15 Essential Porto Travel Tips (Best Time, Food, Wine & More)

1. Understand Porto’s Weather Year-Round

Porto’s weather is pretty mild, but like we learned—you’ll want to pack layers. If you're out all day, like we usually do, back a sweater or a rain jacket, it's just one extra thing to throw in your day-pack.

• Summers (June–August) hit highs of 77°F (25°C) with lows around 59°F (15°C) and almost no rain.
• Winters (December–February) are cooler at 57°F (14°C) highs and 45°F (7°C) lows, with roughly 15 rainy days a month.
• Spring (March–May) brings blooming flowers,
• Fall (September–November) offers grape harvest vibes in the nearby Douro Valley.

YTM Quick Tip: Don't be fooled by the warm sun in Porto! The temperature can drop significantly once the sun goes down, even in the summer, so be prepared.

2. Best Time to Visit

When you go can totally change your experience. We found that the shoulder seasons are the best options—fewer crowds, gorgeous weather, and plenty of little festivals to stumble upon.

• High season (summer) = great weather but crowds & higher prices.
• Winter = cheaper, fewer tourists.
• Shoulder seasons (March–May, September–November) offer mild weather and smaller crowds.

YTM Top pick: Early June: festivals pop up, weather’s perfect (70–77°F), and Europe’s summer rush hasn’t started. Enjoy events like São João.

3. How Many Days You Need

Two to three days is the sweet spot. You can see the highlights in two, but three nights lets you actually enjoy Porto without feeling like you’re rushing to get everything in. If you’re also hitting Lisbon or Sintra, three days gives you a nice balance. Extra time? Take a day trip to the Douro Valley — vineyards, wine tastings, and river views.

4. Getting Around & Airport Transport

Getting into the city from the airport is easier than you’d think. And in the city between the metro, trams, and a little walking, Porto is a pretty easy to navigate - - That's not to say we didn't get lost a few times but hey that's part of the adventure...

• From Porto Airport, the metro is the way to go, we felt it was efficient and economical win-win: Line E (violet) to the city center costs ~€2 (30 mins). Grab an Andante Card for buses and metro re-loadable
• Taxis/private transfers: €20–30, ideal for luggage or late arrivals.
• Walking is the best way to explore the hilly, cobblestone streets - We walked almost everywhere and then some
• But if you get a little tired or time is of the essence the trams and hop-on-hop-off buses are usually close by and a taxi is usually pretty cheap for getting around town.

** You also have ride share option like Uber and Bolt - We have found that Bolt has been consistently cheaper than Uber in cities where both are available

YTM Pro Tip: Make sure you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees loaded into whichever ride-share app you use and if you have issues there might be an option to pay in cash in the app and yes drivers see that as a priority pick up

5. Porto Card & Other Travel Passes

Using travel passes—it’s an easy way to save time and money. The Porto Card or Andante card can be a lifesaver, especially if you plan to explore a bunch of attractions.

• Porto Card: Includes entry to attractions like Clérigos Tower + transport. Buy online or at tourist offices.

• Andante Card: Best for walkers who just want public transport.
  

We made a deeper dive in our video review (we debated which one was better while sipping port). Bottom line: choose which fits your itinerary.

6. What to Wear

You’ll be walking a lot, so comfy shoes are your best friend here. Don't be that person everyone sees trying to navigate those cobblestone street in heels. Layers for spring/fall, rain gear for winter, light fabrics for summer. Breathable clothing helps on Porto’s hilly streets. We think layers always seem to work so keep in your bag, you know, just in case...

7. Language Basics

A little Portuguese goes a long way. Even just a friendly “obrigado” or “bom dia” will make locals appreciate the fact that you're giving an effort

Portuguese is the main language, but 25%+ speak English (usually more so with the younger generation). Here's some basics:

· “Sim” = yes

· “Não” = no

· “Por favor” = please

· “Obrigado/a” = thanks

· “Boa noite” = good night

YTM QUICK TIP: Head to our video review on Porto where Lili gives a quick lesson on the basics for Portuguese

8. Budget Tips

Porto doesn’t have to break the bank. I usually budget a little over €110/day for lodging, food, and transit, per person, but there are plenty of ways to do it cheaper—or treat yourself a little if you want. What's nice about Porto is that it's cheaper than much of Western Europe! So go ahead and Splurge...

YTM Quick Tip: This pretty much applies to most cities -- Look for small cafés off the main tourist streets—they often have better prices and tastier food.

