Which area to choose?

For a short stay, stay in the Baixa: São Bento station, the Livraria Lello and the Clérigos Tower follow one another on foot. Cedofeita is calmer and creative (see Cedofeita and Miguel Bombarda). Bonfim, to the east, is more local and less touristy. Gaia is the view and cellars option. For the full picture of the neighbourhoods, read where to stay in Porto.

The hostels to remember

  • The Passenger Hostel: the address is inside São Bento station, an ideal base if you arrive by train from Lisbon or the Douro. Guests rate the location very highly.
  • Gallery Hostel: on Rua Miguel Bombarda, the street of galleries. Reviews stress bed comfort and the welcome. Good if you like art districts.
  • Porto Spot Hostel: in the Baixa, with several thousand reviews. A safe choice for a first time.
  • Best Guest Porto Hostel: on Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, between the Baixa and the Ribeira, a few minutes from the river.
  • Travel & Live: on Rua de Santa Catarina, the shopping street; handy for the Bolhão market.
  • So Cool Hostel Porto: on Rua da Boavista, towards the west of Cedofeita.
  • Sweet Swell: in Bonfim, with 6- and 9-bed dorms and private double rooms. Check-in is in the evening according to the listing; check the cut-off time before a late flight.
  • Hostel Gaia Porto: on the Gaia side, near the cellars; see where to stay in Vila Nova de Gaia.

And a cheap hotel?

If a dorm does not appeal, the Hotel Peninsular is about 200 m from São Bento station, according to its listing. Reviews are mixed: location and breakfast appreciated, small bathrooms and dated decor. For the rest, look at budget rooms in Porto on Booking, filtering by rating and distance from the metro.

Dorm or private room?

  • Dorm: the cheapest; bring earplugs. The smaller the dorm, the calmer it is, but the price per bed goes up.
  • Private room: expect to pay more, but the room is yours. For two people, compare with a small hotel: the gap is sometimes small.

Pitfalls

  • Noise. Baixa streets are lively in the evening; ask for a courtyard room.
  • Slopes. Porto is hilly: with a big bag, check the route from the metro or the station.
  • Tourist tax. Porto charges a tax per person per night (about €3 according to the latest information, to be checked): it comes on top of the displayed price.
  • Late arrivals. Several hostels have limited check-in hours.

For the overall budget

Accommodation is only part of the spending; read Porto on a small budget for food and transport.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best hostel in Porto?

It depends on what you want: The Passenger Hostel for the station, Gallery Hostel for the atmosphere, Porto Spot Hostel for a safe central choice.

Do you need to book ahead?

Yes in summer and around São João. The rest of the year you often find space a few days before.

Are there private rooms in hostels?

Yes, most offer doubles or triples in addition to dorms. Prices to be checked.

Which area for a hostel?

The Baixa to do everything on foot, Cedofeita for calm, Bonfim for a more local area.