Holiday homes & rentals in Porto

Porto is considered the country's second city after Lisbon, and boasts some of the best cultural attractions, nightlife, and shopping that the country has to offer. Porto was once Portugal’s best-kept secret, but this colourful, friendly and dynamic urban hub is quickly becoming a must-go destination for families, couples and solo travellers on the lookout for a unique weekend break.

Located in northwest Portugal, Porto is a catch due to its pleasant climate and traditional architecture. A holiday apartment or villa rental in Porto will put you at the heart of the action and within easy reach of the pretty Ribeira, excellent markets, and many museums.

Food and drink in Porto

Portuguese cuisine is hearty, known for big portions of excellent home-style cooking. Meat and fish are both popular, served with potatoes, vegetables and a range of sauces. International food is also readily available in cosmopolitan Porto. Many of the best restaurants in Porto are located in the vicinity of Matosinhos; its shoreside location offers some of the freshest seafood around.

Those on a budget should head to Café Santiago or Chien Qui Fum; the latter is considered one of the best restaurants in town, and offers wallet-friendly prices plus huge portions. For a more upscale affair, try the opulent Café Majestic or traditional Campo Alegre. Don't forget to try something sweet during your weekend break in Porto — local bakeries have a range of pastries, typically at very affordable prices.

The weather in Porto

The climate of this city is temperate and humid with hot and sunny summers and with an average temperature of 20ºC. That is why any time of the year is good to make a trip to the apartments in Porto. Summer storms are quite frequent and usually last several days. In winter the temperatures are not excessively cold with an average of 10º C, although the rains are very prolonged during this period.

On the other hand the autumns are very pleasant although with frequent rains and during the springs the sun shines almost all day and the temperatures are not as high as in summer. Undoubtedly, this is the ideal period to enjoy a few days of rest in the Oporto apartments.

The Alternative Side to Porto

Porto has the hard-to-come-by ability to ooze class and sophistication, whilst projecting a trendy, urban vibe that hums day and night. Porto’s alternative scene effortlessly combines majestic medieval architecture with fashionable eateries and bars serving tasty modern takes on traditional Portuguese fare and an array of fruity and tart cocktails.

Contemporary art lovers will adore Ó! Galería for the chance to muse amongst edgy illustrations and pick up some arty postcards. Thrill seekers might prefer the chance to abseil down some of the imposing, graffiti-clad walls of the city, especially if they're after panoramic views of Porto’s mix of modern bridges, old-worldly churches and palatial architecture.

Arts and culture in Porto

The famous and much-photographed area near the river is known as the Ribeira. It's an excellent place to start exploring the city, as well as a beautiful, UNESCO protected area. Mercado do Bolhão is a lively food market here, with a range of restaurants and stalls, and offers a great local experience.

If you're an architecture buff, be sure to head to the Palace of the Stock Exchange, also known as Palacio da Bolsa, and Torre dos Clerigos. The former is a mishmash of styles partly inspired by the Alhambra, and the latter has excellent views from the top of the exterior stairs.

Holidays in Porto With Kids

Visit the second largest city of Portugal, Porto and its charming holiday cottages in the city centre and on the Douro riverbank - ideal for family holidays. The relatively small city makes it easy for travellers to wander around on foot or take the picturesque tram to discover the area. Porto holiday rentals are full of charm and ideally located in the city centre and on the Douro riverbank. The family-friendly destination has plenty of fun activities for kids.

Take your little ones to the World of Discoveries, an interactive museum with touch screens for children to play and also learn about the many discoveries of Portugal. This fun and educational museum is ideal for spending quality family time while learning about the history of the country. The tour finishes with a boat ride on a lazy river to discover all the continents and countries Portuguese explorers have discovered!

The Douro river has been one of the main sources of development for the city for centuries; allowing trades from Spain to Portugal but also from Portugal to the rest of the world. The river has played a major role in the wine trade too and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Taking a cruise on the Douro makes the perfect family holiday activity as parents get to enjoy the cultural and historical aspect of the tour while kids are enjoying the sights and learning about the 6 main bridges that cross the river.

Visit the contemporary museum Serralves with its impressive garden. The garden is beautifully arranged and ideal to ride baby strollers and for kids to play with the peacocks, ducks, and roosters! A large lake completes the garden and makes the perfect spot to relax with the family while eating ice cream.

What to do in Porto in 3 days

If you want to book a holiday accommodation in Porto, it is usual to look for an apartment as centrally located as possible. In this sense, the Ribeira neighborhood is an excellent choice. It is located on the banks of the Douro River and is full of colorful houses that look like something out of a postcard. Here you will also find the Don Luis I Bridge, a must-see. The best alternative is Baixa, an area that houses most of the sights of the city. If you decide to stay here, it is advisable to spend the first day of your trip exploring Praça da Liberdade, the Clérigos Tower and Porto Cathedral. And, if you still have some time left, don't forget to visit the Lello bookstore and finish by relaxing at the Café Majestic.

For your part, the second day of the trip can be dedicated to travel from your Porto vacation apartment to some of the best surrounding beaches. For example, you can use public transport or hire a car to take you from your accommodation in central Porto to Foz do Douro. This neighboring town is home to some of the most interesting in the region. But if you are looking for something quieter, you should also visit Vila Nova de Gaia or Matosinhos. These are enclaves where it is also a good idea to rent an apartment as holiday accommodation and then get ready to visit the main local monuments.

The third day you stay in an accommodation in Porto could be dedicated to a tour of the main wineries in Porto. The most prominent are located on the banks of the Douro River in front of the city. The area is known as Gaia and its most famous meeting point is Arribes del Duero, very close to the Spanish border. If time is short, spend the morning visiting the Pinto Ramos Winery, 3 miles from the center, and the afternoon visiting the Porto Cruz Winery, 4 miles away. Next to the latter there is a magnificent viewpoint from which to contemplate the sunset with great delight.

Points of interest

FC Porto Museum

This famous museum is located in a space of the Dragao stadium, where you can see a large collection of trophies with a history of more than 100 years. You can walk to the museum from the apartments located in the center of Porto.

Church of San Francisco

The construction of this church began in 1245 by order of the Franciscan friars. Later it had to be reformed due to a fire.

The Tower of the Clerics

The Tower of the Clerics is one of the symbols of the city and is considered the highest in the city. From it you can contemplate spectacular views of Porto.

D. Luis Bridge

It is the most famous bridge that crosses the Douro River as well as being one of the most emblematic images of the city of Porto.

Palacio da Bolsa

In the historic center of Porto is this building built on the ruins of a former Franciscan convent and is considered one of the most beautiful sights of the city.

Lions Fountain

In the square in front of the rectory is the Lions Fountain. This gigantic 20 feet high monument was part, during the 19th century, of the water network of the city of Porto.

Nasoni Gallery

This art gallery located at 80 Galeria de Paris Street organizes exhibitions of internationally recognized contemporary artists, such as Picasso, Warhol or Dali, among others.

Cordoaria Gardens

Around the Clérigos Tower are the Cordoaria Gardens, a leafy park built in 1865, spectacular for a relaxing stroll.

Church of Carmo

In rococo style, this church is one of the most beautiful in the whole city. Next to the church of the Carmelites and quite close to the Clérigos Tower, it is one of the most important monuments of Porto.

Frequently Asked Questions