Where to Stay in Porto

Our Favorite Hotels in Porto

A 5-star option is Pestana Vintage
• 4-star: Editory House
• 3-star: Casa Carolina
• For Families: Spot Apartments
• For Couples: Torel 1884

a series of photos showing different types of food 1. Casa Carolina 2. Spot Apartments 3. Torel 1884 4. Editory House 5. Pestana Vintagea large building with a clock on it`s side

The Best Area to Stay in Porto

Rising prominently from the north bank of the Douro River, Porto – one of Portugal’s oldest cities dating back to Roman times – captivates visitors upon arrival. It’s a charming blend of traditional, colorful houses, winding medieval lanes that climb up and down the hills at the city’s core, excellent cuisine and wines, and riverside scenery. Porto has a relatively compact design and most major attractions are concentrated in the city center. As for sights further out (or if preferring a quieter section of town and commuting to iconic landmarks), Porto is served by an efficient public transportation network: navigating via metro and bus is straightforward, while riding the scenic riverside tram is even more enjoyable.

Most of the top historic hotels, boutique hotels, and guesthouses in Porto are tightly packed in the core areas of the city including the central region, Ribeira, and Baixa, though some options exist on the outskirts in zones like Miragaia and Vila Nova de Gaia, while high-end chain hotels tend to be situated further away in Boavista.

One of Porto’s most visually appealing neighborhoods, Ribeira is compact and predominantly flat with colorful houses, and stretches along the river from the Dom Luis I bridge to the adjoining neighborhood of Miragaia. With a small number of attractions and tiny streets densely packed with eateries, cafes, and lodging, Ribeira is one of the most iconic – and the most toured by visitors – parts of the city.

Just across the river from Ribeira, the town of Vila Nova de Gaia isn’t technically located within Porto. Nevertheless, it’s a destination many travelers make a point to visit owing to the concentration of port wine companies (for which the locale is famed) lining its hilly roads. Connected to Ribeira by the Dom Luis I bridge and cable car system, and to Baixa by metro, it forms an integral part of exploring the area.

Baixa/Sé encompasses Porto`s downtown zone and includes a pair of raised landmarks located directly to the north of Ribeira. It houses notable structures like the cathedral, nearby Clérigos Tower seen from afar, and the beloved bookstore Lello. An excellent spot for history and vista enthusiasts, Baixa additionally offers dining venues for budgets of all kinds and the city`s most lively nightlife scene. Its medieval roads are steep and feature some of Porto`s most character-rich lodgings inside historic manors. There are some highly exclusive hotels nearby the grand Avenida dos Aliados, and Baixa also serves as a transportation hub, with intercity trains arriving at the train station São Bento.

An easy walk west of Baixa and Ribeira, the relatively peaceful riverside neighborhood of Miragaia has origins linked to Jewish and Armenian history and features traditionally colored homes, similar to its more popular neighbor Ribeira, and eye-catching street art. There are a handful of family-friendly attractions here, some good guesthouses, and a scattering of restaurants. The tram connecting Ribeira and Foz de Douro passes through Miragaia.

Connected by riverside tram to Ribeira and Miragaia, the westernmost neighborhood of Porto by the sea is Foz de Duoro. Short on attractions (besides an ancient fort), it’s ideal for experiencing the calm local way of life, going to the beach, strolling around public gardens, or hiking along coastal trails. However, be prepared for the half-hour commute into downtown Porto and for the constrained selection of lodgings.

a building with a clock on the side of it

Adjoining Baixa, Ribeira, and Miragaia to the west/north, Cedofeita, also known unofficially as the Bairro das Artes (Art District) due to its many pop-up galleries and design schools, is a young, creative neighborhood which is home to one of Porto’s best museums. It’s ideal for travelers who want to avoid the noise of downtown while being an easy stroll away from the main sights and nightlife. There are some excellent guesthouses and stylish hotels in this area.

Northwest of Cedofeita and Miragaia, the primary business district and affluent residential region of Porto is Boavista. It spreads outward from the circular Mouzinho de Albuquerque plaza, and public transportation connects it well to downtown Porto. Several notable attractions are located here, along with most of Porto’s luxury chain hotels.

Bonfim is the expansive, primarily residential area located east of Ribeira and Baixa. It’s hilly and connected to the riverbank by an incline railway. There are no notable attractions here, but it’s a rapidly developing neighborhood with specialty coffee shops and artisanal beer breweries proliferating as a consequence. Lodging is quite sparse, but there are some quality guesthouses and mid-priced hotels here, and the attractions and nightlife of downtown Porto are within easy walking proximity.

