I think Porto is one of the best cities for solo travelers. Here’s why. 

Solo travel has been an integral part of my life ever since I set off on my first trip alone seven years ago. I’ve done everything from eat an omakase-style sushi dinner prepared at a family-run restaurant in Osaka to traverse the rolling hills of northern Vietnam on a motorbike. I’ve gone dancing with locals in Colombia and hiked my way along the Amalfi Coast. All alone. 

By the time I arrived in Porto with my dog, I’d already hit many of the proverbial ‘best destinations in the world for solo travel’. I was blown away that this northern Portuguese city hadn’t been on my radar yet. Every facet of this place is practically designed for traveling by yourself. 

The diverse range of affordable attractions. The safety and walkability. The stellar culinary scene and welcoming nightlife atmosphere. Porto is a haven for solo travelers to get the full experience abroad. 

Below, I share exactly why I loved exploring Porto by myself and ways I would make the experience even better. 

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Why I Loved Porto As A Solo Traveler

By day one, I was stumbling across spots where it’s easy to meet people.

Certain cities I’ve visited feel made for finding company as a solo traveler. Thailand, Barcelona, even Japan can be a great place to travel alone. And apparently, I can now add Porto to that list as well. 

This city has a very social atmosphere that I felt free to dive into as a visitor. There are the classic places to meet people like bars and clubs, but the options extend far beyond that.   

On my very first night in the city, I went to Jardim do Morro right before sunset and immediately stumbled across a solo traveler’s goldmine of people to meet. There was live music and drinks readily available everywhere. 

Along with so many interesting folks who came out to appreciate the stunning sunset from this viewpoint, it didn’t take long to catch eye contact or a funny moment with the people around me. Soon, we were all chatting like long-lost friends. 

Overall, traveling in Porto cost around 25% less than many European and American destinations.

In late 2020, trapped by the confines of slowed international travel, I road-tripped across the United States from coast to coast. While there were nice moments, one unfortunate realization I made along the way was how incredibly expensive it is to travel there. 

In comparison, many European destinations actually feel more affordable to me. But none more than Porto. 

All my daily expenses were noticeably lower – from renting an apartment and participating in activities to buying groceries and traveling by taxi. Since I was traveling by myself and paying for everything alone, that was basically a dream come true. 

With my apartment costing around €318 per week, food running me less than €65 per week on average, and even taxis being less than €10, I ended up spending around 25% less than I do traveling in other European countries like Italy or Spain. And the difference was even more drastic when comparing it to my U.S. travels. 

Still, I wouldn’t recommend screaming from the rooftops “Portugal is so cheap!” It may feel that way coming from an expensive place like the U.S., but that isn’t the reality for a lot of people who live locally and it can come off as obtuse. 

My flight between Porto and Newark Airport was less than 7 hours for a fairly reasonable price.

The most draining part of traveling solo for me is the long flight it takes to get anywhere internationally from the United States. Luckily, this was much less of a problem for me when I was traveling between Portugal and America. Especially since I touched down on the East Coast. 

My direct flight from Porto to Newark, New Jersey, took around seven hours and cost about $600. The flights would’ve been even shorter and cheaper if I’d left from Lisbon (and booked my flight more than a month in advance, oops!). 

While the flight was really only a few hours shorter and a few dollars cheaper, it felt like a much better deal in the grand scheme of things. After all, this is almost the same length as a flight from New York to California, and it cost me significantly less than my flight from Italy. 

I found great places to try authentic Portuguese food, but there were also good international options to avoid culinary burnout. 

I usually have a strict rule of sticking to the local cuisine when I’m traveling to a new country. This stuff tends to be the better, more affordable option in most places. In Porto though, I got to lessen my tight grip on that principle. 

Of course, I savored countless delicious Portuguese meals throughout my stay at spots like Gazela and Casa Guedes Tradicional. Truth be told, I could’ve lived off of the local cuisine alone since it was so outstanding. But the city has just as many worthy international options, too. 

A few of my favorites were Ramen Bambu Porto, Callejero for tacos, and Mimo’s when I was craving a good ‘ole fashioned burger. It’s always nice to have the option of high-quality familiar favorites when I’m traveling alone. Sometimes all I need is a juicy burger to feel less homesick in a lonely moment. 

I discovered low-cost or free attractions nearly every day of my trip.

A big concern of mine as a solo traveler is being able to afford all the amazing things to do in a destination. Oftentimes, this can be one of the most costly parts of traveling alone since there is just so much I want to do while I have the chance. 

Luckily, this wasn’t much of a problem in Porto because the vast majority of attractions were either super cheap or even free. In fact, many of the best things to do in Porto don’t cost a dollar. The Chapel of Souls photographed above was free to enter and, of course, snap a shot with the iconic tilework outside. 

That’s just the start, though. There are so many free activities around the city from the nearby beaches and parks to the stunning viewpoints like Miradouro da Vitória and Miradouro da Rua das Aldas. 

