My guide helps first-timers decide where to stay in Porto fast. I’ve created a one-page area comparison, concise neighbourhood information, and hotel picks across budget ranges.
Of course the best neighbourhood for you is very much a matter of personal preference, but after reading this you will have everything you need to pick and maximise your stay in this exceptional city.
If you are tight on time, my top picks for area and hotels are below.
How many days do you have in Porto? Take a look at my in depth guide to the best things to see and do when you are there.
Disclaimer: This article may feature affiliate links. If you click these links, and choose to book with that hotel or company, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I appreciate the support that allows me to continue providing this information
TL;DR What area and hotel to choose in Porto
If I am pushed to make a hard decision, my personal favourite area for first-timers is Baixa/Aliados. It offers the best mix of value, ease of transport and proximity to key sights.
Below are my quick hotel recommendations, all of which have ratings of at least 8+ on Booking.com. I have given a more in depth guide on hotels by area further down this post.
If you have some more time in Portugal, I highly recommend you plan some days in Lisbon.
Budget friendly
- Moov Hotel Porto Centro – clean, affordable, converted cinema.
- Zero Box Lodge – creative concept, lively bar, walkable base.
- Holiday Inn Express Porto City Centre – straightforward, near market and cafés.
Mid-range
- Mercure Porto Centro Aliados – fresh rooms, low-fuss central base.
- Eurostars Aliados – contemporary rooms, handy for key sights.
- Hilton Porto Gaia – spacious rooms, wellness facilities, views.
Upscale
- The Yeatman – panoramic terraces, destination spa.
- InterContinental Porto – Palácio das Cardosas — landmark luxury on the main square.
- Pestana Vintage Porto – riverfront heritage with balconies.
Interactive map of where to stay in Porto
Comparison of Porto’s best neighbourhoods
| Area | Best for | Pros | Cons |
| Ribeira | Views, short stays, couples | Iconic riverfront; boat trips and dining on your doorstep | Steep uphill walks; late-night noise |
| Baixa / Aliados | First-timers, flat walking, transport links | Central hub; easy metro from airport; short walk to main sights | Busy streets; some traffic noise |
| Bolhão / Santo Ildefonso | Value, food lovers, families on a budget | Close to market; great eateries; metro handy | Daytime crowds; less charm than old town |
| Vila Nova de Gaia | Views, port lodges, special trips | Best skyline views; quieter at night | Longer walks back to Porto side; hilly streets |
| Cedofeita / Arts District | Quiet breaks, café culture, longer stays | Leafy, calmer streets; indie shops and galleries | Slightly further to main sights; older buildings may lack lifts |
| Bonfim | Value, creative vibe, longer stays | Local feel; more space; craft beer and indie cafés | 15–20 min walk to centre; some hills |
| Foz do Douro & Boavista | Families, sea air, calmer nights | Beachfront walks; bigger rooms; good for runners | 25–35 min ride to centre; less historic charm |
What is the best area to stay in Porto?
Ribeira
Waterfront lanes under Luís I Bridge. Atmospheric, stepped streets and a real buzz in the evenings.
Why stay: Front-row river views and restaurants on your doorstep.
Who it suits: View-lovers, couples, photographers
Watch-outs: Steep climb to get up to the main sights. Late noise near bars, request higher floors/courtyard outlooks to reduce noise
If you are travelling to Lisbon during your stay, take a look at my guide on where to stay in the capital.
Hotel picks in Ribeira
Pestana Vintage Porto
Heritage riverside hotel with balconies over the Douro; front-row views and easy access to boat trips and the bridge.
- Cost €260–€420 (£220–£360)
- Rating 8.8
Descobertas Boutique Hotel
Compact rooms right by the quay; step out to cafés, cruises, and Ribeira Square in minutes.
- Cost €150–€220 (£130–£190)
- Rating 8.7
Exmo. Hotel by Olivia
Design-led stay on a quieter street near the water; calmer nights without leaving Ribeira.
- Cost €175–€260 (£150–£220)
- Rating 9.0
My Top Tip: Book Ribeira when the view is the priority and you’re happy to get some steep steps in during your stay.
Baixa / Aliados
Grand avenues at the heart of the city. Flat-ish, central, and simple for arrivals.
Why stay: Shortest faff from airport with good metro and train connections. Lots of hotel choice
Who it suits: First-timers, short stays, rail trippers
Watch-outs: Traffic and events on Aliados, request higher floors/back-facing rooms. Avoid the cluster of bars near Clerigos and Galerias de Paris if you are a light sleeper – or seek it out if you are looking for some party!
Hotel picks in Baixa / Aliados
InterContinental Porto Palácio das Cardosas
Landmark address on Praça da Liberdade. Classic service, sound-insulated rooms, doorstep to São Bento tiles.
- Cost €280–€445 (£240–£380)
- Rating 9.5
Mercure Porto Centro Aliados
Modern central base with comfortable rooms, reliable and near stations/sights.
- Cost €165–€250 (£140–£210)
- Rating 9.1
Eurostars Aliados
Contemporary rooms in a prime spot, good for city views and quick walks to Clérigos and Rua das Flores. The hotel also has nice spa that is free to use for guests.
- Cost €175–€260 (£150–£220)
- Rating 8.9
My Top Tip: In my opinion Baixa is the best all rounder for first timers, well connected, good value and close to everything.
Bolhão / Santo Ildefonso
By the market and Rua de Santa Catarina, handy for Trindade and Line E.
Why stay: The area offers good value and a central location that is a bit less hilly.
Who it suits: Value seekers, food lovers, flatter walkers
Watch-outs: Can be busy in the daytime, ask for courtyard/upper floors to avoid noise.
