Looking for the best place to stay in Porto?
Follow the guide, we have tested, listed and detailed for you the best areas to stay in Porto, as well as the best accommodation in this city that we love visiting so much.
Portugal’s second-largest city after Lisbon, Porto attracts many tourists every year, who are tempted by the city’s romantic and authentic environment. Renowned not only for its quality mutated wine, the city also offers tourists a renowned historic centre, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1996.
If you’re planning to visit Porto in the near future, you’ve come to the right place, as this guide will help you choose accommodation to suit your budget and interests. Discover our favourite areas to stay in Porto!
⏰ Don’t have time to read everything?
Here are the best areas to stay in Porto, with hotels ranging from upmarket to budget. They all have excellent reviews and are in great locations!
🚨 These hotels are among the most popular, so don’t delay in booking. Plus, they offer free cancellation, so don’t worry if you change your mind.
- Best upmarket hotel: Pestana Vintage
- Best value for money: BessaHotel Baixa ❤️
- Best budget hotel: The Poets Inn
- Best well-located flat: Nice Apartment
- Best family hotel: Eurostars Porto
🌃 Find other accommodation at the best price
Table des matières
Best area to stay for the first time in Porto: Baixa
There’s no better area to stay in Porto for a first stay than the City Centre, also known as Baixa (Lower City) due to its proximity to the banks of the Douro. The Baixa district allows you to wander through ancient streets, bustling with shops and cafés, before continuing your visit through historic squares such as Liberdade Square.
You can even catch a glimpse of Porto’s creative culture around every corner thanks to the many street artists! Take the opportunity to get your portrait, to take home and hang as a souvenir of your trip.
The historic and spiritual heart of the city will not only let you enjoy an enthusiastic environment, but will also make it easier for you to get around, as the most important monuments are concentrated all around this district. We recommend that you stay in this district on your first visit, so that you can quickly and easily get to the attractions that appeal to you most. Baixa is the place to stay, especially on your first visit to Porto!
Best hotels in the city centre
Top of the range
Pestana Porto : With its magnificent medieval building, the Pestana Porto is one of the best hotels in Baixa. Located in the heart of the city, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of Porto’s main sights and just a few minutes’ walk from the metro station. The Pestana Porto has a fitness centre, a great restaurant and a bar. Its elegant and beautifully decorated rooms are ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing in Porto. See price and availability.
Best value for money
❤️ Bessa Hotel Baixa: Located in one of the best areas to stay, this hotel offers a beautiful indoor pool, bar and free Wi-Fi. See price and availability.
Cheap hotels in Porto
Dear Porto: This centrally located hotel is within easy walking distance of Porto’s main sights and the metro station is a 2-minute walk away. See price and availability.
Flat
Veiga Garden House: Within walking distance of Porto’s famous restaurants and shops, this Airbnb offers well-decorated rooms and a garden. See price and availability.
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5 things to do and see in Baixa:
- Climb the two hundred and forty steps of the Torre dos Clérigos for incredible views over the city.
- Visit the backstage area of the National Theatre of São João.
- Visit the romantic gardens of the Palácio de Cristal.
- Explore the Quarteirão das Artes.
- Visit São Bento station to admire its baroque facades.
Where to stay in Porto to visit : The Ribeira
Looking for the best place to stay in Porto to visit? We particularly recommend La Ribeira. Located to the south of the Baixa district and a UNESCO World Heritage site, this is clearly the most attractive district for tourists.
During the day, you can enjoy the colourful cobbled streets, packed with small craft shops and street artists. In the evening, for a change of atmosphere, you can venture into the many trendy bars to enjoy a variety of musical evenings. Jazz, blues or rock? La Ribeira has it all.
What’s more, La Ribeira’s proximity to the quays of the Douro means that not only can you stroll along the quays with a soothing view, but you can also hop on a boat for a spin and enjoy the scenery whenever you like!
Hotel rooms are still fairly expensive in this lively and popular district, but renting studios or flats by the night is largely affordable.
Best hotels to stay at in La Ribeira
Upscale
Pestana Vintage Porto: This luxury hotel in Porto is housed in a 16th-century UNESCO World Heritage building. It is one of the best luxury hotels in Porto. The spacious art deco rooms have everything you need, and you can enjoy an excellent breakfast overlooking the river, or a cocktail on the hotel terrace. The city centre is just a few minutes’ walk away! See price and availability.
Best value for money
❤️ Eurostars Porto: A pleasant place to stay in Ribeira. The spacious rooms have stunning views of the city and river and free wifi is available. See price and availability.
Inexpensive
The Poets Inn: This centrally located hotel in Ribeira offers a lovely terrace, free wifi and easy access to Porto’s main sights. See price and availability.
