Best Budget Hotel In Baixa
Despite being a budget accommodation, Hotel da Bolsa comes with some fantastic additional extras to truly elevate your experience! Rooms are fully soundproofed ideal for getting a good nights sleep in this central location. A continental buffet breakfast is provided every morning, and allergies are catered for.
This magnificent five star hotel is perfect for those that want to splurge on a central location! There is a fitness centre on-site, as well as a spa and wellness centre with hammam. A buffet breakfast featuring Portuguese favourites such as pasteis de nata is provided every morning.
Have some time? Get out of the city with these epic day trips from Porto!
Cedofeita Where To Stay In Porto With Family
Adjacent to both Masserelos and Boavista is another area popular with students called Cedofeita, named for the Sao Martinho da Cedofeita, a medieval church and National Monument. The main thoroughfare, Rua Miguel Bombarda, is also known as the arts districts of Porto as it is lined with galleries and boutiques.
If you want to know where to stay in Porto with family, Cedofeita is a good choice with many nice apartment rentals, while couples visiting Porto will find many romantic boutique hotels also.
# 1 Ribeira The Most Popular Area To Stay In Porto
Located next to the D. Luiz bridge, Ribeira is the best-known neighborhood in Porto and is a tourist attraction by itself. Whether or not you sleep there, Ribeira is a must for anyone visiting Porto due to its streets, alleys, colorful houses, and of course the beautiful riverside area.
In addition to the D. Luiz bridge, in Ribeira, youll also find the Stock Exchange Palace, the Infantes house, and the Church of S. Francisco. Together with the Baixa area that we will talk about next, Ribeira is ideal for those traveling to the port for the first time, for those with little time, and for young travelers. On the other hand, it is a bad idea to stay in this area of Porto if you are traveling by car. Its a nightmare to drive and even worse to park.
Thus, Ribeira is possibly the most touristic area of Porto with lots of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy both typical Portuguese and international food. As it is one of the most lively areas of the city, it can also be noisy at night, which is a disadvantage for those who are light sleepers.
Porto Ribeira best accommodations
The best hotel in Ribeira is the Pestana Vintage Porto Hotel & amp World Heritage Site. A 5-star hotel, located in a 16th-century building in Praça da Ribeira facing the Douro and with an unforgettable view ! All of this comes with a price, but if its within your reach its well worth it!
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Area Overview: Batalha Porto
What used to be a rather run down area has changed dramatically in recent years. The citys emblematic theatre, Teatro Nacional São João, is in Batalha, as are the main bus stations. The main church for this neighbourhood is the beautifully tiled Santo Ildefonso. If you walk uphill from Praça da Batalha, youll find yourself in an up and coming neighbourhood with all the services you could need and still just a 10-15 minute walk to the centre of the city.
Its close enough to Porto city centre to walk to the shopping street of Rua Santa Catarina and the beautiful Majestic Café. The Coliseu do Porto hosts international concerts and there are plenty of restaurants nearby.
You can walk to places like Clérigos on the other side of Aliados but it would be less tiring to take the tram or a taxi.
Tip: If youre coming to Batalha from the Ribeira area, take the Guindais funicular up the hill to save your legs and enjoy the view.
Where To Stay In Porto On A Budget
- COOLEST thing to do in Boavista sample local cuisine and mingle with locals at Mercado Bom Sucesso
- BEST place to visit in Boavista head to the coast and check out the Castelo do Queijo and its magnificent sea views
Boavista is a huge area that stretches from the city centre right to the Atlantic coast of the city! For budget travellers, Boavista offers plenty of well-priced accommodation options as well as cheap food and drink options. It also offers a more authentic side of Portos culture, allowing you to mingle with locals and learn about their way of life.
The closer to the coast you get, the more relaxed the atmosphere of the area gets! This means it is also a great option for those that want to explore the city without all of the chaos of the city centre.
- Parque da Cidade do Porto is the largest park in the city with gorgeous gardens and great facilities, it is ideal for a relaxing walk
- Casa da Música is known for its gorgeous architecture and often hosts regular live performances from Portuguese acts
- Casa de Serralves, on the other hand, has a more art deco style and hosts a museum dedicated to local culture
- Vegetarians need to head to Essência where you can sample typical Portuguese cuisine without the meat products even francesinha!
- Península Boutique Centre is the largest shopping centre in the area and has a good blend of budget and splurge options
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Ribeira Where To Stay In Porto For Nightlife
Sitting in the centre of the old town, and one of the oldest districts in Porto, Ribeira has been a UNESCO Heritage Site since 1996, and is a favourite attraction with visitors from across the world.
The history of the area dates back to the 14th century, and the ensuing years saw increasing amounts of trade being off-loaded at the Ribeira quayside, for distribution throughout the city.
Now, the wide, picturesque, paved promenade has plenty of outdoor seating, for visitors to rest those tired feet, and take in the relaxing views of the Port Houses on the opposite bank.
