Is Porto worth visiting in 2025? 17 Reasons Why You’ll Love It
Are you planning a trip to Portugal and wondering whether Porto is worth visiting? Read on to find out 17 reasons why we think it absolutely is, as well as 3 cons to be aware of!
Porto was one of the first places we visited together, and honestly, we fell in love with the city. It’s the perfect laidback city destination, with lots of history, amazing views, and a great location for exploring more of Portugal. As Portugal’s second-largest city, it receives much fewer visitors, retaining a small-town atmosphere that we love so much.
With stunning architecture, incredible views, fine port wine, and friendly locals, Porto is one of the best cities in Europe in our opinion. So, should you visit Porto in 2024? Yes, 100%. Though it is worth noting, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are a few cons to this amazing city which we have also outlined below. Read on to find out our thoughts!
Is Porto Worth Visiting? Quick Guide
If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to read the whole post, Porto is most definitely worth visiting! Here’s the top five reasons why:
- Porto is home to some incredible viewpoints
- The architecture is stunning, especially the blue azulejos (tiles)
- It’s easy on the wallet
- The city is easily walkable
- The cuisine is incredible
17 Reasons Why You Should Visit Porto
As we mentioned previously, we love Porto so much and it will always hold a special place in our heart. After exploring the city extensively, here’s why we think you should visit.
1. Stunning Viewpoints
Porto is a city built over many hills. Whilst this doesn’t necessarily make it fun to walk around, it does mean there are so many incredible viewpoints. This is one of the first things that we noticed about Porto and one of the many reasons why we fell in love with the city.
One of the most iconic spots is the top level of the Dom Luís I Bridge, offering spectacular views over the Douro River and the picturesque Riberia District (Porto Old Town). For the best views of Riberia, we’d recommend crossing over the bridge to Gaia, the town on the other side of the river. By walking along the Gaia riverfront, you get the most amazing views of the old town.
One of our best memories in Porto was when we wanted to head to a viewpoint for sunset, only for our meal to overrun. This led us to literally sprinting across the city to make it just in time to catch the sun disappearing over the horizon. It was oh so worth it. Seeing the sky lit up in shades of orange and red, with the Douro River reflecting the colours and the Dom Luís I Bridge sparkling below was just the most magical moment.
Best Views In Porto
2. Delicious Cuisine
One thing that sets Porto apart from other destinations, both in Portugal and across Europe, is its fantastic and unique cuisine. Porto is famous for its Francesinha, a dish that was once described to us as the equivalent of 10 Big Macs, or a heart attack on a plate. Whilst it might not be something you should eat on a daily basis, you definitely need to make sure you try it when visiting Porto.
Francesinha is essentially a thick sandwich, made with two pieces of crusty bread, thick layers of steak, sausage, spicy sausage, and ham, covered in melted cheese and a spicy sauce, with a fried egg on top. It certainly is not for the faint of heart! However, as it is Porto’s most famous dish, and one of the top 10 sandwiches in the world, it’s worth a try. As a vegetarian, I didn’t personally try it, but Nat gave it a go and quite liked it, though said it is very rich!
If Francesinha isn’t quite for you, Porto’s coastal location means it is also famed for its seafood, particularly grilled sardines and bacalhau à brás, a salted codfish meal.
Dishes You Need To Try In Porto
3. Port Wine Tasting
Now, if you’re a wine lover, Porto is definitely worth visiting! One of the city’s most celebrated attractions is port wine. Picture yourself spending an afternoon exploring the historic wine cellars along the Douro River, where the rich aroma of oak barrels fill the air.
Whilst your initial thought may be that port is a drink your grandma might pop out at Christmas, there’s something special about the Porto’s port. From sweet ruby reds to complex aged tawnies, you need to have at least one glass of port when visiting it’s home town.
Vila Nova de Gaia, the area across the river from the old town, is home to the majority of port cellars. For the ultimate experience, book onto a tour to discover the unique flavours of various different types of port you may never knew existed. This is a very popular activity in Porto, so we’d recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket in advance.
4. Budget-Friendly City Break
In a day and age where everything is getting more expensive, budget-friendly city breaks are becoming more and more popular. Porto offers just that.
