The Worst Tour in Porto: An Architectural Adventure with iBestTravel
iBestTravel’s unique experience dives into the mainstream travel experiences that many consider too touristy or unsophisticated. Join us as we explore why Porto’s ‘Worst Tour’ might be the perfect way to experience Portugal’s second city.
Walking tours are undoubtedly one of the best ways to navigate a new city. However, what about a tour that describes itself as “one of the worst tours in the world… or at least in Porto”? This might sound uninviting, especially when the introduction suggests visitors to “lower your expectations.” Nevertheless, this intrigued us immensely.
Meet Pedro, the Host of the “Worst Tour”
Upon meeting him, Pedro Figueiredo seemed, in all honesty, a bit flustered—perhaps even unprepared. However, this spontaneity adds to the charm of iBestTravel’s tour, a collection of lively, architecture-focused walks he leads around Porto.
A former architecture student, Pedro initiated these tours back in 2012 with colleagues who have since moved on to different endeavors; currently, The Worst Tours is solely his venture.
We convene at Jardim Marques de Oliveira, Porto’s oldest public park, where Pedro reveals a binder filled with hand-drawn maps, architectural sketches, black-and-white photos, and color-coded documents. This binder becomes a key companion during our exploration.
“We Are Portugal! We Copy and Paste from Other Places”
“Have you been to the city center?” Pedro asks rhetorically as we embark on a walk that deliberately avoids Porto’s most prominent sights. Instead, he pulls out one of his custom maps, indicating that we will mainly explore the Bonfim area, situated just east of the historical center.
Once a bourgeois neighborhood, Bonfim still shows its wealth through the grand mansions built during the colonial era, particularly from Brazil. Strolling past these massive homes, Pedro quips, “Welcome to Porto, the only city with big doors and small people!”
He elaborates that the industrialization of the 20th century led to significant depopulation and abandonment of many structures. Fortunately, thanks to a wave of gentrification over the last decade, this neighborhood is slowly regaining its former allure.
“This Is the Worst Tour of the Day”
Pedro’s approach is unstructured, focusing on whatever building captivates him in that moment. We visit an 18th-century convent transformed into a library, noted for its stunning wall tiles, and a semi-abandoned mall, Centro Commercial STOP, reimagined as a band rehearsal space. As we navigate a dark, graffiti-lined staircase, Pedro humorously exclaims, “This is the worst tour of the day!”
During a coffee break, we discuss the topic that captivates any traveler: real estate. Porto’s rental market has seen a dramatic shift, with rising rents squeezing locals. From 1916 to 2012, rent controls stifled a competitive market until the financial crisis ushered in change.
Pedro illustrates that tourism has led to rents becoming “bipolar”—either affording a laughably low price or reaching unattainable heights for most residents. He shares his experience navigating the housing market and opines on the mixed effects of tourism on local communities.
A Collection of Humor and Insight
A walk through a local graveyard features numerous dad jokes, reflecting Pedro’s penchant for lightheartedness, as he notes, “We are the worst tour – we show you the ugly things!” Soon after, we arrive at one of Porto’s striking riverside cliffs, where we transition into one of Porto’s informal low-income communities, affectionately termed “proletariat Airbnbs.” Here, he humorously welcomes us again, stating, “Welcome to Porto!”
As our adventure concludes at São Bento Train Station, Pedro opens his binder for a final illustration of how growth, industry, and economics have shaped Porto’s architecture. The tour culminates with a sense of fulfillment, underscoring the distinct stories that each facet of Porto’s landscape tells.