Hotel picks in Bolhão
Holiday Inn Express Porto City Centre
Simple rooms near the market, central value and straightforward base close to cafés.
- Cost €130–€185 (£110–£160)
- Rating 8.6
Moov Hotel Porto Centro
Clean, affordable rooms in a converted cinema; budget without scruff and an easy walk to sights.
- Cost €95–€140 (£80–£120)
- Rating 8.6
Zero Box Lodge
Minimalist wood “boxes” with lively bar vibe; design fans will enjoy something different yet central.
- Cost €105–€150 (£90–£130)
- Rating 8.8
My Top Tip: If you want a cheaper option but are still keen to walk everywhere, this is the sweet spot
Vila Nova de Gaia riverfront
South-bank terraces with the best skyline, port lodges, and sunsets.
Why stay: For me, this area really has the wow-factor views, but also quieter nights away from old-town lanes. Prices tend to reflect this.
Who it suits: View-chasers, cellar and wine fans, special occasion trips.
Watch-outs: Steep streets which the cable car can help with. A longer walk to some of the main sights
Hotel picks in Villa Nova de Gaia
The Yeatman
Destination hotel with panoramic terraces and spa, the best for special occasions. It really is a truly breath-taking property and has an exceptional Michelin star restaurant on site as well
- Cost €445–€700 (£380–£600)
- Rating 9.5
Hilton Porto Gaia
Spacious rooms and wellness facilities, couples and families get comfort and easy access to cellars and the Dom Luis bridge.
- Cost €200–€305 (£170–£260)
- Rating 8.9
Cedofeita / Arts District
Leafy, residential streets with galleries and cafés, calmer than the centre, but close enough to everything still.
Why stay: Central but calmer with galleries, cafes and independent shops
Who it suits: Light sleepers, longer stays, café hoppers.
Watch-outs: Older buildings may lack lifts, check access
Hotel picks in Cedofeita
Torel Avantgarde
Art-themed boutique with river glimpses and a small pool, a stylish base and quieter evenings.
- Cost €200–€295 (£170–£250)
- Rating 9.2
Vincci Bonjardim
Modern rooms, rooftop pool, easy reach to Aliados, stylish and central.
- Cost €165–€235 (£140–£200)
- Rating 9.2
My Top Tip: Pick Cedofeita if you want slower mornings and quiet evenings without leaving town. A good option if you’ve got more than a couple of days in Porto
Bonfim
Local, creative quarter east of the centre; good space and value. Calmer streets and lots of independent spots with nearby metro.
Why stay: Good value and very convenient for early or long distance trains connecting your next leg in Portugal
Who it suits: Value-focused couples, longer stays, craft beer fans
Watch-outs: Some hills; check proximity to 24 de Agosto/Campanhã
Hotel picks in Bonfim
Catalonia Porto
Smart rooms with courtyard pool/spa, comfortable base outside the busiest lanes.
- Cost €130–€185 (£110–£160)
- Rating 9.1
The Editory Artist Baixa Porto Hotel
Boutique with creative flair, couples who want style and a quieter, romantic stay will enjoy it
- Cost €140–€200 (£120–£170)
- Rating 8.9
Foz do Douro & Boavista
Atlantic boardwalks and wide avenues, larger rooms and quieter nights. The spot for you if you want sea air, space, and easy metro/bus into the centre.
Who it suits: Families, runners, anyone craving quiet by the water
Watch-outs: Longer transit for old-town sights, will take more planning and more time to see everything.
Hotel picks in Foz do Douro and Boavista
Crowne Plaza Porto (Boavista)
Bigger rooms, steady service; family space and straightforward metro.
- Cost €165–€235 (£140–£200)
- Rating 8.8
Porto Palácio Hotel by The Editory (Boavista)
Full-service with wellness facilities; calmer, well-connected base.
- Cost €175–€250 (£150–£210)
- Rating 8.5
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa (Foz)
Period mansion by the Atlantic with refined spa; quiet seaside mornings and sunset strolls.
- Cost €330–€500 (£280–£420)
- Rating 8.8
My Top Tip: Personally I don’t consider Foz do Douro a good option for a weekend break, but it is a really nice option for people who have longer or are slow travelling.
FAQ about where to stay in Porto
How many days do I need to explore Porto?
Two to three full days is enough to see the main sights, wander the old town, cross to Gaia’s cellars, and add a museum or two. Longer stays give time for day trips to Douro Valley or Braga.
How close is Porto to Lisbon?
Porto is about 310 km north of Lisbon. The fast Alfa Pendular train takes around 3 hours. Driving takes a similar time on the A1 motorway.
Is Porto an accessible city?
The centre is compact but hilly with cobbles. Step-free access is improving, with lifts at key metro stops (Trindade, São Bento, Jardim do Morro). Funiculars and the Gaia cable car help on steep sections.
Is Porto expensive?
Porto is generally cheaper than Lisbon or many Western European cities. Meals in mid-range restaurants cost €12–€20 per person, metro rides about €2, and central hotels are reasonably priced compared with other European capitals.
What is the best area to stay in Porto for first timers?
Baixa/Aliados is the best base for first-time visitors. It’s flat, central, close to São Bento station, and within walking distance of major sights and transport links.
Where to stay in Porto for families?
Boavista offers bigger rooms, green spaces and easy metro links, while Foz do Douro gives quieter streets and sea air. Both work well for families with young children needing space away from the busy centre.
Where is the best nightlife in Porto?
The liveliest nightlife is around Galerias de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis near Aliados, where bars and clubs stay open late. Ribeira also has plenty of pubs and wine bars with river views.
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