Chapters
“Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.” - Paulo Coelho
While Spain and Portugal share the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal covers a much smaller part of it than its larger neighbour. However, as any travel guide will tell you, there are plenty of things to see and do in Portugal and Porto, in particular. Porto is Portugal’s second city and an increasingly popular destination for spending a weekend or longer. From the historic centre with its typical architecture to cruises on the River Douro, the fine examples of Azulejo, or the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Porto has a few tricks up its sleeves. Porto was voted the best tourist destination in Europe for the third time in 2017. Not bad, is it? There are plenty of reasons to visit northern Portugal, the Douro Valley, or the paved streets of the old port city. Porto is a large city with a lot to offer. So how can you get the most out of Porto? So what should you know about Porto before you visit it? Is the tram expensive? All these answers and many more can be found in this article.
What Are the Different Neighbourhoods in Porto?
Like most cities, Porto is divided into neighbourhoods and areas, each with a different vibe, famous monuments, and hospitality. When you visit this beautiful, romantic, and welcoming city, you might feel a bit lost with so much on offer.
Porto City Centre
Of all the different neighbourhoods in Porto, the historic city centre, or old town, is home to plenty of typically Portuguese streets and buildings. The Ribeira neighbourhood is adjacent to the historic centre. This area includes the most important sights in Porto, including:
- The Lello Bookstore, which inspired J.K. Rowling, the author of Harry Potter.
- The Clérigos Tower, one of Porto’s must-see sights.
- The Bolhão Market for an authentic experience in Porto.
- The São Bento Railway Station and it’s fine Azulejo.
- Palácio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Building) is wonderful.
- Cais da Ribeira, the quays by the banks of the Douro in the Ribeira neighbourhood are a great place to go for a walk.
- And many others!
This neighbourhood leads onto Vila Nova, one of Porto’s surrounding suburbs.
Porto’s Suburbs
Vila Nova de Gaia can be accessed by crossing the famous Dom Luís I Bridge and is home to plenty of wine cellars filled with Port, the famous wine from the city itself. We should also mention São Nicolau, an area of the city that’s just as interesting as the city centre and home to the Soares dos Reis National Museum, Palácio de Cristal, and Quinta da Macieirinha romantic museum. Boavista is one of the more typical neighbourhoods with its fashion boutiques and trendy restaurants. This is a great place to make the most of the nightlife in the city! Find out more about Porto's neighbourhoods.
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Porto?
Of all the money you’ll have to spend to visit Porto, the flights there are the most significant costs. The cheapest way to get there is by air using a low-cost airline such as Ryanair, Vueling, or EasyJet. For as little as £30, you can get flights to Porto and get yourself a pasteis de nata. Improve yourself with a Portuguese courses London here on Superprof.
- Lello Bookstore: €5
- Stock Exchange Building: €8 (adult) and €4.50 (child)
- Porto Cathedral: €3
- Clérigos Tower: €5
- Casa do Infante: €2.20
- Serralves Foundation: €10
When it comes to getting around the city, the most cost-effective way is to get an Andante Card, a €0.60 travel card that you can top up for €1.20 a journey on the bus and metro and use on the tram and the funicular railway. A taxi ride will cost you between €4 and €6 (and €20 if you’re going to the airport). You can also get a Douro river cruise for €12 for 50 minutes and see another side of the city and even the mouth of the river at the Atlantic Ocean. You might want to get Portuguese tutorials before you go!
Where Should You Stay in Porto?
“I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.” - Susan Sontag
We’ve just mentioned the different types of accommodation you can get, but where should you stay in Porto? With Airbnbs, pensão (Portuguese guesthouses), hotels, flatshares, and even youth hostels, each neighbourhood has its specialities. In terms of accommodation, you can also split Porto into the city centre and suburbs.
- Boavista, in the northwest of the city, is full of shops and restaurants.
- Miragaia, near the old town and the Douro, is very quiet.
- Massarelos, to the west of the city centre, is full of students and is the best value for money.
Porto is a very accessible city and you’ll want to choose your neighbourhood based on what you want to see. Don't forget that you can find Portuguese tutorials on Superprof, too. Find out more about the cost of visiting Porto.
When Should You Visit Porto?
Over the years, more and more people have decided to visit Porto thanks to cheap flights. Some periods throughout the year are better than others for visiting the city. So when should you visit Porto and why? Let’s have a look.
The platform that connects tutors and students