Porto Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Casa da Musica featuring interior views and modern architecture
Portugal’s second-largest city captivates visitors with its rich history, award-winning wines and grand architecture.

Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Europe’s oldest and best-preserved cities. Set upon the steep banks of the Douro River, the city blends Old World charm with a passion for fine wines.

For a look into the grandeur of Porto’s past, tour the ornate Palácio da Bolsa, the city’s 19th-century neoclassical stock exchange. Next door, you’ll find the Gothic Igreja de São Francisco. In contrast to the church’s dark exterior, the interior is almost entirely covered in gold leaf.

Walk up the hill or take the cable-car railway to admire the uniquely Portuguese mosaics called azulejos that adorn the cloister walls of the Sé do Porto and the nearby São Bento Train Station. Be sure not to miss the bookstore Livraria Lello & Irmão, a Porto institution considered one of the most beautiful shops in the world.

Closer to the Douro, step back in time as you wander the narrow passages of the Ribeira district. The buildings in this medieval neighbourhood are old and colourful, and the streets teem with people. Enjoy Porto’s signature culinary delights, tripas à moda (a tripe dish) or francesinha (a meat sandwich drenched in a beer sauce) at one of the many restaurants along the river.

No trip to Porto is complete without experiencing port, the wine named after the city. Learn about the history of the wine trade at the Port Wine Museum. Cross the towering Luís I Bridge to visit the area’s many Port wine cellars. For a small fee, you can tour the cellars and sample some of the region’s best wines. If you have a few hours, cruise down the river on a rabelo (wine cargo boat) to gaze up at the terraced vineyards that line the hills.

Driving in Porto is not recommended. Instead, use the extensive metro, tram and bus networks. Be aware that many of the narrow lanes in Port’s older districts are accessible only by foot. This allows ample opportunity to study architecture and local culture as you explore the area.

Where to stay in Porto

Porto showing a city and a small town or village

Centro / Baixa

4.5/5(587 area reviews)

Centro / Baixa is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Porto City Hall and Bolhao Market. See more of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória by jumping on the metro at Trindade Station or Aliados Station.

Centro / Baixa
Ribeira Square featuring a monument, a square or plaza and a fountain

Ribeira

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Ribeira. A stop by Ribeira Square or Porto Historic Center might round out your trip.

Ribeira
Porto which includes signage, shopping and outdoor art

União de Freguesias do Centro

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

União de Freguesias do Centro is highly notable for its stunning river views, and you might want to visit top sights like Porto City Hall and Livraria Lello. See more of Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória by jumping on the metro at Lapa Station or Trindade Station.

União de Freguesias do Centro
Default Image

If you're spending time in Sé, check out sights like Porto Cathedral or Porto Historic Center and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Batalha-Guindais Stop or Guindais Funicular.

Porto which includes signage, shopping and outdoor art

Santo Ildefonso

Known for its ample dining options and beautiful river views, there's plenty to explore in Santo Ildefonso. You can visit top attractions like Bolhao Market and Porto City Hall, and jump on the metro at Trindade Station or Bolhao Station to see more of the city.

Santo Ildefonso
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São Nicolau

While you're in São Nicolau, take in top sights like Stock Exchange Palace and jump on the metro at Infante Stop to see more of the city.

São Nicolau
Zero Box Lodge Porto
Zero Box Lodge Porto
3 out of 5
R. do Ateneu Comercial do Porto, 13, Porto, Porto
The price is ₹6,284 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹6,284
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the bathrooms in their reviews.
9/10 Wonderful! (277 reviews)
"Nice place with interesting rooms and a beer on arrival"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Zero Box Lodge Porto
Hilton Porto Gaia
Hilton Porto Gaia
5 out of 5
Rua Serpa Pinto 124, Vila Nova de Gaia
The price is ₹13,066 per night from 3 Jun to 4 Jun
₹13,066
per night
3 Jun - 4 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (251 reviews)
"."

Reviewed on 14 May 2024

Hilton Porto Gaia
Hospes Infante Sagres Porto
Hospes Infante Sagres Porto
5 out of 5
Praca D. Filipa de Lencastre 62, Porto
The price is ₹27,611 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
₹27,611
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (583 reviews)
"Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful."

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

Hospes Infante Sagres Porto
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Spot Family Apartments
Spot Family Apartments
3 out of 5
Rua do Bolhão, 109, União de Freguesias do Centro, Porto, Porto
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an airport shuttle (surcharge) and concierge services. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (828 reviews)
"Location was good. Within walking distance of the sites and shops. Nice accommodations. Enjoyed the delicious coffee that was provided. Had a parking garage close by."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Spot Family Apartments
Oca Ribeira do Porto AT
Oca Ribeira do Porto AT
3 out of 5
Rua de São João 9-21, Porto, Porto
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (116 reviews)
"Great place a little hard to find if driving your own car. Parking is cheaper across the bridge in Gaia where the wineries are. Walking distance to good food and sight seeing"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Oca Ribeira do Porto AT
Porto River Infante
Porto River Infante
4 out of 5
Rua Infante Dom Henrique, 36, Porto
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and in-room massages. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (252 reviews)
"Amazing hotel. Super clean ammenites. Super friendly staff. I would highly recommend this hotel!!!! I would definitely come back again!!!"

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Porto River Infante
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Porto

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
473
" "5 - Excellent 75.92295345104334%
4 - Good
138
" "4 - Good 22.150882825040128%
3 - Okay
11
" "3 - Okay 1.7656500802568218%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.16051364365971107%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Apr 2020

the friendliest people I have ever met!!!

4/5 - Good

Stuart
17 Mar 2020

Unfortunately the city was virtually on lockdown during our stay because of the coronavirus outbreak which meant we could visit hardly any of the attractions. We will return

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

Beautiful city. Could easily live there

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
22 Feb 2020

Really enjoyed it

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Feb 2020

Such a beautiful City, the riverside in particular, very impressed with the cleanliness, wherever we went, puts U.K to shame !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
20 Feb 2020

We did tour of wine cellars Calem which was great, boat trip along river in Porto with 2 wine tastings which were also great. We did tour of Douro valley our tour guide Filipe was exceptional.

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