Where to stay in Porto – The best Porto Hotels
Choosing where to stay in Porto can be a tough choice for anyone. It’s a beautiful city that’s home to some excellent accommodation options, featuring everything from grand, classic hotels with traditional Portuguese elegance, to quirky, budget boutique hotels. Hotels are quite reasonably priced for a major European city destination too!
Are you looking for a luxury, romantic Porto hotel with amazing views of the river? Maybe you just want a comfortable place to rest your head that’s within walking distance of all the sites? Using our own experience and customer reviews, we’ve assembled a list of top-rated hotel options in popular locations throughout the city.
Continue reading our ‘where to stay in Porto’ guide for Porto hotel inspiration for all budgets…
Before we get started with Porto hotel recommendations, we’ll give you an overview on some of the best areas to stay in Porto.
Cais da Ribeira riverside
The scenic heart of the city, Porto riverside, known as Cais da Ribeira, is Porto’s most famous tourist spot. It’s home to some excellent luxury and moderately priced hotels, many with excellent views of the river.
Bolhao
A trendy neighbourhood that’s known for its market, churches and wide array of high street shopping options. It’s within a close walk of the city centre and has some well-priced hotel options for all budgets.
City Centre
Stay in the very centre of Porto city centre to be within a short walk of sites such as Clerigos Tower, Livraria Lello book shop and the many corner cafes, bars and restaurants. City centre life is busy but full of rich atmosphere.
Aliados Avenue
Aliados Avenue is the upmarket area of Porto, with a long street of designer shops, grand hotels, and most notably, the City Hall building. It’s in the centre of Porto and a top choice for those looking for a 4 or 5-star hotel.
City Centre outskirts
For those that want a taste of Porto local life or to get great value for money on their hotel, consider staying on the very outskirts of Porto and using the fast and efficient Metro system. The area north and west of the city centre have some well-connected hotel options, particularly near Crystal Palace Gardens/Bom Sucesso Food Market.
The best Porto hotels
Moderately-priced Porto hotels
Hotel Mercure Porto Centro Aliados
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 5/5
Considering it’s in the very centre of the city, in the upmarket Aliados Avenue area, you’d be surprised to find a secluded retreat like Hotel Mercure Porto Centro Aliados. A modern 4-star hotel with all of the facilities you’d expect, the Mercure is excellently located for a city break of shopping, sightseeing and relaxing. The hotel’s buildings are designed in such a way that they create a secluded garden and swimming pool area away from the main city streets. It perfectly suits those that want to relax by the pool after a busy morning of sightseeing.
Other top features of this hotel include its quiet outdoor breakfast terrace, quirky 1920’s-style bar and fitness centre. It’s very well located for both sightseeing and the Porto nightlife scene.
The Editory House Ribeira Porto Hotel
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
The Editory House Ribeira is a 4-star hotel that’s located in one of the best areas of Porto, right by the riverside. Within two minutes, you can walk from the hotel to the many bars, restaurants, boat tours and viewpoints. Opposite the hotel, you then have Bolsa Palace; a must-see Porto attraction. There’s also a food market and plenty of dining options.
In addition to its great location, The Editory House boasts modern, nicely decorated rooms, and a quirky Portuguese café, where you’ll enjoy breakfast each day. The best thing about this hotel is the rooftop terrace that overlooks Luis I Bridge. It’s the perfect place to relax at sunset after a long day of sightseeing.
Se Catedral Hotel Porto
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 5/5
Se Catedral Hotel Porto is part of the Hilton’s Tapestry Collection. It’s small, but tremendously quirky throughout, featuring a market-style dining area, homely library/chill out area and eccentric neon-light décor. It’s rooms are compact, but with a stylish and modern design.
One of the very best features of this hotel is its location. As its name suggests, it’s located right next to the grand Se Porto Cathedral, which is a top attraction in the city. You can also walk to the top of Luis I Bridge for views of the River Douro in less than 3-minutes. The hotel location is somewhat strategic too. It’s perfectly situated between the sites of the city centre and Porto Riverside area. If searching where to stay in Porto and a prime location is important to you, consider Se Catedral Hotel Porto.
Luxury Porto hotels
Pestana Vintage Porto
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Pestana Vintage Porto is one of Porto’s most iconic riverside hotels and the go-to place for those that want 5-star luxury with a view. Constructed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage protected collection of 18 buildings, Pestana Vintage directly overlooks the River Douro on Porto’s Ribeira riverside. Its charming, yellow, 18th-century building is unmissable as you walk along the promenade.
Inside, Pestana Vintage Hotel gives you a mix of classic Portuguese design mixed with modern art and amenities. Lighting throughout the hotel has an elegant feel, furniture is well-made, and the clash of warm colours gives it a welcoming, homely appeal. Top facilities include a top-rated restaurant, outdoor terrace area and a spa and wellness centre. In our opinion, the best thing about this hotel is the river-facing balconies. It’s well worth paying extra for the riverside view! When we think of where to stay in Porto, Pestana Vintage is often top of our list.
