**Note: Despite any complimentary services received, all thoughts and opinions remain my own**
My experience of Porto researching for Rough Guides, apart from the March weather was a pleasant and enjoyable one and I was able to experience and recommend many different things to see and do in Porto. Now let’s have a look at where to stay in Porto.
Hostels – where to stay in Porto
The best one I had the experience of staying in was the Gallery Hostel in Bombarda Street – the Art District of Porto. The area offers a lot of design boutiques and vintage shops, as well as being great for nightlife. The hostel itself is a converted townhouse and is more luxury in style, offering en-suite Double, Twin and Triple (great for families) rooms – and four or six bed dorms. Towels and sheets are provided, as well as breakfast and the occasional dinner evening.
The hostel’s perfect public area layout – including bar, conservatory garden and screening room – means it hosts regular art and photography exhibits and every Saturday the hostel opens these exhibits up to the public.
A dorm room averages at €20 a night, a double at €70 a night. They also offer a 5 bedroomed Gallery Home down the road which offers 5 private double en-suite bedrooms, kitchen, living area and a private back patio. This can be rented as individual rooms, or the whole house.
When looking at where to stay in Porto – if hostels are your preference, I can highly recommend the Gallery Hostel and Home.
Boutique – Where to stay in Porto
I was honoured to be offered to be hosted for one night at the relatively new boutique establishment in the Ribeira district of Porto – 1872 Riverhouse. Located right by the Muro dos Bacalhoeiros restaurant and right in front of the Douro river, this renovated house offers only 8 rooms, 4 with street view (€155) and 4 with river view (€195). All rooms have beautiful individual features and the street view rooms look out onto the cobbled street below (very Charles Dickens), whilst obviously the river view rooms have views over the Douro.
There is no time limit for breakfast – so with a check out time at 12pm, you can leisurely get up in the morning, pack your bags and eat the fresh fruit, croissants, coffee, cheese and hams at 11am before you check out. And even after you’ve checked out, there’s no rush to leave. Why not sip another coffee in the living area overlooking the river?
More 1872 Riverhouse deals can be found here.
The 1872 Riverhouse has a gorgeous stained glass galleried entranceway, and if you book direct with them on their site, offers a free airport pick up or drop off, plus a free welcome drink.
Grande Hotel do Porto – Where to stay in Porto
If you’re looking for something more central (right on Rua de Santa Caterina) and for somewhere more ‘bourgeoisie’ – the Grande Hotel do Porto, built in 1880 is the place to come. With 40 rooms, 5 suites and 1 royal suite, it adds a touch of historic class to Porto and the Victorian style facade tempts you to enter and experience the French mirrors, chandeliers and marble columns within its dining and drawing rooms. Famous guests include the Emperor and Empress of Brazil in 1880 and the President of Portugal in 1934 (just a few of many).
Rooms start at €82. Or see here for more deals.
Of course, there are many places to stay in Porto – especially now as it is in the middle of a tourism boom. These are a selection of my favourites and I hope have whetted your appetite even more to visit this eclectic and beautiful city.
Check flights to Porto.
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Wow, I love unique boutique style hotels with old world charm but modern amenities, definitely the type of places I would love to stay when I visit charming cities like Lisbon.
The hostel actually looks quite nice. Of course it is no Grande Hotel do Porto, but I suppose the old wallet might appreciate the difference.
The hostel was lovely! And their Gallery Home is really nice too. I’d highly recommend it
Well, as you can see from this post, I stayed in Porto. I am sure Lisbon has equally as nice accommodation
What a nice group of choices! I’m surprised at how affordable the Grande Hotel is and that would be my choice for where to stay in Porto.
Yes- it is quiet old world charm…but I particularly loved the 1872 Riverhouse. It was really quite something.
And there’s the option of going to the Gallery House across the street from the Gallery Hostel – the House has just 5 double en-suite rooms. It’s a beautiful place too.
Porto looks wonderful. I’d love to stay in the Grande Hotel – so stylish and historic.
I like that you provided a range of accommodations in Porto. I’ve had Porto on my places to visit for a while so I’ll be bookmarking this for a later journey. Thanks!
It did have a certain old world charm
Thanks Sue. Yes, I think you will like it and I’m glad I’ve given you an idea on accommodation.
Oh, how lovely they all look. I made my first trip to Portugal last year, but I didn’t get to Porto. I really want to get there soon. I think my choice of where to stay in Porto would be the 1872 RiverHouse, if only for those gorgeous stained glass windows! Thanks for the choices!
Glad it gave you food for thought Donna. Yes, all the accommodation had its benefits, but the 1872 Riverhouse was certainly beautiful and original. I’d highly recommend it. I hope you make it to Porto one day – it’s a beautiful city.
Matosinhos area is also a great place to stay, 30 mins into Porto on the tram and right next to a beautiful golden beach. Walk north over the river and there’s another white sanded beach with outdoor swimming pools along the sand. Also very easy to reach from Porto airport. We stayed at Senhor de Matosinhos Pension which was a budget b&b, perfect for our needs. I enjoyed eating Francesinha and drinking the slightly fizzy Vinho Verde whilst there.
Nice to get another perspective and more advice from a fan. Many thanks Collette.