Porto is one of Europe’s most ‘rewarding’ cities to walk. And when I saw rewarding – a short hop to grab a pastel de nata for breakfast can feel like you’ve just run a marathon. That’s because Porto’s historic centre cascades down from the upper plateau to the Douro riverfront in a series of ridiculously steep drops, so get your accommodation choice wrong and you could end up ten minutes from everything on the map but genuinely knackered every time you leave your hotel.
Trust me also when I say that in July and August, you really don’t wanna be dealing with those inclines, although to be frank, your calves won’t care if it’s summer or winter. I powered up from the riverfront in Ribeira to São Bento using the stairs, and once I’d reached the top I was sweaty mess – which was fine for me as I was travelling with family – but if you’re here for a romantic weekend this might not necessarily be the look you were going for 😉
As such, I’m breaking down where to stay in Porto based on each neighbourhood’s topography and your particular travel type, so you can pick somewhere that actually suits how you plan to move around, be that as a family, a couple, a young adults travelling with friends, a first-timer in Porto, a wine lover or just an overnight cruise passenger, phew!
So grab yourself a glass of Port, and let’s get looking and booking…
How Porto's Hills Affect Where You Stay
It matters more in Porto than in most other European cities where you choose to stay. This is because each of its neighbourhoods has a distinct, often very steep, topography which will not only shape almost every walking route you’ll take, but also influence what you do and how you get around.
Having visited Porto a couple of times now, and after A LOT of research into how the city categorises itself, one issue I’ve noticed (and something that first-time visitors in particular may struggle with), is that there seems to be little clarity over how its neighbourhood boundaries are defined and classified.
While you may think this isn’t really a big deal, an unsuspecting visitor may choose a hotel in Sé for their family, expecting it to be relatively hill-free, only to find themself hyper-ventilating behind a buggy while half-way up another giant hill, on the way to the ‘local’ shop for some nappies.
Porto Neighbourhood Map
I’ve therefore created what I believe to be the most comprehensive neighbourhood map of Porto city centre, which can bu used to help tourists really understand where they are staying and what the differences between each area really are.
I’m aware that some of Porto’s inner areas in the historical centre have recently been merged into one much large version of Cedofeita, but the locals and tourists alike still refer to each area individually, so it is along those lines that I have built this map…
The Upper Plateau vs the Riverfront Basin
The upper plateau – Baixa, Cedofeita, Bonfim, Boavista and above – is comparatively flat, and it’s where most of the city’s everyday life actually happens: shops, cafés, the main metro stations, and São Bento train station. If you value wandering around easily and being surrounded by this local daily life, this is where you want to be based.
The riverfront basin – Ribeira, Miragaia, the lower parts of Sé, and across the water in Vila Nova de Gaia – this is the Porto you’ve probably seen on telly. It’s flat along the water itself, but getting back up to the rest of the city in any direction means a legit steep climb, unless you make use of the shortcuts below…
How to Avoid Porto's Hills Using Shortcuts (Funicular, Elevator, Metro)
If you’re dead set on a riverfront base, or you’re just sight-seeing in the areas there, you’ll be relieved to hear that Porto does have a few workarounds to avoid walking back uphill:
- Funicular dos Guindais connects Ribeira directly up to Batalha in Sé, cutting out pretty much all of the climb in under four minutes. Of course, it’s not free though, with one way journeys costing 4 EUR per adult. Tickets don’t seem to be available online, so we picked ours up directly from the top station in Batalha.
- Metro Line D crosses the upper deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge, linking Vila Nova de Gaia to central Porto, although this isn’t much use if you plan to visit the city’s legendary Port houses along the riverfront, as you’ll still have to climb down and back up again to the Metro stop at Jardin do Morro…
- However, the Teleférico de Gaia (the Gaia Cable Car) is a 5-minute urban cable car that connects Jardim do Morro at the southern end of Luis I Bridge with the Port houses situated along the waterfront of Cais de Gaia. Accessible for prams and wheelchairs, it’s not only a shortcut to avoid a climb, but an attraction in itself, with panoramic views of the Douro River, the Port wine cellars, and of Ribeira opposite. One-way tickets cost 7 EUR for adults and 3.50 EUR for kids. Last boarding at 8pm!
