A Beetle tour in Porto feels like time travel. In about 2 hours 30 minutes, I love how this small-group ride strings together Porto’s biggest photo moments and a few intriguing sidetracks, all from the comfort of a vintage open-top VW. It’s a 2.5-hour orientation that helps you get your bearings fast, especially if your time in town is short.

What I like most is the mix of stops: you get a jaw-dropping viewpoint first, then you’re guided past major sights like Livraria Lello and the Catedral do Porto without turning the day into a long walking scavenger hunt. The second big plus is the human touch, with Pedro’s friendly, flexible way of explaining what you’re seeing, including extra kindness for families and people who do not want to cover lots of ground on foot.

One thing to keep in mind is that entrance tickets are not included for several key stops. So if you plan to go inside Livraria Lello, the Cathedral, or other listed places, you’ll want to budget for those add-ons (and factor in lines if they’re busy).

Key things to know before you ride