13 things to know before traveling to Porto

Whether heading out for a long weekend or an extended stint to write that best-selling novelPortoPortugalfascinates.

You’ll find cutting-edge artmedieval streetscapes and an overflowing bounty of great food and wine. While it’s a fairly easygoing placeyou can help ensure your trip is a success by learning a few essentialsfrom how to get around on public transport to what to wear for the weather.

Read on for these and other tips that will make your next trip to Porto a success.

1. Don’t drive in the center of town

Porto’s narrowone-way streetsheavy traffic and challenging parking can be nerve-wracking even for local drivers. Add in hillstram trackslots of pedestrians and bikesplus the odd construction zone with detoursand you have the makings of a stressful day indeed. If you’re arriving by carit’s best to park on the outskirts and take public transit into the center of town.

2. Pick your neighborhood well in advance

Near the riverfrontRibeira is a popular choice for its historic architecture and lively dining and drinking options. Yet given Porto’s newfound popularityit can feel a bit touristy and places tend to book up months in advance. Just up from Ribeirathe neighborhood of Aliados puts you in the heart of the city center and has great lodging and dining choices.

As with Ribeirayou’ll have to move fast to book your preferred spot. For more of a seaside feelconsider Foz do Dourowhich lies near beaches on the Atlantic and is an easy 40-minute hop (by bus or tram) from the center.

3. Make restaurant reservations soon

Porto has some truly excellent restaurantsincluding over a dozen places listed in the Michelin guide. If you hope to enjoy a meal at Pedro LemosAntiqvvm or one of the city’s other celebrated restaurantsreserve several weeks in advance – or at least one month ahead if booking during the high season (May to September).

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4. Get an Andante Card and travel on public transportation

Porto has an efficient public transportation networkwith six Metro lines that link districts across town. You can also take the Metro out to the beach and directly to and from the airport. The network also includes busestrams and even a funicular. For conveniencepurchase an Andante Card (€0.60/US$.70)then load it with titulos (credit) for use on the Metro and buses.

Trams have a special rate (€3.50/US$4 one-way or €6/US$7 return) and tickets can be purchased on board. The Funicular dos Guindais also requires its own ticket (€3.50/US$4 one-way)and has a short but super-fun run from the riverfront near the base of the iconic Luís I bridge up to Rua Augusto Rosa near the Igreja de Santa Clara.

5. Don’t forget your swimsuit

Porto’s western neighborhoods border the Atlanticwith many wide sandy beaches easily reached by Metro or bus. The water is chilly – but a welcome relief on the hottest of summer days when temperatures can reach upward of 33°C (93°F).

6. Pack reliable footwear and a smart-casual wardrobe

Porto’s hills and uneven pavements will give your legs a workout. Make sure you bring good walking shoes so you don’t twist an ankle. Save the heels for dining out and nightclubs.

Footwear asidelocals tend to dress in smart-casual wear. Shorts are fine for the beach – but if you wear them around townyou’ll quickly be labeled a tourist. At nicer restaurantsyou’ll want to look smart.

7. Prepare for weather changes

While on the cold AtlanticPorto has a Mediterranean-like climatewith warmdry summers and coolerwetter winters. Even if you visit in July or Augustyou should bring a rain jacket for the occasional shower. In wintercount on a few wet days followed by pleasantsunny skies. Whenever you comebring layersas the days can start off chilly and then warm up considerably. Porto also catches some strong breezes off the waterso always pack a scarf.

8. Indulge in a francesinha

The francesinha is to Porto what poutine is to Québec. It’s a much-loved if decidedly un-fancy dish made of thick bread stuffed with hamlinguiça (Portuguese sausage)steak and cheesethen topped with yet more cheese (this time melted) and a mildly spicy sauce (made of tomatoes and beer)with perhaps a fried egg thrown in for goodcholesterol-spiking measure.

Try it in Porto when you have the chanceas you’ll rarely find the francesinha outside of the city. And make sure to eat light before partaking of this deliciously high-calorie meal. Cafe Santiago serves up one of the best.

9. Try the tripas

Calling someone a tripeiro (tripe eater) might seem like a fine prelude to a fistfight. Yet in Portolocals have adopted the moniker as their own. Whyyou might ask? Because of the local love for tripa (tripe) – in particulartripas à modo do Porto (Porto- tripe).

Carnivores will delight in this stew-like delicacy made from veal tripewhite beanssausagecarrotspaprika and various other spices. Nearly every tripeiro has their own favorite place to eat the signature dish – though you can’t go wrong with the authentichome- cooking at O Buraco.

10. Prepare to tip (or not)

As in many other parts of Portugalsome Porto locals don’t tip at all or simply round up when paying for a meal or a taxi ride. In more tourist-oriented establishments a tip is more common – usually around 10% – and may even be pre-added as a service charge.

Tipping is not expected in cafés or bars. Howeverif you’re in a high-end placeyou should plan on tippingalong the lines of €1–2 (US$1.25–2.50) per specialty cocktail.

11. Learn how to say “bom dia” and other essential Portuguese phrases

Many people speak English in Portoespecially those who work in hotelsrestaurants and shops. Stilllearning a few phrases in Portuguese can only enhance your stay. If nothing elselocals appreciate the effort to speak their languageeven if you botch the famously tricky pronunciation. When entering a roomit’s polite to say “bom dia” (good day) or “boa tarde” (good afternoon) to those around you. “Muito obrigada” (many thankswith an "a" at the end if you're a woman) or “muito obrigado” (with an "o" at the end if you’re a man) will also earn you respect.

12. Don’t rely on Spanish to communicate with locals

If you speak Spanishyou might think you can breeze by in Porto. Portuguese and Spanish are relatedafter all (but so are English and Dutch)and the two countries have a bit of shared history that sets them apart from others in Europe.

Spanishhoweveris not widely spoken. In factmore Portuguese people speak English (around 30% of the population) or even French (15%) than Spanish (10%). Some locals might take offense if you jump straight into Spanishso you’re better off sticking to English – perhaps after trying out some Portuguese first.

13. Be mindful of your belongings

Porto is generally a safe cityand the crime rate is low. Stillpickpocketing and bag snatching are the main concerns to keep in mindespecially when traveling on the trams and Metro. Stay aware during crowded peak timesand don’t zone out on your phone wherever you are. At nightbe cautious walking around the dark alleys of Ribeira and near the São Bento train station. You’re better off taking a taxi.