© Image CC BY-NC-ND “Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR
Porto
Charming Porto is one of our favorite cities in Europe. It’s north of Lisbon and here you will find buzzing restaurants, culture, cool bars and artisan shops. Luckily there are also many nice places to stay at and we are particular impressed with the accommodation that is a combination of hostel and hotel. Many with outstanding facilities and inspiring social areas where you like to hang out. You can easily label them as a boutique hotel. To pay little doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort, design or smart functionality.
What is striking to us is the mixture of Baroque, Neoclassical and bit of Belle Epoque architecture. It’s like a “faded grandeur” all in varying degrees of preservation and we are so in love with the beautiful “Azulejo” – the characteristic tiles on the facade of the houses.
Porto is built on the steep bank of River Douro near the Atlantic Sea and to the west you have the ports of Matosinhos and Leça in the north.
The iconic Dom Luis I bridge, completed in 1886 (172 metre/564ft) is one of the most recognise symbols of Porto. It’s a double-deck metal arch bridge that spans the River Douro between the cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia
You can go by car, train or walk over.
Popular hotels/hostels
© Image The House of Sandeman
The House of Sandeman – Hostel & Suites
The House of Sandeman Hostel & Suites, the world’s very first Branded Hostel celebrates one of the greatest Port Wine brands in the world, right on top of the river Douro, in one of Porto’s most iconic buildings.
© Image Gallery Hostel
Gallery Hostel
The family run Gallery Hostel with its own Art Gallery is a 41 bed hostel ideal for the design, culture and price conscious. Gallery Hostel’s secret lies in a soulful project with tons of character and dedicated staff members, planning to make you feel right at home.
© Image The Passenger Hotel
The Passenger Hostel
Inside the iconic “São Bento” Station the beauty and the building scale have led to a distinctive concept of Hostel, with 2 types of accommodation, shared and private, and exceptional common areas.
© Image Duas Portas
Duas Portas
With wide-open views, the house is situated directly in front of the mouth of the Douro River, a unique location, given its tranquillity and proximity to the sea, and 10 minutes from the city centre.
© Image Myo Design House
Myo Design House
Located in the heart of Porto, Myo Design House offers elegance and innovation, providing a unique and memorable experience.
© Image Cas do Conto
Casa do Conto
The arts & residence Casa do Conto (House of Tales) is a charming building in the emerging Cedofeita area in central Porto.
© Images The House of Sandeman
At The House of Sandeman – Hostel & Suites you can choose from one (or more) of seven king size single dorm beds with a custom framing inspired by the Port wine barrels. Fancy not staying in a dorm? Choose the Double room with River View, it’s perfect for those looking to get a peek of the Douro river and Porto downtown without missing all the action.
© Images Gallery Hostel
Located in the trendy quarter of Miguel Bombarda, Gallery Hostel characterizes the new concept of a luxury hostel. The project involved the rehabilitation of an impressive 1906 building seeking to maintain most of the original aspects of a traditional Oporto house blended with a modern décor infusing neutral and earthy tones with unique textures and furnishings.
© Images The Passenger Hostel
Decorated with selected vintage pieces of furniture sorted in multiple trips and locations, The Passenger Hostel is an organic concept that blends vintage aesthetics and a remarkably contemporary side. The Passenger Hostel is the perfect base to discover and live a memorable experience upon your visit to Porto.
© Images Duas Portas
Duas Portas has a total of eight rooms, all of them unique, four rooms look out toward the river and sea, while the rest overlook the garden.
At the end of the series of spaces that make up the house, one is delightfully surprised to find: a peaceful garden, offering a well-positioned retreat within the city, inviting guests to stop, breath, think and feel.
© Images Myo Design House
In a street that has gained its own life in recent years, with a huge offer of restaurants, cafes, concept stores and traditional goldsmiths, Myo Design House is located next to the ex-libris of the city, Ideal for all those who want to get to know Porto, touching its soul and having the feeling that they are at home.
© Images Casa do Conto
The Casa do Conto’s social areas (reception, lounge, library, dining room and garden) are arranged throughout floors 0 and -1, with the upper floors reserved for the private rooms. Every room is different, having been furnished with vintage furniture and other design items.
Popular sightseeing tours
© Image CC BY-NC-ND “Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR
© Image CC BY-NC-ND “Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR
© Image CC BY-NC-ND “Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR
© Image CC BY-NC-ND “Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR
© Image CC BY-NC-ND “Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, AR