Is Porto, Portugal Worth Visiting as a Solo Female Traveler?
Are you planning your next solo trip and wondering if Porto, Portugal, is worth visiting as a solo female traveler?
The short answer? YES!
I traveled to Porto for the first time solo and had an incredible time exploring all the city had to offer.
Porto feels like a hidden gem compared to other big European destinations, which I really enjoyed.
It has tons of breathtaking architecture, a rich history, and friendly locals, making it perfect for exploring solo.
Porto has so much to offer, which is why I think it is worth visiting as a solo female traveler.
Why is Porto, Portugal Worth Visiting?
Porto is a beautiful city with many attractive qualities you’d see in any other European city.
Still, there’s something quite beautiful and unique to see for yourself.
For starters, it does not have large crowds of tourists on every corner compared to other big cities, which makes it an even more attractive city to explore.
Here are a few reasons I think Porto, Portugal is worth visiting, especially if you’re a solo female traveler like I was when I visited.
Architecture
Whether on solo walks around the city or guided walking tours, the architecture was undeniably one of the most stunning things about the city.
From Medieval, Neoclassical, and Baroque to a mix of modern buildings and a few colorful buildings, including buildings with azulejos (Portuguese tiles), the architecture was not a miss in Porto.
The city’s historic city, specifically, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is overflowing with beautiful buildings, narrow and winding streets, and gorgeous ceramic arts.
Not to mention the Dom Luís I Bridge, the famous bridge crossing the Douro River, and the beautiful buildings lining up against the river in the Ribeira neighborhood.
Some of my favorite buildings to see:
- Clérigos Tower
- São Bento Train Station
- Sé do Porto (Porto Cathedral)
- Dom Luís I Bridge
- Igreja do Carmo
- Livraria Lello (Lello Bookshop)
- Igreja Paroquial de Santo Ildefonso
The Douro River
I know that pretty much every European city has a river crossing it, but the Douro River is truly something that makes Porto even more special to visit.
The iconic views as you cross the Dom Luís I Bridge are truly some of the most scenic in the city, whether you’re walking across and getting views of the Ribeira neighborhood and the surrounding architecture or walking underneath it.
There is so much to see around the river – you can’t stop looking around!
People sit around the river, and even in the fall, when I went, people sat outside, sitting along the river, hopping on boat cruises which ran frequently.
A boat cruise on the Duoro River is a must-do in Porto to see more of the city from the water. I did it, and I recommend it! The cruise passes under the 6 bridges and gets some pretty great sights overall.
🚤 Book your spot on a Duoro River cruise
💡Pro tip: There is a bar on the other side of the Duoro River (opposite of Ribeira neighborhood) called Caves Cálem, it is definitely worth a visit! Order a glass of Port wine, try Vinho Verde (green wine), or get what I got: a Porto Tonico!
Delicious Food
I have to confess that I initially didn’t know what kind of food Porto was known for, so I decided to join a food tour in Porto to explore (and sample) the best of the city.
Francesinha
Everyone from my Uber driver to my walking tour mentioned trying a Francesinha in Porto. It’s a hearty sandwich with layers of your choice of pork sausage, steak, or chicken, bread, cheese, tomato sauce, and more cheese.
Bacalhau
Salted cod fish is a must-try in Portugal and Porto. Typically, it’s served baked with onions and garlic, and it comes with sides like boiled potatoes and even hard-boiled eggs on the side.
Pasteís de Nata (Portuguese Custard Tart)
The famous Portuguese custard tarts are also very popular in Porto and a must-try! It’s a sweet vanilla custard mini tart, caramelized on the top.
Tarte de Amêndoa (Almond tart)
Caramelized almond tart with crunchy top layer.
Sardines
Portuguese sardines are known to be some of the best in taste, Omega-3 fatty acids, and packed with major flavor. Trying some in Porto is a must!
Some of the most popular Sardine dishes to try include:
- Grilled sardines
- Sardine pizza (yes, try it!)
- Boiled sardines with sides like potatoes and a piece of Portuguese cornbread
- Sardines straight from the tin on crackers for a snack
Walkability
I loved how walkable Porto is and how many sights and neighborhoods the city has to explore best on foot. It’s a compact city.
It’s a very hilly city with many beautiful viewpoints (miradouro), cute cobblestone streets, stairs, and much more.
Simply exploring the Ribeira neighborhood, all along the Douro River, which is all pedestrian, is a good plan to enjoy the city’s vibe.
Public transport is also very accessible and easy to follow if you want to explore more in a shorter amount of time.
