Hostelworld Guide for Porto

The Essentials

Famous for its six impressive bridges and medieval old town, Porto is home to hilly streets, leafy parks,
golden beaches and friendly natives. Situated along the Douro River, this is the second most important
city in Portugal and is in the north of the country. Around 220,000 people call this city home, with large
numbers of visitors increasing that number each year. Porto's historic centre has been designated a
World Heritage site, and here's where you'll find the Clrigos Tower, the So Bento railway station and
the Ribeira area. The city's main export is the world-renowned Port wine, and there are plenty of places all
over Porto where you can sample this famous tipple. All-in-all, thanks to its welcoming atmosphere,
pleasant climate and top-class attractions Porto is well-worth a look.

In this Guide...

Getting There
By plane: Porto Airport, officially known as the
Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport, is located
approximately 11km from the city. One of Porto's
metro lines terminates here, and a number of bus
and taxi services also deliver passengers from the
airport to the city centre.
By train: So Bento Station is the city's major
central train station. Porto's light rail and suburban
services run through here.

Climate
Thanks to its location, Porto generally boasts mild
winters and warm summers. During the summer,
the city tends to see a lot of sun, but this can be
interrupted by periods of rain. In the winter,
temperatures fall, but they don't usually drop below
freezing. July and August tend to be the hottest
months, with temperatures averaging out at around
20C, while January tends to be the coldest month
with an average low of 9C. December is generally
the wettest month, while July sees the most
sunshine.

Good to know...
Useful Information
After Dark
Places to Eat
Top Attractions
Budget Tips
Where to Shop

By bus: An extensive network of buses operates

between Porto and the neighbouring towns, as well
as throughout the city itself.

Getting Around
On foot: It is possible to explore large sections of
Porto on foot; however, it's likely that you'll also
need to use public transport during your stay.
By metro: The city's metro system operates on five
different lines and visits approximately 68 different
stations. These lines criss-cross Porto, connecting
many of the city's main attractions and popular
neighbourhoods.
By funicular: To get from Ribeira to the area
around So Bento station, you can use the scenic
funicular service. It's a quick and easy alternative to
navigating the hilly streets on foot.

Useful Phrases
Hello: Ol
Goodbye: Adeus
Please: Por favor
Thank you: Obrigado
You're welcome: De nada
Yes: Sim
No: No
Of course: Com certeza
Excuse me: Disculpa (Sorry) / Com licena
(with your permission)
How are you?: Tudo bom?
Open: Aberto
Closed: Fechado
What is your name?: Qual o teu nome?
My name is...: Meu nome ...
How much does it cost?: Quanto custa?
The bill please?: A conta por favor?
Hostelworld Guide for Porto

Language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220 Volts, AC50/Hz
Area code: +351 (Portugal), 022 (Porto)
Emergency codes: Police 112 / Ambulance
112 / Fire 112
Time zone: Greenwich Mean Time
Central Post Office: Praa General Humberto
Delgado
Main Tourist Office: City Council Tourism
Office - Center, Rua Clube dos Fenianos 25

Embassies/Consulates
UK: +351 (0)21 392 4000*
USA: +351 (0)21 727 3300*
Canada: +351 (0)21 316 4600*
Australia: +351 (0)21 310 1500*
South Africa: +351 (0)21 319 2200*
Ireland: +351 (0)21 392 9440*
Spain: +351 (0)22 536 3915***
Germany: +351 (0)21 881 0210
Italy: +351 (0)21 351 5320*
New Zealand: +39 (0)6 853 7501**
France: +351 (0)22 607 8220***
*Embassy in Lisbon
**Embassy in Rome
***Consulate in Porto

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Cheap Eats
Lusiada, Rua de Cames 398, Santo Ildefonso A
true local restaurant, Lusiada is off the beaten
tourist track and has a real family-run feel. The
Portuguese menu is pretty comprehensive and, with
a little help, you'll be able to figure out what's what.
Try the specially priced sampling menu for real
value. Open Mon-Sat 8am-10pm, closed Sundays.
Confeiteria Mengos, Rua de Santa Catarina 161,
S This popular spot sits on Porto's main shopping
stretch. The location might be what brings the
crowds but the array of delicious sweet treats is
what keeps them here. For your mid-shopping
break, Mengos offers cakes and pastries, plus
savoury snacks. Open Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, closed
Sundays.
Chic Dream, Campo Mrtires da Ptria 64,
Clrigos Beside the Pc da Cordoaria, this funky
little restaurant has plenty of seats inside and
outside. An English menu is available, with the local
codfish speciality a particularly popular dish. If
you're looking to save a few euros, check out the
great value set meal for two. Open Mon-Sat
10.30am-4pm & 7pm-11.30pm, closed Sundays.

