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Where not to stay in Porto: The best tips to travel safe!
Find out where not to stay in Porto, which areas may be less convenient, and what the best alternatives are for enjoying the city.
Find out which areas are best avoided when staying in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city. In this guide, we highlight the safest and most convenient neighborhoods for visitors, along with some areas that may seem like a good place to stay but can cause problems during your trip.
Here, you’ll find all the information you need to choose the best place to stay for your trip. You’ll also learn what to consider when booking accommodation so you can save time and money while exploring this historic Portuguese city.
What to consider before choosing a place to stay in Porto
Let’s start by showing you the most important factors to consider before booking a place to stay in Porto.
Public transportation
Before booking accommodation, check how well connected the neighborhood is to Porto’s public transport network. That way, it will be easier for you to get to the places that interest you most.
Getting around Porto is straightforward thanks to its extensive transport network. You can use trams, local trains, buses, funiculars, taxis, ride-hailing apps, or even explore the city by bike if you prefer.
Safety
Porto is generally a safe city for international visitors. However, it’s important to stay alert both near your accommodation and in busy tourist areas, as pickpockets can operate in crowded places.
Proximity to tourist attractions
Most of Porto’s main attractions are located in the historic center and along the Douro River. Staying in or near these areas can save you both time and money on transportation, as many sights are within walking or cycling distance, making it easy to explore more of the city.
A neighborhood that suits your taste
Some neighborhoods farther from Porto’s city center are quite lively during the day but become much quieter at night. This can be a great option if you’re looking for a more peaceful place to stay and get a good night’s rest.
If you’d like to experience Porto’s nightlife, the more central neighborhoods are home to plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafés that stay open late into the evening.
Get to know the city’s layout
Many parts of Porto are built on hills, and some streets are steep and paved with cobblestones. Keep this in mind when choosing where to stay, especially if walking on uneven terrain or navigating slopes could be difficult for you.
Areas to avoid when staying in Porto
While Porto is generally a safe and visitor-friendly city, some neighborhoods are less convenient for tourists due to their location, limited accommodation options, or lack of attractions nearby.
1. Campanhã
It’s one of the neighborhoods closest to the city center, with Ribeira or São Bento just a 20-minute walk away. However, it still has some old industrial buildings due to its proximity to the train station that operates in the area.
As a result, the area has kept a more local feel, with a limited selection of restaurants, cafés, and bars geared toward tourists.
While safety is generally not a concern, the area can feel quiet after dark compared with the busier central neighborhoods.
2. Cerco do Porto
Very close to Campanhã is Cerco do Porto, a primarily residential area that offers little appeal for most short-term visitors. The neighborhood has very few hotels, restaurants, or attractions aimed at tourists.
You’ll also need to use public transport to reach Porto’s main attractions, like the Lello Bookstore or Foz do Douro. Depending on the time of day and traffic, getting around can take anywhere from about 30 minutes to an hour.
3. Fontainhas
It’s one of Porto’s most colorful neighborhoods, but don’t let the looks fool you. Its streets are full of constant hills and slopes that can feel pretty tiring by the end of the day.
You’ll find fewer hotels, restaurants, and cafés here than in central Porto, which may be a drawback if you prefer having plenty of amenities within walking distance.
Fontainha is generally considered safe. However, if you compare its services and prices with other areas, you’ll likely find more comfortable places to stay in Porto.
The best places to stay in Porto
Now that we’ve covered the areas that may be less convenient for visitors, let’s take a look at the best places to stay in Porto and what makes each neighborhood a great base for exploring the city.
1. Baixa and Avenida dos Aliados
They’re located right in the heart of Porto and are widely considered one of the best areas to stay for a first visit. From here, you can easily walk to major sights like São Bento Station, Livraria Lello, the Clérigos Tower, and much of the historic center.
The area is also well connected by public transport, with easy access to the metro, buses, and historic tram lines.
As for accommodation, this is one of the most varied areas in Porto. You’ll find everything from boutique hotels in historic buildings to tourist apartments and upscale stays.
It also offers a wide range of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops across different price levels, so you won’t need to go far to find everything you might need as a visitor.
Even though it’s one of the liveliest parts of the city, it feels more relaxed than nearby areas, especially at night. It’s also considered very safe, so you can usually walk around without worry.
2. Cedofeita
Cedofeita is a great option if you want to stay close to the historic center without being surrounded by crowds all the time. The area stands out for its art galleries, independent shops, bookshops, specialty cafés, and a varied food scene that focuses mostly on local spots.
Thanks to its location, you can reach the main landmarks in the city center on foot in just a few minutes. Unlike the more tourist-heavy areas, Cedofeita still has a more local, everyday feel, making it easy to get a taste of authentic Portuguese life.
On top of that, the presence of students, artists, and young professionals gives the area a lively, youthful vibe. It’s also a great place to stay, with plenty of options from hotels to apartments, and it’s considered safe both day and night.
3. Vila Nova de Gaia
Across the Douro River, Vila Nova de Gaia is one of the most appealing alternatives for staying during your trip to Porto. Even though it feels like a separate city, getting to the historic center is quick and easy thanks to the bridges, metro, and riverside walking paths.
If you stay on the upper floors of hotels in the area, you can even get great views of Porto’s old town. The area is famous for its historic Port wine cellars, where visitors can enjoy guided tours and tastings.
There are also plenty of riverside restaurants and terraces where you can enjoy views of the river and parts of the city. The area is generally quieter and less touristy than other parts of Porto.
There’s a good range of places to stay, and you’ll often get better value than in the historic center. It’s also a good option if you’re renting a car, since parking is more commonly included, which can save you some money.
How can you get internet access during your stay in Porto?
To make your trip to Porto smoother and more convenient, it’s important to have a reliable internet connection so you can check maps, contact your accommodation, or even translate words you don’t understand in Portuguese.
That’s why we recommend Holafly’s monthly plans, which include 25 GB or unlimited data, coverage in over 160 countries, and the option to share your connection with other devices.
You also get the Always On benefit, which gives you 1 GB of free data every month with coverage in over 70 countries, so you can handle urgent matters even if your plan is cancelled or you run out of data.
If your trip to Porto is less than a month, you can get an eSIM for the city that lets you choose how many days you want unlimited data for.
Frequently asked questions about where not to stay in Porto
It depends on your trip, but Campanhã is often less convenient for first-time visitors due to its distance from the main attractions.
Yes. Porto is considered a safe city for tourists. However, as with any destination, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.
The Baixa, Aliados, and Cedofeita neighborhoods are usually the most recommended because of their central location and how easy it is to get around the city.
Boavista and Foz do Douro are often highlighted for their peace and quiet, amenities, and residential atmosphere.
Yes, especially if you want to stay right in Porto’s main tourist area. However, it may not suit you if you’re sensitive to noise or traveling on a tight budget.
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