In comparison to the crazy prices in most Western European cities, Porto is relatively budget-friendly. With plenty of accommodation options and lots of free things to do, it is quite easy to visit Porto on a budget. Plus, as the city is quite walkable, you won’t be wasting lots of money on public transport.
Whilst accommodation costs have risen over the past few years, Porto is still a relatively cheap city to visit. Plus, if you’re planning on going further afield or visiting lots of attractions, you’re able to purchase a Porto card which offers free and unlimited public transport, as well as discounted entry to attractions.
Is The Porto Card Worth Purchasing?
I am going to level with you. I would say the Porto card is not really worth purchasing unless you know you’ll be using a lot of public transport or visiting a lot of sites. Porto is quite a compact city and you can visit almost everywhere on foot. Consider this when deciding whether to purchase the card. We bought the three-day pass and it honestly just cost us more than if we were to pay for things individually, though we did walk EVERYWHERE.
However, it does include free airport transfers and transport to the beach, which could make it a bit more worthwhile.
5. Fascinating History
Porto’s fascinating history is one of the best reasons to visit this vibrant city. It’s almost impossible not to fall in love with its romantic cobblestone streets and stunning architecture.
Porto was once a bustling trade hub, where merchant ships would line the riverbank to take goods to the modern-day town of Braga. Contributing to the development of Portuguese shipbuilding in the 14th and 15th centuries, the maritime history of Porto is still visible when walking along its riverbanks and through the colourful narrow alleys of Ribeira.
One standout place for us was the São Bento Railway Station, where we spent ages admiring the beautiful tile murals depicting important moments in Portuguese history. In fact it was so beautiful we want back twice! Visiting the Livraria Lello, a stunning bookstore, was another highlight that we would highly recommend.
6. Scenic Douro River
The Douro River is a defining feature of Porto, weaving through the city and offering a picturesque backdrop to this vibrant city. Strolling along the riverbanks, you can watch traditional rabelo boats float by, once used to transport port wine from the vineyards upstream.
The iconic Dom Luís I Bridge spans the Douro, providing stunning views of the city and the terraced hillsides. Taking a boat cruise along the Douro is a must-do experience, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the river and the surrounding city. Whether you’re sipping wine at a riverside café or exploring the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley, the river adds a unique charm to any visit to Porto.
7. Beautiful Azulejos (Tiles)
If you’re planning a trip to Porto, it will be impossible to miss its beautiful azulejos. Azulejos is the Portuguese word for tiles, but these are not your everyday tiles. Painted with stunning patterns in minute detail, often in a striking blue and white combo, many of Porto’s buildings are adorned with these azulejos.
One of the most impressive displays can be found at the São Bento Railway Station, where the walls are covered in 20,000 hand-painted azulejos depicting scenes from Portugal’s history. It took 11 years to finish painting this scene! These are breathtakingly beautiful and the detail completely blew us away, especially to think they’re “just” in a railway station!
Walking the city, you’ll discover countless other buildings adorned with these beautiful ceramic tiles, adding a unique and colourful character to the city.
Most Beautiful Azulejos In Porto
8. Porto Is An Art Haven
One thing that’s immediately obvious when wandering the city ist that it is a haven for art, and you’ll definitely want to visit Porto if you love street art! With giant murals covering many of the walls in the city, the art is truly impressive. We loved just wandering around, seeing what new mural we could discover.
Stand-out ones have to be the giant blue cat on Rua das Flores, just peaking around the corner of the alleyway, as well as the half-rabbit in Vila Nova de Gaia. If you love street art, we’d highly recommend spending a morning on a walking tour to discover all the unique and hidden gems that Porto has to offer.
9. It’s The Place To Be For Harry Potter Fans
Did you know, J. K. Rowling used to live in Porto? Whilst she began writing the first Harry Potter book in England, she continued writing it during her time in Porto, taking inspiration from many sites across the city. From the stunning Livraria Lello, to the uniforms of Coimbra University students, to the café where she wrote, it is easy to see the inspiration to Harry Potter all across Porto.
