The areas compared
| Area | Strength | Drawback | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baixa and Aliados | São Bento station, metro, shops | traffic and evening noise | first visit, everything on foot |
| Ribeira | river view, historic setting | stairs, night noise, small apartments | couples, short stay |
| Cedofeita and Miguel Bombarda | galleries, cafés, calm | a little further from the river | long stay, art lovers |
| Boavista | metro, restaurants, Casa da Música | less historic charm | practical stay, families |
| Foz do Douro | beaches, peaceful mood | 25-30 minutes from the centre | seaside stay |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | view of Porto, cellars | crossing the bridge, hills | wine lovers |
Apartment or hotel?
- Apartment: kitchen, washing machine and space, useful from 3 nights or in a group. Check the number of floors without a lift: Porto is very hilly.
- Hotel: reception, luggage kept on arrival, daily cleaning. See where to stay in Porto.
- Hostel: on a small budget, see hostel in Porto.
- Tourist tax: a municipal tax is often added to the price; check the amount and the taxed nights when you book.
Tips
Choose a high floor with a lift, avoid lively streets in the very centre if you sleep early, and ask how to collect the key on arrival: for an early departure, a luggage storage solves the last day. For transport, see transport in Porto.