When it came down to it, I think I did at least one free to cheap thing almost every single day that I was living in Porto. And I stayed well over a month! 

The balance of cultural sites and fun wine bars or shopping was so perfect for me. 

Listen – I adore history, and learning the background of a new city is a highlight of visiting for me. But I also want to be able to have fun in other ways. Unfortunately, many destinations only suit certain kinds of activities. The place where you can kick back with a drink and listen to music all night isn’t always the same one with historic attractions. 

In Porto, I didn’t have to decide between the two. I was discovering new cultural sites around every corner without even trying. I accidentally stumbled across the Church of Saint Ildefonso randomly while I was going for a walk to take travel photos. While these sorts of rewarding activities are plentiful, there are just as many chances for other types of fun. 

The shopping scene around the city is great with a mix of storefronts and markets. Then there’s the cozy wine bars around Porto that I was obsessed with. Like Arco Das Verdades and Capela Incomum. Curioso Cocktail Bar was really lovely as well when I wanted a break from wine. 

My trip to Porto didn’t have to stay within the city limits. There are so many amazing day trips nearby. 

When I’m visiting a new place alone I want to make the most out of my time and see as much as possible. In gigantic countries where it can take a full day just to get between places, I’m often forced to heavily narrow down my wishlist of destinations. That was far from the case in Porto. 

Portugal as a whole is fairly compact, with excellent public transportation that makes it simple to visit every inch of the country. Nazaré, one of my favorite European destinations, can be the perfect weekend trip just 2.5 hours away from Porto on a direct bus that costs under €10. Or, the capital city of Lisbon is even reachable in just three hours on the bus. 

Another thing I really wish I squeezed into my Porto trip was joining an organized day trip to the Douro Valley. This is one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal and there are so many comprehensive day trips that can provide an introduction to it. 

When I inevitably go back, I’m definitely hopping on this Douro Valley Full-Day Wine Tour that picks you right up in the middle of Porto and includes extras like a one-hour Rabelo boat cruise, wine tastings, and lunch.

Porto is so walkable. On average, I got in well over 10,000 steps a day.

While I was writing this article, I went back and checked just how much I walked per day while I was living in Porto. Unsurprisingly, I was averaging over 10,000 steps daily. On certain activity-heavy days, I got up to 16,000. That might sound tiring, but it’s exactly what I want as a solo traveler. 

I simply cannot stand being forced to take taxis everywhere or constantly hopping on the metro when I’m visiting a new place by myself. Sometimes this is unavoidable, but I always prefer a city where I can walk everywhere. Like Porto. 

Porto often lands itself on rankings of ‘The Most Walkable European Cities’ for just how effortless it is to get around on foot. Not to mention that I wanted to stroll around as much as possible because it is just so pretty there. 

Even though I was staying in the Gaia neighborhood across the Dom Luis Bridge from the city center, I never felt bogged down by the distance because I knew walking in Porto was beyond a breeze. 

As a woman alone with my dog, I felt completely safe exploring every inch of the city. 

As a solo female traveler, I’ve accumulated a sixth sense for safety. It’s almost as if I can feel the weight of riskiness in places where I have to be a little more cautious. While I’ve learned to manage that reality, it was a breath of fresh air to be somewhere like Porto where that degree of wariness wasn’t as crucial. 

To be clear – I would never throw all caution to the wind. I’m a believer in being smart and careful, even in the safest of places. But it’s true that Porto and Portugal in general feel palpably safe. It’s written everywhere in the statistics. But it’s another thing to experience it for yourself firsthand. 

My little dog and I spent a good chunk of time getting to know every nook and cranny of the city together. From the early morning to late in the evening, we both felt completely at ease everywhere we went around Porto. That alone is invaluable to me as a solo traveler. 

What I’d Do If I Visited Porto Alone Again

The Vitória neighborhood would be my go-to as a solo traveler. 

When I was living in Porto, I had an apartment in Gaia across the river from the city center. For this trip, that was ideal because I could work remotely in a peaceful environment without being in the center of the action. 

If I were to revisit alone, though, I’d choose to stay in one of Porto’s most enticing neighborhoods – Vitória. 

Out of all the cool places to stay, I thought Vitória was the most well-matched for solo travelers. This area is close to the city center without being right in the middle of the busiest parts. 

Many local sites are situated around Vitória, such as Torre dos Clérigos and the famed Livraria Lello. A bunch of my all-time favorite bars and restaurants happened to be within walking distance from here as well. Like BOSCO and Bilha Nova. With everything so close, staying around Vitória would take so much of the groundwork out of navigating the city alone. 

Vitória is also great for solo travelers because there are quite a few top-tier hostels in this district. Such as Porto Wine Hostel. This clean, cozy Vitória accommodation makes it easy to meet other travelers, and dorm rooms start at around €35 per night (depending on the season). 