- Bolt and Uber are very cheap and plentiful in Porto – budget roughly €4-6 for a short hop uphill once your legs are fried.
- A half-shortcut is also the Elevador de Lada, which takes you from the riverside promenade at the bottom of Ponte Luis I up to the cliffside lanes about half-way up to Porto Cathedral. So when you get out, you still have plenty of steps to deal with. Tickets cost €2.00 for an adult one-way trip & €1 for kids.
Where to Stay in Porto?
Besides Porto’s hills, you should probably also consider what type of traveller you actually are. Are you visiting for a romantic weekend? Travelling with kids? All about the wine? Here’s how I’d break it down…
First-Timers Who Don't Wanna Think About Hills - Baixa
If this is your first trip and you just wanna be somewhere central and relatively flat, then focus your search on Baixa, and the area around Avenida dos Aliados. It’s the flattest genuinely central option, sits right on top of the metro network with direct connections to the airport, and puts you close to pretty much everything.
My hotel picks in Baixa are:
- Budget: Picaria Apartment
- Mid-range: the newly opened NOLIA Boutique Hotel is getting rave reviews and is super central.
- Luxury: The One Monumental Palace is 5* luxury right on Avenida dos Aliados, offering spa & pool, an America bar, Japanese fusion cuisine and its own French inspired Michelin starred restaurant.
First-Timers Who Don't Care About Hills - Sé
If, on the other hand, you really don’t mind a few hills in the vicinity around your hotel or apartment, but you still want to be right in the heart of the action, then first of all – good on you! Secondly, stay in Sé because it’s genuinely close to everything.
My accommodation picks in Sé are:
- Budget: Lemago Porto Apartments – Sé – provide views over the cathedral, as well as a clean, minimalist design and central location.
- Mid-range apartment: the insanely highly-rated Porto Downtown Edition Apartment
- Mid-range hotel: the tranquil 5* oasis of PortoBay Flores.
- Luxury: for some 19th century elegance and 5* bells & whistles in Sé, check out GA Palace Hotel & Spa. Expect indoor & outdoor pools, spa and wellness, and a bit of the celebrity treatment!
Romantics & Couples - Ribeira & Vila Nova de Gaia
For the classic postcard experience, Ribeira & Miragaia are hard to beat with colourful stacked houses, the Dom Luís I Bridge lit up at night, and dinner right along the water. The honest tradeoff is the climb back up to anywhere else, and dealing with the crowds, so if you’re staying more than a couple of nights, factor in either the funicular or a taxi budget.
And, in terms of escaping the crowds, but still having those gorgeous, romantic views looking at Porto, rather than being in the middle of it, consider basing yourselves across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia, where several hotels along the upper slope offer the classic Porto skyline/sunset views.
Budget:
- Ribeira & Miragaia: Authentic Porto Village
- Gaia: 296 Heritage Apartments
Mid-range:
- Ribeira & Miragaia: Casa Zogbi Hotel
- Gaia: Porto River Soul Hotel
Luxury:
- Ribeira & Miragaia: Pestana Vintage Porto – 5* luxury, metres from the Douro.
- Gaia: Vincci Ponte de Ferro – bridge views, swimming pool and typical 5* refinement.
Best Areas for Families - Further North
If I had to choose the part of Porto that best suits families, it would be the flatter north, specifically the neighbourhoods of upper Bonfim, upper Cedofeita, Paranhos or Antas. You may look at the map and assume that these areas are too far away from the centre, but that’s just not the case.
The fact is, if you’re in Porto with kids, you’re probably getting around using public transport, and with four Line D metro stations cutting right through where these areas converge (Salgueiros, Combatentes, Marques & Faria Guimaraes), in just a few minutes you’ll be right in the action down in Baixa, Sé, Ribeira or Vila Nova de Gaia. All without having to even change lines.
Additionally, these are genuinely local neighbourhoods rather than tourist zones, with much less of the ridiculously steep climbing that makes pushing a buggy or pram a complete nightmare in Ribeira or Sé. Wider pavements, less tourists, and a generally much calmer vibe also means that when you need to retreat from the hustle & bustle of the historic centre, you truly can.