At the rear of the promenade, cafes, bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops stretch along the waterfront, while tall multi-storey colourful houses rise up the hill alongside the narrow, winding streets.
The Praça da Ribeira is the hub of this delightful medieval area, as well as the centre for night time activities.
On one side you will see a massive granite wall depicting the Portuguese coat of arms, alongside a statue of John the Baptist. On the other side you can wine and dine in the many excellent bars and restaurants around the square.
If you have a love of sacral architecture, a climb up the steep narrow lanes from the square will get you to the hilltop and the fort-like cathedral.
Although laid down in the 12th century, re-built in the 13th century, and modified in the 18th century, some of the old stonework still survives, along with a 14th century Gothic cloister and rose window inside.
Best For Good Value With Style Inpatio Guest House
InPatio Guest House is close to Porto Cathedral. It’s stylish and a bargain for the location.
Prefer to leave planning and booking to experts? Have a look at some sample itineraries. Both Complete Portugal or Portugal Itineraries offer inspiration. All Tailor Made Trips can be modified together with your local expert, then booked for a stress-free holiday. Click ‘Modify this itinerary’ to contact a local Portugal expert.
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Vila Nova De Gaia The Best Area For Wine Lovers
For our final destination, I am going to suggest a location that is technically outside the city limits of Porto , on the other side of the Douro River, Vila Nova De Gaia.
While I would normally avoid doing this, its a destination that features one of the biggest draws in the entire city, which is its incredible collection of wine production facilities and lodges, with at least 50 in the region.
Portugal is known around the world for its fantastic wine and many of the finest vintages come from this very location. Considered to provide the perfect temperatures and conditions for the wine to mature, you will find countless cellars filled with casks of wine, aging and waiting until it is ready to be bottled.
With a wide range of tours available, travelling between the lodges, showing you how wine is produced and allowing you to sample them right from the source, this is an absolute must visit location for any wine lovers out there.
Tourist attractions nearby are the Rotunda da Boavista, Jardim do Palácio de Cristal, Jardim do Marquês de Pombal, the Rua Miguel Bombarda, and the Rua da Galeria de Paris.
Dont worry if you arent the biggest wine fan though. The areas stunning river views, fresh seafood and small town feel all create a charm that would satisfy many visitors even without the promise of a drink or two at the end.
Best Places to Stay in Vila Nova De Gaia:
Best Hotels in Avenida da Boavista:
Where To Stay In Porto: 7 Best Areas
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Wondering where to stay in Porto? In this blog we have picked seven of the best areas to stay in Porto, to help you make the most of your time in this stunning old city.
The city of Porto is the new destination of choice in Portugal, for those short-week breaks and long weekends. Situated along the northwest coast on the Douro river estuary, it is a city full of history and historic buildings, of modern architecture and street art.
A city with Europes A list of top chefs, displaying their culinary expertise in the hotels and gourmet restaurants. It is a place of coastal walks and beautiful gardens, of fabulous viewpoints, designer label shopping, and a friendly, vibrant nightlife.
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Baixa Neighborhood Where To Stay In Porto For The First Time
Baixa is Portos bustling downtown. Centred around the grandiose Avenida dos Aliados, here is the commercial and banking heart of the city theres the busy shopping street of Rua de Santa Catarina, the traditional market of Bolhão, the famously beautiful São Bento train station, and other important monuments such as the Clérigos Church.
Whilst famous for grand monuments, however, Baixa is also all about its labyrinthine side-streets, terrace cafes, getting lost in narrow lanes that open onto small squares of activity and local life. As such there are famous cafes to visit and interesting sights dotted everywhere.
Things To See And Do In Baixa
Marvel at the baroque bell tower of Torre dos Clérigos an icon of Porto and climb its 240 steps.
Visit the most beautiful bookshop in the world, Livraria Lello.
Browse the fresh produce on sale at the traditional market, Mercado do Bolhão.
Snap 100 photos of ceramic tiles of the stunning São Bento railway station.
Saunter down the picturesque Rua das Flores and stop for a coffee to watch local life unfold.
Eat a pastel de nata at the impossibly beautiful Majestic Café a Belle Epoque-era building complete with ornate glass and wood carving.
Go for an evening drink and dance at one of the bars on Galeria de Paris or Cândido dos Reis.
Visit the Teatro Nacional São João and take a guided tour of this splendid space. You can even go backstage!
Stroll through the impossibly beautiful Palácio de Cristal gardens.
Hang out in the Quarteirão das Artes and check out its art shops and fashion boutiques.
Go to the most beautiful McDonalds in the world housed in a beautiful art nouveau building, formerly called Imperial Café.
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Where To Stay In Porto: The Best Neighborhoods
I used this map where the neighborhoods in Porto are clearly marked. I am going to write about seven neighborhoods in Porto: Ribeira , Baixa , Cedofeita , Bonfim , Foz , Marquês and Boavista .