The Best Places to Stay in Porto

a crowd of people walking across a bridge

Where to Stay in Porto for…

  • Most suitable areas of Porto for sightseeing: Ribeira, Baixa
    For culture aficionados, head for the Douro River bank in Ribeira to admire the picturesque riverside architecture renowned throughout the city, or take a boat excursion to view the locale from the water. Then meander through the steep roadways of Baixa to glimpse the monumental cathedral, and opt for an aerial perspective of the area from Clérigos Tower before admiring the ornate tiled embellishments adorning the grand structures along Avenida dos Aliados. If visual art piques your interest, then it is surely worth inspecting the pop-up galleries in Cedofeita and Museu Serralves in Boavista.
  • Best Section of Porto for Nightlife: Baixa
    Porto isn`t known as a party town, but it does offer an excellent assortment of bars catering to all budgets, ranging from upscale cocktail lounges to lively student hangouts, with most situated around Baixa. If you’re after locally crafted beers, head to Bonfim’s microbreweries, and if you’ve come to Porto to sample its namesake fortified wine, then head to Vila Nove de Gaia where the bulk of port wine producers have tasting rooms and organize visits to their respective vineyards.
  • Finest Neighborhood in Porto for Dining and Restaurants: Baixa
  • While there are individually distinguished restaurants recognized by Michelin stars in Vila Nova de Gaia and other far corners of the city, there`s no uncertainty that Baixa is Porto’s core region for food enthusiasts. No other neighborhood in the city has the sheer diversity of cuisines found here, and good restaurants can be found at every cost range as well. You’ll find anything from traditional Portuguese meals to innovative blended dining. And if you want to recreate those Portuguese dishes at home, you can find all the necessary ingredients in the unique food shops located here.
  • Best neighborhoods in Porto for families include Boavista, Foz do Douro, Miragaia, and Ribeira.
    Boavista is ideal for families seeking 5-star comfort and amenities, since most of Porto’s chain luxury hotels are located there, and it’s also a quiet neighborhood with some kid-friendly attractions. Foz do Duoro may have limited lodging options, but there is beach and park access, and riding the tram to Ribeira is an enjoyable, family-friendly way to get around. Miragaia and Ribeira are both largely level (ideal if you have a stroller); the former features a child-friendly museum, while the latter is a departure point for boat rides. Parts of Ribeira can get a bit noisy at night, so Miragaia might be a better choice for families with younger kids that want to be within walking distance of Porto’s main attractions.
  • Ribeira and Baixa are excellent neighborhoods in Porto for first-time visitors to stay.

    • For initial visits to Porto with limited vacation time, basing yourself in the districts of Ribeira or Baixa is advisable as many top attractions are concentrated there. They are adjacent to each other, extremely walkable throughout and offer accommodations across all budgets. Ribeira has the edge if hoping to enjoy sunsets over the River Douro from your hotel, while Baixa provides a greater selection of historic hotels and variety of dining and nightspots. M Maison Particulière and Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel are particularly convenient bases for first-time visitors exploring Porto.

  • Most Romantic Neighborhoods in Porto: Baixa, Ribeira
    Baixa has many attractive places to stay in Porto that are perfect for romance: gracious mansions transformed into lovely retreats. Some have wonderful views high above the busy city. There are some excellent restaurants here for romantic meals with your partner and the medieval streets have a very atmospheric feel after dark. Ribeira also offers beautiful views over the river, its riverside restaurants are ideal for sunset viewing, and boutique hotels here are just right for a romantic getaway.
  • Some of the best neighborhoods in Porto for a local vibe include Bonfim and Cedofeita.
    Mainly residential Bonfim has a well-liked local produce marketplace, Mercado do Bolhão, inside a 19th-century wrought iron structure. It’s a laid-back neighborhood where people can accidentally come across Porto’s oldest cemetery and get to know the locals over a cup of coffee in a specialized coffee shop. Young, up-and-coming Cedofeita is full of independent companies, and travelers seeking art and an alternative vibe will find it here.
  • Best Neighborhoods in Porto for Walking: Ribeira, Baixa
    While much of Porto is walkable and a pleasure to wander around, it’s difficult to outdo Ribeira for its scenic waterside promenade, or Baixa for the sheer number of sights packed into its winding medieval lanes. Your leg muscles will get a proper workout too, from climbing up and down hills. For beautiful night-time views of Ribeira and Baixa, cross the River Douro along the Dom Luis I bridge and walk along the promenade in Vila Nova de Gaia.
  • Safest Areas of Porto
  • Most neighborhoods in Porto provide safe walking conditions around the clock, though after dark sticking to well-lit streets and avoiding dim alleyways is advisable.
  • Unsafe Areas of Porto
    There are no particularly unsafe neighborhoods in Porto, though the part of Baixa around the São Bento train station is a bit dubious at night. Standard precautions against pickpockets apply at tourist hubs like Cais da Ribeira and Rua das Flores, and on public transport during rush hour.

