Architectours - To live and to know Porto

As poetically-inclined as the word suggests, we want to bring you to the green threshold to Porto's Forgotten Double-Valley

Tucked away from the city's bustle and shadowed by the steeper slopes of Bonfim, which we often call Eastern Porto, but, actually, a central part of town, the Parque Oriental do Porto and the Rio Tinto unfold like a whispered secret in the heart of the Vale of Campanhã. Here, in this double valley erstwhile farmland made fertile by many floods, nature speaks softly but with purpose: in the rustle of poplars and pines, the laughter of water skipping over stones, and the quiet tread of those who walk its winding paths.
Once a corridor of industry and railway lines, the eastern valley is being reborn—not by erasing its past, but by letting it breathe anew. And this could have been our tour, setting from the upper reaches of Rio Tinto down to Freixo.
However, we want to go beyond the threshold and bring you to the secluded valley of Rio Torto, where a new nature project is emerging. This is a meeting ground where Porto’s wild side slips through the cracks of urban growth into the first stretches of Gondomar. Criss-crossing between and another, we trace not only trails but stories.
This is a journey not of landmarks, but of transitions—between city and nature, past and present, forgetfulness and renewal. Come and walk the valley, and you’ll see: Porto isn’t just west of here. It’s also growing eastward, through roots and trails and stories rising from the ground, people whose lives are unsung yet remarkable.
Nevertheless, beware, after completing this tour, you will never see Porto the same way again, it might spoil downtown for as this is where the city hits home, where you cut your teeth as a local, by birth or adoption.

Date: Saturday, 17th of May 2025
Start: Metro Station of Levada (orange line)
End: Marina do Freixo
Distance: 7km/ 4,4 miles (one way)
Time: 14h30 -18h30
Donation: €20 ( free for children) - we will offer you a little picnic, something savoury, something sweet but always scrumptious, and there will also provide something to drink as well, so this helps to cover the cost.

NEW TOUR

This time, we’re heading to the northern edge of Porto — where the city meets its threshold at the grand São João Hospital and the vibrant Street Campus of Asprela. But beneath the surface of careful zoning and well-planned roads, there’s another story winding its way through this part of Paranhos — one written in narrow lanes, scattered hamlets, and hidden corners. Let’s walk it together and see what unfolds.

This is one of the most delicate and layered parts of Porto — a patchwork of old villages that once stood apart, now stitched into the fabric of the city.

Unlike the usual tours full of facts and commentary, this one is about sensing the place. We’re not just pointing out landmarks — we’re tracing how the city breathes. Its architecture, its rhythm, its quiet resistance to the passing of time. The real stars here are the streets themselves — or rather, the narrow alleys and side paths that give Porto its soul.

These aren’t pedestrianised boulevards — but they might as well be. Vehicle traffic is rare, and what remains are tranquil, lived-in passages bordered by modest plots, filled with delightful oddities and unexpected charm. Some surprises you’ll see coming, others will stop you in your tracks. This is Porto at its most intimate — and its most real.
So, will you join us for a gentle wander through the heart of these hidden neighbourhoods, bathed in the golden light of day’s end? We promise: it’ll be unforgettable.

Nestled in the lush landscapes of Foz do Sousa, , the Moinhos de Jancido offer a perfect blend of history, nature, and tranquillity. This beautifully restored set of ancient watermills, once essential for local grain production, now serves as a picturesque retreat, where the sound of flowing water and birdsong replaces city life's rush.
The trail follows the Sousa River, revealing breathtaking natural scenery at every turn. This hike immerses you in greenery, crystal-clear streams, and panoramic viewpoints that showcase the reality of life in northern Portugal.
🌿 Reconnect with nature. Step into history. Experience the magic of Moinhos de Jancido.
Distance, 5,5km / 3,1 miles - very easy, should take about 2h30 hours to cover, no special gear needed, just comfortable clothes, shoes, (of course, if you’re not the most sure-footed individual a trekking pole is advisable, as this is a natural setting.

Then we’re off to Senhora do Salto – A Majestic Natural Sanctuary in Aguiar do Sousa

Hidden in the heart of Aguiar do Sousa, Paredes, Senhora do Salto is a breathtaking natural wonder where steep cliffs, rushing waters, and legends intertwine. This dramatic gorge, carved by the Rio Sousa, creates a striking landscape of towering rock formations and fast-flowing waters, offering a peaceful retreat just a short drive from Porto, no hike, just a leisurely walk around the banks of the river Sousa. In the meantime (or after, as it might suit the appetite), we will make a stop at a local tavern - bizarre foods Portugal? Perhaps not, however, this is a trip to discover the deep Portugal lifestyle, made of a mix of city life and countryside settings which we call rurbanity!

🌿 Step into a place of legend, adventure, and natural beauty

IMPORTANT INFORMATION (do not skip this section):