Porto
Granite, river light and port lodges: moodier and more intimate than Lisbon.
- Couples
- Wine lovers
- Slow travellers
In this guide: The guide
Porto, our way
Porto feels like a city of stairs and secrets. Walk the riverside in Ribeira, cross the Dom Luís I bridge at sunset and taste port in the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
It's a great starting point for the Douro Valley, and a little calmer than Lisbon if you want to work and explore at an easier pace.
Don't miss
Port lodges in Gaia
Book a small tasting rather than the biggest tour.
Ribeira and the bridge
Walk the top deck of the Dom Luís I bridge for the classic view.
The Douro by train
The line to Pinhão follows the river almost all the way.
When to go
For Portugal as a whole: April to June and September to October
- January: Quieter
- February: Quieter
- March: Good
- April: Our pick
- May: Our pick
- June: Our pick
- July: Good
- August: Good
- September: Our pick
- October: Our pick
- November: Quieter
- December: Quieter
Entry requirements
See the Portugal guide for entry notes, official sources and the date we last checked them.
Entry, visa and legal information is general guidance only and may be out of date. Always check the official government source and, if needed, a qualified professional before you travel or book. Read the full disclaimer.
Let's plan your time in Porto
Tell us who's travelling and what you love. We'll read every answer and, if we're a good fit, build your plan by hand.