You can certainly explore Porto on your own, but for first-time visitors, we recommend starting your stay with a private half-day tour with a local guide.
Around 3.5 hours is enough to get a good introduction to Porto without taking up your entire day. Your guide can show you the main highlights, explain the city’s history and culture, and share practical local tips about restaurants, viewpoints and places worth visiting.
After the tour, you have the rest of the day to explore Porto independently, using your guide’s recommendations.