Porto is one of the oldest cities in Europe, and certainly in Portugal, with romantic charm alongside a buzzing culture and food scene. This Porto travel guide will help you discover everything it has to offer!
Porto’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city also boasts a sparkling river, bridges with breathtaking views, a sweet wine named after it and even its own sandwich that you have to try! Thanks to all this and more, Porto made Forbes’ list of the 50 best places to travel in 2023. If you’d rather experience it up close than just read about it, here’s everything you need to know when planning a trip to Porto.
Getting to Know Porto
In Portuguese, Porto is also called Oporto, “the port”. Because it held out through a long siege during the civil war in the 19th century, it’s also known as “the Invincible City”. Porto sits on the north bank of the Douro River’s estuary, on the Atlantic coast, just a 3-hour drive north of Lisbon. Six iconic bridges cross the river and connect it to Vila Nova de Gaia, home of the famous port wine industry.
When to Visit?
Porto has a mild, Mediterranean-like climate, though it can occasionally rain in summer and winters are very rainy. Between July and September temperatures reach 30°C (86°F) and above. It’s a great time for the beach and the city’s many festivals, but prices are higher and crowds are at their peak. To avoid the crowds, come in spring, when everything is in bloom, or in autumn, when you can enjoy the fall colors. Winter, which is cold and wet, is less recommended.
Getting Around
The city center is just the right size to explore on foot, and many of the attractions are there. The center is relatively flat, but keep in mind that the city is built on several hills, so walking can be tiring. The metro goes everywhere, and taxis are reasonably priced. As in any big city, it’s not worth driving yourself unless you enjoy sitting in traffic.
Local Currency
Portugal is part of the European Union and its currency is the euro. Credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are easy to find.
Recommended Hotels in Porto
The Ribeira district, part of the old city center, is a great area to stay if you want to be surrounded by the city’s historic charm and have easy access to the restaurants and nightlife along the waterfront. In summer, book well in advance, because the good hotels get snapped up fast.
Porto River Hotel – a 4-star hotel right on the Douro River. Perfect if you love your morning coffee with a stunning view. Don’t worry, the double-glazed windows block out the street noise.
Gran Cruz House – a boutique hotel with unforgettable, unusually designed rooms! Some rooms have balconies and views, and breakfast is included. It’s in a great location if you want to stay out late, as the nightlife around it is lively.
Ribeira Apartment – for families, nothing beats having a whole apartment to yourselves. Eduardo’s apartment is clean, pleasant and quiet despite being close to the center and the many bars and restaurants by the river. It has 2 bedrooms, a living room and a fully equipped kitchen, and it’s very well priced.
Where to Eat in Porto
A visit to Porto isn’t complete without trying the local sandwich, the francesinha. The giant sandwich was created in Porto in the 1950s by a Portuguese man who had lived in France and wanted his own take on the French croque-monsieur. The traditional version has layers of ham, sausage and steak between 2 slices of bread, covered in cheese that’s melted by pouring a hot beer-and-tomato sauce over it. Today every restaurant has its own version, and it’s easy to find francesinha with chicken, beef or even tofu. One of the best places to try it is the Brasão beer house, which has two branches, one near the city’s main avenue, Avenida dos Aliados, and one near the Coliseu, Porto’s concert hall. Both are easy to reach by metro. The menu is varied and includes vegetarian options, so there’s something for everyone.
You’ll find Portugal’s national dessert, the pastel de nata, in every café in Porto. It’s made of puff pastry filled with custard and baked in individual tins. At Manteigaria on Rua de Alexandre Braga, they make them right in front of you and serve a range of drinks too.
A recommended restaurant in the Ribeira district is Taberna Rio. Despite its sought-after riverside location, prices are reasonable. The tasty food is mostly a variety of tapas plus a few main courses. Pair the spectacular view with the excellent sangria and the street musicians.
What to Do in Porto
Cross the Dom Luís I Bridge
The bridge starts in the Ribeira district, and it’s best to cross it after you’ve wandered the old alleys and taken in the squares and small, colorful shops. The bridge has been a city icon since 1886 and has 2 levels, both with walkways for pedestrians. If you’re nervous, cross on the lower level, but the upper level rewards those who climb the 210 steps up to it with a spectacular view of the city (don’t worry, there’s also a funicular). To get a photo of the bridge itself, take the cable car called Teleferico de Gaia, which runs from the south end of the bridge along the riverbank and is fun for kids and adults alike, especially at sunset.
Click here for more information and to book cable car tickets.
Climb the Clérigos Tower (Torre dos Clérigos)
Another city icon, with 225 steps to the top and no elevator this time. The tower was built in Baroque style in the mid-18th century, and the ticket includes a visit to the church at its foot, followed by the highlight: a view of the whole city from the top. Bring something warm, as it can get windy up there.
Click here for more information and to book tower tickets – free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Visit Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto)
Right in the heart of the old town, Porto Cathedral has stood for nearly 900 years on the highest hill in the city, overlooking everything around it. It was built in the 12th century in Romanesque style, but it has been renovated many times over the years, so it mixes several architectural styles. Inside it’s magnificently decorated, and it’s still Porto’s most important place of worship. From the outside it looks like a fortress, and indeed it stands next to the walls that once protected the city. Criminals used to be hanged in the square next to it, which today offers a wonderful view of the city. The ticket covers the church, its art museum and the tower, which shows you Porto from a different angle. There’s also a daily service at 11:00 that visitors can watch.
Click here for more information and tickets
Visit the Church of São Francisco
If you haven’t had your fill of churches, and for the horror fans among you, the Church of São Francisco is worth a visit too. Its interior is covered in gold, and it has catacombs where monks were buried, some of which you can see up close.
Soak Up the Atmosphere at Livraria Lello
The bookshop opened more than 100 years ago and is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It has an Art Nouveau facade and, inside, carved walls, masterful stained glass and a staircase often said to have inspired the Harry Potter books, which today makes for great photos. There’s an entry fee, which is deducted from the price of a book if you buy one during your visit. If you time your visit for the quieter hours around midday or in the evening, you can explore the impressive collection at your leisure.
Join a Wine Cellar Tour
Port is a sweet dessert wine named after the city where it was created by adding brandy to wine. If you want to find out why, join a tour of one of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and learn about the production process, with tastings of course! Most tours also come with small bites to soak up all that alcohol. For a tour of the largest wine cellar in the city, Click here. Here you can taste port paired with chocolate and even watch the wine barrels being made.
WOW Porto
WOW, short for World of Wine, is an innovative culture and leisure complex dedicated to the Porto region that shines a spotlight on some of Portugal’s industries and traditions.
Click here to buy tickets for the different experiences on the website
Free Walking Tour in Porto
One of the best and cheapest ways to get to know Porto is a guided tour. If you don’t want to commit or pay too much, you can join a free walking tour. What’s a free (tip-based) walking tour? You join the tour and, at the end, decide how much to give the guide. I really recommend doing one on the first day of your trip. Along the way you get lots of useful tips and recommendations for restaurants and sights worth visiting, and even warnings about tourist traps.
On the website GuruWalk you’ll find tip-based walking tours to get to know the city.
By now it’s clear that on a trip to Portugal, you can’t skip Porto!
More Articles to Help You Plan Your Trip to Porto
- Guided Tours in Porto
- Porto with Kids
- Where to Stay in Porto: Neighborhoods and Recommended Hotels
- Attractions in Portugal: Must-See Places
Tell us about your experiences in Porto in the comments.