What to see, where to stay and the best time to visit Porto, Portugal.
Photo: Harry Shum / Pexels
Porto is a coastal city in Portugal with a population of 273,979. It is not the national capital, so it works at a smaller scale than a capital city, and you can mix time in the city with time by the sea. The best months to visit are June, July, August and September. These summer and early autumn months are the peak of the year for a city break on the coast.
We don't have a set number of days for Porto yet. As a coastal city of about 273,979 people, it suits a short city break. Add extra time if you also want slow days by the sea.
Ribeira
The old riverside quarter has narrow lanes, tall tiled houses and a long quay facing the Douro. Walk the waterfront, sit at a café, or take a short river cruise under the bridges.
Ribeira / Vila Nova de Gaia
This iron arch bridge has two decks and links Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. Walk across the upper deck for wide views over the river and the old town, then take the lower deck back to Ribeira.
Vila Nova de Gaia
Across the river from Ribeira, port houses age their wine in large lodges near the water. Most offer guided tours with tastings, so it is a good place to learn how port is made.
Baixa
This bookshop is known for its carved wooden interior and curving red staircase. It is very popular, so expect queues and book a timed ticket in advance if you can.
Baixa
A baroque church with a tall bell tower that you can climb. The top gives one of the best views over Porto's rooftops and the river.
Baixa
The main hall of this working station is covered in blue and white azulejo tiles showing scenes from Portuguese history. Entry to the hall is free, and it is easy to combine with a walk through the centre.
Sé
The cathedral stands on a hill above the old town and looks more like a fortress than a church. Visit the tiled cloister and the square outside for views down to the river.
Ribeira
The former stock exchange building is visited on guided tours. The highlight is the richly decorated Arab Room, used for official events.
Ribeira
A gothic church whose inside is almost completely covered in gilded carved wood. It sits next to the Palácio da Bolsa, so you can see both in one visit.
Lordelo do Ouro
A contemporary art museum set in large gardens with a pink art deco villa. Come for the exhibitions, or simply walk the park and woods away from the busy centre.
Average weather and our month score, from 10 years of climate data.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Sea temp | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C / 7°C | 12 days (162 mm) | 6.6 h/day | 14°C | 5.1/10 |
| February | 15°C / 8°C | 10 days (120 mm) | 7.9 h/day | 14°C | 6.2/10 |
| March | 16°C / 9°C | 13 days (146 mm) | 9.0 h/day | 14°C | 6.3/10 |
| April | 18°C / 10°C | 12 days (135 mm) | 10.7 h/day | 16°C | 7.5/10 |
| May | 20°C / 13°C | 9 days (85 mm) | 11.8 h/day | 16°C | 8.2/10 |
| Best month: June | 22°C / 15°C | 8 days (50 mm) | 13.0 h/day | 18°C | 8.5/10 |
| Best month: July | 24°C / 17°C | 3 days (13 mm) | 13.4 h/day | 18°C | 9.3/10 |
| Best month: August | 25°C / 17°C | 3 days (14 mm) | 12.1 h/day | 17°C | 9.5/10 |
| Best month: September | 24°C / 16°C | 6 days (68 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 17°C | 8.9/10 |
| October | 21°C / 14°C | 13 days (183 mm) | 8.1 h/day | 18°C | 7.4/10 |
| November | 17°C / 11°C | 14 days (167 mm) | 6.8 h/day | 17°C | 6.2/10 |
| December | 15°C / 9°C | 14 days (182 mm) | 6.4 h/day | 15°C | 5.2/10 |
Cool and wet, with highs of 13.5°C, 11.7 rain days and 162 mm of rain. Expect grey skies and damp streets. The scores rate January ok.
Highs reach 14.7°C and rain falls on 10.4 days, the fewest rain days of winter. The scores rate February good.
Highs climb to 15.8°C, but 13.2 rain days and 146 mm of rain keep it damp. The scores still rate March good.
Spring warms to 17.8°C highs, though rain still falls on 12.2 days. The scores rate April one of the best months.
Highs of 20.2°C, rain on 9.2 days and 11.8 sun hours. The scores rate May one of the best months.
Warm 21.8°C highs, only 7.6 rain days and 13 sun hours. The scores rate June one of the best months.
Dry and warm, with highs of 24.4°C, just 3.3 rain days and 13 mm of rain. The scores rate July best, at 9.3.
The top-scoring month at 9.5, with highs of 24.7°C and only 2.6 rain days. The sea stays cool at 17.3°C.
Highs of 23.5°C and 5.5 rain days keep the summer weather going. The scores rate September best, at 8.9.
