City in Northern Portugal, Portugal
Porto
Walkable, affordable riverside city with a growing nomad scene, great food, port cellars and beaches by metro. Hills and cold, wet winters are the trade-offs; rents are rising.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$2,250–3,380Comfortable, one person · €2,000–3,000Details
- Value for money33/100Better value than 32% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 24°CDetails
- Air quality8 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2018) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet252 MbpsFixed broadband, Portugal medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableTap water is safe and good quality; ask for água da torneira in restaurants.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel5/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$62–113Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundBoltWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereCards accepted nearly everywhere; some tascas and market stalls take cash or Multibanco only.Details
Where to stay in Porto
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Baixa–Cedofeita | Central, walkable, galleries, cafés and Rua Santa Catarina shops |
| Ribeira–Miragaia | Postcard riverside; touristy, noisy and steep |
| Bonfim | Cheaper rents, local cafés and an emerging scene |
| Foz do Douro | Seaside promenade, calm, upscale; further from nightlife |
Apps that work in Porto
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- CP: Train tickets and timetables
- Rede Expressos: Intercity bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis are cream or black and green; metered fares are fair. Apps are cheaper after midnight when the metro stops.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Portugal.
- Cards almost everywhere Cards accepted nearly everywhere; some tascas and market stalls take cash or Multibanco only.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Multibanco bank ATMs don't add fees; Euronet machines in tourist areas charge and push conversion, so decline it.
- Tipping: Not expected. Leave 5–10% for good restaurant service and round up taxi fares; cafés and bars need nothing.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted. MB WAY, which locals use, needs a Portuguese bank card.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
MEO, NOS and Vodafone sell tourist SIMs at Lisbon and Porto airports and shops for about €15–30; DIGI is cheaper. Passport usually asked. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Portugal
Going to Porto solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Porto meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.