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 $7 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 $6 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 $132 per night
This weekend
From $269 per night
Next weekend
From $140 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.08 |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Average weekend price | $110 per night |
| Average weekday price | $115 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Porto
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Porto
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Douro River
0.7 miles from downtown
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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
It was graduation week so that may be part of my feelings as...
June 6, 2023
It was graduation week so that may be part of my feelings as it was super crowded and busy. Fun to see their celebrations but did seem crowded and dirty on the streets from all the people, People and coffee and desserts are great. Obvi the port is too if you like it which I did. Some great restaurants and bakeries. Overall, a place to visit
Loved Oporto very much and my 4th time there.
June 6, 2023
Loved Oporto very much and my 4th time there. Love the Ribeirinha and the Port tasting surrounded by. Its a great place and so much to see. Loved the local areas and the Churches. There was nothing at all that I didn't like.
Porto is an interesting historic city.
June 6, 2023
Porto is an interesting historic city. Lots of interesting buildings and a winding river to set the scene. The food and wine selections were particularly good and very reasonably priced. Fresh fish was abundant. Many interesting Port houses to visit. We went to Cockburns and also enjoyed an educational tour including a visit to their cooperage. We also did a river cruise which was relaxing and interesting.
A beautiful, unpretentious city which is the perfect size...
June 1, 2023
A beautiful, unpretentious city which is the perfect size for a city break. The Porto walking tour is a great way to acclimatise yourself with the city. Watch the sunset, taste the port, eat the Bacalhau and the custard tarts at The Coffee House Experience. I found the Portuguese friendly, unassuming and really helpful and I stayed in an excellent hostel - The Gallery Hostel
Very good location, very clean and they had coffee.
June 1, 2023
Very good location, very clean and they had coffee. We ate at one restaurant, can’t remember the name and it was excellent. One other one we ate at was not very good, but they were one of the only ones open at 10:00 at night. Sintra is a charming town. Got a bus pass for the day but very frustrated with the service.
The cobblestone streets were hard for the feet.
May 30, 2023
The cobblestone streets were hard for the feet. some of them were not repaired making it uneven causing people to trip and fall. The city itself was pretty and shopping was reasonable. People were overall friendly and helpful. Just wish the government would fix those narrow streets with broken cobblestones.
Popular places to stay in Porto
Stay in some of the best accommodations Porto has to offer
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Vignette Collection - Casa da Companhia, an IHG Hotel Porto City Centre , Porto
From $310 per night
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PortoBay Flores Porto City Centre , Porto
From $241 per night
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LETHESHOME Apartments Porto City Centre , Porto
From $151 per night
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Serviced Apartments Boavista Palace Boavista, Porto
From $135 per night
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Memoria Porto FLH Hotels Porto City Centre , Porto
From $155 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 $32 per night
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Cabins
From $318 per night
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Cottages
From $17 per night
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Serviced Apartments
From $12 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $17 per night
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Guest houses
From $12 per night
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Hostels
From $6 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