Torel Avantgarde
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
If you want luxury on the next level when considering where to stay in Porto, look no further than Torel Avantgarde hotel. Its nightly rate is on the higher side compared to other 5-star hotels. However, with that comes a high-end boutique experience that will seriously impress you…
Rooms are dark, moody and furnished with brightly coloured art. The restaurant, bar and common areas are quirky yet comfortable, and it has a beautiful outdoor terrace area with views of the River Douro. The highlight of this hotel is the triangular infinity pool that directly overlooks the river. Being located just outside of town, it’s in a secluded location away from the tourist crowds. Nevertheless, you can walk to the riverside area in 15 minutes.
BessaHotel Baixa
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Located on the edge of the trendy Bolhao district, Bessa Hotel Baixa is a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It’s located close enough to the city to be within walking distance of top attractions, but far enough away for a more local feel and quiet environment. The nearby area is also great for eating out and shopping.
The Bessa Hotel Baixa itself is a dark, moody and modern place to stay in Porto. Dimly lit corridors, dark walls and stylish mood lighting all give it a unique character. It’s a place so relaxing, you won’t want to leave! Out of all the 5-star hotels in Porto, Bessa Hotel has some of the best facilities. These include a large outdoor terrace area with plenty of seating, sofas and loungers, multiple restaurants, and relaxation/work areas. Last but not least, it has a huge, luxury spa. One of the best spas in Porto, in fact. Be sure to stay advantage of the large indoor swimming pool during your stay.
Budget-friendly Porto hotels
Moov Porto Centro
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
The Moov Porto Centro hotel is hands down the best budget hotel we’ve ever stayed in. Unlike a typical budget hotel, Moov oozes modernism and practicality. Sure, it’s basic, but the design, location and added features of this hotel make it a top choice for those that are looking for a budget-friendly Porto hotel.
Located in the Bolhao district, right beside Santo Ildefonso Church, Moov Porto Centro is within walking distance of all of the main attractions. Rooms are comfortable, bathrooms are modern with rainfall showers. Some rooms also have a nice view of the main square. We personally loved the added touch of free water coolers throughout the hotel and freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast.
YOTEL Porto
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 4.5/5
Yotel Porto is a hotel of the future. A new, modern hotel located in the north of Porto city centre, Yotel has a number of cool features, many of which you don’t usually expect in a budget hotel. Rooms and common areas are lit up with multi-coloured mood lighting that can be changed, robots deliver your room service order and there’s a variety of other smart technologies.
In addition to the cool features, it has a good breakfast offering, an outdoor terrace area where you can relax, and some excellent room options. Yotel Porto suits budget travellers that want a trendy place to stay whilst exploring the city. The hotel isn’t the most centrally located, but you can still walk to the city centre within 10-15mins. Alternatively, board a local bus.
ibis Porto Centro Sao Bento
View on Booking.com | Tripadvisor rating 5/5
For those that want a central location at low prices and don’t mind basic accommodation, consider ibis Porto Centro Sao Bento. With a nightly rate that’s one of the cheapest in the city centre, you really can’t go wrong with this hotel. It’s a basic but modern place to stay, with a good breakfast offering and comfortable rooms.
If you don’t plan on spending a lot of time in your room and just want a cheap place to sleep for the night, this is one of the best options on our list. You can walk to the central train station in the centre of town within 10-minutes.
Our top tips for booking a hotel in Porto
- Location is everything in Porto, or for city breaks in general. Decide whether you want to be near the historic attractions and many bars and restaurants of the city centre, or to experience the stunning views of Porto riverside. Each location is completely different. There’s also the slightly out-of-town areas, which have a more local feel and you generally get more for your money. Deciding on an area is just as important as your hotel choice.
- Many hotels don’t have breakfast included so you’ll have to pay extra. We recommend doing so for convenience. Porto has many breakfast cafes, but they’re usually a little more expensive than the hotel’s breakfast.
- Compare prices for your chosen hotel dates using a comparison website such as Tripadvisor or Trivago. This ensures you get the best rate.
- If staying at a hotel on Porto’s riverside, we recommend upgrading to a river-view room. It’s well worth the added cost!
- Eating out in Porto is fairly inexpensive and there are restaurants for every budget. However, if you do want to cook your own meals or are staying for a longer period, book an apart-hotel, or a private apartment rental in the centre of town.
- Parking is hard to find in Porto and it can be an expensive additional cost. Most hotels in the city centre don’t offer parking either. Therefore, we don’t recommend renting a car whilst visiting. If you’re visiting Porto as part of a wider Portugal road trip, we suggest picking up your car hire after visiting the city.
- Porto has a mix of both modern and classic hotels, each with a very different appeal. Consider your preference and opt for a style of hotel that suits you. Just because a hotel is top-rated, it doesn’t mean you’ll prefer it over a hotel that’s more your style.
Thanks for reading our guide on where to stay in Porto. We hope we inspired you with some good Porto hotel options and you’re now ready to book your trip to this picturesque Portuguese city. If you have any questions about the hotels we’ve featured, or Porto in general, be sure to post a comment below.
Check out our other Porto travel guides:
The best places to visit in Porto
By Ricky
Author bio:An adventurer at heart that loves anything outdoors. Beaches, mountains and amazing scenery is everything I love about travel! I also enjoy home comforts and need a nice place to relax and re-charge after every trip.
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