Where to stay in Porto? Neighborhood by neighborhood, we tell you everything to help you find the best hotel in Porto!
Porto, Portugal ‘s second-largest and most populous city after Lisbon, has many qualities at its heart: romantic, attractive, popular, authentic and picturesque. As such, it is regularly named « Europe’s best destination of the year », and attracts 4 to 5 million tourists every year. With a population of 237,591 (2011), the « capital of the north » is world-renowned for its port wine, but it also boasts many other charms. Its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.
If you’re planning a visit to Porto, you’re going to need to find somewhere to stay: rented apartments, youth hostels, hotels… But above all, you’ll need to find a neighborhood to stay in that matches your expectations and your budget. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with information when you land in an unfamiliar city, which is why the editors have made your job a little easier: here’s a brief presentation of the areas to stay in Porto.
- The beauty of Porto lies mainly in the authenticity of the Ribeira district, the historic heart of Porto, the modern architecture of Boavista and the bohemian ambience of Massarelos, the choice is yours!
What are porto’s most beautiful districts?
Ribeira, the old town
Photo credit: Flickr – Turismo En Portugal
Ribeira is the historic heart of Porto. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is the district that attracts the most tourists. And it’s easy to see why: from the cobbled, brightly-colored streets that wind through the city center to the quays of the Douro, you gradually descend to one of Porto’s marvels: the famous Dom Luís Bridge, built in 1886 by an engineer close to G. Eiffel. On the banks of the Douro, you’ll find a host of bars offering live music to start the evening. The district’s location also provides quick access to boats for cruises on the Douro!
As you wind your way through the streets of the old town, you’ll be ideally placed, yet totally immersed in Porto’s history. Accommodation costs will be rather high, but for a memorable romantic getaway in Portugal, we don’t count!
Boavista, the new city
Photo credit: Wikimedia – António M.L. Cabral
It’s truly the chic district, with its trendy hotels, bars and restaurants, and luxurious boutiques. Located to the northwest of the city center, you couldn’t be better placed for high-end shopping or for visiting monuments of refined architecture, such as the Casa da Musica.
The nightly rates for apartments are pretty high, so it’s a pretty steep price to pay for accommodation in Porto, but it’s also THE district to stay in if you like trendy nightlife and shopping.
Miragaia, a romantic stopover
Photo credit: Wikimedia – HombreDHojalata
Between the northern banks of the Douro and the Jardim do Carregal, close to the historic heart of the city, lies the Miragaia district. Here, you’ll appreciate the much less effervescent and turbulent atmosphere of the Ribeira, as you stroll through a serpentine of narrow streets where all the picturesque Porto can be savored with the eyes. Once again, this colorful district is ideal for a romantic getaway.
If you decide to find accommodation in this area, your choice of accommodation will range from the rather inexpensive pensão to the more budget-conscious hotel.
Massarelos, Bohemian getaway
Photo credit: Wikimedia – michell zappa
Perched to the west of the city center, between the banks of the Douro and the upscale Boavista district, the Massarelos district – or freguesia in Portuguese – offers a very good compromise when it comes to finding accommodation – apartment or hotel – in Porto. This is the student district where you’ll find the University of Porto’s Faculty of Sciences and Faculty of Arts.
As you stroll through this district, you’ll appreciate – in addition to the art galleries and bars frequented by hipster and bohemian youth – the Palais de Cristal garden, a very relaxing green space on the heights of the city, with a breathtaking view over the mouth of the Douro River sailing towards the Atlantic Ocean. Choose Massarelos for your accommodation in Porto if you’re one of those aficionados of areas that are both quiet and trendy.
Aliados and Bolhão
Photo credit: Flickr – Tim Wang
Right in the heart of the city center, just a stone’s throw from the historic center, lies a small, lively district, a sumptuous blend of historic buildings and majestic churches – a relic of the royal and Christian past – with popular shopping and neighborhood life. The central market and railway station are nearby. A good place, finally, to enjoy a drink in an art deco café or on a terrace in the alleyways adjacent to the main boulevards.
If you’re looking for accommodation in this part of Porto, this is the place to be: close to everything, you can choose between pensão and mid-range or top-of-the-range hotels.
Find a hotel in Aliados and Bolhão
Vila Nova de Gaia
Photo credit: Flickr – Roberto Maldeno
We cross the Douro to visit Porto’s south bank, a district formerly dedicated to river trade. The Dom Luís Bridge provides access (for the pleasure of the eye) and a visit (for the pleasure of the taste buds) to Porto‘s famous wine cellars. This area is especially popular for its tranquility and for visiting the cellars and wineries. If you cross the Pont Dom Luís, venture out to the coast, and enjoy the great Atlantic beaches to enhance your relaxing vacation.
As in other areas of Porto, apartment and hotel prices range from cheap to expensive, depending on whether you want a bed in a dormitory, a homestay or a double bed in a hotel. On the downside, don’t expect to find alleys as charming and lively as those in the Ribeira or Miragaia districts.
Find a hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia
Map of hotels and accommodation – Porto,pt