The Ultimate Travel Guide to Porto

Portugal is one of the top destinations for tourists over the past few years. Portugal can give you a lot when you go there, but you should choose wisely when you choose where to go. In today’s ultimate travel guide, we from touristsinsider.com will give you a complete travel guide to Porto, which happens to be one of the best locations for your next trip to Portugal.

There is a very good reason for Porto to be one of the top travel cities in Europe. With its stunning old town, rivers, bridges, delicious foods, churches, and many more, Porto is visited by millions of tourists every single year. So, let’s jump deeper into what Porto has for its travelers.

Top Things to Explore in Porto (What to do in Porto)

Porto is a mixture of gothic, baroque, and modernist styles, similar to Prague. The streets of the Old Town of Prague in a combination of the beautiful sights to see, and delicious food are just some of the reasons why Porto is quickly becoming one of the most attractive travel destinations not only in Portugal but Europe.

Let’s go deeper into the best things to do when you go to Porto

Explore the Ribeira (Old Town Porto)

The Ribeira (Porto Old Town) is the heart of Porto. There you can get lost in the history of Porto. You can have a walk in the narrow cobblestone streets and explore the houses from the 18th century. The Ribeira is situated near the Duoro River, which is one of the best top reasons why Porto is a desired travel destination for millions of travelers.

Clerigos Tower

The Clerigos Tower is the easiest building to spot in Porto. It was built in the 18th century and is one of the iconic buildings of Porto. The tower is part of the Clerigos Church. It is worth not only passing by but exploring it from the inside as well. If you are a true travel lover, you may climb the 225 steps of the Clerigos Tower and see the spectacular 360-degree view of Porto.

Luis I Bridge

Luis I Bridge is a must-see when you arrive in Porto. The Bridge connects Porto with the Vila Nova de Gaia. The length is about 385 meters and 45 meters in height. The Luis I Bridge consists of two levels, the first one for cars, and the second one for pedestrians and trains.

Douro River

The Douro River springs in Spain and crosses all of North Portugal, which creates the Douro Valley, which happens to be one of the main Portugal wine regions. Douro River got all the way to Porto, covering around 900 km, giving the city spectacular views and wonderful places to enjoy the wonderful nature.

Sao Bento Station

Sao Bento Statio is iconic for Porto. In there you can see hand-painted wall paintings that reveal certain scenes from the history of Portugal. You must see Sao Bento Station, no matter if you want to take a train, or just take a look at the history of the country.

Gardens of the Crystal Palace

Well, Porto has something to offer for travelers who love scenic views, landscapes, and lovers of parks. Built in the 1860s, the Gardens of the Crystal Palace is a desired destination for Porto tourists.

Porto Wine Tour

You cannot go to Porto and skip a Wine Tour. In the Douro Valley, which you already know about, you can see one of the most attractive vineyards in the world. In the Douro Valley, Wine has been made for over 2 000 years. We can say that there you can find one of the best wines in the world.

Is it Expensive to Visit Porto?

It all depends on what you are planning to do. Generally, the prices in Porto are cheap, however, you need to plan your trip carefully not to exceed your budget.

Things like eating out, fees for historical monuments, attractions, and souvenirs are not expensive, however, if you sum things up, you can see that you may need a little bit more for your trip.

Is it Safe to Visit Porto?

The crime rate in Porto is very low, which made the city generally safe. The only thing that you have to keep in mind when going there is pickpocketing, as that would be the only concern for tourists. Of course, that is generally when using public transportation.

How to get around Porto

There are many ways to explore Porto. If you want to get to the history of the city, you can get a train. However, if you are willing to explore as many things as you want, renting a car is the perfect option for you.

Top Hotels to Stay in Porto

As usual, we from touristsinsider.com will give you some of the top recommendations for hotels where you can stay in Porto. We will give you both luxurious and budget-friendly options to check.

1. Crowne Plaza Porto

The first, and probably one of the best options for you, is Crowne Plaza Porto, which is one of the most luxurious hotels in Porto. The Crowne Plaza Porto will give you an exceptional stay with tons of delicious meals and very close to many attractions and iconic buildings. It is located in the Massarelos part of Porto.

• Sparkling Clean,
  
• Top-Rated,
  
• Rated Highly by Business Travelers,
  
• 24-hour Front Desk,
  
• Meal Options.

2. Village by BOA

This 5-star place is just amazing. You will enjoy a great stay in a place that allows you to visit many sights. It is located in the Santo Ildefonso.

• Sparkling Clean,
  
• Top-Rated,
  
• Airport Transfer,
  
• 24-hour Front Desk,
  
• Close to Public Transport
  
• Meal Options.

3. Torel Avantgarde

Here we have one of the hotels in Porto with an incredible view. You can see basically almost the whole city from the top floors of Torel Avantgarde, where you can also find the pool.

• Sparkling Clean,
  
• Top-Rated,
  
• Rated Highly by Business Travelers,
  
• Excellent Room Quality and Comfort,
  
• Meal Options.

4. Pousada do Porto - Rua Das Flores

Pousada do Porto is located in the heart of Porto, which gives you many opportunities to explore the whole city.

• Sparkling Clean,
  
• Top-Rated,
  
• Located in the Heart of Porto,
  
• Newly Built,
  
• Meal Options.

5. Acta de Avenue

Here we have one of the best budget-friendly and quality options for a stay in Porto. Acta de Avenue is located in the Bonfim part of Porto, which puts you close to some of the top restaurants in the city.

• Sparkling Clean,
  
• Top-Rated,
  
• Rated Highly by Business Travelers,
  
• 24-hour Front Desk,
  
• Excellent Room Comfort and Quality,
  
• Meal Options.

Frequently Asked Questions for traveling to Porto

Q: Is it expensive to visit Porto?

A: Not at all, prices in Porto are not expensive. However, you need to create a budget, as you may spend a little bit too much if you want to explore everything in Porto. Also, during the summer months in Porto, when is the season for traveling to the city, you may see more expensive prices.

Q: What makes Porto so special?

A: Porto is an iconic city for Portugal tourism. In there you can see spectacular views, and iconic architecture buildings and even get a wine tour around the Douro River.

Q: How to get around Porto?

A: Probably, the best and cheapest option for exploring Porto is by using public transport. However, you can choose to rent a car, which will give you more freedom.

Q: When is the best time to visit Porto?

A: The best time to visit Porto is during the summer, from May to September to be exact. This is when the weather is sunny and warm, however, you need to know that this is the tourist season, so you may need to prepare a bigger budget, especially during July and August.

In Summary for visiting Porto

Porto is one of the most amazing cities in Portugal. With the combination of fascinating sights, many iconic buildings to explore, delicious food to taste, an option to check the Wine Valley, and many more, Porto happens to be one of the top travel destinations that should enter your travel bucket list.

Apart from Porto, you can check some of the other top destinations in Europe apart from Porto, like Venice, Paris, Sevilla, Prague, Rome, Milan, etc.