Nick Karvounis, Unsplash License, Source

Porto

Wine, Coast and Old-World Charm

Porto is a river city in northern Portugal known for its historic architecture and vibrant culture. The Douro River runs through the heart of the city, shaping daily life with its bridges and waterfront promenades. Famous for producing port wine, Porto has many cellars where visitors can learn about the drink’s production process. Cobblestone streets lead to colorful buildings and lively squares filled with cafes and local shops. The city balances tradition with modern energy, making it a place where history feels present in everyday moments.

Add to list Map view

City in Portugal

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

4/5

Most locals, especially in tourist areas, speak good English. Service staff and younger generations are generally comfortable communicating in English, making it easy for visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Porto Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for historic riverside charm and wine. Walk colorful waterfront districts, tour famous wine cellars, cross scenic bridges and enjoy local cuisine.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Walkable

Local cuisine

Wine

Guided tours

Large cities

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

❤️ 9

Couples

Portugal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Portugal has widespread acceptance of cashless payments, particularly in urban areas and larger businesses. Cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are increasingly available. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Portugal. In restaurants, leaving a 5-10% tip is common, especially if the service is exceptional. Taxi drivers usually expect a small tip of around 5-10%, and hotel staff appreciate tips for their services.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally accepted in most public spaces, such as parks and beaches. However, certain municipalities may enforce restrictions in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places like restaurants and bars. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.

Portuguese Republic Day (October)	National holiday with public celebrations and some closures, particularly in Lisbon.
Christmas (December)	Holiday celebrations and increased tourism, expect crowded areas and higher accommodation prices.
Carnival (February)	Festive celebrations with parades and events, especially in Lisbon and Madeira. Expect lively crowds.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Portugal boasts rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Public transport is reliable, and the country is known for its mild climate, especially in the southern regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Porto, Portugal

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌦️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

🌦️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

⛈️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

São João festival is the night of 23 to 24 June, a city-wide street party; 24 June is a local holiday with many shops closed

Atlantic water stays cold year-round, swimming is comfortable mainly July to September

Don't miss

⛴️ Cruise the Douro River and admire Ribeira’s colorful facades
🍷 Taste port wine in historic cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia
🌉 Stroll across the Dom Luís I Bridge at sunset
🚋 Ride the vintage tram through narrow cobbled streets
📚 Explore Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores
☕ Relax with coffee and pastel de nata by the riverfront

You've been here?

Why travel to Porto?

Porto’s blend of medieval streets, colorful azulejos and lively riverside vibe makes it special. The city offers rich history, delicious cuisine and unforgettable boat rides along the Douro. It’s also more laid-back and affordable compared to Lisbon. However, the steep hills can be challenging if you’re not prepared, so bring good walking shoes!

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Palácio da Bolsa
2 Porto Cathedral
3 Church of São Francisco
4 Gaia Wharf
5 São Bento
6 Ribeira
7 Lello & Irmao Bookstore

🎡Places for activities

1 Miradouro da Vitória
2 Rua das Flores
3 Passeio das Virtudes

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Praia de Matosinhos
2 Praia da Luz
3 Parque de São Roque
4 Camélia Brunch Garden
5 Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
6 Parque da Cidade
7 Rio Douro

🛍️Shopping

1 foncesa porto wine cellars
2 Norteshopping
3 Mercado do Bolhão
4 Rua de Santa Catarina
5 Mercado Beira-Rio
6 Cedofeita
7 A Vida Portuguesa
8 Centro Comercial Bombarda

🎈Events

São João Festival
Essência do Vinho (Wine Festival)
NOS Primavera Sound
Festas de Nossa Senhora da Assunção
FIMP (Puppet Festival)
Porto Marathon
Fantasporto Film Festival
Porto Book Fair
Douro Wine Fest
Christmas Markets

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Expect many steep hills and cobbled streets; wear comfortable shoes.
Stay near the Ribeira or Aliados area for easy walking access to riverfront views, cafés and main sights.
Try traditional francesinha, fresh seafood and pastel de nata alongside tastings of locally produced port wines in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Cross Dom Luís I Bridge at sunset, then wander Gaia’s riverfront promenade for relaxed wine terraces and panoramic old-town skyline views.

How to travel to Porto

Fly into Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), which is well-connected by metro to the city center. Porto is also reachable by train from major Portuguese cities and Spain and it has a port for river cruises.

