Porto holidays

How to reach Porto

Flight time: Flights to Porto from London and other major UK airports take around 2 hours 20 minutes.

Transfer time: Porto Airport is located just 15km from the city centre. The journey takes around 25 to 30 minutes by metro and around 20 minutes by taxi or a shared shuttle.

Price:

• The metro to the city centre costs around €2 one way.

• A taxi will set you back €20–€25.

• If you opt for a shared shuttle, expect to pay around €8 per person.

Weather and best time to visit Porto

The key to making your holidays to Porto memorable is choosing the right time to visit, depending on whether you’re seeking sunshine, events or quiet streets.

• March to May brings springtime to Porto, with pleasant temperatures ranging from 15°C to 20°C and thinner crowds. These months offer around 7 to 9 hours of sunshine per day and lower rainfall than in winter, making them perfect for walking tours and river cruises.

• June to August is Porto’s high season, with average temperatures ranging from 23°C to 27°C, approximately 10 hours of sunshine daily and sporadic rain. It’s a lovely time for riverfront strolls and outdoor dinners.

• September to October sees the shoulder season and is a fantastic time to enjoy a quieter city with warm weather. Although average temperatures drop from 23°C to around 18°C, you’ll still get 6 to 8 hours of sunshine a day, making this time ideal for winery tours.

• November to February is Porto’s mild winter and quieter period, with temperatures hovering around 9°C to 14°C and limited hours of sunshine. Rain is more frequent, but in December Christmas lights and markets add much charm to the city.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Portuguese is the official language, though English is commonly spoken in popular tourist areas.

• Local habits and customs: Porto’s pace is relaxed, and locals are known for their warmth. Dining times start from 8 pm onward and respectful behaviour in religious sites is valued.

• Currency: Portugal uses the Euro. ATMs are readily available, and credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Porto’s metro system is easy to navigate, with a single fare costing about €1.20–€2. You can also buy a 24-hour Andante card, at €7.50 a budget option covering metro and buses. Taxis and rideshares are also available, while bike rentals are common along the Douro River.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard voltage is 230V, with Type C and F plugs, so UK travellers need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Porto operates on Western European Time, the same as GMT.

Best things to do in Porto

Dramatically situated at the mouth of the Douro River, Porto is a massively atmospheric place to visit.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Clérigos Tower: The best vantage point in the city centre for spectacular views is from the top of the Baroque Clérigos Tower, which towers 75m above the streets below. Having puffed up the 200-odd stairs, you can enjoy the sweeping panoramas (you can rent binoculars at the ticket desk).

• Miradouro da Vitória: One of Porto’s beloved viewpoints, it offers spectacular views across the city’s colourful rooftops, the Dom Luís I Bridge and the Douro River. It’s free to visit.

• Jardim do Morro: Located across the Dom Luís I Bridge in Vila Nova de Gaia, this hillside garden gives postcard views of Porto’s skyline and is one of the city’s favourite photo spots.

The best districts

• Ribeira: Porto’s waterfront – known as the Ribeira – is the city’s most touristy quarter and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The arcaded quayside, the Cais da Ribeira, is one long run of restaurants and cafés looking across the river to the port wine lodges on the other side.

• Vila Nova de Gaia: The riverfront of Vila Nova de Gaia has a long line of cafés, bars and restaurants; cruise boats dock along the esplanade. But Gaia, of course, is completely synonymous with the port wine trade – you can’t miss the dozens of company lodges and warehouses (known as caves), some in business for more than three centuries.

• Cedofeita: Known for its trendy boutiques, street art and cafés, this up-and-coming area is where you’ll find Porto’s creative scene.

Historical monuments

• Porto Cathedral: Porto’s cathedral, the Sé, is an architectural mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles, and one of the oldest buildings in the city. The cloisters feature beautiful azulejo tilework, and the view from the terrace – of the old-town streets tumbling down towards the Douro – is excellent.

• Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Palace): For an indication of the wealth pouring into Porto from the 19th century, join a tour of the stock exchange, the Palácio da Bolsa, whose interior halls display an almost obscene level of richness. The extraordinary Salão Árabe – inspired by the Alhambra in Granada – is probably most famous for its stunning interiors.

• Church of St Francis: The rather plain façade of the Church of St Francis, now deconsecrated, conceals a fabulously opulent, gold-covered interior, refurbished in the 18th century. It’s probably best known, however, for its bizarre Capela dos Ossos, the “chapel of bones” in the catacombs.

