There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Porto each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday)Porto rings in the New Year with street parties, concerts and firework displays all around town, but especially in the Ribeira district.
The week leading to Easter: Holy Week (Semana santa) (national holiday)Holy Week takes place one week before Easter. It is an opportunity for several religious events in Lisbon. On Palm Sunday, one of the largest processions heads to the Estrela basilica for a very popular mass.
April 25: Liberty Day (Dia da Liberdade) (national holiday)This holiday celebrates the Carnation Revolution on this day in 1974 that brought an end to the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar and restored democracy in Portugal. Festivities include live music and dancing in the streets.
June 10: National Day (Dia de Camões) (national holiday)Celebrated as Portugal's national day, this holiday also commemorates the death, on June 10, 1580, of the country's most famous poet, Luis de Camões. A huge fireworks display is launched over the Douro River.
June 23-24: Sao Joao holiday (São João) (local holiday)Porto is probably the city that celebrates São João with most pomp. Numerous concerts take place all over town and masses gather in the streets, and restaurants are crowded. On that day, tradition asks that sardines be prepared as a dish, and people joyfully hit each other with soft plastic hammers.
August 15: Assumption Day (Assunção da Virgem Maria) (national holiday)On this day, processions celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Masses and processions take place in the churches and all over the historic centre of Porto.
October 5: Republic Day (national holiday)Commemorates the overthrow of Portugal's constitutional monarchy by republican forces on this day in 1910 and the founding of the first Portuguese republic. A ceremony is held outside Porto's city hall with officials and politicians.
December 1: Independence Day (Dia da Independência) (national holiday)This day commemorates the restoration of Portuguese independence from Spain in 1640 and is celebrated in the streets of the city with various festivities, including parades, meals and concerts.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5/41 | 14/57.2 | 158/6.2 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 6/42.8 | 15/59 | 110/4.3 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 8/46.4 | 17,5/63.5 | 146/5.75 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 9/48.2 | 18/64.4 | 95,5/3.76 | Good period to go
|
| May | 11,5/52.7 | 20/68 | 96/3.8 | Good period to go
|
| June | 14,5/58.1 | 23,5/74.3 | 40/1.6 | Good period to go
|
| July | 16/60.8 | 25/77 | 20,5/0.8 | Good period to go
|
| August | 16/60.8 | 25,5/77.9 | 33/1.3 | Good period to go
|
| September | 15/59 | 24/75.2 | 72/2.8 | Good period to go
|
| October | 12/53.6 | 21/69.8 | 104/4.1 | Good period to go
|
| November | 9/48.2 | 17/62.6 | 147/5.8 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 6/42.8 | 14,5/58.1 | 167/6.6 | Not the best period to go |
The Porto-Francisco Sá-Carneiro airport is located approximately ten kilometres (6.2 miles) northwest from the city centre.
Porto has an efficient public transport system. In addition, the underground trains, trams, buses and funiculars all have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive. Of course, the best way to discover the city is by foot.
Three tram lines are running in the city from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. approximately (shorter operating hours in winter). The most helpful is the 1 line, which runs alongside the Douro River until Foz do Douro. One single ticket costs EUR 3.50.
Tip: If you plan on using public transport, it is recommended to purchase the Andante card in one of the Andante stores.
The Andante Tour 1 (EUR 7) offers unlimited travel over the whole network during 24 hours within your selected zone (72 hours for the Andante Tour 3, which costs EUR 15). Please remember to swap your card on the Andante terminal. For further information, please visit https://www.stcp.pt/en/travel/.
Porto's subway system is tight and useful, but does not cover the entire city. The 6 lines all stop at Trindade station and run every day from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Pricing depends on how far you go. If you plan on buying single tickets, they must be validated before each trip and they can be used for an hour on the whole network. You may thus change your mode of transportation without extra charges. For further information, please visit https://en.metrodoporto.pt.
The bus network covers a lot. Main terminal stations are Jardim da Cordoaria, Praça da Liberdade and the São Bento station. Single tickets can be bought aboard the bus (EUR 2). For further information about line, price, plans and schedules, please visit the STCP website (https://www.stcp.pt/en/travel/).
Between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. (shorter operating hours in winter), the Funicular dos Guindais goes back and forth a very steep slope and offers an exceptional vista onto the Avenida Gustavo Eiffel and the Rua Augusto Rosa. A single ticket costs EUR 2.50.
The Teleférico de Gaia brings passengers from the Vila Nova de Gaia quays up to Serra do Pilar, 115 feet high. It takes about 5 minutes to reach your destination (full price is EUR 6 one way and EUR 9 for a return ticket. Children under 12: EUR 3 for one way and EUR 4.50 for a return ticket). For further information, please visit http://www.gaiacablecar.com/Teleferico_UK.html.
Taxis are inexpensive and efficient, and drivers usually pleasant! Fares to the city centre are about EUR 5 to EUR 8 (count 20% increase at night). All taxis are equipped with meters.
Expect an extra fee if you are travelling outside of Porto (Vila Nova de Gaia for example). You can find taxi stations almost everywhere in the city centre.
Driving around Porto may prove difficult, due to the topography, the narrowness of certain streets and frequent traffic jams. The city counts numerous underground car parks (count between EUR 20 to EUR 27 per day).
With more than 70 kilometres of bike lanes (some of them along the Douro River and leading to the beaches), Porto presents great opportunities for bike rides. Average daily rental is about EUR 12.
Walking is also a great alternative for visiting the surroundings. Exploring on foot is perhaps the best way to enjoy the spirit of this magnificent city!
Upon your arrival in Porto, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Tourist Office of Porto (Associação de Turismo do Porto)Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Also called "IPoints", tourist information offices are located in the whole city. They will advise you on how to explore Porto and its surroundings. Listed below are the addresses of the main offices:
The official website developed and maintained by Turismo de Portugal, the national tourist board, provides a wealth of information on Porto.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Porto counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Portugal.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
Tap water is safe to drink in Porto.
Travellers from the Schengen area, as well as those from the countries of the European Union not included in the area, need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay in order to enter Portugal.
As a general rule, all other travellers are subject to visa requirements
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Portugal, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Portuguese phrases that will make your stay in Porto a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bom dia (morning) / Boa tarde (afternoon)
Good evening: Boa noite
Goodbye: Adeus
Yes: Sim
No: Não
No, thank you: Não, obrigado(a)
Thank you very much: Muito obrigado(a)
Please: Por favor
I don't understand: Eu não entendo
Could you repeat?: Você pode repetir
What time is it?: Que horas são ?
Sorry: Com licença
Excuse me:
Airport: Aeroporto
Train station: Estação
Taxi: Táxi
Hotel: Hotel
Hospital: Hospital
Bank: Banco
Telephone: Telefone
I'm (…): Eu sou (…)
I'm looking for (…): Eu procuro (…)
How much is (…)?: Quanto custa (…)?
Do you have (…)?: Você tem (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Onde é que há (…)?
Where can I buy (…)?: Onde posso comprar (…)?
I'd like (…): Queria (…)
Tipping
In Porto like everywhere in Portugal, tips are particularly appreciated. Waiting staff have demanding jobs and good service should be rewarded. There is no hard-and-fast rule for the percentage. Leave whatever amount you feel is appropriate.
