Porto Holidays & City Breaks
From €259

Porto is a coastal city located in northwest Portugal. With both the country and the city named after it, Porto is renowned for its port wine production. However, this is just one of the city’s many highlights. Situated in a valley, it oozes beauty and history with incredible stately bridges and a medieval riverside district.

Full of character, Porto is an attractive location with pastel coloured buildings, incredible street art, and fascinating architecture. History buffs will be satisfied as the city boasts medieval landmarks, baroque churches and an abundance of museums. It also, of course, attracts foodies with its port wine cellars dotted along the Douro river - offering both tasting opportunities as well as an educational trip!

There are regular direct flights to Porto from Dublin with a flight time of 2.5 hours, as well as flights from Cork and Shannon with just one stop over.

To learn more about things to do in Porto, the best time to go and local info see here.

Things to do in Porto

Attractions

Porto has plenty of traditional and modern attractions to keep you entertained.

• Indulge yourself with a port wine tasting tour
• Admire beautiful scenery from Ponte de Dom Luis
• Wander through the incredible gardens of Serralves Museum
• Take in the gothic style of Livraria Lello bookshop

Nightlife

Porto’s becoming a great nightlife hub with streets packed with partygoers on the weekends! The establishments are varied, from pulsating clubs to laidback bars to choose from.

Dining Out 

Famous for its port wine, this city offers plenty of opportunities to drink it. Whether you’re on a wine tasting tour of the cellars or enjoying it at a dinner. The traditional restaurants are bound to satisfy, serving delicious meals made from fresh local produce.

For Families

If you want to take a break from sightseeing, head to the World of Discoveries – an interactive museum and theme park. This provides the perfect day out for families, as it keep children entertained whilst educating them!

Beaches

There is a large selection of beaches in and around Porto to choose from. Miramar beach is a local favourite, and as picturesque as it gets, with beautiful golden sand and a 17th century chapel on top of a rock outcrop.

Shopping

Porto has an excellent shopping scene which caters to everyone. The Norte Shopping centre homes 267 stores with both nationally and internationally known brands. There are also plenty of family businesses in the city selling textiles, ceramics, art, and local delicacies.

Festival of São João

The biggest event of the year is the Festival of São João, held on the evening of the 23rd of June. This night is full of sacred and profane traditions, brimming with culture, barbecues, street music, and an incredible firework display.

Best Time to Go

June to September are the most popular months to visit. Expect sunny weather and warm temperatures averaging at 25 degrees and reaching highs over 30! This is also the best period to experience Porto’s culture with many events and festivals taking place. If you’re looking to go when there are fewer crowds, spring and autumn are most suitable whilst also offering a milder but sunny climate.

Local Info

Currency

Euro is used in Porto.

Time Zone

The city shares the same time zone as Ireland.

Getting around

The city is located 13km away from the airport and can be travelled around via foot or using the extensive public transport system made up of buses, trams, and the metro.