Weather and light in January

What to do in January

Bet on indoor places and outings that cope with rain. Covered sights (Lello, the Stock Exchange, museums, São Bento station) are ranked in Porto when it rains. A Gaia cellar is open all year, and fado is the right winter evening. If the sky clears, the Bolhão market and the Ribeira fit into one morning. The Douro Valley trip is still possible: the vines are bare but the roads are quiet. Check the forecast the day before.

Events of the month

  • 1 January: public holiday; many shops closed, limited restaurants. See Christmas and New Year in Porto.
  • 6 January: Epiphany (Dia de Reis); the bolo-rei, a candied-fruit cake, is eaten in the pastry shops.
  • Winter sales: they run through January and February, with dates varying by shop.

Prices and booking

Hotels are the cheapest of the year after the first week of January. Cellars, fado and boats can be booked the same day or the day before. The full budget is in Porto travel budget.

What to pack

A proper raincoat or a sturdy umbrella, shoes with grip on wet cobbles, a jumper and a warm layer: the damp makes it feel colder than the figures.

Going further

Compare with Porto in winter and the best time to visit Porto. To sleep: where to stay in Porto.