Walking tour
Season: Year-roundPorto old town walking tour
- Ribeira, the cathedral and São Bento station
- Local guides with history and food tips
The essentials
| Where | Northern Portugal, on the Douro River near the Atlantic |
|---|---|
| Language | Portuguese. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. |
| Currency | Euro |
| Time zone | Western European Time, the same as the UK |
| Plugs | Type F, 230 volts |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| UNESCO sites | The Historic Centre of Porto (1996) and the Alto Douro Wine Region (2001) |
When to visit
The best time to visit Porto is from May to June and from September to October, when days are warm, the light is beautiful and the city is less crowded than in midsummer.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March to May | Mild days, some rain and green hills. A good time for walking and the Douro Valley. |
| June to August | Warm and busy, with sea breezes. The Festa de São João fills the streets on the night of 23 June. |
| September to October | Warm days and the grape harvest in the Douro Valley. One of the best times to visit. |
| November to February | Mild but rainy, with the fewest visitors and the lowest hotel prices. Christmas lights in December. |
Weather and what to wear
Porto has a mild Atlantic climate. Summers are warm rather than hot, cooled by breezes from the ocean, while winters are mild but wet. The Douro Valley inland is much hotter in summer.
- Comfortable shoes with good grip: the streets are steep and the cobbles slippery when wet
- A light rain jacket outside the summer months
- A layer for the evenings and for river cruises
- Sun protection in summer, especially in the Douro Valley
Food and drink
Porto is a wonderful city for eating. Try the francesinha, a hearty sandwich covered in melted cheese and sauce, and tripas à moda do Porto, the tripe stew that gave locals their nickname, tripeiros. Bacalhau (salt cod), bifanas (pork sandwiches), caldo verde soup and pastéis de nata are everywhere. Drink port, of course, but also vinho verde, the light, fresh wine of northern Portugal. Read what to eat in Porto.
Money and costs
Cards are widely accepted, and cash machines are easy to find. In restaurants, bread, olives and other starters brought to the table, known as couvert, are charged if you eat them; you can send them back if you do not want them. A good-value lunch is the prato do dia, the dish of the day.
Festivals
The Festa de São João, on the night of 23 June, is Porto’s biggest party: the whole city comes out to eat grilled sardines, play with plastic hammers and watch fireworks over the river. Book accommodation well ahead if you plan to visit then.
Safety
Porto is a safe city by European standards. Watch out for pickpockets in crowded places and on public transport, take care on steep, wet stairways, and be careful near the edge of the river quays.
Accessibility
Porto’s hills and cobbles can be challenging for visitors with limited mobility. The metro is the most accessible way to get around, and the Guindais funicular and Gaia cable car help with the steepest climbs. Some sights, such as Clérigos Tower, have no lift.
Visiting responsibly
- Ribeira and the old town are lived-in neighbourhoods. Keep noise down at night.
- Use public transport, and walk where you can.
- Eat in family-run tascas and buy from local shops and markets.
- Visit popular sights early or late to spread the crowds.