Flat
Modern Home: Beautiful Airbnb with stylish rooms and a great location in Ribeira. Porto’s famous restaurants are just around the corner. See price and availability.
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5 things to do and see in La Ribeira:
- Visit the Stock Exchange Palace and its incredible Arab salon.
- Pay a visit to Porto Cathedral.
- Take a walk over the Dom Luís Bridge, which links Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia.
- Visit the Gothic church of São Francisco.
- Visit the trendy pubs and restaurants on the Douro bank.
The place to stay in Porto with your family: Miragaia
For family accommodation in Porto, we recommend the Miragaia district, just a few kilometres from the historic heart of the city.
Here you can sleep in a much quieter area than the streets of La Ribeira, while still enjoying colourful alleyways full of small restaurants, museums and outdoor activities.
What better place to relax in green spaces and visit streets reminiscent of the Middle Ages than in this former Jewish quarter?
The accommodation on offer in this district is extremely varied. So you may find a cheap offer, or a hotel room requiring a higher budget, which will still be cheaper than the rates for accommodation in the city centre.
Staying in this part of Porto will give you a little bonus, as you’ll have a direct view of the Gaia district, where the Celts and Romans settled. This is where the name Miragaia comes from: mirar (to see), Gaia.
Best hotels in Miragaia
Top of the range
❤️ Pestana Porto : With its magnificent medieval building, the Pestana Porto is one of the best hotels in Baixa. Located in the heart of the city, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of Porto’s main sights and just a few minutes’ walk from the metro station. The Pestana Porto has a fitness centre, a great restaurant and a bar. Its elegant and beautifully decorated rooms are ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing in Porto. See price and availability.
Best value for money
Bessa Hotel Baixa: Located in one of the best areas to stay, this hotel offers a beautiful indoor pool, bar and free wifi. See price and availability.
Cheap hotels in Porto
Dear Porto: This centrally located hotel is within easy walking distance of Porto’s main sights and the metro station is a 2-minute walk away. See price and availability.
Flat
Veiga Garden House: Within walking distance of Porto’s famous restaurants and shops, this flat features well-decorated rooms and a garden. See price and availability.
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5 things to see and do in Miragaia:
- Explore the Museu do Carro Eléctrico and its collection of 19th-century trams.
- Visit the Cordoaria gardens and enjoy a picnic in soothing surroundings.
- Enjoy views of the Douro from the Miragaia hills.
- Go on an adventure around the sites that inspired the Harry Potter books.
- Embark on the Six Bridges cruise for a tour around the city of Porto.
The place to stay in Porto for two: Foz do Douro
Foz do Douro is the place to head for your romantic break in Porto. This pretty district, accessible by tram from Ribeira, is located on the banks of the Douro and offers tourists the chance to enjoy its small beaches, as well as restaurants with terraces offering superb views over the Douro.
What could be better than this romantic little village to enjoy a quiet moment together? No need to go to Venice for Valentine’s Day: Foz do Douro is waiting for you!
Don’t miss the pergola da Foz, where you can stroll hand in hand with your partner along the ocean.
Best accommodation in this district of Porto
Upscale
Pestana Porto : With its magnificent medieval building, the Pestana Porto is one of the best hotels in Baixa. Located in the heart of the city, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of Porto’s main sights and just a few minutes’ walk from the metro station. The Pestana Porto has a fitness centre, a great restaurant and a bar. Its elegant and beautifully decorated rooms are ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing in Porto. See price and availability.
Best value for money
❤️ Bridge It Suites: Rooms at this hotel have stunning views of the bridge and river and a good breakfast is included. See price and availability.
Cheap hotels in Porto
Dear Porto: This centrally located hotel is within easy walking distance of Porto’s main sights and the metro station is a 2-minute walk away. See price and availability.
Flat
Veiga Garden House: Within walking distance of Porto’s famous restaurants and shops, this flat features well-decorated rooms and a garden. See price and availability.
🌃 Find other accommodation at the best price
5 things to do and see in Foz:
- Visit the Foz market and taste the brigadeiros (Brazilian sweets with caramel or chocolate).
- Explore the Passeio Alegre garden and admire its avenue of palm trees. You can also enjoy a quick game of mini-golf on the garden’s golf course.
- Head to the Serralves Foundation to enjoy its vast romantic gardens and contemporary art museum.
- Take a boat trip around Porto and enjoy the view.
- Visit the Felgueiras lighthouse and enjoy the sunset with your partner.
Where to stay cheap in Porto: Vila Nova de Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia is the ideal district for travellers looking for affordable accommodation. The only downside is that it’s actually another municipality on the other bank of the Douro.
