Porto is a fascinating and lively city that is fast becoming one of the most respected tourist destinations in Western Europe. The city has an interesting history, unique tourist attractions, a vibrant nightlife and excellent tourist facilities. There is plenty to see and do in Porto. What’s more, the city appeals not only to tourists but also to many expats who want to live and work in Porto. And we completely understand why they are eager to move to Porto!
Porto is a historic and diverse city, from the narrow streets that form the old Ribeira district to the large square in the Trindade district. The region is famous for the production of Port wine, which is still stored and aged in the huge cellars that stretch along the banks of the Douro River.
In this blog, we will introduce you to Porto. You can read how to best plan your holiday to Porto and find links to pages with detailed tourist information. Whether you want to go on holiday to Porto or live and work in Porto temporarily, we have plenty of tips for you!
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Living and working in Porto
What are the highlights of Porto?
The Ribeira district
The oldest district of the city, a labyrinth of narrow streets and old houses with lots of character.
The Douro River
The picturesque backdrop to Porto, crossed by beautiful bridges and best explored by boat.
Nightlife in Porto
The vibrant nightlife in Porto is suitable for all ages and offers plenty of variety, from quiet, cosy spots to trendy nightclubs.
Porto harbour tastings
Port Tasting and Tours – Porto is famous for Port (a rich fortified wine), which is aged in the enormous cellars (also known as caves) along the southern banks of the Douro River. The Port Lodges offer informative tours, allowing you to learn more about the traditional processes. You can also sample some of the best vintage Ports here.
How much time should I set aside for my holiday to Porto?
It takes at least two days of sightseeing to discover Porto. On the first day, you could explore the historic centre (Se district), the Baixa district and the Ribeira district and take a short boat trip along the Douro River. On the second day, you could visit Vila Nova de Gaia (on the southern banks of the Douro River) and the Foz district. You could also plan a tour of the port cellars and port tastings.
Spend your evenings in the lively restaurants of the Ribeira district. For a more festive evening, head to the bars and clubs near the university and Rua Galeria de Paris (affectionately known as bar street!).
Living and working in Porto: what about a longer stay in the city?
Porto is located in a region with a rich history, beautiful scenery and stunning beaches. There are plenty of fun day trips to be found around Porto, making it a wonderful destination for a week-long holiday.
When our friends or family visit Porto, we always recommend the following 1-week itinerary:
Day 1
Porto (the historic centre)
Day 2
Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia)
Day 3
Day trip to Guimarães
Day 4
Day trip to Aveiro
Day 5
Beach day (to Vila do Conde) or a day at the Porto museum
Day 6
Day trip to Braga
Day 7
Tour or boat trip through the Douro Valley
Porto has an extensive selection of restaurants, so you can eat somewhere different every night during your stay. Did you know that Porto’s nightlife is known as the best in northern Portugal? So party animals, don’t wait any longer, apply for that great job, put on your party outfit and come and live and work in Porto!
When to visit Porto?
In general, Porto and northern Portugal are cooler and wetter than the rest of the country. The high season is from June to the end of August, offering warm and dry weather. This makes it ideal for spending lots of time on Porto’s beaches.
The tourist season in Porto starts in May and lasts until the end of October. The weather in spring and autumn is perfect for sightseeing and day trips. It can rain in winter, but as Porto is a large city, all restaurants, bars and hotels remain open. Are you planning to live and work in Porto soon? You won’t be bored for a moment, because there is always something to do in this beautiful city!
Where to stay in Porto?
On a map, Porto looks like a large, sprawling city, but the area where most visitors stay is relatively small. Most tourists stay within walking distance (about 500 metres) of the Ribeira and Baixa districts.
If you stay further away in a hotel or other accommodation, you may feel that you have to walk a long way to reach the tourist attractions. Business travellers often stay in the Boavista district, as there are many business hotels here.
Living and working in Porto in 2025
Porto is expecting a sold-out summer in 2025. Portugal’s tourism sector is growing rapidly, and living and working in Porto is becoming increasingly popular. Many people can’t wait to discover the allure of this amazing country.
There are many airlines that fly to Porto. However, we recommend booking popular flight times (Friday evening and Sunday evening) well in advance if you want to take advantage of the lowest prices. Are you considering a holiday in Porto? Or are you planning to live and work in Porto and still looking for a suitable apartment? Make sure you book your accommodation as soon as possible. Demand for housing currently exceeds supply.
Day trips and excursions from Porto
Porto is located in the centre of a region with historic and characteristic cities, all of which are easy to visit on a day trip from Porto. This makes living and working in Porto even more fun and adventurous!
The best day trips include Braga (the religious centre of Portugal), Guimarães (the historic birthplace of Portugal), Aveiro (a charming town) or a cruise along the Douro River to the heart of the wine-growing region.
Some nice day trips by public transport are:
- Braga
- Guimarães
- Douro Valley (to Régua)
- Aveiro
- Viana do Castelo
- Coimbra
With a rental car, you can explore even more of the region. It is even possible to visit several locations in one day. Some fun day trips that are easy to plan with a rental car are:
- Braga, Douro Valley (to Pinhão)
- Guimarães, Ponte de Lima and Ponte da Barca
- Viana do Castelo and Barcelos
- Aveiro and Costa Nova
- Upper Minho (Monção, Valença and Cerveira)
The beaches of Porto
Porto is located on the Costa Verde, a beautiful coastline with rocky headlands, sandy beaches and powerful seas. Along this coastline are traditional fishing villages and beautiful seaside resorts, including Espinho, Vila do Conde, Póvoa de Varzim and Costa Nova.
Close to Porto are the small beaches of the Foz district, while the largest sandy beach is Praia de Matosinhos. Our favourite beaches for a day out are next to the charming town of Vila do Conde, or Praia de Miramar. These beaches are perfect if you are looking for unspoilt beaches in beautiful surroundings. In short, living and working in Porto is perfect for the beach lovers among us!
Living and working in Porto: is Porto suitable for children and families?
Porto is a great destination for families looking for a city break in Europe and families who want to live and work in Porto. The Portuguese are very accommodating and supportive of families. In addition, children are more than welcome in all hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions. There is a wide range of activities that are great fun to do with children. Think of tram rides, boat trips and the cable car in Porto. Would you like to live and work in Porto and do you have children? Then you will all have a wonderful experience!
Porto: the ideal destination for a backpacking trip
Porto is a popular destination for backpackers and budget holidays, as there are many excellent hostels, cheap restaurants and lots of like-minded world travellers. The city’s nightlife is lively and liberal, and the city always has a vibrant atmosphere. There is always a good backpacking community and the city attracts many different nationalities.
Porto or Lisbon?
Although both cities have their own unique character and charm, visitors new to Portugal may find them very similar. Both cities have beautiful historic centres, a vibrant nightlife, are close to beaches and offer many fun day trips. Feel free to take a look at our blog page for more information about living and working in Portugal.
Would you love to live and work in Porto? Then read on and discover how you can make your dream of living and working in Porto come true!
Is living and working abroad your long-cherished dream? Are you ready to make this amazing dream come true? And does living and working in Porto appeal to you? Then we have good news for you! We are looking for new enthusiastic colleagues for our clients in Porto. Take a look at our vacancies abroad on our website and find various fun and interesting vacancies in Portugal. Feel free to take a look, apply for that great job and start living and working in Porto!