Franc-ly delicious
Francesinha Porto's favourite snack first
appeared in the 1960s and no trip to the city is
complete without a bite of this filling sandwich.
It's made from bread and various meats, all
covered in melted cheese and doused in secret
sauce. Prices vary throughout the city, but for
the amount of food you get, it's a real bargain.
Terrace Arts Caf, Rua Fernandes Tomas 985,
Santo Ildefonso If you fancy some breakfast, head
to the Terrace Arts Caf. Breakfast specials such
as coffee and a croissant are offered at incredibly
low prices. Sit under UFO-like lights and wait for
service from the quick and friendly staff who will
explain the menu. Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm, closed
Sundays.

After Dark
Praia da Luz, Avenida do Brasil, Foz do Douro A
beachside bar with waves lapping almost right up to
its side, trendy Praia da Luz is perfect for a
refreshing drink. Out on the deck you can lounge on
comfy couches or sit at one of the many tables,
complete with sun umbrellas. Sip cocktails in the
hip surroundings and watch the waves, the surfers
or the setting sun. Open daily 10am-4am/5am.
Casa da Msica, Avenida da Boavista 604-610,
Boavista Opened in 2005, the Casa da Msica
hosts a wide variety of jazz, world music, orchestral
and choral performances. An attraction in itself,
guided tours of the venue's stunning interior are
available. Open Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun
10am-8pm, opening times vary on performance
days.
Plano B, Rua Cndido dos Reis 30, Vitria From
its long entrance hall to the giant red curtains at the
door, this bar oozes boho chic. There are plenty of
places to sit, from mismatched couches to arty
tables around the L-shaped bar. Ornate lamps and
quirky light fixtures add to the impression that this is
where the cool crowd hangs out. Open Tues-Wed
2.30pm-8pm & 10pm-2am, Thurs-Sat 2.30pm-4am.

Torre dos Clrigos, Rua de So Filipe de Nery,

Clrigos Once you climb the 225 stone steps to the
top of this, the highest tower in Portugal, you'll find
amazing views of the city. Built between 1754 and
1763, it stretches up for 76 metres. A beautiful
church is attached to this bell tower, and it's well
worth paying it a visit while you're here. Open daily
9.30am-1pm & 2.30pm-7pm; admission 2.

We are sailing, we are sailing

Douro Acima River Boat Tours, Cais da
Ribeira, Ribeira Lasting around 50 minutes,
these boat tours take you up and down the river
providing great views of the bridges and areas
like Gaia and Ribeira. Tours depart every half
hour from 10am-12.30pm & 2pm-6.30pm;
admission 12.50.

Gay/Lesbian Porto

Palcio da Bolsa, Rua Ferreira Borges, So

Nicolau Visits to the Palcio da Bolsa are by
guided tour only as the building is still in use. All the
rooms are done in a different style and the Arabian
room, which took 18 years to complete, is arguably
the most stunning. Open Nov-Mar 9am-1pm &
2pm-6pm, Apr-Oct 9am-7pm; admission 5.50.

While still a bit closeted, Porto is becoming

more welcoming to LGBT individuals. Each year
the city holds a gay pride event and you'll find
quite a few gay bars scattered around. Three of
the most popular are: Boys 'R Us (Rua Dr.
Barbosa de Castro 63), Moinho De Vento (Rua
de S de Noronha 76-78) and Pride (Rua do
Bonjardim 1121).

Serralves Park, Rua D. Joo de Castro 210,

Lordelo do Ouro Verdant and vibrant, Serralves
Park covers an impressive 18 hectares. Stroll
through the shaded woods, enjoy the blooms in the
sweet-smelling rose garden or have a seat and take
in the park's free standing art works. Open Apr-Sept
Tues-Fri 10am-7pm & Sat-Sun 10am-8pm, Oct-Mar
Tues-Sun 10am-7pm; admission 2.50.

