17 de May, 2023
Visiting Porto is always a memorable experience, whether for an extended stay or a simple hop on and hop off from Lisbon. If you intend to stay overnight in the city, this article is for you. We have gathered here 10 recommendations of excellent hotels to stay at in Porto. We have suggestions for all styles and budgets, inside and outside the Historical Center. All of them with one thing in common: comfort to ensure your well-deserved rest in the Invicta city.
Recommended: One-Day Tour in Porto: The Best of the City on Foot
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O Historic Center of Porto recognized by UNESCOas a World Heritage Site since 1996, is protected from alterations to its old buildings. However, this area is undergoing a major, supervised transformation. Streets and monuments are being restored and new luxury lodging options are springing up everywhere, even occupying century-old buildings. The facades retain the memory of the old port, but the interiors offer contemporary and sophisticated facilities. Thanks to foreign investments, such as those from the Golden Visas, the city now offers a wide variety of hotels belonging to renowned chains such as Pestana, Marriott, Vila Galé, and Intercontinental. Despite the increase in tourism in Porto, there is no shortage of lodging in the city.
Here are our suggestions…
The historic center is home to most of the main tourist attractions, such as the Ribeira, the Cathedral and the Lello Bookstore, which are all within walking distance. You can easily explore the monuments, discover the traditional neighborhoods, enjoy typical restaurants, and flank yourself in the alleys and stairways of Porto. In the center, you will be immersed in the city’s rich history and culture, with cobblestone streets, ancient buildings and architectural charm.
Where: On the iconic Avenida dos Aliados
Network: Inter Continental Hotels
Category: 5 stars
Daily rate: Between 215 and 1.500€.
The location is fantastic, in the most beautiful avenue of the city, Avenida dos Aliados, next to the São Bento Train Station. Opened in 2011, it offers all the comfort and sophistication that the most demanding customer may need. The building keeps in its walls the history of the former Mosteiro dos Lóios and Palácio das Cardosas, which occupied the space in the past. It has 105 rooms, a restaurant, a café, a bar, a gym and ‘wellness center’, two meeting rooms, large bathrooms and rooms with balcony and vertical garden.
Where: Rua das Flores
Chain: IHG
Category: 5 stars
Daily rate: Between 180 and 450€.
The differential of this hotel is the superior service, with an average of one employee per room, ensuring a personalized and attentive service. With 40 rooms, the Hotel da Companhia values discretion. It offers multiple breakfast rooms with reduced capacity, providing greater privacy for guests. Its location on Rua das Flores, the oldest and most charming street in Porto, guarantees an added charm. Its building, dating from 1591, was completely renovated inside, resulting in a meeting of the historical and picturesque with sophistication and elegance. It has a spa, indoor pool, Turkish bath and a stunning view of the Porto Cathedral.
Where: In Ribeira do Porto
Network: Pestana
Category: 5 stars
Daily rate: Between 180 and 450
Yes, the name says it all. The hotel is located inside a building over 500 years old, considered by UNESCO as World Heritage. In the middle of the Ribeira of Porto, overlooking the Luís I Bridge, it is surrounded by restaurants, bars and close to all the excitement that happens on the banks of the Douro River.
Where: Sé do Porto, near the Cathedral
Network: Hilton
Category: 4 stars
Average daily rate: 150€.
In front of the Porto Cathedral, in the Heart of the Historic Center. The hotel has led decoration in contemporary style and with a young and stripped air. All this without losing the luxury, which is present in the smallest details. Its cost benefit is excellent and allows the visitor to enjoy the best there is in the city with total comfort.
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Where: Batalha Square
Network: Moov
Category: 2 stars
Daily rate: Between 60€ and 160€
A more economical option, but with a very convenient location, allowing easy access to the city’s main tourist attractions, stores and restaurants. It is located inside the building of the former café, theater, cinema, and inn “Águia de Ouro”, founded in 1839. The building, in Art Deco, still preserves the spirit of the cinema that in the last century moved the current Praça da Batalha square. The rooms are cleverly designed to optimize space, providing a comfortable and practical stay. It has large rooms, perfect for families.
