Do We Need a car in Porto?


Do We Need a car in Porto? Since Porto is small, congested roads are less than ideal to drive on, renting a car is not your best option of getting around the city. Forget the car unless you plan to do extensive traveling to other regions of Portugal or Spain.


Is Porto a friendly city?

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and is located in the north of the country. It's a historic city with plenty to see and do, as well as being a great place to relax and enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle. The food is fantastic, and the people are known for being extremely friendly.


Is it walkable in Porto?

There are many steep hills in Porto, so expect a lot of uphill walking. The steepest hill of the route is just before the Santo Ildefonso church (21), and depending on your energy levels, this may be a convenient location to end the walking tour.


Is it difficult to drive in Porto?

Now, driving through major cities like Lisbon and Porto, especially downtown areas, can be tricky. The streets are incredibly narrow, parking is almost impossible to find, and underground parking spaces are tight. Also, practice your parallel parking skills.


Is Porto expensive to eat and drink?

Generally, prices are cheap in Porto, although they are a little pricier during the summer. We've included lots of examples, so you can plan your budget. Generally, prices in Porto are quite inexpensive, especially eating out and entry fees to museums and attractions.


How long is the train ride from Lisbon to Porto?

The average journey time by train between Lisbon and Porto is 4 hours and 8 minutes, with around 17 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.


Is 2 nights in Porto enough?

Seeing Porto in 2 days is great but if you can add extra time, and you really want to experience Portugal to its fullest, why not consider adding a day trip on to your Porto itinerary. Get out of the city to the terraced hillsides of the Douro Valley for Port wine tasting with incredible vistas.


Is Porto very rainy?

Porto has hot summers, pleasantly warm springs and autumns and winters which are mild but very wet.


How many days in Porto is enough?

We recommend spending at least two days in Porto for a slightly more relaxed pace. You can take your time to explore the city's charming streets and neighbourhoods, visit some of the top museums and cultural attractions, and perhaps take a day trip to nearby towns or beaches.


Is it better to stay in Porto or Douro Valley?

Porto has it all, but it may also be quite crowded and noisy during the summer period. Perhaps, the best choice would be to plan a tour to the Douro Valley and stay in this unforgettable place for at least a night.


Is Porto an expensive city to visit?

You should plan to spend around €126 ($136) per day on your vacation in Porto, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €36 ($39) on meals for one day and €21 ($22) on local transportation.


Is 3 days in Porto too much?

For your first trip to Porto, we think three days is ideal. You'll need two days to take in the city's main highlights, and an extra day to explore the nearby Douro Valley. Being a relatively small city, it's possible to pack all of Porto's main attractions into a day (here's our guide on how to do Porto in a day).


Is 2 full days in Porto enough?

Since Porto is fairly compact, you can see all the highlights with 2 days in Porto. Though if you want to really dig into the port wine cellars or have time for a day trip to the Douro Valley, then you might need 3 days in Porto or even 5 days in Porto if you want to go slow!