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Harry Potter Free Tour

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Harry Potter Free Tour

A Tour Full of Magic

Harry Potter free walking tour. Experience mystic Porto with expert local guides. See all the best HP spots: Lello book store, train station, Cafe Majestic & more.

Embark on a mystical journey through the enchanting city of Porto. We trace the footsteps of J.K. Rowling and uncover the secrets that may have inspired the Harry Potter saga. This Harry Potter Free Walking Tour of Porto weaves through the city’s cobblestone streets, inviting you to explore the magical intersections of history, legend, and the wizarding world.

Porto is filled with amazing stories and a rich history. It served as an inspiration to J.K. Rowling during her stay here and during this free walking tour of Porto you can see why that is.

This Harry Potter free tour is a must for fans of the series and anyone intrigued by the blend of history, myth, and magic. Join us for this enchanting walk through the streets of Porto, a city that whispers the secrets of its past and holds a special place in the heart of the magical world of Harry Potter. Muggles and Wizards equally welcome.

From the haunted São Bento train station to the imposing Hall of Justice whose one-time inhabitant inspired Salazar Slytherin to the amazingly beautiful Lello Bookstore and lavish Cafe Majestic, this tour hits all the marks for Potter fans, history buffs and architecture aficionados alike.

You will be led by an enthusiastic expert local guide who loves to show you Porto’s beautiful landmarks and authentic hidden gems and will recommend plenty of things to do for the rest of your stay. This is truly a splendid experience.

Duration: Approximately 2hr 15min

Your Harry Potter Free Tour meets at:

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Harry Potter Free Walking Tour

The Enchanting Magic of Porto

Wizards, muggles and other curious travelers, get ready for a spellbinding journey through Porto’s enchanting streets, where the magic of Harry Potter comes alive! This whimsical adventure that takes you into the heart of J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for the world or Harry Potter.

We begin this free walking tour at the iconic Café Majestic, which is as majestic as its name suggests. This café is a window to the past, where J.K. Rowling spent countless hours penning the beginnings of the Harry Potter saga. Imagine sipping a coffee where the magic of Hogwarts was brewed!

Next, we bring ourselves over to São Bento station. Prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning tile that tells the history of Portugal. This station was the inspiration for Platform 9 and 3/4. The station is said to be haunted and the ghost stories were the genesis of the house ghosts in the books.

Participants of the Harry Potter free tour make their way past the Palácio Atlântico, where the murals by Jorge Barradas are a nod to the dragon lore woven throughout the Harry Potter series. And as we stroll towards Praça da Liberdade, you can feel the buzz of the city's heart, where magic and reality intertwine.

Now, brace yourselves for a bit of dark history at the Palace of Justice. Here, we'll uncover tales of António de Oliveira Salazar, whose name and perhaps character traits might remind you of a certain Slytherin founder. It's a fascinating, if slightly eerie, connection to the wizarding world.

We transport ourselves to the University of Porto where things get really intriguing. The university's seven emblems are rumored to have inspired Voldemort's seven horcruxes. No Harry Potter tour in Porto would be complete without a visit to the legendary Lello bookstore. This monument to literature and magic, its grand facade and enchanting interior are said to have inspired the Hogwarts Library.

Whether you’re a die-hard Potter fan or just love a good tale, this tour is a magical escapade into the heart of Porto’s mystical charm.

So, grab your wands (or just your sense of wonder), and let’s uncover the magic that inspired a global phenomenon!

Highlights of Your Harry Potter Free Walking Tour

Each Harry Potter Free Walking Tour is a unique experience. The stops listed in the highlights may change due to the guide leading the tour and other conditions such as weather and local events. If you are particularly interested about a specific item please ask your guide before the beginning of the tour to confirm it is on the agenda.

Start at the Iconic Café Majestic

Café Majestic, is a view into the world of J.K. Rowling during her time in Porto. It is here she brought her enchanting stories to life. The café's grandeur inspired Hogwarts' Great Dining Hall and the Mirror of Erised. The café's storied walls seem to whisper tales of Rowling's experiences in Porto, her academic endeavors, and the cultural impressions that shaped her journey.

Discover the Mysteries of Rua Santa Catarina

We'll explore the Latina Bookstore and hear about the literary classics that inspired elements of the Harry Potter saga. The street itself, busts with life, and holds stories and legends that echo the magical narratives of Rowling's world.

The Secrets of São Bento Train Station

The São Bento Train Station, with its vibrant azulejo tile decoration which narrate Portugal's history. The station invites parallels to the famous Platform 9 and 3/4 and the Hogwarts Express. The station is said to be haunted and the ghost stories inspired the house ghosts of Hogwarts.

The Tower of Clérigos: A Glimpse into Astronomy

This historical landmark, inspired the Astronomy Tower. We’ll discuss Dumbledore's demise, Norbert the Dragon, and the dragons of Portugal's royal history. These legends intertwine, weaving a tapestry of historical and magical lore.

The Controversial Lello Bookstore

This is a highlight of our tour. A sense of controversy and mystery surrounds this icon. Some wonder if Rowling ever set foot inside. Regardless, the bookstore's exterior is a testament to the potential inspiration it may have offered to the magical world she created. It also happens to be the most beautiful book store in all of Portugal and perhaps the world.

University of Porto: A Touch of Magic

Learn the origins of the traditional student black capes and the mystical world of numerology as it appears in Harry Potter as well as the origin of Voldemort’s seven Horcruxes.

Hidden Gems and Historical Parallels

From the hidden house between the Church of Carmo and Church of Carmelitas to the Café Piolho, we'll draw connections between historical events and the narrative of the Harry Potter series, including parallels with the New State political police and the Inquisitorial Squad.

Palace of Justice

We'll discuss the real-life Salazar, Portugal’s dictator and the fictional Salazar Slytherin. The stories of historical figures like Humberto Delgado are woven into the narrative, drawing parallels with characters like Professor.

Virtudes Viewpoint

Explore the origins of the magical properties of water in the Harry Potter books and the intriguing linguistic coincidence between Parseltongue and the Portuguese language, add a layer of mystique to the panoramic views of Porto.

Belomonte Brush Shop

The history of wizards and brooms comes alive through intertwining history of this charming store and the magical world of wizards and brooms. A perfect way to wrap up your Harry Potter Free Walking Tour of Porto.