12 Things to Do in Porto Alone (From a Gal Who Went Solo)

Is it Safe to Travel Solo to Porto?

First things first, you might be wondering if it’s safe to travel solo to Porto. The good news is, Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world.

That said, people say crime has been going up a bit in Porto. Many blame the rise in crime on the increasing amounts of people doing drugs on the streets.

However, Porto is generally a pretty safe city as long as you stay aware of your surroundings and don’t make yourself a vulnerable target.

My biggest flag for you is that I encourage you to book a hotel or hostel and avoid Airbnbs. I stayed in Airbnbs my first two times in the city, and while they were really nice and more affordable, they both happened to be on some very quiet back alley kind of streets.

Nothing happened to me, but those were the only times I’ve felt a little on edge in Porto. I’d walk down those alleyways to the Airbnbs and find them often deserted and smelling of urine. When I did see people in the alleyways, they seemed homeless or were doing drugs and were sitting there staring at me.

When staying in hotels and hostels in Porto, I felt SO much better because they were located on more prominent streets and I could avoid the city’s creepy alleyways altogether.

Second, like most European cities, pickpocketing can happen in Porto. Be mindful of your belongings and stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

Once when I was in Porto, I was sitting outside at a restaurant and a man got very close, brushing up against me. I got the vibe that maybe he was trying to pickpocket me, but I held my things close until the restaurant worker scared him off and I was totally fine.

Lastly, I’d say it’s generally safe to walk around alone at night, but I would stick to well-lit areas and avoid walking alone late in the evening. Ubers and Bolts are pretty affordable in the city, so it’s better to take one of those if it’s later in the evening.

Top Activities to Do in Porto Alone

If you had to pick just a few things to do in Porto on your solo trip, this is what I would prioritize. I’ve done almost all of these things myself and would do them again in a heartbeat!

3. Take in Breathtaking Views from the Cathedral

✅ Panoramic views of the city and blue azulejo tiles | 💶 Entrance fee €3 | No booking needed

Sé do Porto, the cathedral in the city, is one of the top attractions in Porto. Not only can you see beautiful blue painted azulejo tiles throughout the cathedral, but you can also get some of the best views of the city from one of its towers.

Note that the cathedra can sometimes have a bit of a wait to purchase tickets, so consider getting there earlier or later in the day when it tends to be less busy. I’d also buffer some extra time in to be safe.

Here are the cathedral hours:

• November to March: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• April to October: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Daily mass at 11 a.m.
• Tower access closes 30 minutes before the cathedral closes

4. Walk Along the Dom Luís I Bridge and Douro River

✅ Some of the best views of the city| 💶 Free | ➡️ No booking needed

To really take in some of the best views of the city, head to the water. Start in Ribeira along the river, cross over the Dom Luís I Bridge, and then walk along the waterfront on the other side in Gaia.

Along the water, there are benches and plenty of bars and restaurants where you can take some time to savor the moment. In Gaia, I’ve gone to Ar de Rio twice now for port tonics with a view.

7. Visit São Bento Train Station and Marvel at the Stunning Blue Azulejo Tiles

✅ Some of the most beautiful azulejo tiles in the city | 💶 Free | ➡️ No booking needed

São Bento train station may very well be the most beautiful train station you ever see. Northern Portugal, in particular, is known for its blue painted tiles called azulejos, and this is the perfect place to see them.

In the entrance hall of the train station, walls are covered from floor to ceiling with the stunning azulejo tiles.

The train station is a must-see while in Porto and is easy to get to with its central location.

8. Watch the Sunset from Guindalense Football Club

✅ Some of the best views and affordable food and drinks| 💶 Free entry | ➡️ No booking needed

As weird as it may sound, this football club has one of the best views in the city! You can see the bridge, river, and orange rooftops of Porto all around.

Anyone is welcome there, and you’ll find a mix of both locals and tourists. I sadly ran out of energy to go myself last time I was in Porto, but it’s been on my list ever since a local told me I had to go there.

Even though the view is amazing, this place isn’t serving overpriced food and drinks. It’s quite a simple bar with reasonably priced food and drinks.

How to Get to Porto

Porto has a fairly large airport, so flying there is an option. However, Lisbon’s airport is bigger, so if you find a better flight to Lisbon you could fly there first and then take the train or bus to Porto.

➡️ Book train tickets here.

➡️ Book bus tickets here.

I’ve taken the bus myself and found it to be a pretty easy way to travel between the cities.

Best Time to Visit Porto

The best time to visit Porto is in May or September. This is when you get the best mix of generally good weather and fewer crowds.

Porto tends to have fairly mild temperatures throughout the year though, so you can generally plan to visit any time of year without it being too hot or cold. That said, it’s known to be quite rainy, so if you don’t like the rain, then I suggest visiting between May and September when it’s the least rainy.

Where to Stay in Porto as a Solo Traveler

As a solo traveler, it’s important to find the right place to stay in Porto. You don’t want to end up on a creepy back alley like me or staying in an unsafe area.

And if you’re in the city getting ready to start one of the Portuguese Camino routes, you want to make sure you’re close enough to the cathedral and the starting points for your walk.

Here are a few different accommodation options in Porto that I recommend:

📍Budget Option: Onefam Ribeira has modern and clean dorm rooms and private rooms. It’s known for its social atmosphere, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to make some friends.

📍Mid-Range Option: Porto Wine Hostel is my go to place to stay in Porto now. It has both shared dorm rooms and private rooms. I stayed here before starting my last Camino, and it’s my favorite place I’ve ever stayed in Porto.

📍Luxury Option: For the best views of the river, stay at Torel Avantgarde. This 5-star boutique hotel offers a truly special experience with its views, pool, spa, and more.

Starting the Camino from Porto

If you’re here because you’re starting your Camino from Porto, here’s some additional information that you might find helpful:

• Cathedral: You can purchase your pilgrim passport and shell here. It’s also the official starting point for either Camino route leaving Porto.
• Decathlon: If you need to purchase any last-minute gear for the Camino, Decathlon is one of the best places you can go. It’s similar to REI in the U.S. There’s a location in a shopping mall northwest of the city and one in Gaia.
• Wildstore: It’s not ideal, but if you need to purchase trail shoes for your Camino, you can do so here. I recommend Hoka Speedgoats. I went here to buy shoes before my last Camino since I had been traveling for months beforehand and couldn’t find Hokas anywhere else.
• Pilbeo: Company that can ship any extra baggage you have on to Santiago de Compostela. They handle pick up and drop off at your hotel. You can message them on WhatsApp to coordinate: +34 670 64 80 78
• Radical Storage: If you’ll be returning to Porto after your Camino, you could instead store luggage there while you’re away. I’ve used Radical Storage in the past elsewhere and had a good experience. They have locations all over the city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions when it comes to what to do in Porto on a solo trip.