Highs still reach 20.7°C, but heavy rain returns: 12.9 rain days and 183 mm, the wettest total of the year. The scores rate October good.
Highs drop to 16.6°C and rain falls on 14.1 days, the most of the year, with 167 mm in total. The scores rate November good.
Cool and wet, with highs of 14.7°C, 14 rain days, 182 mm of rain and 6.4 sun hours, the fewest all year. The scores rate December ok.
Climate averages 2015–2024 · Best time to visit Portugal →
The best areas to base yourself and who each one suits.
Good for first-timers, sightseeing, transport links
The central downtown area around Avenida dos Aliados has grand old buildings, cafés and the São Bento train station. Most main sights are within walking distance, and metro lines meet here. Streets near Rua Galeria de Paris get loud late at night, especially at weekends.
Good for first-timers, river views, short stays
The old riverside quarter has narrow lanes, colourful houses and the view across the Douro to the port wine cellars. It is the classic postcard setting and close to the Dom Luís I bridge. It is crowded with visitors by day, and the steep streets and stairs make arriving with luggage hard work.
Good for independent travellers, art, cafés
Just north-west of Baixa, this area is known for Rua Miguel Bombarda, with small galleries, design shops and relaxed cafés. It feels more local than the centre but is still an easy walk downtown. Evenings are quieter, with fewer restaurants open late than in Baixa.
Good for port wine lovers, views, couples
Across the river from Ribeira, the Gaia waterfront is home to the port wine lodges and has the best views back over old Porto. You can walk to the centre over the bridge. Gaia is a separate city, and reaching central Porto means crossing the river and climbing steep hills.
Good for longer stays, local life, budget-minded
East of the centre, Bonfim is a residential area with new cafés, restaurants and a growing creative scene. It gives a sense of everyday Porto, and the centre is a walk or short metro ride away. There are few major sights in the area itself, and some streets feel quiet after dark.
Good for families, beaches, quiet
Where the Douro meets the Atlantic, Foz has a seafront promenade, small beaches and seafood restaurants. It is calm and good for walks and sunsets. It is far from the historic centre, so you will rely on the tram, bus or taxis to reach the main sights.
A heavy sandwich of cured ham, sausage and steak, covered in melted cheese and a hot tomato and beer sauce, often topped with an egg. Locals eat it in cafés with fries and a cold beer.
A slow-cooked stew of tripe, white beans, sausage and chicken. It is so linked to the city that people from Porto are nicknamed 'tripeiros'. Look for it at lunch in traditional tascas.
Salt cod baked with potatoes, onions, olive oil, black olives and boiled egg. The recipe comes from Porto, and families often serve it at home and at Sunday lunch.
A soft bread roll filled with slow-roasted pork leg, sometimes with melted sheep's cheese. It is a popular late-night snack in casual sandwich bars around the centre.
Whole sardines cooked over charcoal and eaten on bread or with boiled potatoes. They fill the streets during the São João festival, when grills appear outside homes and bars.
The sweet fortified wine ages in cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro River. Many cellars offer tastings, and locals drink white port as an aperitif and tawny port after dinner.
June to September is the best time to visit Porto. August scores highest at 9.5 out of 10, followed by July at 9.3, September at 8.9 and June at 8.5. In these months highs reach 21.8–24.7°C, rain falls on only 2.6–7.6 days a month, and you get 10.8–13.4 hours of sun a day. April and May also rate as best months but bring more rain.
Yes. August is Porto's highest-rated month, with a score of 9.5 out of 10. Average highs are 24.7°C and lows 16.6°C. Rain falls on only 2.6 days, about 14 mm in total, and there are 12.1 hours of sun a day. The sea is still fresh at about 17°C.
Yes. October to January is Porto's wettest period. October gets 183 mm of rain and December 182 mm, with 12.9 to 14.1 rain days a month from October to December. Highs drop to 13.5–14.7°C from December to February, and sun falls to about 6–7 hours a day. Winter months still rate ok or good, so plan for wet days rather than steady sunshine.
Yes, April and May both rate as best months. May scores 8.2, with highs of 20.2°C and 9.2 rain days. April scores 7.5, with highs of 17.8°C but 12.2 rain days and 135 mm of rain. March is cooler at 15.8°C and wetter, with 13.2 rain days. It still rates good with a score of 6.3.
The sea in Porto stays cool all year. It is warmest in October at 18.2°C and in June at 17.9°C. In July and August it is 17.3–17.5°C. In winter it drops to 13.9°C in January and 14°C in February. Many swimmers will find the water fresh even in midsummer.
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