After Lisbon, Porto is Portugal’s second largest city. With over two million people, Porto is quite large to navigate. The strategic location where the Duoro River meets the Atlantic Ocean gives Porto quite a lengthy and interesting history. Known best for port wine cellars and a plethora of bridges, Porto dates back to 300 BC and later became an important part of the Roman Empire, centuries before becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visitors to Porto today come for the wine, the colourful architecture, and picturesque bridges. Porto is relatively easy to get around, but it’s a bit hilly, so keep this in mind when choosing where to stay in Porto. Using our guide to Porto neighborhoods, you can choose the best Porto hotel for your travel style.

We will cover off all types of Porto accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Porto hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Porto Portugal 2023, the best Porto hotels, best places in Porto to visit, the best places to stay in Porto, hotels near Porto attractions, Porto neighborhood guide and many more.

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Baixa – Where to stay in Porto Portugal for tourists

Centered on the Avenida dos Aliados, Baixa Porto may be the best area for tourists visiting Porto for the first time, as it’s centrally located and one of the trendier, more modern neighborhoods of Porto. If you are planning any day trips from Porto, the Sao Bento railway station is located here, as is the Trindade Metro station for each access to other areas of Porto. Wonder where to stay in Porto for first-timers, Baixa is perfect for newbies and tourists!

This historic centre of Porto is filled with winding narrow streets lined with 19th-century buildings which house cafes, shops and boutique hotels. Travellers will pay a premium for the central location of Baixa, but if you want to know what’s the best neighborhood to stay in Porto, this is it. That said, you’ll have a large range of Porto hotels to choose from in Baixa.

Best places to stay in Baixa

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Baixa
Selina Porto
Porto Downtown Hostel
Oporto Invictus Hostel
PILOT Design Hostel & Bar

Budget Hotels in Baixa
Residencial S. Marino
Vivacity Porto
Hotel Malaposta
Pensao Franca

Mid range Hotels in Baixa
Oporto City Flats – Carlos Alberto Apartments
BO – Sa de Noronha Apartments
Enjoy Porto Guest House
Casa Carolina

Family Friendly Hotels in Baixa
Hotel Malaposta
Grande Hotel de Paris
Hotel Estoril Porto
Pao de Acucar Hotel

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Baixa
Pestana Porto – A Brasileira
Hotel Infante Sagres
Maison Albar Hotels Le Monumental Palace
InterContinental Porto – Palacio das Cardosas

Boavista – Where to stay in Porto on a budget

A bit northwest of the Baixa city center is Boavista, a thriving artistic neighborhood full of museums and performing art centers. Avenue Boavista stretches out from the Praca Mouzinho de Albuquerque and is home to many restaurants, rooftop bars, and hotels in Porto Portugal. Boavista is said to be the best neighborhood to stay in Porto Portugal for those on a budget.

Some of the best attractions in Boavista include the City Park, the Planetarium, the Museum of Modern Art and Casa Musica. Travelers looking for a budget-friendly hotel in Porto will find some good options in this area, as it’s just enough out of the city centre to make it affordable.

Best places to stay in Boavista

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Boavista
So Cool Hostel Porto
Gallery Hostel
Oporto Sky Hostel
Oporto Music Hostel

Budget Hotels in Boavista
Hotel Douro
Koolhouse Porto
BO Julio Dinis
HF Tuela Porto Ala Sul

Mid range Hotels in Boavista
Art Senses | Suites & Rooms
Hotel da Musica
ABC Hotel Casa da Musica
HF Fenix Porto

Family Friendly Hotels in Boavista
HF Tuela Porto
Quality Inn Portus Cale
Baumhaus Serviced Apartments
Boavista Guest House

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Boavista
Crowne Plaza Porto
Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa
Torel Avantgarde
Hotel Infante Sagres

Ribeira – Where to stay in Porto for nightlife

If you’ve seen photos of colorful buildings along the waterfront, you’ve seen photos of Ribeira. This historic residential area is the part of Porto that has earned UNESCO World Heritage status, and while it’s quite popular with tourists, there are still Porto residents who live here and carry on their daily activities amidst the tourism.

If you are looking for a boutique hotel in Porto, there are many in Ribeira’s historic buildings. The best area to stay in Porto for nightlife is Ribeira which also happens to be a popular nightlife spot in Porto, so the streets are quite lively, making this one of the areas to avoid in Porto if you are traveling with young children and prefer a more quiet environment.

Best places to stay in Ribeira

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Ribeira
Bluesock Hostels Porto
Being Porto Hostel
Porto Alive Hostel
Best Guest Porto Hostel

Budget Hotels in Ribeira
Ribeiredge Guest House
Braganca Oporto Hotel
2U Oporto urban stays
Nations Porto – Studios & Suites

Mid range Hotels in Ribeira
Carris Porto Ribeira
The Arc Carris Apartments
1872 River House
Cathedral Design Apartments

Family Friendly Hotels in Ribeira
Descobertas Boutique Hotel
Porto River Aparthotel
The House Ribeira Porto Hotel
My Ribeira Guest House

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Ribeira
Pestana Vintage Porto
Gran Cruz House
Myo Design House
NH Porto Jardim

Masserelos – Where to stay in Porto for foodies

Just west of Baixos is the university area of Masserelos. Foodie travelers will absolutely have to visit the Mercado do Bom Sucesso, Porto’s culinary market hall which has a produce market, food court, cafes and even a boutique design hotel. Closer to the University of Porto, you’ll find budget-friendly cafes and bars brimming with students.

