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ā¢ Porto City Hall
My first stop was the City Hall. The building features beautiful architecture, and there's a sign out front with the city's name, making it a great spot for photos.
The entrance is free, though I didn't go inside.
ā¢ Igreja do Carmo
My next stop was Igreja do Carmo, or Carmo Church in English. This baroque-style church, built in the 18th century, features a striking blue and white tiled side facade, which attracts many visitors who come to take pictures.
ā¢ Igreja dos Carmelitas
Entry is free.
ā¢ SĆ£o Bento Station
This 20th century railway station is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world and is still in operation. Inside, you'll find thousands of hand-painted tiles depicting key moments in Portuguese history.
I can't recommend this site enough, it was love at first sight for me. It's a stunning place, brimming with art and history.
ā¢ SĆ© do Porto
The construction of this building began in the 12th century, but it has been renovated numerous times, which is why you'll find a mix of architectural styles, including Baroque, Romanesque and Gothic.
To enter, you'll need a ā¬3 ticket, or you can purchase a ā¬6 combination that also grants access to the palace next to the cathedral.
With your entry ticket, you can explore the cloister, walk around the courtyard (which will make you feel like you're in a Harry Potter film), and climb to the top of one of the towers for breathtaking views of the city and the Douro River.
ā¢ Episcopal Palace of Porto
Next to SĆ© do Porto, you'll see this palace, which serves as the residence of the bishops of Porto. It features both Baroque and Rococo architectural style.
You can visit the palace with a ā¬4 ticket, or purchase a ā¬6 combination ticket to enter both the palace and the cathedral.
ā¢ Ribeira do Porto
Take a stroll along the Douro River, where you can enjoy a boat ride or relax with a cold beer at one of the many riverside bars. I recommend trying the famous local beer, Super Bock, while taking in the stunning views.
ā¢ Dom LuĆs I Bridge
If you want to cross the Douro River, you can take the metro or walk across the Dom LuĆs I Bridge. You can choose to walk along the lower part of the bridge, which is the car lane, or take the upper level, which is dedicated to the metro.
ā¢ Miradouro da Serra do Pilar
From this viewpoint, you'll capture the perfect picture of Porto and can even watch the sunset. The Monastery of Serra do Pilar is right there, but it is temporary closed.
ā¢ Jardim do Morro
This is another great spot for stunning views of the city. Here, you'll find a cable car that takes you down to the river. It's a popular place for people to gather and watch the sunset.
ā¢ Torre dos ClĆ©rigos
With the ticket to the tower, you'll gain access to the museum that tells the story of Nicolau Nasoni, the architect behind this building. You can also climb the tower for breathtaking views of the city, though the narrow, steep ladders can be challenging, especially when you encounter people coming in the opposite direction.
Finally, you can visit the Church, unless it's hosting a light show. If you'd like to attend the light show, there's an additional fee of ā¬10.
ā¢ Capela das Almas
I stumbled upon this picturesque chapel while wandering around. The entrance is free, but unfortunately, it was closed when I arrived, so I couldn't go inside.
ā¢ Livraria Lello
This bookshop is a must visit, but be aware that during the summer, it can get quite crowded, making it difficult to move around or fully appreciate the books.
Tickets must be purchased in advance on their website for ā¬8, but the fee can be used as a voucher toward a book purchase at the bookshop.
ā¢ Jardins do PalĆ”cio de Cristal
This garden is the perfect escape from the city's noise and crowds. You'll find peacocks roaming freely and plenty of spots to sit and unwind. It also offers great viewpoints of the city, and best of all, entrance is free.
ā¢ Rua das Flores
My last stop was Rua das flores, a trendy street dating back to the 16th century, rich in history. Along the way, you'll find a mix of stores, restaurants, and charming old houses adorned with beautiful balconies.
The following places are recommendations based on those I haven't visited yet but would like to:
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1. Walking
If you're planning to stay in central Porto and don't plan to venture far, consider walking everywhere!
One of the city's greatest advantages is that its main attractions are all within close proximity, and Porto is compact enough that walking is a great way to get around. In my experience, the best way to truly get to know a city is by wandering its streets and getting lost in its charming corners.
2. By metro
If you want to explore bit further or prefer not to walk too much, the metro is a great option.
First of all, there are two types of Andante cards: the Blue Andante and the Andante Tour.