On the walking tour I did, I explored the city best while learning a bit more about the history, especially in areas like:
- Clérigos Tower area
- São Bento Train Station
- Sé Cathedral (great viewpoint of the city!)
- Across (and underneath) the Dom Luís Bridge
- Rua das Flores
- Ribeira neighborhood
- Miragaia neighborhood
- Baixa neighborhood
- Cedofeita
Rich Cultural Heritage of Porto
Porto was originally founded by the Romans and used to be called Portus Cale because of its important port and trading power.
The trading only grew with time, and in the medieval age, Porto became very famous for its commerce, especially in seafood, its maritime traditions, and its hub for trade in Northern Europe.
Religiously, the city has numerous churches, the most famous one being the city’s main cathedral, Porto Cathedral (Sé do Porto).
You can see in the streets its huge Baroque influence, as well as Neoclassical, Gothic, and Romanesque architectural styles, with some of the most popular examples being the Clérigos Tower (Baroque) and the Lello Bookshop (Gothic).
Of course, there are the beautiful blue tile buildings (azulejos) that, aside from looking beautiful, also literally paint a picture of the city’s history, religion, and cultural scenes worth looking at!
One of the most important examples is located inside São Bento Train Station, which you can see for free.
Port Wine is the city’s most popular beverage, and whether you book a day tour to the Douro Wine Valley or you stick around in Porto and visit the Fonseca wine cellars across the Douro River, there are plenty of opportunities to have some.
Similarly, the food scene is diverse and includes one of its main industries, seafood, especially items like sardines, octopus, fish (salted cod), mussels, and so much more! Pastries are also renowned in Porto, from Pastéis de Nata (custard tarts) to Almond Tarts and more!
Lastly, fado is a music style from Portugal and is part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Although originally from Lisbon, the music style is very popular throughout the country, including Porto, with many restaurants and small concert venues featuring live performances of this hauntingly beautiful, passionate, and traditional music style.
Scenic Beauty
From the beautiful architecture to the view of the Douro River and exploring the hilly streets that lead to breathtaking viewpoints, there is no doubt that the beauty of Porto is definite.
From the city, modern buildings, and vibes to old-world architecture and incredible nature views, including the Douro River and beyond.
The viewpoints were incredibly beautiful, and many had restaurants and bars nearby to enjoy a snack or drink with a view.
Some of my favorite scenic viewpoints:
- Miradouro da Vitória – find it here
- Miradouro das Virtudes – find it here
- Clérigos Tower – find it here
- Praça da Batalha – find it here
- Miradouro do Teleférico (Cable Car Station) – find it here
- Jardim do Morro- find it here
Safety for Solo Female Travelers in Porto
Safety in Porto
Porto has a pretty low crime rate, with most crimes being theft, pit-pocketing, and not violent crimes.
From my experience, I felt safe exploring the city day and night.
I stayed in the Miragaia neighborhood, which was close to all the major attractions on foot, and I felt safe walking back home even after dark.
As always, there are solo female travel safety tips that we should consider, including being vigilant and aware of our surroundings everywhere we go, including while in Porto.
But if you’re wondering if Porto is safe to visit as a solo female traveler, you can rest assured that it is.
I asked my female tour guides how they felt as locals, and they confirmed that the city was safe, but I should keep an eye on my surroundings and use common sense to avoid being in a bad situation.
Friendly Locals and Community-vibes
I found the locals in Porto to be very welcoming, kind, patient, and enthusiastic.
Whenever I tried to order something in Portuguese, people weren’t quick to shut me down or switch to English, whenever I asked for directions, people were very kind to give me direction, and when I’d ask questions about the city, my local guides were very informative and proud to share their city.
The city seems big but truly has a community-like vibe, in a good way, especially compared to the capital city of Lisbon.
There are many things to do and enjoy in Porto, so if you’re looking for a city vibe that is much quieter than that of a capital city, Porto is your next destination.
Top attractions and activities not to miss in Porto
Livraria Lello
If you’re a fan of Harry Potter or just beautiful bookstores and structures, you must visit Livraria Lello (Lello Bookshop). Its gothic architecture is said to have inspired Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School and the many other buildings in the movie.
📚 Book your Harry Potter-themed visit to Livraria Lello
Port wine cellar visits at Fonseca Port Wine Cellars
Across the Duoro River are many port wine cellars to visit and sample the best of the city’s prime wines.
One of the most popular wine cellars is Fonseca Port Wine Cellars, a 300-year-old wine cellar with some of the most prestigious port wines available.
You can tour the cellars and enjoy a few tastings, so plan to secure your spot when you’re in town!
