Porto is not only one of the most popular holiday destinations, but many travellers also stop here on long transfers between Europe and Madeira or the Azores.
Check out our tips on specific hotels, the best neighbourhoods to stay in and guide prices for hotels in Porto.
Where to stay in Porto
While Porto isn't that big in size, it's not small (like Pisa or Florence). Therefore, it's worth planning your stay a bit and determining whether the price of accommodation or the tram ride to the centre is a priority.
The best place to stay is, of course, the historic centre, which is a short walk from everywhere. The problem is the noticeably higher prices and often sold-out capacity. The cheaper offerings in the centre are usually very poor quality, dirty and noisy.
The best value-for-money hotels are those in the wider centre, especially around the D Marquês metro station, or across the Douro in Vila Nova de Gaia, which is also served by the D metro, so you'll be in the centre of Porto within 10 minutes.
Then choose the Matosinhos and Foz do Douro neighbourhoods if you want to be within easy reach of the Atlantic Ocean and don't mind a slightly longer journey to the centre (allow around 20 minutes).
For early morning departures from the airport, consider spending your last night somewhere close to the terminal. You can find three good hotels within a 5 minute walk with adequate prices around 62 eur for a double room. Given the longer journey from the centre to the airport, you can save yourself an extra hour of sleep.
Tips for the best hotels in Porto
To make it at least a little easier to choose the best accommodation, we bring you tips on specific hotels, selecting the best value for each category from thousands of offers.
Cheapest accommodation
The cheapest hostels with a separate room but shared bathroom start at around 31 eur per night for 2. Classic 1* or 2* hotels with a private bathroom in the room can be found from 44 eur per night.
- Hotel Estoril Porto - This pleasant smaller hotel will win you over with its great price and location only about 350 metres from the central avenue of Aliados.
- Hotel Grande Rio ** - A simple hotel with great value for money. It is located between two metro/tram stations and you can walk to the centre in 20 minutes.
- Hotel Ibis Budget Porto Gaia ** - classic Ibis with good prices and all the necessary amenities is ideal when travelling by car as it is located by the motorway. However, the centre of Porto can also be reached by frequent public transport buses and the nearby bridge can be crossed on foot
Quality hotel chains
If you like to indulge yourself or like the standard you're used to, take advantage of these tips from multinational hotel chains.
Prices range from 59 eur 128 eur per night for two, but are often slightly cheaper in winter.
- ibis Porto Centro São Bento ** - Classics that don't completely wow, but don't offend either. Plus, with a great location right in the centre and very good prices
- TRYP Wyndham Porto Centro *** - A modern, relaxed hotel a short walk from the historic centre, offering very good value for money
- Eurostars Heroismo **** - the cheapest 4* hotel is a 10-minute walk from the historic centre and offers great rates around 73 eur per night
Luxury hotels
Porto doesn't stand out on the map of expensive luxury accommodation, but you'll find some really good quality 5* hotels here too, and at very good prices.
- Pestana Porto ***** - The hotel is located in a historic house with an excellent location right in the middle of the city. Prices start from 110 eur, which makes the hotel a great "value for money"
- Hilton Porto Gaia ***** - A classic among luxury hotels, located in a quiet area of Vila Nova de Gaia right in the main wine cellar area. You can pay per night from 147 eur
- InterContinental Porto ***** - the best hotel in Porto can be found on the main avenue of Aliados, with prices starting at around 198 eur per night for 2
Porto hotel prices
Hotel prices in Porto are quite high and can be compared to any other city in Western Europe.
You can find regular hotels in the range of 59 eur 92 eur per night for a double room, but if you are willing to compromise slightly on quality while keeping your own bathroom facilities, you will find plenty of smaller guesthouses in Porto with prices around 0 eur 0 eur per room per night.
Book a hotel in Porto in advance
The seasonality is also quite pronounced in the city. While in summer you'll have a hard time finding cheap deals, and certainly not at the last minute, travelling in winter will make your wallet smile, offers will be plentiful and you'll save up to ten percent compared to summer.