Where: Bandeirinha Street
Category: Boutique Accommodation
Daily rate: between 100€ and 190€
If you enjoy boutique-style accommodations, the Hotel Casa Camélia is sure to be an irresistible choice. With only 9 rooms, this hotel offers an intimate and cozy experience, with elegance and comfort. Its privileged location and panoramic view are true highlights. The contemporary decoration was carefully designed by Portuguese artist Marta Vilarinho de Freitas. Each room features a unique mural, with hand-made drawings, providing an exclusive and personalized atmosphere.
By staying across the Douro River, in the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Porto. You will also be closer to the renowned Port wine cellars, and can enjoy a quieter environment.
Where: On the escarpment of Serra do Pilar, next to the Luís I Bridge, in Gaia
Chain: Vincci Hoteles Group
Category: 4 stars
Daily rate: Between 150€ and 350€
If the Serra do Pilar is one of the points with the most beautiful panoramic view of Porto, imagine staying at this hotel… It is on the Gaia side, practically over the Luis I Bridge. It was inaugurated in 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, where the Ponte Casino and a wine cellar used to be located. The investment was almost 30 million euros. The result is a luxury hotel with modern design, 95 rooms spread over several buildings, a luxurious restaurant, three bars, and a swimming pool overlooking the Douro River. Stunning.
If you are looking for a quieter and more relaxing atmosphere during your stay, outlying areas can be an ideal choice. Also, staying outside the center can offer a different perspective of the city, allowing you to explore other neighborhoods and discover less touristy and more authentic places.
Where: Avenida de Montevideo, Foz
Chain: Design Hotels
Category: 5 stars
Daily rate: between 150€ and 400€
Looking for a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the center, with stunning ocean views in a residential area of Porto? Then you can’t help but consider the luxurious Hotel Vila Foz. Located in a century-old palace that belonged to the family of the current mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, the hotel opened its doors in 2017. Here, you will find luxury facilities, a relaxing spa, an event center, indoor and outdoor pools, and exclusive services. Among these services are the Foodie Kitchen Seat, where a renowned chef prepares an exclusive meal for you; the Urban Picnic organized by the hotel, as well as surf lessons, commented wine tastings, guided tours, and more.
Where: Bom Sucesso Market, in Boavista
Category: 4 stars
Average daily rate: 100€.
With an excellent value for money, this hotel is located inside the Bom Sucesso Market, a covered space that gathers 40 stores and restaurants, with an offer of typical Portuguese products. It is near the Casa da Música, an iconic Porto architectural project built in the early 21st century. It is also conveniently close to the CNAI/SEF, a service center for foreigners who decide to reside in Portugal. The Historic Center is within a distance of 2 km, all accessible via metro, which is just a few meters from the hotel.
Where: Rua Arquiteto Marques da SIlva, near Mercado do Bom Sucesso, in Boavista.
Network: HF Hotels
Category: 3 stars
Daily rate: between 60€ and 170€
We end our list of Porto hotel recommendations with an option that is very economical without giving up comfort. The HF Tuela is among the most cost-effective accommodations in the city. It is located in the Boavista area, an area especially recommended for those who come to Porto for business. It is 2 km from downtown and next to a shopping center (the Cidade do Porto Shopping Mall) and a market (Bom Sucesso). It has private parking, 24-hour business center, laundry, restaurant, jacuzzi, being a very practical and comfortable option.
These are just a few of the excellent hotels that Porto has to offer. Whether you are a history buff, a modern architecture enthusiast, or a foodie, there is a perfect option to suit your preferences.
And if you are thinking about living in Porto, talk to Atlantic Bridge consultants and find out the best options for residence visas in Portugal.
*Silvia Resende is a journalist at Atlantic Bridge. Brazilian (from Bahia), she arrived in Portugal in 2015 to build a new life together with her family. She has a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences from the University of Porto. She has worked as a TV host, reporter, event producer, public relations and also works as a tour guide in Porto.
Author:
Atlantic Bridge