My trip would be in May or September for the best weather and lowest cost.

Most travelers rush to Portugal during the summer months, but I much preferred being there during the shoulder season. It was July the first time I visited Portugal and while the weather was nice, it was extremely crowded with surged prices. Not my style. 

When I stayed in Porto from April to May, though, I got mostly the same great weather with fewer tourists around and much more affordable fares. 

Sure, there were a few spots of rain here and there. But it was nothing I couldn’t handle because I focused on perfecting my solo travel packing list with a packable rain jacket and close-toed shoes. Plus, the weather was still gorgeous. 

The only thing I’d do differently is maybe move my trip a month later to start in early May until early June. I’d also love to see what the city is like at the other end of the shoulder season in September. 

I’d rely more on Bolt to get around the city for cheap when I was too tired to walk.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m an avid walker when I’m traveling. Almost to the point of walking myself into the ground or wasting too much time getting around on foot. 

That’s why I think I’d like to rely on the rideshare app called Bolt a lot more when I spend time in Porto again. Uber exists in the city, but Bolt was much cheaper and had more drivers available in my experience. Whenever there was a trip that demanded a car, this was where I turned. 

But still, I could’ve used the service to my advantage to check out even more of the region. For reference, my scheduled early morning Bolt to the Porto Airport about 35 minutes away from my accommodation only cost around €20. That really showed me how far I could get by strategically taking Bolts around Porto. 

More beach days would be included in my trip itinerary. 

Thankfully for me as a solo traveler on a budget, Portugal has endless beaches that are just divine. That means plenty of no-cost activities that still feel totally luxurious. The country is mainly famed for the shores nestled around the southern Algarve region, but I actually preferred the beaches near Porto. 

They were so much less populated than the well-known spots down south and such a recharge for my soul. A few of my go-tos were Praia do Molhe, Praia Cabedelo do Douro, and Praia de Lavadores. 

My only regret is that I couldn’t fit more of them into my trip. Porto’s beaches were always a really pleasant way to spend a sunny day after I’d hit all the city’s main attractions. Especially just before sunset. 

I would have more room in my bag to accommodate buying pieces from local artists and markets. 

Like many major cities, I came across all sorts of cookie-cutter souvenir shops in Porto attempting to lure me in with mass-produced Portugal merchandise. While I’ll never knock anyone who goes for this stuff, I want something more personal than that. Something more unique. 

That’s why I was so excited to discover that there were just as many independent shops and local vendors at the markets in Portugal where I could get one-of-a-kind pieces. I tend to pick out jewelry, bags, even art when the spirit moves me. All of that and more was widely available at places like Urban Market and Mercado de Artesanato de Batalha.

Knowing that I can’t resist this type of shopping experience, I’m definitely leaving a little extra wiggle room in my bag the next time I visit Porto. I barely made it back this time with everything I got for myself and my friends.  

I’d spend more time wandering the city’s outskirts to find local, family-run restaurants like Restaurant Casa Dias. 

Out of Porto’s rich collection of delicious restaurants, the ones I loved the most by far were the small, family-run establishments. The sorts that can’t be unearthed via a simple Google search. The best way to find them is boots-on-the-ground discovery while aimlessly wandering the city. 

And that’s exactly what I’ll be doing on the daily during my next Porto trip. Don’t get me wrong, I still found so many spots I loved. For instance, Casa Dias in the Gaia district is a meal I’ll never forget. 

The entire dining space was decorated in crayon artwork by the owner’s children, and the menu items are all tried-and-true family recipes. Every dish I ate earned a place in my taste buds’ memories forever. Especially the bolinhos de bacalhau and their creme brulee for dessert. 

But I’m greedy and I want more. I plan on carving out lots of time for finding these places when I visit in the future. 

My trusty list of Portuguese phrases would get bigger, so I could communicate with locals more. 

Traveling alone requires a few extra steps of preparation. One of the ways I get ready is by learning a bit of the local language when I’m visiting a place where English isn’t the mother tongue. 

In Porto, that meant getting some Portuguese under my belt. A few key phrases that really came in handy in Porto alone were: 

• Obrigado = Thank you 
• Bom Dia = Good morning 
• Sim = Yes
• Desculpe = Sorry 
• Você fala inglês? = Do you speak English?

Not only did knowing these expressions make me feel more confident and help out in real situations, but I think it shows a higher level of respect as a visitor. 

However, I’d really love to be able to get into deeper conversations with Porto locals. Something more substantial than the run-of-the-mill “thank you” and “hello.” So, I’m definitely going to be working on expanding my Portuguese phrases beyond the basics before my next journey to the city. 

***

The world is an open book to solo travelers and the potential is endless. As you can tell though, Porto is a very special city for anyone traveling alone. 

The truth is that all of Portugal is a solo-friendly European destination. Largely because there are so many fun, unique things to do across the whole country. To learn more, don’t forget to read my complete list of the best things to do in Portugal.