Labirintho, Rua Nossa Senhora de Ftima 334,

Cedofeita Close to the Casa da Msica, this is a
popular spot for a post-show drink. It's also a
favourite with locals who come here late at night to
chat and smoke over coffees, before sampling
some of the alcoholic tipples on offer. Small and
intimate, this is the perfect place to get a real taste
of Portuguese nightlife. Open daily 10.30pm-4am.
Triplex, Avenida de Boavista 911, Boavista
Found inside a sprawling townhouse, the bar here
takes up a number of different low-lit rooms. There's
an area where you can dance to the music provided
by the guest DJs who play here almost every night.
Popular with a younger crowd, Triplex offers a wide
variety of reasonably priced drinks, from cocktails to
port. Open Mon-Thurs 9pm-2am, Fri-Sat 9pm-4am.

Hostelworld Guide for Porto

Don't Miss

Igreja de So Francisco, Rua do Infante D.

Henrique, So Nicolau So Francisco church is an
incredibly ornate and open house of worship. You
can literally walk right up to the altar and wander
around. Make sure to check out the incredibly
detailed statues. Open Nov-Feb 9am-5.30pm,
Mar-Oct 9am-7m, Jul-Sept 9am-8pm; admission 3.

Mark Your Calendar

January - Dia de Reis Dia de Reis or 'Night of
Kings' is an annual celebration that marks the end
of the Christmas season. An important part of this
festival is the eating of the traditional 'King's Cake'.
February - Fantasporto Porto's International Film
Festival has been taking place for almost 30 years.
During this popular event, feature films from all over
the world, along with shorts and much more are
shown across the city.
March - Black and White Festival During this
festival up and coming artists who specialise in
black and white creations get the chance to
showcase their work.
May - Queima das Fitas Held in the second week
of May, this event takes place just before the run up
to end of year exams in Porto. Over the course of
the week, a series of different events take place,
including concerts and marches.
May-June - Feira do Livro Porto An important
literary event, the Feira do Livro has been held in
Porto for many years. A large number of writers and
publishers take part. Readings, discussions, book
sales and more are all a part of this popular festival.
June - Festa de Sao Joao This lively festival is the
most important annual event in Porto. Celebrating
St. John, the festival includes street concerts,
barbecues, all night parties and a spectacular
fireworks display.
August - Noites Ritual Rock A rock festival,
Noites Ritual Rock features the biggest local bands,
as well as various up and coming acts. Held in the
Jardim do Palacio de Cristal, the festival attracts a
quirky line-up and audience.
September - FIMP (Festival Internacional de
Marionetas) Puppets are the focus here and a wide
variety of performances take place over the course
of the event. Musical acts and workshops also play
an important part.
November - Frame This festival is all about
celebrating and promoting the artistic medium of
video-dance. A wide variety of performances are
screened during the event.
December - Christmas Fair Porto's Christmas
Handicraft Fair showcases a huge variety of locally
made handcrafts. It's the place to go in the city for
unique Christmas gifts and is very popular.
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Neighbourhood Watch
Ribeira Porto's historical centre Ribeira has actually
been designated as a World Heritage site. Along
the quays here you'll be able to catch one of the
popular river boat tours, or alternatively you can
stroll through the medieval streets and check out
the old colourful buildings. You can also sample
some Portuguese cuisine at any number of
restaurants, bars and cafs beside the river.

The wonderful seaside of Foz

Foz do Douro A visit to the Foz area reveals
more than just beach-front beauty. Here you'll
also find pretty parks filled with colourful
flowers, as well as shops and cafs. The
seafront walkways are a delight too, complete
with beachside bars where you can practically
dip your toes in the ocean while you sip on a
cocktail or two.
Villa Nova de Gaia Generally known as Gaia, this
area is across the river from Porto and is an
important town in its own right. Locally produced
port wines are aged here and the 'caves' where the
wine barrels are stored can be visited. Take a stroll
along the quayside to see traditional rabelo boats,
used to transport port.
S Another of Porto's most renowned historical
parishes, S contains some of the city's main
attractions. The Romanesque Porto Cathedral and
the tile-adorned So Bento train station are two of
the most popular. In this area you'll also be able to
hop on Porto's panoramic funicular service or head
across the Ponte D. Luis I.
Matosinhos North of Porto's city centre and handily
located along the metro line, Matosinhos is a
popular seaside suburb. Golden sands stretch out
along the seafront, while the waves make this a
favourite with surfers. When you're here, check out
'She Changes', a giant public sculpture along by the
sea, or have a look in some of the first-rate
boutiques.
Hostelworld Guide for Porto

