Where to Stay in Porto, Portugal
Are you wondering where to stay in Porto, Portugal?
Porto is a wonderful city located in the northern part of Portugal. Although it’s the second-largest city in the country after Lisbon, it receives less than half the number of tourists as Lisbon.
Although Porto is somewhat underrated, you should definitely not skip it while in Portugal.
How many days is ideal in Porto? I recommend spending at least two full days in Porto. If you have a third day, you can spend it taking a day trip to the Douro Valley, which is where port wine is made.
Here are some of the top things to do while in Porto:
- Walk across the Luís I Bridge which spans the River Douro
- Take a Six Bridges Cruise on the River Douro (these sightseeing cruises last about one hour, cost €15, and, as the name suggests, allow you to see six of the bridges that span the river)
- Visit Livraria Lello, a famous bookstore that allegedly inspired J.K. Rowling when she was writing Harry Potter (pro tip: you need to buy an entry ticket to visit the bookstore — choose the earliest time slot and pay €15.90 for the “skip the line” ticket which includes a voucher for a book)
- Explore Porto’s delicious culinary offerings on a food tour
- Take a tour of one of the many port cellars in Porto and enjoy a port wine tasting
- Delve into the city’s history on a guided walking tour
- Visit Bolsa Palace, an opulent historical building that was home to the stock exchange
- Stroll along the River Douro — both banks are lined with restaurants and shops, and on the Gaia side of the river, you’ll also find numerous port cellars and a large food market
- Take a day trip to the Douro Valley region for wine tastings
Now onto where to stay in Porto for the perfect trip!
Best Hotels in Porto, Portugal
What is the best part of Porto to stay in? I highly recommend staying in the historic center of Porto. I actually stayed about a 40-minute walk from the center, and although Ubers are exceedingly cheap in Porto (never more than €4-5) I would have still preferred to be closer to where all the action is.
Baixa is the name of the downtown area, and Sé is another centrally-located area near the cathedral. La Ribeira is the riverfront neighborhood on the northern side of the River Douro, while Vila Nova de Gaia is located on the southern side (and is technically not a part of Porto — but it may as well be.)
Here are my top three picks for where to stay in Porto, Portugal:
- Best amenities: The Lodge Porto Hotel
- Best apartment-style: Village Aparthotel By BOA
- Best budget-friendly: Acta The Avenue
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels in Porto.
Tip: I use and recommend Booking.com for getting the best deal on hotels. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!
The Lodge Porto Hotel
The Lodge Porto Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Porto. It’s located in Vila Nova de Gaia, close to the River Douro and the many port wine cellars along the riverfront. This hotel is in a great location for walking to all the main attractions in Porto, and and you’ll also have plenty of amenities to enjoy.
The hotel has a swimming pool and sun terrace, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant. Some rooms feature balconies and city views. This is a great place to stay in a convenient location.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Village Aparthotel By BOA
If you’re looking for apartment-style accomodations in Porto, Village Aparthotel By BOA is the perfect place to stay. Located in the heart of Porto, this hotel is the perfect place to base yourself in the city.
The apartments are studio-style and feature full kitchens and separate living areas. Some also have private balconies. There’s a shared outdoor garden and patio between all the units.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
NH Collection Porto Batalha
One of the best luxury hotels in Porto is NH Collection Porto Batalha. This hotel is located in the center of Porto within easy walking distance of all the city’s main attractions like La Ribeira, Porto Cathedral, and Livraria Lello. You’ll be right in the middle of Porto’s most beautiful and historic neighborhood.
The hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms, making this a great place to base yourself on a trip to Porto. You can also enjoy amenities including an indoor swimming pool and a fitness center.
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Rubens Hotels Royal Village Porto Gaia
Rubens Hotels Royal Village Porto Gaia is in Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the River Douro from Porto. Although technically not part of Porto, it acts as an extension of the city since it’s where most of the port cellars are located, and it’s easy to get from one side of the river to the other via bridge or a short ferry ride.
This hotel provides a complimentary breakfast every morning and also has an outdoor swimming pool. This is a great and affordable option if you’re looking for a nice hotel in Porto.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
TURIM Oporto Hotel
Another one of the best places to stay in Porto is TURIM Oporto Hotel. This hotel is located in Baixa, the central downtown neighborhood of Porto. You’re within short walking distance of the city’s top attractions.
Guests staying at this hotel will appreciate the central location and comfortable, modern rooms. The hotel also has an on-site restaurant and an outdoor sun terrace where you can relax and have a coffee.
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Acta The Avenue
Acta The Avenue is a great budget-friendly hotel in Porto. Although it’s slightly further outside the city center, it’s still within a 15- to 20-minute walk of the city’s main tourist attractions. This hotel is also very modern, airy, and bright, making it a comfortable and pleasant place to stay during your trip to Porto.
Aside from its stylish and bright rooms, the main highlight of this hotel is the large rooftop terrace where you can relax and enjoy 360-degree views of Porto as you enjoy a drink or watch the sunset.
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ICON Duplo Ribeira
ICON Duplo Ribeira is a great place to stay in the heart of Porto. This boutique luxury hotel is just a couple of minutes from La Ribeira, the northern bank of the River Douro. It’s also a short walk from many of the other top sights in Porto, including the Bolsa Palace, Porto Cathedral, and much more.
Some rooms at this elegant hotel have private balconies overlooking the streets of Porto and city views. A complimentary breakfast is also included each morning of your stay at ICON Duplo Ribeira.
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Exe Almada Porto
Another one of the best hotels in Porto is Exe Almada Porto. Located in the central Baixa neighborhood, this luxury hotel is situated in the heart of the city close to all the top sights and attractions.
Guests staying at this hotel will enjoy its convenient location and chic, modern rooms, some of which offer Juliet balconies and city views. The hotel also offers amenities like a fitness center.
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Caléway Hotel
Finally, if you’re looking for where to stay in Porto, Caléway Hotel is a great option. This hotel is located across the River Douro in the Gaia neighborhood, and it’s close to the Luís I Bridge and cable car.
This modern and stylish hotel is very affordable while still offering great quality and an excellent location. Guests will enjoy being able to explore all that Porto has to offer from this central hotel.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Where to Stay in Porto, Portugal
This guide showed you where to stay in Porto, Portugal.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Best amenities: The Lodge Porto Hotel
- Best apartment-style: Village Aparthotel By BOA
- Best budget-friendly: Acta The Avenue
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Porto!
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