One of the most charming and historical cities in Portugal, over the last few years Porto has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe thanks to its combination of classicism and modernity. Discover this enchanting city from one of our hotels in Porto.
Where to stay in Porto?
From a touristic standpoint, some of the top neighborhoods and districts in Porto include the riverfront Ribeira in the heart of Porto, Baixa with its lively nightlife, Bolhão, thanks to its shopping options and Se, which is the oldest neighborhood in Porto.
We can highlight the historic Ribeira as one of the most emblematic districts of Porto thanks to its gorgeous buildings and its many restaurants and bars with views of the famous Duoro River. Luckily for our guests, both of our hotels in the city—the NH Collection Porto Batalha and the NH Porto Jardim—are located in very close proximity to Ribeira.
Book your stay at our luxury hotel,NH Collection Porto Batalha, which takes its name from its proximity to Batalha Square, a significant location in Portugal’s history, which is now an important part of the social and cultural life in the city.
Its excellent location makes it one of the best hotels in Porto: it’s close to the city’s most important tourist attractions such as the Clérigos Church, the Lello Bookstore, which served as an inspiration for the Harry Potter saga, the Bolhão Market, the Porto Cathedral, and, as we mentioned, the Ribeira district, where you can enjoy fantastic views.
Although this luxury hotel was built in the 18th century, it’s now equipped with all the amenities you might need to make your stay a pleasant one. It’s a welcoming space with modern, renovated furniture that will make you feel right at home. The NH Collection Porto Batalhahas spacious, air-conditioned rooms and offers high-quality services such as a free spa for guests, a pool, a gym, and private parking, which are all ideal additions to any business trip in this Portuguese city.
Whether you are traveling to this city for business or leisure, NH Hotels offers great options where to stay in Porto. The NH Porto Jardim is a 4-star hotel in the city that guarantees maximum comfort for its guests as it has spacious rooms equipped with free WiFi and beautiful views of both the garden and the city.
NH Porto Jardimoffers easy access to the Francisco Sá Carneiro de Porto airport via both public transport and road. As a result, this hotel is the perfect choice if you want to explore other popular tourist areas in Portugal such as the capital Lisbon, which exudes cultural and architectural richness at every turn, or Faro, where you’ll find idyllic beaches and an excellent climate.
Take a look at the reviews left by the hundreds of visitors who have already stayed in the comfortable rooms of our hotels in Porto. You’ll see the positive comments which highlight the relaxing spa or pool, perfect after a hard day’s work or intense sightseeing, and the ease with which it’s possible to see all the main tourist attractions in this wonderful part of Portugal.
How’s the weather in Porto?
Besides its cultural offer and amazing views, Porto is also a top tourist destination due to its wonderful year-round weather. The peak of the summer (July and August) features daily high temperatures of around 25ºC while January, typically the coldest month of the year in Porto, has average daily high and low temperatures of around 14ºC and 6ºC, respectively.
What to see in Porto?
The baroque Clérigos Church and its 75-meter-tall bell tower, the Clérigos Tower, make up one of the most representative landmarks of Porto. The church, which was inaugurated in 1763, is a stunning sight by itself and getting to the top of its tower will provide you with some of the best views over the city.
Visiting the Bolhão Market is truly a must during a trip to Porto. This historic marketplace, held in an iconic huge neoclassical building, offers one of the liveliest displays of daily live in Porto with its large selection of fresh food products.
Take a look at the Porto Cathedral for a unique glimpse into the city’s past. Dating to the 12th century, this stunning building serves as a prime example of Romanesque architecture and as one of Porto’s oldest monuments.
The Lello Bookstore, with its ornate neogothic architecture, is often mentioned among the best and most beautiful bookstores in the world. Walking through its delightful interior, which includes a wooden staircase and a stained-glass skylight, is one of the most memorable things you can do in Porto.
The Cais da Ribeira is a riverfront promenade along the Duoro River. It offers magnificent views, being one of the best places to go for a walk in Porto, but it’s also a very lively area, full of great restaurants and bars.
The Soares dos Reis National Museum is one of the most important art museums in all of Portugal. Its vast collection is centered on Portuguese art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more.
The Palácio da Bolsa is a historical building in Porto’s city center and one of its major landmarks. It’s classified as a National Monument and its guided tours will take you through its many splendid rooms, including the Arab Room, a stunning 300-meter space decorated in a Moorish style.
What to eat in Porto?
Porto is a true delight for gastronomic travellers. It’s home to many unique and amazing dishes like the francesinha sandwich, which is made up of ham, sausages, and steak and then beautifully covered with melted cheese and an egg.
Other dishes to seek out while in Porto include bolinhos de bacalhau—a popular fried cod fish cake—and tarte de amêndoa, or almond tart, one of the region’s most beloved desserts.
Porto has many great restaurants where you can try the local fare. We can recommend Café Santiago, which is famous for its francesinha sandwich, and Adega São Nicolau, which is close to the river and offers an extensive and consistently great menu.
You also can’t miss the chance to sample the famous Porto wine, and to do so there’s no better choice than a visit to Vila Nova de Gaia, where dozens of wineries open their doors to visitors. From here you’ll also be able to enjoy some privileged views of Porto.
How to arrive in Porto?
Porto is served by the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), the airport with the second-most traffic in Portugal. It’s located 13 kilometers north of Porto. Reaching Porto’s city center from the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport is very simple, whether you choose the metro (which takes only 30 minutes), a bus, a taxi, or the airport transfer service.
Porto is also connected to several highways if you’re planning on driving to Porto. The Alfa Pendular high-speed train also offers service from Lisbon, Fairo, Coimbra, and Braga.
How to get around in Porto?
Although Porto is fairly small and a joy to explore by walking, the city also features a convenient public transport system that includes a metro, trams, and buses. The buses are a great option for reaching attractions outside of Porto, like the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.
Taxis in Porto are also readily available and cheap. Additionally, the Funicular dos Guindais, a funicular that connects the Ribeira neighborhood with Batalha at the top of the city, is also an option and offers fantastic views.
If you do plan on bringing your car to Porto, you’ll be able to park it in several parking garages available in the city. Keep in mind that street parking in Porto can be hard to come by.
With our hotels in Porto, you’ll be able to enjoy a wonderful vacation in this historically rich Portuguese city.
Don’t hesitate to book your accommodation in Porto with NH Hotels now, and don’t miss all that’s on offer on this beautiful city on the banks of the Duoro River, which has already attracted millions of tourists from all over the world.
