have ensured their presence.