Choosing where to stay in Porto is no easy task, especially considering the number of accommodation options and neighbourhoods there are. That's why, after visiting the city, we wanted to write this post to tell you what we think are the best places to stay in Porto, as well as some hotel recommendations to make your search easier and faster.
Based on the days we spent in the city, during the trip to Porto and Guimaraes, of which we have also written several guides, such as Porto in 3 days and Porto in 4 days, we leave you a selection of places to stay in Porto and the best neighbourhoods and hotels. Let's start!
Neighbourhoods where to stay in Porto
As we mentioned before, the accommodation options in Porto are endless, as well as the neighbourhoods where to stay. Despite this, and knowing that travellers usually do not spend more than two or three days in the city, we believe it is important to value the time and choose to find a hotel in Oporto that allows you to move around the places to visit in Oporto comfortably and making the most of the time available.
1. Baixa, the historic centre and the best place to stay in Porto
Without giving it a second thought, this is the best option to stay in Porto if you want to be in the best location, next to all the important places in the city, such as the Cathedral of Porto (the Sé), the Stock Exchange Palace and the Clérigos Tower. In addition to this, here you will find a great gastronomic offer, charming streets and plenty of places to shop or just enjoy the atmosphere.
Note that the area of the historic centre is quite large and in the north is Bolhao, where you will find the Bolhao Market, which is also a highly recommended area to stay in Porto as it is one of the liveliest.
Remember that although it may seem otherwise, staying in the centre of Porto is not expensive, so we believe it is the best option.
The price of accommodation in La Baixa is usually around 60 euros per night.
Recommended hotels in Baixa
Here are the most recommended options we have found for accommodation in Baixa, taking into account the quality/price ratio:
Baixa, the historic centre and the best place to stay in Porto.
2. Ribeira, another of the best places to stay in Oporto
Located on the banks of the Douro River, Ribeira is another of the best places to stay in Porto as well as being one of the most lively areas throughout the day. Although it's a highly sought-after location, not forgetting that it's considered a World Heritage Site, here you can enjoy walks along the river and some of the restaurants located on the banks, where you can sample the city's rich gastronomy.
Although the area is a little more expensive and a little further away from some of the tourist attractions, but still within walking distance, Ribeira is one of our favourite areas to stay in Porto.
The price of accommodation in Ribeira is usually around 80-100 euros per night.
Recommended hotels in Ribeira
Taking into account the quality/price ratio, here are the most recommended options we have found to stay in Ribeira:
Ribeira, another of the best places to stay in Porto.
3. Boavista, a cheap neighbourhood to stay in Porto
In case you don't mind being a bit far from the historic centre of Porto, more or less 20 minutes walking, Boavista can be the perfect option to stay in Porto if your budget is tight.
Despite this, and after seeing that the prices of accommodation in Porto are usually quite tight, for us this would be the last option we would choose.
The price of accommodation in Boavista is usually around 50 euros per night.
Recommended hotels in Boavista
Here are the most recommended options we have found for accommodation in Boavista:
Where to stay in Porto, one of the world's most charming cities
4. Vila Nova de Gaia
Located on the opposite bank of the Douro to Ribeira, Vila Nova de Gaia is a city in the District of Porto, known for being dotted with wineries that offer guided tours and tastings to travellers who want to get to know this other aspect of the city.
Although it is well connected to the historic centre, both by transport and on foot, and the accommodation is cheaper than in Ribeira, as with the previous option, we would not rate it as it is a little further away from the most tourist attractions of the city.
The price of accommodation in Vila Nova de Gaia is usually around 40-50 euros per night.
Recommended hotels in Vila Nova de Gaia
Here are the most recommended options we have found for accommodation in Vila Nova de Gaia:
Vila Nova de Gaia, another of the places to stay in Oporto
Our recommended accommodation where to stay in Porto
During the days we spent in Porto we stayed at the Hotel Universal, located in the heart of the city centre and with a great value for money.
Although we liked the location very much, if we were to return we would probably opt for accommodation in the Ribeira, the best area to stay in Porto if you want to enjoy unique sunsets and walks by the river.
Best hotels in Porto
In addition to all the accommodation where to stay in Porto that we have recommended in this post, if you want to enjoy an unforgettable stay in the city and treat yourself, these options we believe are the best to enjoy a few unique days in the city.
Where to stay in Porto, a unique city
Tips for finding cheap accommodation in Porto
We know that finding a good place to stay in Porto is sometimes not easy, so to help you a little, in addition to the recommendations we have left above, we want to share some tips to make the decision easier and faster.
Although Porto is not a big city and most of the tourist attractions are close to each other, we recommend you to stay in the Ribeira and Baixa areas, as they are, in our experience, the best options for accommodation in Porto.
Don't forget that the city is one of the most visited in Europe, so if your trip coincides with high season or an important holiday, it is advisable to book your accommodation in advance to have more options and find better prices.
Remember that to avoid paying commissions and to always have the current exchange rate, we recommend you use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
Once you have found the ideal place to sleep in Porto you can organise your routes around the city with the following guides and posts:
Porto in one day
Porto in two days
Porto in 3 days
Porto Guide
10 tips for travelling to Porto
The best free tours in Porto for free
10 restaurants where to eat in Porto
10 must-visit Portugal travel tips
