Some say that Porto is more of a “foodie” town than Lisbon and that there's more authentic traditional cuisine to be found. That's understandable as Lisbon does cater to a much broader contingent of diners.
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The one big advantage that Porto has over Lisbon is a lower cost of living. According to Numbeo, as of August 2023, rent prices are approximately 38.6% higher in Lisbon than they are in Porto. When it comes to buying, the price per square metre to buy an apartment in the city centre in Lisbon is double that in Porto.
Yes, Porto can be a day trip from Lisbon. But be prepared, as it will definitely be a long day. Is one day enough in Porto, Portugal? One day is enough to see the main attractions in Porto, but spending two or more days will allow for a deeper exploration of the city and its surroundings.
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.
Comfortable walking shoes:Porto is a very walkable city, with many cobblestone streets and steep hills. Comfortable shoes will be essential for exploring the city on foot.
How long is the train from Lisbon to Porto? The high-speed Lisbon to Porto train usually takes as little as 2 hours and 35 minutes to connect the cities. Apart from that, the Alfa Pendular high-speed train is not only fast but well equipped, modern and departs from and arrives to the cities' centers.
Porto is surprisingly famous for a lot, perhaps most notable is the production of Port wine. Beyond that, there's the historic center of the old town that is incredibly charming. Wandering aimlessly through the winding streets is the best way to discover those Porto secret places.
Similar to the rest of western Europe, Portugal does not have a strong “tipping culture,” and there are really no standards or rules regarding tipping. Throughout the country itself, the tipping practice may vary, depending on the region where you are traveling.
Travel by Train: The railway offers regular and direct services from Porto to Lisbon, and is the recommended means of travel. The fastest train (the Alfa Pendular service) takes 2h50minutes, while seats on the slightly slower Intercidades (intercity) service only cost €25.10 for an adult single.
The best way to get around Porto is by metro, by bus or on foot. Porto boasts an extensive public transportation system operated by the Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (which includes the metro, buses and trams) that helps visitors reach the top attractions in and around the city.
Ribeira is at the heart of the Old Town, and while it's a wonderful place to see during the day, the busy crowds make it the top of our list of areas to avoid in Porto. If you're not big on nightlife, you'll also want to skip Baixa – it can get quite lively in the evening.
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).
The best time to visit Porto is from mid-spring in April until the end of October, when it is still warm and sunny. Nonetheless, the best months are undoubtedly May and September.
As a HolidaymakerSo you can see that you can enjoy Porto no matter how many days you might have. However, Porto is a charming and vibrant city that deserves at least two to three days, and four days if you want to explore beyond it.