🍷 Book your tour and wine tasting at Fonseca Port Wine Cellars
Crystal Palace Gardens
Check out the Crystal Palace Gardens for a free scenic walk in a garden with views. Address: Rua de Dom Manuel II, 4050-346 Porto, Portugal – find it here!
Foz do Douro
Get incredible views of the Douro River and the Atlantic Ocean meeting at Foz do Douro, one of Porto’s neighborhoods.
Stand in the beautiful pergola from the 1930s, which sits along Molhe Beach. You can also see lighthouses in the distance and beautiful walkways along the river.
You can take the 500 Bus or Line 1 on the tram to get there.
Mercado do Bolhão
To get a dose of Portuguese cuisine, there’s no better place to see (and grab some snacks) than at the Bolhão Market.
From fresh and local produce to the varieties of seafood staples in the Portuguese diet, feast your eyes at the market!
🥘 Book a tour of Mercado do Bolhão and a cooking class
Douro River Cruise
A cruise of the Douro River is a great way to see the expansiveness of the river while getting unique views of the city on both sides. You’ll cross around under 6 bridges while learning about the city from a guide. It’s worth it!
🛳️ Book your seat on the Douro River Cruise
Unique Experiences
Day tour of the Douro Wine Valley
Without a doubt, the most popular day trips from Porto are to visit the Douro Wine Valley on a planned day trip, which often comes with roundtrip transport, including lunch, a cruise on the river, and a tasting of Port wine, of course.
🍇 Book your day trip to the Douro Wine Valley with lunch and a river cruise
More practical tips for solo female travelers in Porto
Accommodation Recommendations
Safe and central neighborhoods
The recommended neighborhoods to stay in Porto include:
- Ribeira – near the Douro River
- Cathedral District – Very centric
- Aliados and Bolhão – the heart of the historic district
- Baixa – home to many hotels and shopping malls while still near the main sites.
Hotel options
TURIM Oporto Hotel – 9.4 ⭐️
Zero Box Lodge Porto – 8.7 ⭐️
Grande Hotel Paris by Stays Hotels – 8.2 ⭐️
PortoBay Flores – 9.4 ⭐️
Pao de Acucar Hotel – 8.2 ⭐️
Transportation and Getting Around
Porto has a safe and reliable metro that connects the city well and functions from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM. You can buy a rechargeable transport card at the train station stops.
There are also buses available that cover areas that the metro doesn’t. You can take the bus to places like Foz do Douro, which is a little further out of the city center.
Trams, of course, are also available in Porto and connect the city well. You can take the tram to Ribeira, even Foz do Douro, and around the city. Though it’s slower, it’s a great way to slowly see the city’s charm. You can buy tickets at the tram stops onboard.
A cool funicular connects the riverside of Ribeira to Batalha (upper city), which helps you avoid climbing up or stepping down a few sets of stairs and gives you amazing city views.
Lastly, trains are also available in the city. They arrive and depart from the historic São Bento Station and connect travelers to the rest of the country. You can also take the train to Douro Valley.
I should also mention that there is Uber in Porto.
Is Porto, Portugal worth visiting as a solo female traveler Q&A:
Is Porto or Lisbon better?
I’ve been to both Porto and Lisbon, and it depends on what you’re looking for. I love both, but if you’re looking for a quieter ambiance, lots of sites to see, great wine, rich history, and culture, Porto may be a better choice. Still, I think both cities are worth a visit!
How many days do you need Porto?
I spent 4 days in Porto, which was a good amount of time to explore the city. Even though I didn’t get a chance to make a day trip, I decided to stay in the city and explore it because I wanted to experience it more in-depth on this trip.
That being said, you could spend 2 days seeing the city, which would also be good if it were your first visit! You may find more to see, which is only more motivation to return soon.
What’s so special about Porto?
Now that you’ve read more about the history, Porto is small but has much to see.
I enjoyed how less chaotic it is to other large European cities while simultaneously having so much going on.
Porto is pretty “new” to receiving tourism, as the city was not what it is today as recently as the early 2000s.
In my opinion, it still has that local feel and untouched vibe.
Is Porto a walkable city?
Absolutely! I found it an amazing city to see walking around.
The Wrap-Up: Is Porto, Portugal Worth Visiting as a Solo Female Traveler?
So, is Porto, Portugal worth visiting as a solo female traveler? 100% yes!
Whether you’re exploring the riverside of the Douro, you’re taste testing some Port wine, joining a food tour, or walking around the cobblestone streets to be mesmerized by the views of the lookout points, Porto is that place that makes solo travelers feel welcomed.
I hope these travel tips have helped you decide to visit soon!
Are you planning a solo trip soon? I’d love to hear if Porto is on your list and what interests you most about this city!
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