Access summary

From Porto Airport (OPO): Metro line E to Trindade, about 25–30 minutes.
From Lisbon: Fast Alfa Pendular trains to Porto Campanhã, around 2.5–3 hours.
From Vigo (Spain): Direct international bus or train connections, typically 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Porto

Porto offers a range of accommodations from historic boutique hotels in the Ribeira district to modern stays in Boavista. There are also many affordable guesthouses and charming Airbnb options.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The House of Sandeman - Hostel & Suites

9.5

AP Aeroporto Porto

9.3

Park Hotel Porto Aeroporto

8.8

PortoBay Hotel Teatro

9.3

Mercure Porto Centro Aliados

9.4

Vincci Ponte de Ferro

9.6

The Yeatman

9.5

Mercure Porto Centro Santa Catarina

9.0

HF Ipanema Park Hotel

8.4

Vincci Porto Hotel

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Porto

Porto is walkable but hilly. The metro, trams and buses are reliable and the Andante Card offers easy access to public transport. Historic trams are fun but often crowded. Taxis and ride-sharing are also available.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-36 %

Daily expenses in Porto are around 36% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£50	£110	£285
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£56	£135
🍝 Food per day	£21	£45	£125
🚕 Transportation per day	£6	£8	£25

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£9
🍟 Fast food combo	£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£1.90
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2.40

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.40
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£15
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£41
🤧 Cold medication	£4.80
💇 Basic haircut	£11

Safety information overview

General safety

Porto is a safe city with low crime rates. Petty theft, like pickpocketing, can happen in busy tourist areas, so stay aware, especially in crowded places and on public transport.

Health & Medical

Healthcare in Porto is of high quality, with both public and private options available. Pharmacies are well-stocked and medical professionals often speak English. No special vaccinations are needed.

Accessibility

Porto's hilly terrain and cobblestone streets can be challenging for those with mobility issues. However, many attractions and public transport options are accessible, with improvements being made.

Tap water

Tap water in Porto is safe to drink and of good quality. Public drinking fountains are available in some parks and most restaurants provide tap water if requested.

Packing recommendations for Porto

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Lisbon

Madrid

Santiago de Compostela

Coimbra

Braga

Aveiro

Viana do Castelo

Guimarães

Douro Valley

Looking for inspiration?

Discover

The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…

Discover

Europe is one of the more manageable continents for allergy conscious travelers, thanks to strict food labeling rules that apply across the entire European Union. Restaurants…

Discover

Travelling with a food allergy adds a layer of planning most people never have to think about and the right destination can make that planning a lot easier. Some travellers…

Discover

Europe has a long and serious market tradition, from the medieval trading halls of northern cities to the sprawling weekly markets of the Mediterranean south. Markets here are…

Discover

September is widely considered one of Europe's best travel months, holding onto summer warmth while losing most of the peak season crowds. Southern Europe stays warm enough for…

Discover

Europe contains the world's most established wine producing regions, with centuries of accumulated knowledge about which varieties, soils and microclimates produce the most…

Discover

Europe has quickly become one of the easiest continents for plant based travel, with vegan options now showing up on menus far beyond the cities known for having a food scene.…

Discover

Europe offers remote workers a level of infrastructure that is hard to beat, along with enough cultural variety to keep even a long stay interesting. City based nomads can hop…

Discover

Europe is where most people start, and for good reason. The trains connect cities across borders, the hostels have been running for decades, and the distances between completely…

Discover

Travelling alone sounds like a bigger deal than it is. The first day feels strange – eating dinner by yourself, navigating without someone to double-check the map with, making…

Discover

The world's most compelling urban skylines are the product of specific economic and geographic conditions, where rapid development, constrained land and concentrated wealth have…

Discover

Working from anywhere in the world sounds simple until you actually try it and the best digital nomad destinations look different depending on what kind of remote worker you are.…

Discover

Travelling as a couple sounds simple enough, yet the best couple holiday destinations mean something different to almost every pair. What feels romantic to one couple can feel like…

Discover

Europe has been the backdrop for love stories for centuries, and for couples it remains one of the easiest continents to feel romantic in without even trying. The choice of…

Discover

September often gets called one of the best months to travel, sitting right in that shoulder season sweet spot after summer crowds thin out. School terms restart in much of the…

Was this page helpful?

Summary:	Cool and rainy, mild for winter
Temperature:	5 – 14 °C
Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	148 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Cool and wet, occasional sunny spells
Temperature:	6 – 15 °C
Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	111 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and changeable, frequent showers
Temperature:	8 – 17 °C
Water temp.:	14 °C
Rain:	96 mm (Moderate rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Mild and pleasant, spring showers
Temperature:	9 – 18 °C
Water temp.:	15 °C
Rain:	119 mm (Frequent heavy rain)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists

Summary:	Warm and mostly sunny, good for sightseeing
Temperature:	12 – 20 °C
Water temp.:	16 °C
Rain:	91 mm (Moderate rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Many tourists