If you love Harry Potter (like us!) you can book onto a tour to discover all the locations that inspired this series with an informative guide. This is a truly magical experience (pun intended)!
Places In Porto That Inspired Harry Potter
10. Stunning Architecture
Whilst we’ve already mentioned how beautiful Porto’s azulejos are, the architecture in general is so stunning! From the intricate stonework of the Clérigos Tower, to the many stone fountains and beautiful Church façades, it’s impossible not to stop and stare at each stunning place you come across.
The most iconic piece of architecture in Porto has to be the Dom Luís I Bridge. Designed by Gustave Eiffel in 1879 (yes, the same person who designed the Eiffel tower), this bridge was the longest of its type at the time of its construction, measuring 172m. It has two levels, both of which you can walk across. The top level is reserved for pedestrians and trams, with amazing views, whilst the bottom level is for cars with a pedestrian path to either side.
Dom Luís I Bridge is seriously impressive and it’s the sort of place you can keep going back to and never get bored of the view.
11. Vibrant Nightlife
Whilst Porto’s beauty, architecture, and history come before its nightlife, if you’re a young 20-something-year-old then yes, Porto is worth visiting!
In the evening, sleepy restaurants turn into lively cocktail bars, clubs open their doors, and Rua de Galeria De Paris becomes the place to be. Whilst Porto’s nightlife isn’t necessarily the best in the world, it is a really fun place to be.
If you’d rather a more chilled, cultural evening, then head out to a wine bar to watch a traditional Fado concert. Fado music is a traditional Portuguese blues-style genre with emotive songs. Even if you don’t understand the language, the performances are still very emotive and worth seeing when you’re visiting Porto.
12. Beautiful Beaches
Porto is located very close to the coast, and whilst it doesn’t boast any beaches of its own, the surrounding towns offer many beautiful beaches. And the best part is they’re easily accessible using public transport.
If you’ve had enough of the city vibes and want to escape to the coast for a while, within 20 minutes you can be relaxing on a beautiful sandy beach. The closest beach to Porto is Praia de Matosinhos, just an 18 minute bus ride away.
Matosinhos offers a colourful promenade filled with quaint cafés and seafood restaurants. The beach is wide and sandy, with perfect surfing conditions. We spent an afternoon relaxing on Matosinhos beach and it was just perfect.
South of Porto you will find the equally beautiful fishing village of Aguda. With a small walled harbour and wide sandy beach, Aguda can be reached by train within 20 minutes.
So whilst Porto is not known as a beach destination, there are plenty of options to get your fix.
13. Friendly Locals
The hospitality in Porto is next level. As soon as you set foot in the city, you’ll be met by locals with open arms, who just want you to have the best possible time. We had restaurant owners come up to chat to us about their city and their personal recommendations. We were even offered drinks on the house after meals.
There were occasions where we were met with a language barrier and the locals were always so eager to use Google translate or mime different things out so we could still communicate. They had so much patience and that can be a rare thing in some major cities. This is such a good reason to visit Porto.
14. Great Base For Day Trips
With a relatively central location along the Northern Portugal coast, as well as amazing transport links, Porto is an amazing place to base yourself to discover the surrounding area. There are so many beautiful places you can visit from Porto, from the stunning Douro valley, to the colourful seaside town of Aveiro, and the historic town of Braga, there is something for everyone.
Best Day Trips From Porto
15. Amazing Café Culture
If you know me, then you know I’m a huge coffee lover, so any place with a good café culture is a yes from me! Head to the iconic Café Majestic for an espresso and pastry in the luxurious historical surrounds, with rich wooden details and huge mirrors spanning the walls.
Alternatively, for a more contemporary vibe, Porto is home to several incredible boutique third-wave coffee shops with the most incredible coffee. Combi Coffee has a cozy yet contemporary atmosphere and makes the perfect place to stop. Alternatively, head to 7g Roaster which has incredible food as well – their smoothie bowls are to die for!
16. Porto Is Easily Walkable
One thing we love about Porto, and another reason why we think its worth visiting, is the city is pretty compact, making it easily walkable. We think the best way to get to know a city is on foot, discovering little alleyways and stumbling upon hidden gems.