Day trips in the area

• Douro Valley: Just an hour from Porto by train, the Douro Valley is one of Portugal’s premier wine regions. Take a boat trip up one of the loveliest river valleys in Portugal or enjoy a wine tour of the famous terraced vineyards, where you can sample top local wines.

• Aveiro: Known as the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro’s canals and charming Art Nouveau buildings make it a lovely day trip from Porto. Float through the canals and lagoons on a brightly coloured boat!

• Guimarães: The first capital of Portugal, Guimarães remains an atmospheric and beautiful university town. Its chief attraction is the hilltop castle, whose square keep and seven towers are an enduring symbol of the Portuguese nation.

Activities for families in Porto

Porto has no shortage of fun things for families to do, with attractions that’ll keep the excitement running all day long.

• Ponte Dom Luís I: Porto’s iconic double-decker bridge, Ponte Dom Luís I, provides one of the city’s favourite landmarks and photo opportunities. You can walk across either level and the upper level crossing especially (a nerve-jangling 60m above the water) is worth doing at least once. Kids will be thrilled!

• River cruises: Porto’s stock-in-trade is the languid, scenic river cruise along the Douro. Services are daily and frequent in the summer season. Kids will love spotting the city’s many bridges and colourful buildings from the water.

• Interactive museums: Families will enjoy the World of Discoveries, an engrossing interactive museum that brings Portugal’s Age of Discovery to life with hands-on exhibits, model ships and immersive displays.

• Parks and gardens: The Parque da Cidade (City Park) is Porto’s largest green space, offering playgrounds, picnic areas and duck ponds. Cristal Palace Gardens boast an avenue of lime trees and lovely river views from a high vantage point. At several buildings sited within the park you’ll find exhibitions, workshops, summer concerts and children’s activities.

Free things to do in Porto

The city has a plethora of free attractions to offer, so you can make the most of your Porto holidays without breaking the bank.

• Free events: Porto’s famous Festa de São João in June is the biggest event of the year, with street parties, parades and fireworks – all free to attend. Free outdoor concerts and cultural events are also held during summer months throughout the city.

• Free museums: If there’s a must-see cultural attraction in Porto, it’s the contemporary art museum and overwhelmingly green park run by the Fundaçăo Serralves, 4km west of the centre. The good news is it’s free on the first Sunday of each month.

• Free guided tours: Several companies offer tips-only walking tours of Porto, which are a fantastic way to learn about the city’s history and architecture.

Local dishes in Porto

One of the great delights of holidays to Porto is exploring its surprisingly varied culinary landscape, a delicious blend of hearty dishes, seafood classics and sweet treats.

Some typical dishes

• Francesinha: Francesinha (“little French thing”) is a mighty chunk of steak, sausage and ham between toasted bread, covered with melted cheese and a peppery tomato-and-beer sauce. A very appetising Porto belt-tightener!

• Caldo Verde: A hearty and warming option, this traditional soup, made with finely shredded kale leaves, onion and potatoes in broth, usually comes with chouriço (Portuguese sausage) in it. Simple but delicious!

Fish and seafood dishes

• Bacalhau à Brás: The most typical Portuguese fish dish is bacalhau (dried, salted cod), which is virtually the national dish, with reputedly 365 different ways of preparing it. The best for first-timers to try is bacalhau à brás, fried with egg, onions and potatoes.

• Polvo à Lagareiro: For octopus enthusiasts, this staple Portuguese dish is unmissable! Octopus is roasted with garlic, potatoes and olive oil which makes it perfectly tender and very tasty.

• Sardinhas Assadas: Grilled sardines are a firm favourite along the Portuguese coast and provide one of the country’s most appetising smells. Frequently served just with olive oil and lemon, they also pair well with a salad and potatoes.

Sweets and desserts

• Pastel de Nata: These are classic custard tarts which have a sweet creamy filling and are deliciously flaky. For an extra touch of flavour, enjoy them with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

• Toucinho do Céu: Well worth the extra calories, this delicious almond and egg yolk cake, is another dessert that showcases the city’s sweet tooth.

Local drinks

• Port Wine: No visit to Porto is complete without sampling port wine from Portugal’s Douro region. Available in several varieties, including ruby, tawny and white, it’s quintessentially Portuguese smooth, fortified wine.

• Vinho Verde: This light, slightly sparkling wine hails from northern Portugal but is popular nationwide and wonderfully refreshing. Best when served chilled, it’s perfect for enjoying on a sunny afternoon.