Where to stay in Porto?

Ribeira: stay in the historic heart of Porto

Situated on the north bank of the Douro, between the river and the Sao Bento railway station, perched on a hill, the Ribeira district is the historic center. It's here that Porto's most typical streets and buildings can be found, and many visitors come to experience the charm of Portugal's narrow streets and typical buildings.

The area is home to a number of major monuments, including

• the Sé Cathedral, which dominates the rest of the city and features a beautiful cloister for visitors to explore
• Sao Bento station, famous for its historic azulejo frescoes
• a stroll along the Douro to see the facades of the houses on its banks.

In addition to its own attractions, this area is ideally placed for visiting the rest of Porto. By choosing accommodation here, it's easy to visit all four corners of the city, as you'll be right in the cultural and geographical center. From here, as the city is of a reasonable size, you can reach other places of interest in 15/20 minutes on foot. This makes it the best choice for getting around Porto.

As for the choice of accommodation itself, the tourist appeal of the area has led to the development of a wide range. If you plan well in advance, you'll have no trouble finding somewhere to stay, despite the limited size of the area. However, prices are among the highest in Porto, even if, as in the rest of Portugal, they remain reasonable.

There are many restaurants and bars on the Cais de la Riberia, along the quay. It's easy to spend an evening in a lively atmosphere if you decide to stay here.

The charm of the little streets, the liveliness, the central location and the choice of accommodation make the Ribeira our top recommendation for a place to stay in Porto during your stay.

Aliados and Bolhao, the city center

Just north of Ribeira, past the Sao Bento train station, the Bolhao and Aliados districts are also a very good choice for staying in Porto. In fact, the location is still very good and the slightly larger area offers quite a lot of accommodation.

We're still in the historic part of town, and some of the places of interest are located here. In particular, the Bolhao market is one of the best places to visit to enjoy the Porto atmosphere. Another good reason to stay here is the liveliness of the area. Shops, bars and restaurants are always very lively. These 2 districts make up the city center.

By choosing this part of Porto, you'll also be well placed: everything can be visited on foot, even if the location isn't as ideal as along the Douro. As an added bonus, these parts of the city are very well served by the metro.

As mentioned above, it's easy to find accommodation in this area. Especially if you're on a budget. The range of cheaper accommodation is greater than in Ribeira.

So, given the location, choice of accommodation and liveliness, we recommend Aliados and Bolhao as great places to stay in Porto.

Vila Nova De Gaia: to stay on the south bank of the Douro river

Porto's southern border is indeed the Douro, and the “new town of Gaia” is theoretically separate. However, by crossing the Dom-Luís bridge, you can reach the area in an instant from the heart of Porto. And that makes it a district to consider when looking for accommodation.

Vila Nova is home to most of Porto's wine cellars. It's one of the city's major tourist attractions. And you'd be missing out if you didn't discover the Sandman or Calem wineries. But that's not reason enough to stay.

Indeed, the area quickly becomes residential once you leave the banks of the Douro, and there's no tourist interest in the area. As a result, you'll have to systematically cross the river to get to the north and the places of interest. This isn't necessarily too inconvenient, but in a hilly city like Porto, where you're already on foot quite a lot, those extra 10 minutes can be a pain at the end of the day.

However, there are a few nice places to stay, and there's plenty on offer. So, even if it's not the most dynamic or central location, it's still a good place to stay, especially if a hotel has made you want to stay there. What's more, the majority of these establishments are located on the banks of the Douro river, making them very conveniently situated.

Boavista: accommodation in the newer part of Porto

To the northwest of the city center, the Boavista district is known as the most modern part of the city. Modern buildings line the avenue of the same name, and there's plenty of construction underway. The general atmosphere is quite chic, and it's a good area for a quiet place to stay.

However, it's a long way from the historic center, and you'll need to rely on public transport to reach places of interest, or walk for at least 30 minutes. If you choose to stay in the area, you'll need to allow for a little extra travel time.

The area is less typical, of course, but it's a good place to see the Casa da Musica, Porto's opera house, with its modern design. The adjacent streets are also quite lively, with trendy shops, restaurants and bars. However, as mentioned above, the stroll is pleasant, but you'll only come here once during your stay if you haven't chosen to stay overnight.

A special feature when it comes to accommodation: this is where the major international luxury hotel chains are located. If you appreciate the comfort of a large, modern hotel, this is the place to stay, especially as rates here are as affordable as in the rest of Portugal. In fact, the accommodation on offer is generally top-of-the-range, and there won't be too many cheap places to stay in the area.

Less expensive accommodation close to the center: Miragaia and Massarelos

As Porto is very touristy, the most interesting accommodations are sometimes fully booked well in advance. In such cases, it may be worth sacrificing a little location in order to get good rates and nice hotels that are still available. In this case, the Miragaia and Massarelos areas to the west can prove to be very interesting alternatives for staying.

Located just to the west, these two districts are still very close to the center. For example, you can walk to the cathedral in less than 30 minutes. But be careful not to stay in a part of Massarelos that's too far from the center: it's going to be a long way to the center.

Few people visit these parts of the city, and only tourists who have chosen to stay there pass through. However, the atmosphere in this rather quiet residential area is very pleasant, and the charm of Porto can be seen in the azulejos on the facades of the buildings lining the sloping streets.

The downside is the distinct lack of restaurants and bars in the area. You'll still find a few options, but it will be easier to dine out in another area before returning in the evening to spend the night.

We therefore recommend this area if you're looking for a quieter retreat in a very pleasant residential neighborhood, where tourist accommodation exists and is generally more readily available.