World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Portugal > Porto

Local time Porto

Currency

€

Airports

Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro International Airport

Shopping in Porto

Porto is an intriguing place to shop and has an absorbing collection of chains, boutiques and emporiums in which to browse. From stuck-in-time grocery stores to hipster stalls, shoppers will never be left wanting. There is a great array of local crafts, which includes everything from woodwork to ceramics, as well as the unique local foodstuffs.

The obvious shopping highlight in Porto is its famous fortified wine, particularly when tasting it is all part of the process. The Portuguese vinho verde (green wine) is another great buy too.

Key areas

The main shopping street in Porto is the Rua de Santa Catarina in the city centre. Here, visitors will find a wealth of clothes and shoe shops as well as stores offering a variety of design items and all kinds of trendy accessories. Some of the side streets off Rua de Santa Catarina offer excellent food shops with lovely, tiled facades. Rua da Bombarda is good for fashion and small independent boutiques, and the city boasts a huge, historic bookshop, the Clube Literário do Porto, on Rua Nova da Alfândega.

Visitors interested in buying port wine should visit Garrafeira do Carmo, Rua do Carmo 17-18, which has a large selection of wines, some of which are more than 100 years old. It's also fun to buy direct from the producers in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Markets

Regular markets take place in the Rua de Santa Catarina, while weekly and monthly specialised markets featuring specific products such as antiques, handicrafts and the like take place in a number of city centre locations including Rua Cândido dos Reis and Praça das Cardosas.

Shopping centres

Via Catarina, Porto's most charming shopping centre, is located along Rua de Santa Catarina, at the corner of Rua Fernandes Tomar. The storefronts inside are replicas of the kinds of facades typical of old Northern Portugal village shops. Other Porto shopping centres include the Centro Comercial Peninsular and the Centro Comercial Cidade de Porto on Rua do Bom Successo.

Opening hours

Shops are generally open Monday to Friday 0900-1300 and 1500-1900 and Saturday 0900-1300. Shopping centres are open daily 1000-2300/2400.

Souvenirs

Ceramics, cork items and tea grown in one of Europe's only tea plantations are all good souvenirs, as are local foodstuffs, from port to bacalhau, the local salted dried cod.

Tax information

Some larger stores will offer a VAT refund service for non-EU visitors.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Hotel Ibis Centro Porto

Following the French chain's successful formula as applied over the whole of Europe, the Hotel Ibis Centro Porto is exactly what it says on the tin: a modern, budget hotel offering basic but clean and comfortable accommodation without the frills of luxury. It's a good choice either if you're on a budget, or simply don't intend to spend a lot of time in the room.

Grande Hotel do Porto

The Grande Hotel do Porto was designed by the architect Silva Sardina and opened in 1880. The hotel has 99 rooms, and they all have air-conditioning, broadband Internet access and beautifully tiled bathrooms. The hotel, and particularly the restaurant, has a distinct old world charm and atmosphere. It is located on Porto's main shopping street in the city centre.

The Yeatman

Opened in 2010, the 82-room Yeatman is something of a new departure for hotels in Porto because it is situated in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the south side of the river. However, its location across the water affords excellent views of the old city. The emphasis is solidly on luxury, fine dining and high quality relaxation – there is an extensive spa area to complement the accommodation, and the rooftop swimming pool and terrace are perfect for sun lovers.

Hotel Nave

A basic, but comfortable, cheap hotel in Porto located not far from the Campanha railway station, Hotel Nave is a friendly, convenient place to stay in Porto. It has a restaurant and a bar with internet access points. All guest rooms have individual air conditioning with remote control.

Pestana Porto

One of the most popular boutique hotels in Porto, the Pestana Porto has a fantastic location down by the riverfront, overlooking the river and with a view across to the port wine cellars of Vila Gaia di Nova. There are 63 rooms, a restaurant offering a wide range of regional and national dishes and a bar with live music. The hotel also has several meeting and conference rooms. Bicycle hire is also available.

Quality Inn Porto

Centrally located on Batalha Square (Praça da Batalha), the Quality Inn Porto is convenient, with the river and all the main attractions within a few minutes' walk. All guest rooms have air-conditioning as well as internet contact points.

Introducing Porto

While you’re there

Plan your trip

Portugal Information