Top things to do in Porto
Attractions, tours, and activities in Porto
Recommended museums in Porto
Where to find art and culture in Porto
Porto: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Porto
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Bonfim
0.6 miles from downtown
Lively nights come to a quaint end on the Bonfim promenade. The waterfront kiosks are the perfect after-party outposts for relieving late-night hunger. Go there for snacks like “bifanas", the region's trademark steak sammy. Bonfim also keeps a candle burning for Porto customs like “bailinhos”, where the young and old dance together on the street.
Places to stay from $8 a night
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Sé
0.4 miles from downtown
Porto’s historic centre. In Sé, slim streets wind past stone houses, some painted in effulgent yellows. The narrow roads and clandestine allies are best seen by foot. Heritage is writ large in Sé Cathedral, which is a threeway mashup of romantic, gothic and baroque. It’s the perfect place to finish your pilgrimage through these streets.
Places to stay from $12 a night
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Porto City Centre
In downtown
The poster child for hip Porto. The Vida Portuguesa shop takes you back in time with its retro toothpaste and hair tonics. For a trendy place to imbibe, head to Champanheria da Baixa and toast with chalices of champagne sangria. The literati should take supper in Casa do Livro, a posh restaurant arranged inside a bookshop.
Places to stay from $8 a night
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Miragaia
0.6 miles from downtown
This affluent area is awash in colourful facades. It’s a postcard moment everywhere you turn. Wander through the area’s unique bars and cafes, some of which are inside docked boats. Or head over to Alfândega, which topped 2014’s charts for best conference space in Business Destinations Magazine. It's a prime place to peruse a rotating set of global exhibitions.
Places to stay from $17 a night
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Ribeira
0.6 miles from downtown
Take the scenic route. The best way to get up to Ribeira from downtown Porto is on the Guindais Funicular. As you climb, the River Douro glistens below, as sailboats glide its cobalt currents. Colourful buildings add an artsy touch to the shoreline. Come with an appetite - traditional "tascas" abound and little local markets brim with bounty.
Places to stay from $27 a night
About Porto
Including tips for the best time to visit Porto
Porto buzzes with a special energy and an appetite for all the good things in life – especially food and wine.
The best way to learn about its thriving culinary scene is by diving straight in. Pick a restaurant along the banks of the Douro River and enjoy the city’s al fresco dining culture. "Bacalhau" (salted cod) and freshly grilled octopus pair perfectly with a glass of dry white port – though the star of Portuguese cuisine is the original, sweet red port. Take a tasting tour of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, or get lost in the maze-like streets of the medieval Ribeira district to find the best varieties in the city.
After you've had your fill, walk it off by exploring all of Porto’s impressive architecture. Visit the São Francisco Church for its baroque interior and gilded carvings, then discover the stories depicted in the blue and white-tile facade of the Chapel of Souls.
For the best views in town, cross Dom Luís I Bridge from São Bento railway station, or climb the 240 steps to the top of Clérigos Church – an 18th-century tower in the heart of the city. There's also the golden sands and crashing waves at Matosinhos Beach to keep any surfer or sun-lover happy for an afternoon.
Tonight
From $72 per night
Next weekend
From $108 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.09 |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Average weekend price | $120 per night |
| Average weekday price | $127 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Porto
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Porto
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Music House
1.2 miles from downtown
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Estadio do Dragao
1.6 miles from downtown
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City Market Bolhao
0.2 miles from downtown
Porto reviews
What other travelers say about Porto
We both thought Porto was one of the best cities we have...
July 25, 2024
We both thought Porto was one of the best cities we have ever visited (and we are well into retirement!!). The gorge; the riverbanks on either side, and the Luis I Bridge walk/tram-way over were spectacular, whilst the architecture and exquisite streets throughout the city were to be marvelled at. And whilst this is an amazingly compact city centre - we visited most of it on foot in 2 days - note there are a LOT of hills, so plan your routes carefully .... and not just with a road map!!! Our third day was a Douro river trip: another lovely experience, not to be missed so as to get the background on the port for which the city is famed. This city has it all!!
Loved the friendly atmosphere, stunning architecture and...
July 24, 2024
Loved the friendly atmosphere, stunning architecture and museums, wide range of restaurants and bars. Although there were a lot of visitors Porto seemed to accommodate everyone without feeling too crowded. Transport is coordinated, easy and cheap. Great varied food options.
Porto Is an absolutely magical city!
July 23, 2024
Porto Is an absolutely magical city! 4-5 nights with a Douro Valley, one day tour is a MUST! It was our first time in Portugal and we would definitely return to Porto! Loved every minute of it! Porto is a very hilly city so comfortable shoes are essential! The various views and beautiful historic centre everywhere you walk is breathtaking! Restaurants in touristy areas are expensive and leave a lot to be desired! We loved the oldest market in Porto where you could buy food from different vendors and enjoy it ....fruit is fantastic! Would highly recommend a walking tour of Porto and Lello book store visit inside. The Ribeira/River area during the day and evenings is breathtaking!
Loved Porto.
July 22, 2024
Loved Porto. Really historic city. Plenty of parks. Incredible architecture. Market in neighbouring town, easy by bus. 3 day unlimited bus and train ticket is great just add money as you need it, very cheap. Fab food and wine. I would get a bus from and back to the airport next time. The taxi queue is huge.Dont get into an unlicensed taxi they tried to charge 95 euros for a 10 euro journey. I would definitly book an uber if I need a taxi. Didn't see any taxis to flag down all my time there. No taxi ranks that I could find. Visit Lello bookshop, have to book online but expect to queue even with a ticket. Incredible architecture.
Well worth a long weekend visit , food and drinks very good...
July 21, 2024
Well worth a long weekend visit , food and drinks very good with friendly staff Lots of walking involved, it would benefit from the Metro getting extended to the River area as the streets are very steep but easily navigable
What a beautiful city!
July 21, 2024
What a beautiful city! We enjoyed walking and exploring all of the little streets. The views were absolutely amazing. There were so many restaurants and cafes to choose from. People were very friendly. Bolhão Market was so much fun. We tasted vinho verde and devoured a cheese plate. We enjoyed a 6 bridges boat tour and we very easily took a train from Sao Bento Station to Pinhão. Once in Pinhão we took an amazing 1 hour Douro Valley boat ride then took a Bolt to Quinta Da Roeda where we enjoyed a short tour and a picnic.
Popular places to stay in Porto
Stay in some of the best accommodations Porto has to offer
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Casa da Companhia, Vignette Collection, an IHG Hotel Porto City Centre , Porto
From $293 per night
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GA Palace Hotel & Spa, a XIXth-Century Villa Sé, Porto
From $419 per night
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Exmo Hotel by Olivia Porto City Centre , Porto
From $231 per night
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Laranjais Boutique Suites & Apartments Porto Porto City Centre , Porto
From $175 per night
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Mouzinho da Silveira Unique Apartments, by Oporto Collection Sé, Porto
From $179 per night
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Other accommodations in Porto
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Porto
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Apartments
From $13 per night
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Villas
From $49 per night
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Cabins
From $320 per night
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Cottages
From $33 per night
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Serviced apartments
From $63 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $33 per night
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Guest Houses
From $12 per night
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Hostels
From $8 per night
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B&Bs
From $29 per night
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Homestays
From $13 per night
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Boats
From $77 per night
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Self-Catering Accommodations
From $13 per night
