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(January 6th, Three King's day)

​Initially, the number of Wise Men in the tale was not very accurate. The Bible's Gospel of Matthew doesn't actually specify a number. Still, by the time the legend of the Wise Men became consistent, around the 6th century, the world known to Christians was tidy and conveniently divided into three parts: Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

The narrative had gradually evolved to include one Wise Man from each continent. This wasn't about prejudice; it was about geography. Each Wise Man, or "King," had been punctual enough to reach Bethlehem on time, each bearing his own gift: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, arriving on camels.

3 Kings. Balanced. Symbolic. Done.

Everyone agreed the world had been thoroughly covered. After all, what else could possibly exist beyond the edges of maps, where they politely warned 'Here be Dragons'!!?

Who is the 4th mystery character and where in Porto can we find clues about his origin?

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If you look up at the towering monument in the center of the Boavista roundabout, regarded as the city centre, you might think you’ve stumbled into a literal interpretation of a Lisbon football derby.  At the very top, a massive lion is busy pinning down a rather distressed eagle. 

For those familiar with Portuguese football symbols (or soccer, if you prefer), it looks like SportingCP finally getting the upper hand over Benfica. But let’s be honest: we’re in Porto. Why would we build a 45-meter tall tribute to two teams from the capital that are—historically speaking— irrelevant to our northern soul? ​

Rest assured, that's not about football; it’s a much older, much braver story...

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  Read on to learn more about Porto's relationship with the friendliest and most generous of all white-bearded-red-suited old chaps - and possibly find out more about Santa's origins!

(street name sign in Porto's most touristic district)

​Calls to fight climate change have been growing louder around the world, and electric mobility has indisputably come into vogue. However, the silent, charming zero-emission tramcars have actually been running on tracks here in Porto for more than a century!

Let's head down 'memory tracks' and unveil the past to see how people used to move around the Porto urban area when run-commuting wasn't yet popular— is it even popular now?

Jump in and hold on for a glimpse of the STCP Tram Museum & Depot. The museum is housed in a building that was once a coal power plant; this not-so-green facility was responsible for powering the entire tram network!

 Remnants of Porto's rich transit history can be found under the feet of joggers and walkers who make their way to the oceanfront or in the city's historic centre: the old tramcar tracks are omnipresent, some still active, others long since decommissioned. ​

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Stepping off the plane in a new city can be an exhilarating experience, filled with the promise of discovery and some adventure! While traditional sightseeing and guided walking tours certainly have its merits, imagine a way to immerse yourself in the heart of a place while doing something you love: running!

This is the magic of a running tour, a great way to explore a city like Porto or any other, offering so much more than just a quick jog. Lets delve into that!

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As part of our ongoing 10th Anniversary celebrations, which officially kicked off on September 10th, 2025, we are proud to unveil our fresh, new look!

Our brand-new logo features a runner with open arms, symbolizing the warm, welcoming attitude we’ve fostered since day one. This image represents our commitment to embracing the entire running community, regardless of pace or background. Its blue and white colors are a direct nod to the city’s historic identity.

Since 2015, Porto Running Tours has proudly welcomed runners from around the globe, providing unique running tours and essential city familiarization. Our goal is simple: ensure your time running in the "Invicta" city is well-spent, benefiting from our local knowledge and enjoying true Portuguese hospitality.

We feel this is a pivotal moment and we're looking back on a great decade, hopefully running toward an even brighter future. We are excited to continue connecting runners with Porto's charm!

We invite you to join us in this new phase. What do you think of our new look?  Feel free to share your opinion in the comment section below!

Happy Running!

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If you are looking for a stylish dinner or if you're in the need to impress your running partner, then you may want to skip Porto's traditional 'francesinha in a beer-house' or the bifanas @conga and make a reservation at a more exclusive place like the ones in this list.

We run right past the front entrance of most of them on our running tours and therefore it may help you decide which one fits you the best, based on its location and some of the information we provide!

Read on to learn more about the restaurants and chefs of the short list for a Michelin-starred memorable food experience in 2025 here in Porto (...) The list was revealed yesterday, February 25th!

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From hundreds to just a couple per district, some even completely dry, fountains have become a much rarer sight than they used to be. What happened? What did the city do with them?

You won't need to register for a running tour to discover the 'whole truth' (though you should anyway!), mainly because in this blog post we'll share some facts and stories that will help shed light on the subject of public water supply in the city.

Juliao Sarmento's artwork in the form of a fountain is not amongst the dislocated fountains.
But it is located in the best possible place to explain 'the mystery'...! Read on if you want to learn more. 

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As a running tour leader, I'm frequently asked, 'What does the running scene in Porto look like?'
Well... ever-changing, of course. But right now, this is what it looks like: here's a short overview that includes a seasoned race organizer, a tiny-but-mighty running tour company, and the recent emergence of extremely dynamic running clubs!

As a running tour guide in Porto, I’ve spent countless kilometers weaving through the streets of this beautiful city, sharing stories of its rich history and, of course, some about its beer.

One of my favorite routes is the Signature Tour - Local Beer where I take fellow runners on a journey through Porto’s connection to one of its most iconic creations: Super Bock.

Let me take you on a quick virtual jog through time: 

Clare, in 2020, as we ran past Super Bock Arena at 8.00AM. (this was a couple of days before total lockdown). 

This year (2024) we're celebrating the 500th birth anniversary of Luis de Camoes, a literary titan whose influence extends far beyond the shores of Portugal. Sometimes rendered in English as 'Camoens', he was born around 1524 (exact date is unknown)

​Camoes' life was marked by adventure, hardship, and, ultimately, poetic brilliance... and yes, you'd think that a poet of epic proportions, a man who penned one of the world's greatest literary works, would be celebrated with grand monuments and sweeping memorials...!

But no, not in Porto... (hoping Porto's Mayor gets this message...!)

Camoes' bust in Santa Catarina street, Porto.​ ​
​(photo credits: J.Portojo)

For the uninitiated, "mulher do Norte" isn't just a fancy geographical term. It's a badge of honor worn by the strong, witty, and frankly, badass women who hail from Portugal's northern region.

We selected 3 of the most iconic women Porto and the region has ever seen: Antonia, Rosa and Sophia. A Businesswoman, an Athlete and a Poet. Forget damsels in distress, these ladies were the architects of their own destinies, and their stories are definitely more inspiring than a motivational quote plastered on a mug!

Back in the golden age of 1999 (yes, last century, I know...), when I first laced up my trainers and hit the pavement, respectful nods and enthusiastic waves were still a thing.

Fellow runners, strangers united by sweat and endorphins, acknowledged each other with a simple gesture, a raising of the hand, a slight bend of the elbow, an acknowledgment that said, "Hey, fellow sweaty stranger, I see you battling those demons in your head".

A silent "we're in this pain train together" that helped building a sense of community, even amongst strangers. Like a secret handshake, only cooler because it involved less awkward palm-sweating.

Anyone who knows me knows how much I like a good marketing strategy. Not too long ago, I have discussed one here, from the past, regarding the sale of coffee in Porto - a very successful one, by the way! But the one I will discuss next is much older, and gave rise to a presently thriving tourism product: 'El Camino', the pilgrimage way to Santiago de Compostela!

(January, 10th, 2024)  The iconic statue 'o Porto' was relocated. It is now placed next to the 'old town hall' tower, a few meters away from Porto's Cathedral - and has a shiny new golden spear! 

This stoic figure, sculpted in the 1800s, has seen the city change dramatically over the last two centuries, and it has been quite the traveler itself.  Kind of a tourist in its own city!  Shall we learn a bit more about its journey and symbology?