Budget: Casa Vela Guesthouse
In Paranhos, I stayed in a delightful little apartment, called Casa Vela Guesthouse, whose live-in owner (a genuinely lovely man), gave us a full introduction to Porto on check-in, as well as a couple of spare Metro tickets he had lying around!
The room itself was spotless, with a super comfortable double bed (easily large enough for two adults and a small child), and the bathroom was bright and airy with a modern, funky tiled floor.
Our room also boasted a super cute adjoining reading room, which was stocked with waters, teas & coffees, allowing me some quiet rest and relaxation after a long day of sightseeing, while my kid watched TV in the main room.
The guesthouse was just two minutes walk from Combatantes metro station, and I really got the feel of staying a locals neighbourhood, rather than a tourist zone. I even got my haircut there and visited a brilliant local bakery after dropping off our bags on arrival (more on that below).
Mid-range Options for Families Further North
A good value mid-range option for larger families who want a lot of space is LV Premier Marques MQ2 in Paranhas. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, and a huge living room to relax in after a day’s sightseeing.
Even bigger, is AMAZING DUPLEX – Mid Century Experience in upper Bonfim. Expect 4 bedrooms, two bathrooms and overall 120metres squared.
Young Adults & Groups of Friends - Cedofeita or Bonfim
I really liked the general vibe of both Cedofeita and Bonfim. Both had a wicked selection of cool bars and restaurants, a fair bit of street art to admire in between bar-hopping, and loads of quirky accommodation options close to all the action.
Both neighbourhoods are also well-served by Porto’s metro network, with prominent nearby stations including Marques, Faria Guimareas, Trindade, Lapa & Carolina Michaelis (Cedofeita), & Combatentes, Marques, 24 de Agosto, & Heroismo (Bonfim).
Budget: Pinheiro House Luxury Apartments by Oporto Soul
In Cedofeita I stayed at Pinheiro House Luxury Apartments by Oporto Soul. The apartment was wicked, located in a very quiet residential street, yet just two minutes way from a hopping local nightlife scene and a bunch of great looking Asian restaurants. Being on the south side of Cedofeita, it was also just a 5 minute walk to either Trindade or Aliados metro stations.
The apartment had a small kitchen, a good-sized bathroom, a pull out sofa bed and a super comfortable double in the main bedroom. I also really appreciated the wooden shutters on our windows, the air conditioning, the washing machine, and being able to look out directly onto the street below.
Mid-range & Luxury Accommodation Options
A solid mid-range pick on the eastern side of Cedofeita on the border with Boavista, is the highly rated Blau 1911, complete with its resident’s garden and terrace.
And for those of you interested in spending a little more for some five star luxury, check out Palacete Severo with its tranquil garden and pool area, and in-house restaurant. This small 5* boutique hotel is also located on the border between Cedofeita and Boavista.
Wine & Port Lovers - Vila Nova de Gaia
The best base for wine lovers and Port enthusiasts is unquestionably Vila Nova de Gaia, home to the great Port houses (Graham’s, Taylor’s, Sandeman, Ramos Pinto etc.), most of which offer cellar tours and tastings from around €20 (check my tip below though ;-).
Staying here means you can walk to multiple lodges in an afternoon, then finish with the classic sunset-over-Porto view, so there’s a strong hint of romance naturally built into the topography.
The hill factor here though is high. Gaia’s cellars themselves sit close to the water, but most of the hotels with the best skyline views are up the slope, so factor in short uphill walks (assuming your hotel isn’t too far up) or regular Bolts or Ubers (if you’ve had too many Ports) into your daily routine.
Anyway, here are my hotel recommendation for wine lovers in Vila Nova de Gaia…
Mid-range & budget friendly: Located directly opposite the picture postcard views of Ribeira, and right on the Douro waterfront, one of the most famous Port lodges itself – The House of Sandeman – offers both private rooms as well as larger shared dormitories.
Luxury picks: The Yeatman – wonderful sunset views and an in-house 2* Michelin restaurant. Alternatively, the 5* Rebello Hotel & Spa offers extensive wellness & spa facilities, a rooftop terrace and exceptional design traits throughout.