I recently decided to also include Cais de Gaia technically it is not in Porto, but it is just across the river and it also a great location.Whether you are on a romantic getaway in Porto or on a party weekend with friends, on this guide you can find useful info about the best neighborhoods in Porto!
Where To Dine / Have A Drink During Your Trip To Porto
Before going to dinner, I recommend you to have a drink at Terrazón en Oporto. Its impossible to contemplate the bridge any closer!
For dinner, I dont recommend but I oblige you to book a table at Chama Restaurant. Probably the best address for years. Its a single menu with about 10 small dishes. If you dont like some of them, the kitchen adapts, if you want more, no problem! I have already recommended this restaurant to many people and all the feedback is excellent.
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Where To Stay In Bonfim
midrange
Eurostars Heroismo Just one minute away from the Heroismo metro station, this hotel is set in a great location for getting around and exploring the city theres even a parking garage here if youre on a road trip. The hotel itself boasts simple and modern bedrooms, providing everything youll need for an enjoyable stay in the city. Theres an onsite bar for a cocktail or two in the evening, as well as services such as a laundry even meeting rooms if you need to get some work done.
budget
Seculo Hotel Just five minutes from the nearest metro station and utterly surrounded by plenty of places to eat and drink, this city hotel is located on the famous walking street of Rua de Santa Catarina the location is perfect if you love shopping or exploring the city. There are many museums just a short walk away, including the Photography Museum and the Natural History Museum. The interior of the hotel is simple and compact but offers a safe, clean, and comfy place to stay.
Accommodation In Foz Do Douro
Luxury
HF Ipanema Park
The HF Ipanema Park is a standard 5-star hotel in Lordero do Ouro, between the Foz do Douro and Baixa do Porto, a strategic point to visit the citys many attractions.
Boutique Hotels
Vila Foz Hotel
Vila Foz Hotel manages to combine so many attributes that it makes worth mentioning in this list. One of them is the service, but it goes much further. In short, the hotel is in an old mansion, with modern decor and facing the sea.
Simple and cosy
Casa das Laranjas
The strong point of Casa das Laranjas is the location, first because it is very close to the Foz do Rio Douro and the São João Baptista Fort, and second because it is in a house that makes the way a walk by itself with its beautiful tiny streets of cobblestones and traditional houses.
Vacation Homes
Flattered to be in Porto Sea View
A cool studio overlooking the sea with a double bed and a full kitchen. With a privileged location, the apartment is one block from Douro River.
Hostels
Casa dos Azulejos
One of the few options of hostels near the Douro is Casa dos Azulejos, which despite being in the municipality of Matosinhos, joined our list because it is about 1.5 km from the beaches of Foz and with easy access to the city of Porto via metro. With a beautiful balcony and tiles that give the house its name.
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Where To Stay In Porto For Eager First
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Nowadays one of Portugals most popular destinations, Porto has rocketed up many peoples lists of where to go next. Great as a city break as well as part of a longer Portugal itinerary, Porto is an amazing destination with plenty to see and do. Even when youve worked your way through its deep roster of attractions, you have plenty of day trips from Porto to look forward to. Once youve decided on going, really the only question left for you is where to stay in Porto.
As with any big city or spread out tourist destination, choosing accommodation in a city youre unfamiliar with can be tough. You probably dont know where the attractions are, or which are easy to reach, or even which areas are safe to walk through. Thankfully, I can assure you that I always felt safe in Porto during my times there. Ive visited Porto twice now and managed to stay in several different places during that time.
Given that, Ill do my best to show you the best areas to stay in Porto, so that you can fully appreciate just how enchanting this city can be. Now, I havent stayed in each of these parts of the city, but Ive spent a good amount exploring them and think I have a decent understanding of Portos neighbourhoods from an outsiders perspective. So lets get to it shall we?
Where To Stay In Porto: Vila Nova De Gaia
Vila Nova de Gaia is the only neighboring city with a section on this list. It is located in the metropolitan area of Porto, on the other bank of the Douro River. Still, with easy access to the historic center of Porto, by public transport, taxi, or even walking along the Luís I Bridge that connects Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia.
The city is famous for its traditional wooden boats, known as rabelos, which today are used to make tours along the Douro River. But what most calls the attention of those who visit Vila Nova Gaia is the excellent gastronomy and the wine cellars, which produce one of the most famous wines in the world, Port wine.
Virtually all cellars offer guided tours and tasting. In addition to the food, Vila Nova Gaia also has its historic charm and beaches.
Tip: take the opportunity to appreciate the sunset at Jardim do Morro. After all, the best thing about Gaia is that whenever you go to Porto, you will always come across the famous landscape of the Douro banks with its iconic colorful houses, a living painting by the river.
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