About this experience
Discover Porto's history on a guided walking tour. Learn about the Napoleonic Wars, the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, and the role of the Duke of Wellington in the liberation of Porto.
Highlights
- Enjoy a glass of Port wine on sunset tours with panoramic views
- Explore the city's hidden traces of the Napoleonic Wars
- Learn about the Napoleonic Wars and the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
- Discover Porto's history on a guided walking tour with a local guide
- Hear about the Duke of Wellington's role in the liberation of Porto
What's included
- Guided historical walking tour
- Stories of Wellington and the Napoleonic Wars
- Anglo-Portuguese Alliance history
- Port wine heritage and British merchants
- One glass of Port wine on sunset tours
How to use
- Show Mobile Ticket
- At Redemption Counter
What to expect
Discover the remarkable story of Porto, where military history, international trade, and one of the world’s oldest alliances came together to shape Europe.
Wellington, Port Wine & the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
Discover the remarkable story of Porto, where military history, international trade, and one of the world’s oldest alliances came together to shape Europe.
Explore the dramatic events of the Napoleonic Wars, Wellington’s liberation of Porto, and the centuries-long friendship between Britain and Portugal that helped make Port wine famous around the world.
In 1809, Porto became one of the most important cities in Europe. French troops occupied the city during the Peninsular War, bringing fear, resistance, and tragedy. Thousands fled the city, and one of Porto’s greatest disasters occurred when the overcrowded Ponte das Barcas collapsed into the Douro River.
Just weeks later, British and Portuguese forces led by Wellington carried out a daring surprise crossing of the Douro and liberated Porto. Historians still regard this operation as one of Wellington’s greatest military achievements.
Learn about the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, established by the Treaty of Windsor in 1386 and widely considered the oldest diplomatic alliance still in force today. For more than six centuries, Britain and Portugal have supported one another through trade, exploration, diplomacy, and war.
Discover how Port wine was born in the Douro Valley but became world-famous thanks to British merchants who settled in Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. Families behind renowned wine houses such as Taylor’s, Graham’s, Warre’s, Croft, Cockburn’s, and Sandeman helped bring Port wine to Britain and international markets.
Along the route, you’ll discover:
• Wellington’s crossing of the Douro River
• The French occupation of Porto
• Stories of soldiers, spies, merchants, and local heroes
• Hidden traces of the Napoleonic Wars
• The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
• The British families behind the Port wine trade
• Legends and little-known stories of Porto
Evening tours include a tasting of one traditional Port wine.
As the sun sets over the Douro River, enjoy a glass of Port wine while learning how British merchants helped transform a local Portuguese wine into an international symbol of Portugal.
Duration: 2–2.5 hours
Languages: English and Russian
Included:
• Guided historical walking tour
• Wellington and Napoleonic Wars history
• Anglo-Portuguese Alliance stories
• Port wine heritage
• One glass of Port wine on sunset tours
History. Wine. Alliance. Porto.
Terms & conditions
Tour duration is 2–2.5 hours
Languages available: English and Russian, Portuguese