Hotels in Porto

detailed It is a small city (although it is the second largest in the country) in the north of Portugal, which received its name thanks to its port and the famous dessert wine Port, the grapes required for its production grow in this area. Many of the world's wine lovers make a pilgrimage to it to taste its finest wines, but it also offers a lot to those who don't drink at all. It is an ancient and beautiful medieval city, networked with narrow and magical alleys. The ancient area is surrounded by more modern architecture, as befits a regenerating city. 

Many are the visitors to Porto, despite its modest size. This compact city hosts many thousands of travelers every year, who come to taste its flavors and visit its sites. After a dusk walk along the river, or an observation of the sunrise from the top of the city, there is no doubt that you will understand what attracts them throughout the year. 

Where is it recommended to stay in Porto?

In order to make sure that you really get the best out of this magical city, it is important to choose a hotel or guest house that fits both your budget and the nature of the trip. The different neighborhoods in Porto suit different budgets and different travel styles, and here we will try to review some of the options.

First, like in Lisbon and other similar cities in Europe, Porto also has the downtown, aka the city center. Baxia (low in Portuguese) is the recommended area for those who come to Porto for the first time, and want to "get their hands dirty" in all the classic tourist areas. This is the bustling city center of Porto, for many centuries. It is characterized by grandiose monuments and a maze of narrow alleys. It combines a tourist and economic center of the city, so that locals and tourists move around it in a mix. 

Of course, the centrality and the demand of the Bashiya bring crowds of tourists to it, which simultaneously leads to an increase in prices for accommodation compared to other parts of the city, but at the same time also to a decrease in supply. In the end, you will be able to find a place to stay in Bashiya that is probably suitable for almost any type of budget, but in general, the prices there are relatively high.

If you want to avoid this investment, and prefer to look for a cheaper place to stay, it is recommended to look for a hotel or guest house in the Boavista neighborhood. Its architectural wealth from all eras makes it more or less an open museum, and despite this, most of the places to stay there offer accommodation at affordable prices. The neighborhood starts close to the city center, and stretches along the beach. You will find parks, boulevards and buildings in it, all in a big way, and access from it to the city center is possible through the convenient tram system.

For those interested in Porto's cultural and nightlife scene, we would recommend the Ribeira as a place to locate your hotel. The neighborhood used to be an industrial area, but has since undergone rebranding and a massive renovation that has made it one of the favorite entertainment areas for Porto's tourists and residents. In addition, Riviera's park has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the neighborhood is considered one of the most photogenic in the city (and the country). 

We will also add a word about the Cedofeita neighborhood, which is considered the coolest and most fashionable neighborhood in Porto. It contains the artist quarter of the city, and is full of cafes and art galleries of various types. You will also find restaurants there for the most part, as well as a lively nightlife that is second only to the Riviera mentioned above. 

When do you arrive in Porto?

In general, the peak tourist season in Porto extends over the months of June to September (inclusive), with the congestion on the beaches mainly concentrated in the months of July and August. This is the time when Porto is a very hot destination, literally. Crowds of tourists crowd the city's streets and beaches, and temperatures reach an annual high. If you plan to come to the city during these months, pack a lot of patience for people and the heat, and be prepared to pay more for accommodation, flights and attractions. If you are already coming in the summer, the recommendation is to arrive during the local festival (Festas Santos Populares), which takes place between June 13 and 24. 

The ideal time to come to Porto is in the spring (April and May) or autumn (September and early October). These are the months when the city has fewer tourists, so you can profitably enjoy the many attractions and points of interest it offers. The beaches are more accessible and less crowded, and in general the atmosphere is much calmer and more relaxed than in the summer months. In addition, the weather is almost perfect during these seasons. Not too hot and not too cold (and rainy). To complete the idyll, due to the decrease in the number of tourists, hotel prices also return to a more reasonable level, so you have a chance to find good deals.

A trip to Porto outside the tourist season, i.e. in the winter months, invites quite a challenge for the brave among us. Don't count too much on staying at the beach, as winters in Porto tend to be rainy. However, Porto offers a huge variety of indoor attractions that you can enjoy, and there is no doubt that the (relatively) floor prices of the hotels and guesthouses during this period will add to your good feeling. Either way, be sure to book accommodations in advance due to the high demand.