The Best Neighborhoods in Porto for Tourists

a bedroom with a bed and a desk

1. Ribeira

Ribeira is Porto`s most identifiable neighborhood and the primary destination for visitors upon arrival. Situated along the riverfront promenade, it features brightly colored houses and provides access to a tram running all the way to Foz de Duoro. Notable attractions include the Palacio da Bolsa and the São Francisco church, and the neighborhood contains hotels, cafes, and eateries packed together. It`s also a favorite locale for sunset viewing and lodging, as you`re right in the center of activities and within easy walking range of Vila Nova de Gaia`s port wine facilities. Unlike much of Porto, Ribeira remains level: benefiting visitors with limited mobility.

2. Baixa/ Sé

Just above Ribeira, Baixa (`downtown`) includes a network of streets winding up and down two hills: one featuring Sé, the cathedral around which Porto was founded, and the other renowned for the proximate Clérigos Tower (excellent viewpoint) and the famous Lello bookshop. The two hills are separated by the Avenida dos Aliados, Porto`s most significant avenue lined with magnificent architecture. Baixa is packed with restaurants, inexpensive drinking establishments, and traditional grocery stores – perfect for shopping for Portugal`s specialty items. Many of Porto`s best luxury hotels are situated off or near the Avenida dos Aliados, and Baixa is also home to the São Bento train station, showcasing some striking examples of azulejo (tile) art.

3. Cedofeita

Adjoining Baixa is the neighborhood of Cedofeita, known for its trendy artistic atmosphere filled with temporary exhibition spaces for art and design as well as educational institutes focused on these fields. It is also home to one of Porto`s finest museums within close proximity to the peaceful Crystal Palace gardens. Several concept stores and a natural foods market can be found here alongside hip brunch cafes and restaurants in addition to lodging mostly in the form of average-priced guesthouses along with a handful of hotels. Northern Cedofeita provides an ideal location for those seeking easy access to Porto`s primary attractions while avoiding the bustling daytime and lively nighttime scenes of Baixa and the loud nightlife in Ribeira.

4. Bonfim

a large building with a clock on the front of it

East of Porto`s city center but within a 15-minute walk of the key attractions, Bonfim is recognized as the neighborhood with a hipster scene. While there aren`t any famous landmarks here, you will instead find Porto`s first public garden, specialty coffee shops, craft beer breweries, and a balanced mix between authentic local life and tourism. Several excellent restaurants that are popular with both visitors and locals are situated here, and many major bus companies have their bases located here as well, providing easy connections to other Portuguese cities. Accommodations include a handful of guesthouses in addition to multiple upscale hotels.

5. Miragaia

Adjacent to Baixa and Ribeira to the west, the riverside neighborhood of Miragaia shares Ribeira’s colorful architecture. This area was once home to Porto`s Jewish and Armenian communities who left their mark. While only a brief walk from downtown, Miragaia offers a noticeably quiet atmosphere and attractions including the family-popular World of Discoveries museum and the landscaped Palacio de Cristal gardens. A handful of accommodation and dining options can also be found here.

6. Foz de Douro

This westernmost area of Porto was once a fishing hamlet and summer retreat for the city`s wealthier residents, explaining the blend of fisherfolk homes and grand manors. It maintains a serene, mostly residential character with one of Porto`s nicest beaches, a 16th-century fortress, public gardens, a seaside promenade, and over 10km of walking/running trails, as well as a scattering of laidback waterside eateries. The sole downside is its distance from downtown, making most attractions around half an hour away using public transportation.

7. Boavista

One of the wealthiest parts of the city, what Boavista lacks in charm, it compensates for with a scattering of attractions such as the notable Serralves Contemporary Art Museum, the historic synagogue, the renowned Casa da Música, and the wonderful, kid-friendly Gallery of Biodiversity. Located northwest of the city center and connected via subway and frequent buses, requiring around 10 minutes, Boavista is within easy access of major sights but also tranquil and peaceful at night. Additionally, this is where a concentration of top-tier chain hotels with ample amenities can be found.

8. Vila Nova de Gaia

Technically not part of Porto itself but heavily visited by tourists coming to the city, Vila Nova de Gaia sits across the Douro River from Ribeira. Also hilly with an appealing waterfront, reachable from Ribeira by bridge or cable car, this neighborhood is renowned for its abundance of port tasting rooms as well as Porto’s finest hotel [The Yeatman] and some excellent eateries.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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