For the šš„š®š šš§ššš§šš ššš«š, it's important to know that each card is valid for one person only, regardless of how many trips you purchase. Each card is personal. The cost of the card itself is ā¬0.60, and youāll need to load it with trips. Be sure to validate it at the machines every time you board a metro or bus.
Fares depend on the zones you travel through. Porto is divided into several zones, and the fare is calculated based on how many zones you cross. You can pay per trip or opt for a daily pass if you plan to travel frequently in one day.
Here is the map of the zones if you plan to stay in central Porto:
Here are the prices (keep in mind that a simple trip lasts for one hour within zones Z2 and Z3. So, if you validate your card twice within that hour, it will only count as one trip):
I'll leave the links to the Andante website, where you'll find all the details, including prices, durations, where to buy the card, and an interactive map of the zones:
I hope that between my explanation and the Andante website, you'll have a clear understanding of how it works. But if you still have any questions, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or via email, I'll be happy to help!
The second option is the šš§ššš§šš ššØš®š« ššš«š. You can choose between a 1-day pass for ā¬7, which is valid for 24 consecutive hours from the moment you first validate it, or a 3-day pass for ā¬15, valid for 72 consecutive hours from its first validation.
This card isn't rechargeable and can be used around the city without having to worry about the zones.
I'll leave you the link to the website for further information:
3. By bus
Another great way to get around Porto is by bus. At each bus stop, you'll find an itinerary for the lines that pass through, including the schedule, all the stops along the route, and a QR code that lets you check the real time arrival information for the bus line.
You can either use the Andante card or pay with cash directly on the bus.
On the following link, you'll find the official website, where you can access the 'Plano de Viagem' to help you plan your route from one point to another, as well as schedules, maps, and other useful information.
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1. Plan your itinerary in advance
Planning ahead will help you make the most of your trip. Create a list of the places you want to visit each day, so you can focus on gathering important details about each location. For example, check if you need to buy tickets in advance, whether online ticket purchases can save you money, or if there are any discounts for children, students, or seniors.
2. Do your research in advance
Once you've selected the places you want to visit, take the time to look up reviews online. See what other people are saying about their experiences and check out the photos theyāve posted. This can help you decide whether a site is worth the entrance fee. Sometimes, a picture of the beautiful exterior is all you need to see, and you can skip the inside since itās not worth the cost to enter.
3. Explore free attractions
4. Don't follow the crowds
Sometimes, people line up for hours to enter a popular attraction, while just next door you might find a free site thatās even more interestingāand much less crowded.
5. Visit in the low season
Visiting during the low season can definitely lower your costs. Hotels, restaurants, and attractions often charge more during peak season, so if you have the flexibility, plan your trip to Porto for a quieter time of year. Plus, you'll enjoy fewer crowds, making it easier to take photos without random people in the background.
6. Stay outside the city center
Choosing accommodations like hostels, hotels, or Airbnbs outside the city center can significantly reduce your costs. Plus, public transportation is affordable and will easily get you to the main attractions, saving you more than staying in the heart of Porto.
7. Stay in hostels
In my experience, hostels are always more affordable. If you're open to it, consider staying in one, they not only save you money, but theyāre also a great way to meet fellow travelers.
8. Walk everywhere
Yes, just walk! As I mentioned earlier, everything in Porto is close by, so if you stay in the city center, you can easily walk to all the places you want to visit.
9. Choose your restaurants carefully
10. Use lockers
Many metro stations offer luggage lockers (or "consignas") where you can store your things. This is a great option if you want to avoid paying high fees at your hotel for storing luggage before check-in or after check-out. Carrying a backpack around the city for hours while waiting for your train can be uncomfortable, so these lockers will save you both money and back pain. Theyāre inexpensive, and you can easily find them on Google Maps.
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Below, youāll find two lists of accommodation options in Porto: one for hotels and one for hostels. Both lists are organized by proximity to the city center, with the closest options listed first and the furthest ones at the end. For each accommodation, Iāve also included key details like average nightly prices and ratings based on online reviews to help you make an informed decision.
ā¢ Hotels
ā¢ Hostels
My goal is to make travel more accessible and help you have the best experience possible in this beautiful city. Iām offering this guide for free because I truly believe in sharing helpful resources with everyone.
That said, putting this guide together takes a lot of time and effort, so if you found it useful and would like to show your support, I would really appreciate it!
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