Whilst Porto is rather hilly, all the main attractions can be reached within 30 minutes on foot. You’ll also get to walk past beautiful traditional buildings which makes the walks much more enjoyable. The streets are very pedestrian-friendly, which we love. We would take walking around a city over using public transport any day.
17. Traditional Trams
Whilst Lisbon may be known for its trams, Porto is also home to a traditional tramway. This actually surprised us slightly as no one ever seems to mention it. Whilst only three tramlines remain, these routes are protected with heritage status. Rather than being lost in the back of a museum somewhere, the original trams still run these routes, with their polished wood interiors and physical bells to ring to tell the driver to stop.
The most scenic route is line 1, which runs from Ribeira all the way along the Douro to the Foz district to the west. Alternatively, catch the line 22 tram for a circular route through the centre of Porto, passing many of the main attractions.
Tickets cost €3.50 or €6 for a return, making it a super affordable trip.
Cons To Visiting Porto
Whilst we absolutely adore Porto and think it’s definitely worth visiting, we have to present a fair argument and there are just three cons you should be aware of.
Porto Is Very Hilly
There’s no getting around this one really. Porto is a very hilly city. This is what makes the views so incredible and gives the city so much character. However, if you do have limited mobility or struggle on hills, then it may not be the most enjoyable destination for you. However, there are plenty of public transport options and you do not have to walk between attractions. This is just something to be aware of before you visit.
The Weather Can Be Unpredictable
The weather in Porto is very unpredictable. If you want almost guaranteed sunshine every day, then maybe consider somewhere else, such as spending a few days in Lisbon. The weather in Porto can change from bright blue skies to rainy showers with little notice, so it is always good to have an umbrella with you.
I distinctly remember one day we visited started rainy and cool, so we went out in long trousers and hoodies, only for it to suddenly stop, the sun came out, the temperature rocketed, and we got sunburnt! This is how unpredictable the weather in Porto can be.
That being said, the rainy showers allow the city to retain its lush greenery. As long as you’re prepared, this hopefully shouldn’t put you off visiting.
Porto Can Get Very Busy During Summer
I feel like I shouldn’t have to say this one, but Porto is by no means a hidden gem. Whilst it is not as popular and doesn’t receive the same level of tourism as Lisbon, Porto does still get very busy during the summer peak season. Don’t visit expecting to have attractions all to yourself as you may be disappointed. However, this is the same for most major European cities and we don’t think it should be a reason not to visit Porto, it is just worth bearing in mind.
FAQs
Still unsure if Porto is worth visiting? We’ve rounded up the questions we are most commonly asked to help you decide whether it’s worth visiting.
Which Is Better: Porto or Lisbon?
Porto and Lisbon are completely different destinations, each with their own pros and cons. Whilst we cannot decide for you which is better, we can say that we marginally preferred Porto. It has more of a laidback small-town kind of vibe to it compared to the busy bustling atmosphere in Lisbon. It is more compact than Lisbon, meaning its more easily walkable, and it is also slightly friendlier on the budget.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Porto?
The best time to visit Porto is during shoulder season, from May-June and September-October. The weather is warm and pleasant, there is more sunshine than rain, and there are far fewer tourists.
How Many Days Should I Spend In Porto?
We would recommend spending a minimum of three days in Porto, though four days would also allow you to take a day trip. Three days would allow you to see all the main attractions without being too rushed, and also spend an afternoon at the beach if you wish. There is lots to see and do in Porto so you won’t get bored!
Is Porto Safe?
Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, and Porto is no exception to that rule. The crime rate is low and we always felt incredibly safe in Porto. Of course, you should always exercise the same caution as you would in any city, such as keeping an eye on your belongings, but you shouldn’t have any issues visiting Porto.
Wrap Up: Is Porto Worth Visiting?
Porto is one of our all-time favourite European cities and yes, it is worth visiting. With a laidback atmosphere, friendly locals, incredible views, and so much to see and do, Porto makes the perfect European city break.
Whether you spend your days sipping port wine with views over the Douro River, or exploring the narrow winding streets of Ribeira, we are sure you will have the best time in Porto. So what are you waiting for? Book your flight now!
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