Why visit Porto?
Porto tumbles down to the Douro river in a jumble of tiled façades and steep stairways. Cross the Dom Luís I bridge to taste port in the Vila Nova de Gaia cellars, eat a francesinha, and take a day trip into the Douro Valley vineyards.
Last reviewed
How to get there
Porto's main airport is OPO. Typical flight times from the UK are around 2.5 hours.
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Where to stay in Porto
Ribeira
Riverside charm right in the UNESCO-listed centre.
Baixa
Central, close to the metro and São Bento station.
Vila Nova de Gaia
Port lodges and views back across the river.
Things to do in Porto
- 01
Local experiences
Port cellar tasting
Tour a historic lodge in Vila Nova de Gaia.
- 02
Local experiences
Douro Valley day trip
Terraced vineyards, quintas and river cruises.
- 03
Attractions
São Bento station
A stunning azulejo-tiled entrance hall.
- 04
Attractions
Livraria Lello
Ornate bookshop; tickets are required.
Travel budget
Indicative ranges per person, reviewed October 2026. Editorial ranges from FlyAwayFinds research; prices vary by season and availability.
- Accommodation
- £55–£150
- Per night
- Food
- £22–£45
- Per day
- Local transport
- £3–£7
- Per day
- Activities
- £20–£90
- Per trip
- Airport transfers
- £3–£30
- Each way
- Budget tier
- budget
- Editorial rating
Best time to visit
Bars show our editorial suitability rating. Temperatures are long-term monthly averages.
Jan
10°
low
Feb
11°
low
Mar
13°
low
Apr
14°
moderate
May
16°
moderate
Jun
19°
moderate
Jul
20°
moderate
Aug
21°
high
Sep
19°
moderate
Oct
17°
moderate
Nov
13°
low
Dec
11°
low
Suggested itinerary
Plan
One day
- 1São Bento and Ribeira
- 2Cross the Dom Luís I bridge
- 3Port tasting in Gaia
Plan
Two days
- 1Day 1: Historic centre
- 2Day 2: Foz do Douro coast and Serralves
Plan
Three days
- 1Day 1: Historic centre
- 2Day 2: Gaia and port lodges
- 3Day 3: Douro Valley day trip
Travel tips
- Local transport
- The Andante card covers metro and buses; the centre is steep but walkable.
- Paying for things
- Cards are widely accepted.
- Airport transfers
- Metro line E connects the airport with the centre in around 30 minutes.
- Entry requirements
- UK travellers must meet Schengen entry rules. Check official guidance before travelling.
- Safety
- Porto is generally safe; take care on steep, slippery cobbles in the rain.
Always check the latest FCDO travel advice for Portugal before you travel.
Ready to go?
Plan your Porto escape.
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FAQ
Porto FAQs
Porto is more compact and easier to cover in two or three days; Lisbon has more variety for a longer stay.
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