Porto Tourism And Travel Guide

Porto continues to grow in stature as one of Europe's most historic and visually stunning cities. The city was once one of the world's greatest ports, as its name suggests and a major hub for trade and commerce. Today, it has grown into a modern metropolis and bustling tourist destination, frequented throughout the year. The city is equally easy to reach via rail or road for local visitors and is best reached via air for international ones. In terms of weather, the period for toursim in Porot is between March and September, when the weather is warm and well-balanced.

Porto is a city that caters to a variety of tourism with an intriguing mix of historic and modern places to visit like the Cais Da Ribeira and Casa da Musica. Visitors are encouraged to check out this travel guide for deeper insights into an already fascinating city. 

By Air:

The best way to reach the city is by flying in to Porto's Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport. Situated relatively close to the heart of the city, the airport has daily flights to and from most significant European and international locations.

By Road:

There are numerous bus and taxi options that allow visitors to travel to and from Porto with ease and at cost-effective rates. 

By Rail:

The Sao Bento and Campanha Train Stations offer reduced travel time and high connectivity with the rest of the country making travel by train another popular mode of transportation. 

Spring Season (March - May):

This season tends to display erratic weather conditions at times, with periodic showers and sunshine taking place in the same day. Not the best time to visit.

Summer Season (June - August):

This is the season when tourism peaks in the city, with the well-balanced weather and loads of sunshine playing a massive part in creating an atmosphere ideal for exploring the city.

Autumn Season (September - November):

Another favourable season for travel to Porto, autumn brings with it a slight drop in temperature and lower levels of rainfall. This is when tourism begins to die down in the city, making it additionally beneficial for visitors looking to avoid the crowds.

Winter Season (December - February):

Intense showers, cold winds make this a difficult time to fully enjoy Porto. Visitors are advised to be wary of the weather before venturing out.

Explore Cais da Ribeira:

Located by the Douro River, a very popular tourist activity is to spend the day at this scenic stretch of restaurants, cafes and boutique stores. 

Serralves Museum and Villa:

A highly recommended activity for visitors passionate about art, history and design is to visit this museum and villa that stand side by side. The museum has a constant rotation of the best artworks and sculptures from around the world being exhibited.

Luis I Bridge:

Visitors flock to this famous bridge to enjoy panoramic views of Porto and marvel at the structure's stunning design. This is a great spot to visit during sunset.  

Casa da Musica:

A highly recommended activity is to enjoy a classical music performance at the famed Casa da Musica hall. The stunning structure is a dream for architecture lovers. 

Being a port city, Porto will pleasantly surprise food lovers with its distinctive and delicious cuisine. The staple dish of the city is the Francesinha Sandwich, a play on the French Croque Monsieur which is of a similar style. The Douro River Valley is home to some of the finest wines and meats and cheeses that can be found in Europe. Alheira sausages, Cod Fish cakes and the Broa de Avintes bread are just some of the other trademark dishes which define this part of the world. Food is simple and affordable, making the city ideal for low-budget travellers. There are high-end options as well, but eating at local joints is ideally the best way to embrace the city's culture. 

Porto is a great place to shop for visitors, offering vintage boutique stores as well as world-class shopping malls and department stores. Additionally, there are several small stores selling local handicrafts and handmade items at affordable rates. Such stores shut by around 7:00 PM, whereas the department stores continue operating till about midnight. Some of the most popular standalone stores in the city include Hats and Cats for picking up traditional hats, Porto Calling for buying vinyl records and Rhino Home, a concept store selling modern furniture.