Retail Therapy
Rua de Santa Catarina, Santo Ildefonso Santa
Catarina is a mix of hip boutiques, local brands and
well-known global names. A number of stalls set up
shop along the street too, offering leather goods,
jewellery and more. The three-floor Via Catarina
mall can also be found along this stretch.
El Corte Ingls, Avenida da Repblica 1435,
Gaia A well-known institution in these parts, El
Corte Ingls is filled with internationally renowned
brands like Clinique, Hugo Boss and Tommy
Hilfiger. This giant department store also boasts ten
different floors. Open Mon-Sat 10am-11pm.
Dolce Vita, Rua dos Campees Europeus
28-198, Campanh Beside the Estadio do Dragao,
this shopping mall is spread over five different floors
with plenty of top-notch shops to catch your eye
and compel you to reach for your wallet. Pull &
Bear, Quicksilver, Foot Locker, Lacoste, Pepe
Jeans, Zara, and Vodafone are just some of the
stores. Open Mon-Thurs 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat
9am-12am.

A bookworm's paradise
Livraria Lello, Rua das Carmelitas 144,
Clrigos Step inside this bookshop and you'll
feel like you've stepped into somewhere
magical as it earns its place as one of the most
beautiful bookshops in the world. Spread over
two levels, Lello was built in 1906 and is an
enticing spot for a wander, especially for any
bibliophiles out there. Open Mon-Fri
10am-7.30pm, Sat 10am-7pm, closed Sun.
Shopping Cidade do Porto, Rua Gonalo
Sampaio 350, Boavista Another of Porto's large
shopping centres, the stores in this mall are spread
over four different floors. Furnishings, clothing,
accessories, cosmetics, perfumes and more can all
be bought here, with brands like Zara, Mango,
Accessorize and Benneton all present. Open daily
10am-11pm.

Porto for Free

A Day in Porto...

Have a look around the So Bento railway

station So much more than somewhere to just
arrive in or depart from Porto, So Bento is an
important landmark building complete with huge
areas of painted tiles on the walls. Battles scenes
and more can be seen in the blue and white works
of art, encompassing around 20,000 different tiles.

Start your day with breakfast at the Terrace Arts

Caf close to the Trindade metro station.

Wander through the Praa da Cordoaria This

open park area sports a pond, lots of shaded areas
where you can lounge on the grass, and plenty of
benches to sit on. If you've got your laptop, you can
whip it out and check your email while you're here
too, as the park has its own WiFi.

Pay a visit to the nearby Sa Bento railway station

with its painted tile art or climb the Clrigos Tower
for stunning views of the city.

Just beachy
Go to the beach at Matosinhos One of the
best places around Porto to enjoy sun, sea and
sand, this stretch of golden beach is popular on
warm, sunny days. Sunbathing and swimming
are popular activities, with surfing also all the
rage. Numerous surf shops along the beach
offer equipment and lessons. So if you feel like
catching your first wave, head to Matosinhos.
Walk across the Ponte D. Luis I From this bridge
you'll see some of the most stunning views of Porto
and of the River Douro. Along with pedestrian paths
at both sides, it's also traversed by one of the city's
metro lines. Meandering across the tracks is easy,
though. Well, when a train isn't coming, at least!
Visit the Catedral de Porto Inside this imposing
Romanesque cathedral you can take in the contrast
between the plain stone walls and the ornate altar.
Sit in one of the wooden pews and look around at
the many beautiful stained glass windows. On the
walls just outside the entrance, you'll see more of
the blue and white painted tiles that feature on
many of Porto's most beautiful structures. Open
Apr-Oct 8.45am-12.30pm & 14.30pm-7pm,
Nov-Mar 8.45am-12.30pm & 14.30pm-6pm.

Walk from here towards Rua de Santa Catarina

where you can sample some of the best shopping
Porto has to offer. Check out the Via Catarina mall
and the stalls too.

Have lunch at one of the cafs or restaurants

around the Praa de Cordoaria such as the popular
Chic Dream.
After lunch, wander down to the Palcio da Bolsa
(below) and take one of the guided tours offered in
various languages.

Head to the Ribeira area and check out the

colourful buildings. Take a river boat trip from here
to see the city's six famous bridges.
Jump on the metro and head out to Matosinhos,
where you can stroll along the beach, peek inside
some of the shops, or even try your hand at surfing.
Have dinner in the Foz do Douro area, which
boasts numerous beachside restaurants and bars
such as the trendy Praia da Luz on Avenida do
Brasil.
Head towards the Boavista area where you'll find
popular local bars such as Labirintho. Here you can
enjoy a drink and some tunes.
End the night at Triplex, a multi-roomed bar with
live DJs, space to dance, and a garden where you
can drink beneath the stars.

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