How many days for Porto?+
Two days for the historic center, Ribeira, the wine cellars, and Serralves. A third day for the Douro Valley, a fourth for Braga and Guimarães. Porto pairs well with Lisbon — the high-speed train takes under three hours.
Porto or Lisbon?+
Lisbon is bigger, busier, and has more monuments and nightlife. Porto is smaller, cheaper, more authentic, and has better food and wine. Ideally you see both cities — five days in Lisbon and three in Porto.
How do I get from the airport to the center?+
By metro line E in thirty minutes; the Z4 ticket is loaded onto an Andante card for sixty cents. Bolt or Uber costs around fifteen euros. A taxi around twenty-five euros.
When is the weather best in Porto?+
From May to October, with temperatures around twenty to twenty-five degrees and little rain. Winter is mild but rainy. In summer there's often morning fog rolling in from the ocean, which burns off by afternoon.
Can you swim in the sea in Porto?+
Yes, at the beaches in Foz and Matosinhos, twenty minutes from the center. The Atlantic is cold, though, around seventeen to eighteen degrees even in August, and the waves can be strong. Matosinhos is popular with surfers.
How much does a port wine cellar tour cost?+
From fifteen to thirty euros with a tasting of two to four wines. Premium tours with tawny and vintage ports cost more. Book ahead — in summer they sell out. Taylor's and Graham's have the best views.
Is Porto expensive?+
No, it's cheaper than Lisbon and comparable to Prague. An espresso costs around a euro, a lunch menu ten to fifteen euros, a glass of port three to six. Hotels in the center are pricier in summer.
Is Porto safe?+
Yes, very. Watch out only for pickpockets on trams, in the metro, and at viewpoints, and for drug dealers in the center, who leave after being turned down once. In the evening the center is safe.
