Where to stay in Porto: best areas and neighborhoods

Porto has a lot to offer to visitors: from museums to nightlife, wine to good food! The historical centre is relatively small, and here you will find the main attractions. Porto has many neighbourhoods very different from each other, so choosing the right one becomes essential to make the most of your trip! Here's everything you need to know about where to sleep in Porto!

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In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto

Foto di wheresleep.

If you visit the city for the first time or only have a few days available, the best area is the historic centre! Here you will find different neighbourhoods each of which meets specific needs.

Riberia overlooks the banks of the Douro River and, together with Baixa, is the core of the nightlife.
A bit further north is the Cadofeita district, tranquil and recommended especially for families! Within this district is the Boavista area, one of the cheapest in Porto, ideal for low-cost travellers! If you stay here, the best solution is to opt for accommodation near a bus stop.

If you want to stay near the beach, we recommend Foz do Douro, ideal for families, west of the old town!
Finally, another recommended area is Vila Nova de Gaia, also known as the wineries district! Located on the opposite bank of the Douro River, it actually represents a real city itself, although iy belongs to Porto.

Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Porto. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking

If you are in Porto for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com

Ribeira, the romantic district

• Pros: Stunning riverside location, vibrant atmosphere, great for couples
• Cons: Crowded with tourists, higher prices for dining and accommodations
• Main attractions: Dom Luís I Bridge, Praça da Ribeira, River Douro cruises
• Average prices: From €80,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Ribeira is probably the most picturesque neighbourhood in all of Porto! It is located on the banks of the Douro River and is one of the best areas to stay in the city! Furthermore, staying here means being close to the main attractions: in the neighbourhoods there are the Cathedral, the Palácio da Bolsa and the Igreja de Santo Ildefonso! Also, here is the Luis I Bridge which leads to Vila Nova do Gaia.

Obviously, given its notoriety and its excellent location, it is one of the most touristic districts. It is a neighbourhood recommended especially for those who want to stay in a central position and be at the centre of the nightlife, as in the evening this area is full of clubs that stay open all night!

Finally, staying here you can move quickly on foot, easily reaching different districts and attractions. Also here is the beautiful São Bento train station, the most beautiful in the city, decorated with beautiful azulejos! The metro line D also passes here.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €80,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Baixa, Heart of the City

Foto di Marcello Saponaro.

• Pros: Central location, close to main attractions, great shopping and dining options
• Cons: Can be noisy at night due to bars and restaurants
• Main attractions: Avenida dos Aliados, Livraria Lello, Clérigos Tower
• Average prices: From €70,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

The Baixa district is located near Ribeira and is the second-best area to stay in. Here you will find ample avenues such as Avenida dos Aliados and Rua de Santa Catalina, the latter being the shopping avenue where the famous Majestic Café is. You will also find attractions in the neighbourhood such as the Igreja dos Clérigos and the Igreja do Carmo, the Lello Bookstore (which inspired some of the Harry Potter locations) and the historic Mercado do Bolhão market.

Here the costs are slightly lower than in Ribeira, but it is still a very central neighbourhood. It is especially ideal for young people, groups of friends and anyone looking for nightlife and fun while staying close to the main attractions!

Even staying in this neighbourhood means being able to move quickly on foot in the city! And not only that, the Baixa is crossed from north to south by the metro line D, main stop Aliados, and a few steps away is the central train station of São Bento.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €70,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Cadofeita, the Art District

Foto di Josep Renalias.

• Pros: Bohemian vibe, trendy cafés, and art galleries
• Cons: Fewer luxury accommodations
• Main attractions: Rua de Cedofeita, Soares dos Reis National Museum, art shops
• Average prices: From €65,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Just north of the Baixa is the Cedofeita, the trendiest neighbourhood in Porto.
Staying in the southernmost part of Cedofeita, you will be a stone's throw from the main attractions. The small district of Boavista occupies the northernmost position, an excellent low-cost area that develops mainly around the Avenida do Boavista, with the Casa da Musica!

The neighbourhood is especially recommended for families with children and those looking for a quieter area, as most tourists are concentrated in Ribeira and Baixa! Here you will find great parks, cafes, shops, restaurants and art galleries! The Boavista area is also suitable for low-cost travellers, as the accommodations have much lower prices than the centre!

From here you can move either on foot or by public transport: on foot if you are staying in the southern area, by public transport if you are staying in Boavista, where almost all the metro lines pass (A, B, C, E, F) which lead to Bolhao (Baixa district) in 5 min.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €65,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Foz do Douro, a Perfect View of the Ocean

Foto di jpvargas.

• Pros: Beachfront location, relaxed atmosphere, great for families
• Cons: Farther from the city center
• Main attractions: Passeio Alegre Garden, Praia da Luz, Farol de Felgueiras
• Average prices: From €90,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Further from the centre is the Foz do Douro neighbourhood, also simply called Foz, today one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Porto! Directly overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, once a small fishing village, it is now a crowded area, especially in the summer months, loved both by tourists and locals! In addition to the beach, here you can go shopping along Senhora de Luz street, visit the old historic centre and stroll along the promenade, with the sea breeze!

