Hi all! Going to be spending 5 days in Porto later this month with my wife and college age son. We went to Lisbon and the south pre-covid and rented an apartment; It worked out well and we want to do the same in Porto. My question: What is the best neighborhood to aim to stay in? Is there a particular square or landmark I can use to hone in on a good location?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
The thing is not the neighborhood, as in the same neighborhood migh exist several apartments and yet being completely different. 50 meters can make a big difference, in questions like noise, for instance. I think you should ask for appartments were people had good experiences, because there are not really neighborhoods in Porto. I cannot give you advice on a specific apartment, as I never stayed in one. But I can tell you all areas look great, if in the city center. The problem is that you don't know if a particular apartment has works going on in front, or bars playing all night, or garbage bins being emptyed twice a night.
What is a good location to you?
We recently stayed at a studio apartment located on R. das Flores. Perfect location. Near everything. We found it quiet at late night and lively by day and evening. Everything we wanted to see was within a 15 minute walk. The main train station Sao Bento was a 5 minute walk. And there are plenty of bus stops nearby. We never walked more then 5 min for a bite to eat or a drink with a view. We were in Porto for 9 days and are looking forward to a return trip to the area. I think anything in that general area will work. It’s very busy there right now so I would recommended booking something sooner than later.
We got back today and stayed in an AirBnB next to the cathedral. It was just perfect: two blocks south of the São Bento train station and around the corner from the bridge: easy access the waterfront, walk over to Gaia, or just watch the sunset.
Thanks for the replies.
We ended up booking an AirBnB near the clerigos tower. We hope it works out! Will report back after the trip.
Near Clérigos you cannot go wrong. Even if you are staying at Rua de Trás or Rua dos Caldeireiros, well... you might need to climb a litle, but you knew Porto is hilly. The only problem you will be facing, I think, is that there are so many pastry shops in that area selling "pastéis de nata", that you would need something like 2 weeks when you return home, without making blood analysis.
There is also "Leitaria da Quinta do Carmo" nearby (best eclairs in town)... as well as "Padaria Ribeiro" (best biscuits...)... both are temptations to your cholesterol...
Ha, yes, the pastries are going to make us appreciate all the hills! Doesn’t wine help lower cholesterol too? That’s our plan!
Good to know the apartment location should work out. Thanks!
We got back a few weeks ago and had stayed at an Airbnb on Rua de Miguel Bombarda. It was a perfect location for us. Quiet enough with easy access to all the sites!
"Doesn’t wine help lower cholesterol too? That’s our plan!"
It is, indeed, a very good plan! And one thing we don't lack in Portugal, are places were you can drink wine (red wine, Port wine, green wine, even Madeira wine...)!
But... just as information... please be aware that water is also very good, and you can drink tap water, it's potable and tasty. (drink water besides drinking wine, not instead, ok?)
Helena, I’m looking for white port wine and a cup of coffee or win with you.
We recently stayed one block downhill from Clergios for our first trip to Porto, and thought the location was ideal. It was convenient to the very touristic areas along the river, but also the more local-feeling neighborhoods near the university and city center. If you plan to see the "Harry Potter bookstore," it's also very convenient for getting in line before opening.
Harry Potter bookshop (???), the name is "Livraria Lello", and best time to visit is at 6pm.
This is strange to me, and might seem strange to a lot of people, but in fact there are people that have dinner at 6pm!!! I know it is hard to believe, but it is true. So, they are not at the bookshop, they are trying to eat somewhere (and Portuguese restaurants are allowing dinner at this hour, the waiters don't even blink if someone asks for bacalhau (codfish) in the midle of the afternoon!)
That's the best time to go there, you will only find Spanish, or perhaps French and Italians (and us, of course).