9. Top Sights to See

From stunning tile-covered churches to the magical Livraria Lello bookstore, Porto’s has plenty of sights to see for your visit. ( Just a few of our favorites—consider booking a Porto City Walking Tour here )

• Clérigos Tower: panoramic views
• Palácio da Bolsa: ornate stock exchange
• Sé Cathedral: Gothic beauty
• Igreja de São Francisco: unique interior
• Livraria Lello: Harry Potter-inspired, book ahead

YTM Quick Tip: If you're only in Porto for 2-3 days plan out what you want to see so you won;t miss out. With that being said we kind of had a plan but after a few wines and enjoying the river views with friends the plans, well let's say, were altered a little.

10. Walk the Dom Luís I Bridge

This bridge is iconic for a reason. a double-deck bridge by Eiffel disciple ( That's right THE Eiffel Tower). Walk the upper level for amazing city-river views

YTM Quick Tip: Best View are at Sunset and night, but that's also when the crowds appear, so if you want to beat the crowds an early morning Bridge stroll is for you.

** Be careful as trains do still run across the Bridge!

11. Explore the Douro River

The river really is the heart of the city. Stroll the banks, stop at cafés, or take a 50-minute cruise (~€15). Full-day Douro Valley tours (~€50+) and even charters are available, These cruises are worth it if you’ve got the time. And we seemed to always be passing the river, heading to the river or meeting someone at the river, so yes get to know it!!

YTM Quick Tip: If you happen to book a tour/cruise arrive early so you can get a seat up front for the best views.

12. Must-Try Food & Restaurants

Food is one of my favorite reasons to visit Porto. Francesinha is very popular and pastéis de nata but the Sardines are our Absolute Favorites!!! Big and spiced to perfection ( just have to navigate a few bones but sooo worth it ).
These are a couple that definitely made an impact on us:

• Tapabento S.Bento
offers a creative and delicious menu with a cozy, laid-back vibe. This culinary gem is celebrated for its inventive dishes, including standout seafood and excellent vegetarian options. Be sure to book a reservation because it is quite a popular spot.

• Porto à Noite:
Seafood Lovers Rejoice! This place is a local gem with large portions, Its tucked away in Porto's charming Ribeira district, they offer delicious, homemade Portuguese food in a cozy setting that feels like a family dinner. This local favorite serves generous portions at incredible prices, with specialties like salt cod ( My fav!!!), grilled octopus, and seafood salad. It’s the perfect spot for an authentic, hearty meal that give you a great value

13. Port Wine Essentials

Ah, Port wine—the reason Porto is famous, and also the reason some people show up thinking they can drink like a local and instantly become sommeliers. Spoiler: you can’t. But don’t worry—you can sip, swirl, and pretend you know what “full-bodied with hints of raisin” means while actually just enjoying the sweet, strong stuff.

Visit historic cellars like Sandeman, Graham’s, Cálem, Taylor’s, and Ferreira. Taste, learn a bit of history, maybe leave with a bottle (or four — yes, we did). Even if you’re not a Port fan, trust me, try a few varieties; you’ll find something you like.

14. Nightlife Hotspots

If you’re looking to experience Porto after dark, your go-to streets are Rua Galeria de Paris and Rua Cândido dos Reis. Really, you don’t even have to look hard—almost every place along these streets is a bar or café. The vibe is electric: people sipping wine or cocktails outdoors, chatting, laughing, and spilling onto the sidewalks.the street are filled with music from the bars, some even have dancing, so you can go from people-watching to drinking to dancing without having to leave the street. Porto nightlife is as much about soaking up the energy as it is about the drinks, so grab a seat outside, order a glass of local wine, and enjoy, we definitely did.

YTM Pro Tip: Some places charge a small entrance fee, especially weekends or live music nights, but it’s usually worth it and it's usually not too much.

15. Payments & Tipping

When it comes to money matters in Porto, things are refreshingly simple. Euros are the local currency, and Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. American Express? Not so much— Most places take cards, but it’s smart to keep a bit of cash on hand for smaller cafés, bakeries, or taxis.

Before you go, check whether your card charges foreign transaction fees—if it does, switch to one that doesn’t.( if you have one ) When using ATMs, always choose to withdraw in local currency (euros) rather than your home currency to dodge those horrible conversion fees. Debit cards with ATM fee rebates can also be a lifesaver if you plan to pull out cash a few times during your trip.( Chase Debit Card, Lifesaver!)

Now, about tipping—this isn’t the U.S., and no one’s expecting 20%. In Portugal, tipping is more of a small gesture than a rule. Rounding up the bill or leaving an extra 5–10% for excellent service is plenty. That said, for those of us who’ve worked in restaurants ( both of us have ), if the service is above and beyond we like to even leave a little extra, I think they appreciate it...

Porto’s charm lies in its mix of old-world vibes, river views, and vibrant food scene. Pair it with Lisbon Sintra or Cascais for a full Portugal adventure.

🎥 Keep exploring Portugal with us! Whether you’re planning a trip to Porto or heading to Sintra next, these guides will help you make the most of your travels.