Holiday lettings & accommodation in Porto

Porto is a relatively small city, with the bulk of its accommodation options concentrated around the historic centre. Cais de Ribeira is one of the best streets for restaurants etc, searching for a place to stay anywhere close to the Dom Luis I Bridge will put you at the heart of the action. The Boa Vista district also has some amenities for tourists and quite a few accommodation options available, although it is primarily the city’s business district and not within walking distance of many of the sights. The seafront area, around the mouth of the Douro, is popular with visitors looking for somewhere a little more peaceful, with incredible view out to the ocean. The opposite of the river also offers many quiet and beautiful places to stay - particularly around the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, where most of the Port that is the city’s most famous export is produced.

Porto is an incredibly beautiful city. Start off in the historic centre, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 thanks to its buildings and monuments. Here you’ll find the Sé do Porto cathedral, the city’s oldest surviving building which has stood since the 13th Century. The centre is packed with churches and other magnificent buildings, be sure to check out the breathtaking view from the top of the baroque Clérigos Tower.

The city is also famous for its bridges; visitors can take a cruise down the Douro River taking in the 6 major bridges of the city, ending up at the beautiful area where the river flows out into the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening, enjoy the lively atmosphere around the Galeria de Paris; where most of Porto’s nightlife happens. See if you can find some live music to watch at a Fado - traditional Portuguese music show, which happen all over the city.

Not surprisingly perhaps, the first thing any visitor to Porto should try is the world famous fortified wine which is named after the city. Vila Nova de Gaia, across the River Douro from the old city, is the best area for Port lovers to explore - with cellars on every street aging the wine in casks or vats. Visitors can take a tour of a cellar, arrange a tasting session or simply sit and enjoy a glass in the sun on the quaint, narrow streets of the town.

At lunchtime, be sure to sample a ‘Francesinha’ - a delicious (if a little unhealthy) dish that originated in Porto. It consists of a toasted sandwich with cheese and ham or another type of meat, soaked in a thick sauce made from tomato and beer. Porto is also a paradise for those with a sweet tooth: Fantastic bakeries decadently packed with cakes and pastries line the streets of the old town.

Porto boasts a highly convenient public transport network, consisting of an underground metro, trams, buses and trains. This is fortunate, as the city’s criss cross of ancient and narrow streets make driving a difficult option, and although the city is fairly compact, steep hills everywhere can really take the fun out of exploring on foot.

The metro snakes across the entire city centre and out into the suburbs. Running 7 days a week from 6am until 1am, it is likely the most convenient way for visitors to explore the city, as well as the fastest route from the city centre to the airport. Porto’s antique trams also run on several of the main tourist routes, and these days mostly cater to visitors. The best option is to buy an ‘Andante’ ticket, which allows unlimited travel on all of the STCP network, for either one day or three days.