It is an ideal neighbourhood for families and for those who want to stay close to the ocean. The busiest period here is summer when prices tend to rise too, but it is a beautiful area and ideal to stay at any time of the year.

Finally, staying here, you will have to use public transport: you can take tram line 1 from Passeio Alegre, which runs along the entire coast until you get to Ribeira (20 min), or one of the many city buses!

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €90,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Vila Nova do Gaia, the Wine Lover's Paradise

• Pros: Famous for port wine cellars, incredible views of Porto skyline
• Cons: Limited nightlife compared to Porto city center
• Main attractions: Port wine cellars, Cais de Gaia, Jardim do Morro
• Average prices: From €80,00 per night – find top stays on Booking

Finally, one of the best areas to stay in is Vila Nova do Gaia, known as the wine cellar district! Actually, Vila Nova do Gaia is a real city within Porto District. It is located on the opposite bank of the Douro River and is connected to the Ribeira district by the Luis I Bridge. One of the main attractions is the museum dedicated to wine, the WOW Porto - The World of Wine, but there is no shortage of green areas and wonderful panoramic terraces!

It is an area recommended above all for wine lovers and those who want to experience a quieter nightlife than Ribeira and Baixa. Here there are many wineries and wine bars, the latter perfect for meeting up to chat over a good glass of wine! It is also an area chosen by couples looking for a romantic getaway, as the neighbourhood is lovely.

From here, you can move on foot or by public transport: if you are staying on the river banks, it will take you less than 10 minutes to reach the Ribeira crossing the Luis I Bridge, alternatively you can use the city buses.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from about €80,00 - compare the best accommodation on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Places to stay near Porto

Foto di wheresleep. Staying in Porto remains the best solution, especially if it is the first time you visit the city or if you stop for just a few days. As we have seen, there are very different neighbourhoods that offer all the services you may need!
But if you are staying in Northern Portugal for longer and don't want to stay in the city, several locations around Porto are perfect for your stay, depending on your needs! You can opt for the seaside or stay among the vineyards. Here are the recommended villages and towns:

• Vila do Conde (30 km / 40 min): located by the ocean, with beautiful beaches and not far from the Vila do Conde Nature Reserve. Ideal for families and for those who want to enjoy the sea. Connected to Porto by direct train (1 h) - compare accommodation on Booking
• Espinho (20 km / 26 min): holiday resort south of Porto, with wide sandy beaches and excellent fish restaurants. Ideal for families and for those who want to enjoy the sea. Connected to Porto by direct train (40 min) - compare accommodation on Booking
• Valongo (16 km / 20 min): fantastic location in the hills, among woods and vineyards. Ideal for families and those seeking tranquillity, but also for wine lovers! Connected to Porto by direct train (20 min) - compare accommodation on Booking

Porto accommodation price map

Booking.com

Guide to the areas of Porto

With an area of ​​about 44 square kilometres, Porto is not a complex city to visit and is very easy to blend in. It is also very suitable to visit on foot, but paying attention to the constant ups and downs due to its conformation.

From an administrative point of view, the city is divided into seven main freguesias, which can be translated into "civil parish". In each freguesia, there are also several smaller neighbourhoods. From a tourist point of view,the most exciting places are in the historic centre and the immediate vicinity, near the Douro river: these are the Freguesia Cadofeita, where you'll find the Cadofeita, Baixa and Ribeira. The Freguesia Aldoar is also there, with the neighbourhood of Foz do Douro, by the coast.

Not recommended areas: Porto is one of the safest cities in Portugal, but some suburbs are to be avoided, including Bairro Pinheiro Torres, Bairro Aleixo, Bairro do Cerco, Lagarteiro and the northern area of ​​Freixo Palace.

Cool Things to Do in Porto

• Port Wine Cellar Tour: Visit Calem to learn about and taste Porto’s world-famous port wine. More info here.
• Douro River Cruise: Admire the city’s iconic bridges and riverside scenery with a traditional boat tour. More info here.
• Livraria Lello: Explore one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, said to have inspired J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
• Bolhão Market: Immerse yourself in Porto’s local culture by visiting this traditional market full of fresh produce and regional delicacies.
• Fado Music Night: Experience the soul of Portugal with a live Fado performance in a cozy local venue. More info here.
• Pastel de Nata cooking class: learn to make this famous sweet with a professional cooking teacher. More info here.

Travel Tips

• Getting Around: Porto’s metro and tram systems are efficient and affordable. Consider a Porto Card for unlimited transport and discounts at attractions. More info here.
• Language: Portuguese is the official language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Learning a few basic Portuguese phrases is appreciated.
• WiFi: Free WiFi is available in most public spaces, including cafés, hotels, and popular squares like Praça da Ribeira.
• Best Time to Visit: Spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
• Local Cuisine: Don’t miss the Francesinha, a hearty sandwich, and try pairing it with a local Super Bock beer.