Masserelos is also a family-friendly area of Porto, with lots of green space including the Jardim Botanico and the Jardins Palacio de Cristal. Along the river, you can take a stroll on the promenade for beautiful views.

Best places to stay in Masserelos

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Masserelos
Happy Porto Hostel & Apartments
Oporto Music Hostel
So Cool Hostel Porto
Gallery Hostel

Budget Hotels in Masserelos
Hotel Douro
Casas do Palacio
By the River Guesthouse
Hotel Vice Rei

Mid range Hotels in Masserelos
HF Ipanema Porto
HF Tuela Porto
Vincci Porto
Vila Gale Porto Ribeira

Family Friendly Hotels in Masserelos
bnapartments Palacio
Predicados do Douro Palace
Porto Palacio Hotel & Spa
Eurostars Das Artes Hotel

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Masserelos
Crowne Plaza Porto
Virtudes City Lofts
Torel Avantgarde
Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa

Cedofeita – Where to stay in Porto with family

Adjacent to both Masserelos and Boavista is another area popular with students called Cedofeita, named for the Sao Martinho da Cedofeita, a medieval church (the oldest church in Porto!) and National Monument. The main thoroughfare, Rua Miguel Bombarda, is also known as the arts districts of Porto as it is lined with galleries and boutiques.

If you want to know where to stay in Porto with family, Cedofeita is a good choice with many nice apartment rentals, while couples visiting Porto will find many romantic boutique hotels also.

Best places to stay in Cedofeita

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Cedofeita
Gallery Hostel
PILOT Design Hostel & Bar
Oporto Invictus Hostel
Selina Porto

Budget Hotels in Cedofeita
100 Contos
MyStay Porto Centro
Residencial S. Marino
Lusitana Hotel

Mid range Hotels in Cedofeita
Rosario’s Boutique Apartments
Casa Carolina
Best Western Hotel Inca
Oporto City Flats – Casa de Cedofeita

Family Friendly Hotels in Cedofeita
Hotel Mira Daire
The Rex Hotel
Exe Almada Porto
Look at Me – Studios & Lofts

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Cedofeita
Hotel Moon & Sun Porto
Hotel Infante Sagres
Maison Albar Hotels Le Monumental Palace
Virtudes City Lofts

Foz do Douro – Where to stay in Porto for beach lovers

Along the Atlantic coast in the far west of Portugal, Foz do Douro is the best place for beach lovers who are more interested in a laid-back atmosphere than a fast-paced urban experience. Easily reached by tram, there is much to explore in this area.

From the beautiful waterfront promenade to the waterfront bars, restaurants, and hotels, Foz do Douro has something for everyone. At Mercado da Foz, take a stroll through several stalls and sample traditional local food before checking out one of several Michelin-starred restaurants in the area.

Best places to stay in Foz do Douro

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Foz do Douro
Pousade de Juventude
Surfivor Porto Surf Hostel
Oporto Music Hostel
Happy Porto Hostel & Apartments

Budget Hotels in Foz do Douro
Residencial Porto Foz
By the River Guesthouse
HF Tuela Porto Ala Sul
Hotel Douro

Mid range Hotels in Foz do Douro
Duas Portas
HF Ipanema Porto
Quality Inn Portus Cale
Suites Foz de Opoorto

Family Friendly Hotels in Foz do Douro
Casa das Laranjas
Hotel Boa Vista
BessaHotel Boavista
Crowne Plaza Porto

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Foz do Douro
Vila Foz Hotel & Spa
Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa
Myo Design House
Pestana Vintage Porto

Vila Nova de Gaia – Where to stay in Porto for couples

Across the river from  Foz do Douro is the home of Port wine, Vila Nova de Gaia. If you want to stay near as many port wine cellars as possible, then this is the Porto neighborhood for you. Beach lovers will also find some nice beaches here, and the view of Porto across the river is magical.

Access to Porto is pretty easy and you can even take a ferry for a fun transportation mode. The Porto Gaia cable car is another fun way to get around, and a great way to get amazing views over Porto without having to drag yourself up a hill. The Telerifico is a must when visiting Porto!

Best places to stay in Vila Nova de Gaia

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Vila Nova de Gaia
Happy Porto Hostel & Apartments
Pousade de Juventude
Gallery Hostel
Wine Hostel

Budget Hotels in Vila Nova de Gaia
By the River Guesthouse
Casas do Palacio
Portfolio Guest House
Lusitana Hotel

Mid range Hotels in Vila Nova de Gaia
Vincci Porto
Vila Gale Porto Ribeira
HF Tuela Porto
Porta Azul

Family Friendly Hotels in Vila Nova de Gaia
HF Tuela Porto Ala Sul
Miragaia House
Down2Town B&B
Quality Inn Portus Cale

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Vila Nova de Gaia
Torel Avantgarde
Porto Palacio Hotel & Spa
Crowne Plaza Porto
Virtudes City Lofts

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