In which quarter house in Porto?

Where to stay in Porto? We tell you everything to help you find the best hotel to stay in Porto!

Porto, the second largest and populated city of Portugal after Lisbon, focuses several qualifiers in its midst: romantic, attractive, popular, authentic and picturesque. As such, it is regularly named the “best European destination of the year” and attracts 4 to 5 million tourists each year. Peated by 237.591 inhabitants (2011), the “northern capital” is world renowned for Porto’s wine, but it enjoys many other charms. Its historic centre has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.

If you have planned visit Porto , you will have to find a place to sleep : apartment for rent ( Airbnb , Wimdu, etc.), hostels, hotels... But you will have to focus on a neighbourhood where to stay that meets your expectations and budget. We can feel drowned with information when we land in an unknown city, which is why the editorial staff has warned you of the work: here is a brief presentation of the neighbourhoods where to stay in Porto.

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Ribeira, old town

The Ribeira is the historic heart of Porto. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this neighborhood is the one that records the largest tourist affluence. And we will understand why: paved and paved alleys of vivid and reusing colors that snake the city center to the docks of the Douro, one gradually descends towards a wonder of Porto: the famous Pont Dom Luís , built in 1886 by an engineer close to G. Eiffel. On the banks of the Douro, many bars at musical evenings to start the evening open their doors. Localization of the neighborhood also allows quick access to boats to make a cruise on the Douro !

As you walk the streets of the old town, you will be ideally placed while being immersed in the history of Porto. The housing prices will be rather high, but for a memorable romantic getaway in Portugal, we don't count!

Boavista, the new city

It is truly the chic district, trendy hotels and bars and restaurants, luxurious boutiques. Located in the northwest of the city centre, you will not be better positioned to do high-end shopping or to visit very refined architectural monuments, like the Casa da Musica .

The rates at night of the apartments are rather high, it’s a pretty salty bill to stay in Porto but it’s also the district where to stay if you like trendy nightlife and shopping.

Miragaia, a romantic stopover

Between the north shores of Douro and Jardim do Carregal , stuck in the historic heart of the city, is the Miragaia district. The atmospheres of the Ribeira are much less effervescent and turbulent, walking in a serpentine of narrow streets where all the picturesque Porto enjoys its eyes. A colorful neighborhood, again, ideal if you go in love.

If you decide to find accommodation in this neighborhood, your accommodation offer will go from pensão rather cheap at the hotel with a more substantial budget.

Massarelos, bohemian escapade

Situated west of the city centre, from the Douro River to the chic Boavista district, the neighbourhood – freguesia in Portuguese – from Massarelos offers a very good compromise to find accommodation – apartment or hotel – in Porto. This is the student district where the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Letters of the University of Porto are located.

Walking in this neighborhood, you will enjoy – in addition to the art galleries, the bars frequented by the youth hipster and bohemian – the garden of the Palais de Cristal, a very relaxing green space on the heights of the city, with a breathtaking view of the mouth of the Douro sailing towards the Atlantic Ocean. Choose Massarelos to stay in Porto if you are part of aficionados areas both calm, rather "bobos" and trendy.

Aliados and Bolhão

In the heart of the city centre and a few enchantments of the historical heart, there is a very lively, sumptuous mix of historic buildings and majestic churches – relic of the royal and Christian past – with the life of a shopping and popular neighbourhood. The central market and the central station are nearby. A good place, finally, to enjoy a drink in an art deco café or terrace in the alleys adjacent to the large boulevards.

To find accommodation in this neighborhood of Porto, this is the perfect place: close to everything, you will have the choice between pensão and the middle and high-end hotel.

Vila Nova de Gaia

We cross the Douro to visit the south shore of Porto, a district formerly dedicated to river trade. Here you can visit (for the pleasure of the eyes) by the Pont Dom Luís, to visit (for the pleasure of the taste buds) the famous wine cellars of Porto . This neighborhood is mostly frequented for its tranquility and visit the cellars and chais. If you cross the Dom Luís Bridge, venture to the coast, and enjoy the great Atlantic beaches to sublimate your relaxing holiday.

Like the other districts of Porto, the range of prices of apartments and hotels goes from cheap to high budget, everything depends on whether you want a dorm bed, a room at the living room or a double bed in a hotel. Small flat: do not expect to find alleys as charming and lively as in the Ribeira or Miragaia district.