To enter Porto, cross the Dom Luís Bridge, one of the city’s most emblematic monuments, or take metro line D (direction Hospital São João) to Camara Gaia station, General Torres station or Jardim do Morro station.
The fact that Vila Nova de Gaia is so far from the centre of Porto means you can enjoy your holiday in a quiet area that is particularly popular for visiting its wine cellars.
Gaia is also known for its history, as the city of trade and port activities. In fact, it was in the heart of this town that the Celts and Romans settled, and later established the Portus Cale port.
What’s more, if you visit in summer, you can enjoy small organised concerts or open-air screenings of Portuguese films. A city that, despite being much more affordable than Porto, is still very attractive to history and foreign culture buffs!
Best hotels in this cheap district of Porto
Upmarket hotel
The Yeatman: The Yeatman is one of the best luxury hotels in Porto. This superb hotel has an excellent spa and a superb swimming pool overlooking the river. You can dine in its Michelin-starred restaurant with stunning views over the city of Porto and enjoy a wine tasting at the hotel. The Yeatman hotel has very romantic rooms with a superb terrace and is also equipped with luxurious beauty products. It’s definitely a magical place to stay that you won’t want to leave! See price and availability.
Best value for money
❤️ Bridge It Suites: Rooms at this hotel have stunning views of the bridge and river and a good breakfast is included. See price and availability.
Inexpensive
Gaia Porto Hostel: This beautiful hostel has clean and nicely decorated rooms. The Clérigos Tower and metro are within easy walking distance. See price and availability.
Flat
Bateaux Rabelo: Fully-equipped flat offering a comfortable stay and easy access to Porto’s main sights. See price and availability.
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5 things to do and see in Vila Nova de Gaia:
- Take a trip to Miramar beach, considered the most beautiful beach in Porto, for a moment of swimming and relaxation.
- Venture into Gaia’s historic centre to learn more about the city’s history.
- Watch the sunset from Serra do Pilar.
- Take the Gaia cable car to the Jardim do Morro hill, where you can enjoy a picnic with a full view of the city and the quays.
- Visit the Calem wine cellars and enjoy a tasting of Portuguese wine.
The best district for going out in Porto: Boavista
If all you want to do during your stay in Porto is go out, meet new people, dance and have fun, we’ve got the perfect neighbourhood for you! Boavista is the chic, trendy district packed with bars, restaurants and luxury hotels, where you can discover the modern face of Porto as soon as night falls. The party district is the ideal place to meet new people or attend music concerts of all kinds and immerse yourself in the festive Portuguese culture while enjoying a superb view of the quays of the Douro. And don’t forget to try the Morangão, the best Portuguese cocktail!
The price of accommodation in Boavista is obviously quite high, as it is right in the heart of an upmarket district. However, if nightlife is all you’re interested in, it goes without saying that this is THE district to stay in during your stay in Porto for a top-notch party experience!
Best accommodation in this district of Porto
Upscale
Pestana Porto : With its magnificent medieval building, the Pestana Porto is one of the best hotels in Baixa. Located in the heart of the city, this luxury hotel is within walking distance of Porto’s main sights and just a few minutes’ walk from the metro station. The Pestana Porto has a fitness centre, a great restaurant and a bar. Its elegant and beautifully decorated rooms are ideal for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing in Porto. See price and availability.
Best value for money
❤️ Bridge It Suites: Rooms at this hotel have stunning views of the bridge and river and a good breakfast is included. See price and availability.
Cheap hotels in Porto
Dear Porto: This centrally located hotel is within easy walking distance of Porto’s main sights and the metro station is a 2-minute walk away. See price and availability.
Flat
Veiga Garden House: Within walking distance of Porto’s famous restaurants and shops, this flat features well-decorated rooms and a garden. See price and availability.
🌃 Find other accommodation at the best price
5 things to do and see in Boavista:
- Take a trip to Casa da Musica, the performance hall that houses three Portuguese orchestras.
- Venture to the Bom Sucesso market for some of the best Portuguese snacks, such as Pão com chouriço (bread with chorizo) or Bolo de Arroz (a small rice cake).
- Visit the Porto Boavista art gallery and enjoy mini jazz concerts.
- Dance the night away at the Swing Club and meet the locals.
- Experience live concerts at the Hot Five Jazz & Blues Club.
Neighbourhoods to avoid in Porto:
When it comes to neighbourhoods to avoid in Porto, we advise you not to venture out in the middle of the night to the Coelho Noto street in Bonfim, which is particularly notorious for prostitution.
The Bairro do Cerco district is also not an attractive place for tourists, as it is mainly known for the numerous robberies and muggings that take place there every day. However, this area is not close to the historic city centre. So there’s nothing to worry about during your stay; Porto is a predominantly quiet city where you can stay on your own, with your friends, or even with your family in complete safety!