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Porto

Porto travel guide

City in Portugal

Flights from$585 round trip
Things to do78 experiences
Best time to visitJuly to August
Nearest airportOPO · 7 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+0
Population231,800

About Porto

Porto, also known in English as Oporto, is the second largest city in Portugal, after Lisbon. It is the capital of the Porto District and one of the Iberian Peninsula's major urban areas. Porto city proper, which is the entire municipality of Porto, is small compared to its metropolitan area, with an estimated population of 273,476 people in a municipal area of 41.42 km2 (16 sq mi). As of 2025, the Porto metropolitan area has around 1.9 million people in an area of 2,395 km2 (925 sq mi), making it the second-largest urban area in Portugal. It is recognized as a global city with a Gamma + rating from the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

Cheap flights to Porto

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $585 from Toronto, travelling 23 Oct – 21 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Cheapest month to fly

$585 Oct $600 Nov $607 Dec $607 Jan $604 Feb $604 Mar $691 Apr $709 May $706 Jun $808 Jul $807 Aug $807 Sep

Airlines travellers compared most often: Austrian Airlines, KLM, Air France, United Airlines.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Things to do in Porto by type

78 tours, tickets and experiences across 7 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Flexible 12
  • 1-3 hours 11
  • Over 6 hours 6
  • Up to 1 hour 5
  • 3-6 hours 5
Good for
  • Senior 15
  • Couples 14
  • Youth 11
  • Families 11
Ways to go
  • Private 22
  • Small group 11
Browse all things to do in Porto

Top experiences in Porto

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 78 available.

See all things to do in Porto

Where to stay in Porto

Popular hotels in Porto, out of 1,093 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Porto

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Porto is July to August, when average daytime highs are around 77–78°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 48° – 59° 16
Feb 49° – 60° 13
Mar 48° – 60° 18
Apr 52° – 66° 13
May 54° – 67° 12
Jun 60° – 73° 8
Jul 63° – 78° 4
Aug 62° – 77° 3
Sep 58° – 72° 7
Oct 58° – 70° 15
Nov 53° – 64° 14
Dec 46° – 58° 13

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Know before you go

Currency
Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
Language
Portuguese
Calling code
+351
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Europe/LisbonUTC+0
Capital
Lisbon

Upcoming public holidays in Portugal

  • Restoration of IndependenceRestauração da Independência
  • Immaculate ConceptionImaculada Conceição
  • Christmas DayNatal
  • New Year's DayAno Novo
  • Good FridaySexta-feira Santa
  • Easter SundayDomingo de Páscoa

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Porto

These are the airports closest to central Porto. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • OPO Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Porto

Porto, like most Portuguese cities, is a nightmare to drive in. Roads vary in conditions - from fully paved to cobbled lanes that can make even the most shortest of distance seem like a go-kart rally. With that said, keep in mind that the tourist parts of the city (the Ribeira and Baixa) are a never ending maze of narrow streets, short tempered drivers and snakelike alleys. Better to walk (despite the fact that it's very hilly).

By metro

Porto Metro is a modern light rail/subway system, which was only constructed at the turn of the millennium and is still being expanded. It has several lines, that run across the centre of Porto, and reach out to surrounding municipalities. It is quick, and probably the most efficient way to get around Porto. Some major areas of the city, however, are not that well served by the metro.

By bus

STCP[dead link] is the best way to move around if you don't want to waste money on taxis. It's the public bus operator in the region, and the only one operating inside city borders. Suburbs are served either by STCP or private companies. STCP buses are the largest eco-friendly fleet in Europe, modern, comfortable, and lines cover the entire city, as well as major suburbs.

By taxi

A fast way of getting around the city, although traffic congestion near the city centre might be a problem. However, be expected to pay a high price for these services, especially compared to the other public transportation such as bus and subway. Uber offer their services in Porto providing both the standard 'UberX' service available in many cities, and a 'Green' option that guarantees you an electric car. Prices are the same for either service.

Porto travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Porto?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Porto is July to August, when average daytime highs are around 77–78°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

What is the weather like in Porto?

July is usually the warmest month in Porto, with average highs of 78°F (25°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 46°F (8°C). The wettest month is typically January, with about 289 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Porto?

Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Porto.

How much are flights to Porto?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Porto in the last 30 days was $585 from Toronto, travelling 23 Oct – 21 Nov. October is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $585.

What currency is used in Porto?

Porto uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.

What time zone is Porto in?

Porto uses the Europe/Lisbon time zone (currently UTC+0). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Porto?

Porto, like most Portuguese cities, is a nightmare to drive in. Roads vary in conditions - from fully paved to cobbled lanes that can make even the most shortest of distance seem like a go-kart rally.

What are the top things to do in Porto?

Popular experiences you can book in Porto include Explore the Douro Valley - Full-Day Wine Tour, Visit to Douro Valley - Full-Day Tour and Douro Wine - Fula-Day Small-Group Tour. Destina Holidays offers 78 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Porto?

The most popular types of experiences in Porto are city tours (41), gastronomy & nightlife (23), day trips & excursions (16) and tour & activities (12). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Porto?

Popular areas for hotels in Porto include Porto and Vila Nova Cerveira. Well-reviewed options include Pestana Vintage Porto-Hotel & World Heritage Site and Grande Hotel do Porto.

How many hotels can I book in Porto?

Destina Holidays currently lists 1,093 properties in and around Porto, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.