Info for Cruise Passengers
Ocean cruise ships dock at the Leixões Cruise Terminal in Matosinhos, about 15km north west of central Porto. The journey into Porto city centre from here takes around 20-25 minutes on the metro Line A and Line B down to Trindade. In Matosinhos you enter the metro system from either Mercado, Brito Capelo, or Matosinhos Sul stations – as all are close to the cruise ship terminal.
Alternatively, there may be shuttle bus laid on for you, or you can just order a Bolt or Uber costing somewhere around €15-20.
If you’re only in port for the day rather than staying overnight, Foz do Douro makes a sensible, flat, coastal base close to the terminal, with none of the historic centre’s hills to contend with.
Douro river cruises (Viking, AmaWaterways, Scenic, Emerald, Uniworld etc.) dock much more centrally, either directly at the waterfront in Ribeira, or opposite in Cais de Gaia. Porto is however usually the start or end point for these cruises, so if you decide to tag on a couple more days of exploring the city, and you want to be close to the ships, then follow my accommodation recommendations in either the ‘Wine Lovers’ or Couples’ sections above, as both focus on the best places to stay in both Ribeira and Vila Nova de Gaia.
Interactive Porto Hotels Map
For those of you that prefer to ignore all my carefully researched recommendations in Porto (no offense taken!), then go ahead and search yourselves using the interactive accommodation map below.
Input the number of travellers in your group and check availability and the best live prices directly from various providers. Drag the map around, zoom in and out, and have a good look at all accommodation options…
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Porto
Is Porto hard to walk around because of the hills?
In parts, yeah! The drop from the upper plateau down to the Douro riverfront is genuinely steep. But with the shortcuts mentioned above, and a careful selection of your accommodation while staying in town, you can certainly avoid the worst of it.
Where should I stay in Porto to avoid the hills?
While this depends on your particular travel style and fitness level as discussed above, anywhere in or north of Sao Bento station in Baixa and/or Cedofeita will eliminate the worst of the climbing, while still putting you in a great central location.
Is Ribeira too hilly to stay in?
Ribeira itself is flat along the riverfront, so assuming you don’t go anywhere else in Porto then no. Realistically though, you will of course be moving around the entire city, and doing this will involve a steep climb in all directions, so either get your tracksuit ready, or become good friends with the Funicular dos Guindais and the local taxi drivers.
Do I need a car to get around Porto?
Not at all, no. Porto’s metro and bus network covers the city well, and most of what you’ll want to see is walkable from a well-chosen central base anyway.
Are the hills in Porto really that bad?
I don’t really think so, no. But I’m a (relatively) fit guy in my forties. If you’re travelling with kids, older people with mobility issues, or unfit/lazy people, then they do require a little prior planning to circumnavigate, yeah.
Where do cruise ships dock in Porto?
Ocean cruise ships dock at the Leixões Cruise Terminal in Matosinhos, about 15km north west of the city centre. Douro river cruises dock much closer to central Porto, near Ribeira.
Where to Stay in Porto: Outro & Advice for First-Timers
So there you have it – my recommendations on where to stay in Porto, based on both its topography and your particular travel type.
If I was to sum it up, I’d say the upper plateau (Baixa, Cedofeita, Boavista, Bonfim and north) will most suit those who prioritise a more comfortable, low-effort base on the flat, while the riverfront (Ribeira, Gaia) suits visitors chasing iconic views, and are willing to trade a bit of sweat for them.
Next time I visit Porto I’d like to explore Bonfim more. Not only because I can be an anti-social git, and need my space away from other tourists (ugh…yuck!), but mostly because I’ve heard it’s a very cool part of town undergoing rapid gentrification. Although, to be frank, the often scruffy Porto could do with quite a bit more of that, I reckon.
Equally, having heard that Matosinhos and Foz do Douro is where the Portuenses go to eat freshly caught seafood and fish, these two locales just outside the city centre are also on my hit list.
Anyway, if you’re all about slow travel through Portugal, you may as well read all of my Portugal travel articles!
Bom dia ou boa noite, meus amigos!
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