In Porto they work, in Braga they pray, in Coimbra they study and in Lisbon they play, goes the old saying. But today, the people of Porto, commonly known as ‘tripe eaters’ (due to a moment in the 15th century when the people gave their meat supply to feed their army, leaving only the tripe for themselves) seem to play as hard as they work. . And what a playground Porto has become.
Seriously good restaurants have been popping up all over the city and historic homes are opening up as sleek boutique hotels, gentrifying the city’s granite landscape. A handful of new museums will hold visitors for another day or two, allowing them to really get under the skin of this city that gave its name to the country from Roman times as Portus Cale. Read on to discover the best boutique hotels in Porto for your stay.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
The impressive Torel Palace takes over the 1861-built Palacete Campos Navarro, considered one of the finest examples of Porto’s period of Romantic architecture. A heritage site, this boutique hotel is located in the heart of the city, close to Batalha Square, São João National Theater and Santo Ildefonso Church. A focal point of the Grade II listed building built by the merchant is the remarkable skylight with eight decorative panels. The ceilings are then covered in rich plasterwork, while other historic details such as the central staircase are retained. The small hotel’s 24 rooms are accompanied by a restaurant, a swimming pool and a wellness suite.
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At the Porto AS 1829 Hotel, one of the oldest stationery stores in Europe is converted into a boutique hotel. The modern yet cozy hideaway reflects its roots with items from the stationery store that opened in 1829. Typewriters, antique cabinets and photos of the old store line the red-carpeted hallways, while light wood floors and sage-colored paneling distinguish the lobby. The hotel’s 41 rooms are decorated in slate gray and olive green with vintage details, such as rotary telephones. The warm and inviting restaurant, Galeria do Largo, is ideal for people watching thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terrace.
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Porto’s long-standing connection with wine is the main inspiration for this boutique hotel high on the southern slope of the Douro River. A carafe-shaped pool and a 25,000-bottle cellar are central to this overriding theme, with the spa also offering grape treatments. Six floors, spread over a seven-hectare hillside site, house 70 rooms and 12 suites, an orangery, a gourmet restaurant, a bar and bistro, as well as the spa. Public spaces fill the upper floors and open onto terraces with panoramic city and river views. From here it is a 15 minute walk to the riverbank.
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Centrally located Torel 1884 manages to retain the glamor of the 19th century palace it calls home. Expect high ceilings, large windows and historic details such as the original staircase and crowning skylight. The common areas and large rooms are decorated in natural tones such as olive green, deep blue, terracotta and sand, combining these decorative heritage details with contemporary elements. In addition to the 12 rooms and suites, the intimate hotel features a 32-seat restaurant and wine bar where everything revolves around wine, a lounge and library for guests, as well as an honesty bar.
The five-star InterContinental Hotel in Porto takes over a converted monastery-cum-palace in the heart of the city’s historic centre. The hotel has a neoclassical design with chandeliers lighting the marbled foyer with velvet chairs and a luxurious shopping arcade. Old photography of Porto adorns the walls and contemporary works of art hang in the restaurant and bar. Designed to represent the authenticity of Porto, the rooms are both spacious and elegant. Shared guest amenities range from a gourmet restaurant and sophisticated bar to leisure facilities including a wellness center with treatment rooms, gym and sauna.
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Vila Foz transforms a 19th century villa with ocean views in the chic Foz district. This charming heritage site, which retains many of its original features, is located next to a modern extension with a more contemporary aesthetic. You have views of the ocean and surrounding gardens. While the original villa has just seven rooms and a gourmet restaurant, the extension houses a further 61 rooms, along with a spa, indoor pool and restaurant. Bicycles are available for guests’ use and a daily shuttle service to the city center is available. A vintage Rolls-Royce transports guests to and from the airport.
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This characterful boutique hotel is located above the famous Café A Brasileira, opened in 1903, in the city center of Porto. Spanning six floors, the hotel is distinguished inside by interiors designed by Brazilian designer Jaime Morais to celebrate the spices brought by the Portuguese during their Golden Age of Discovery. Each floor offers a sensory immersion in line with this theme. Downstairs, the lobby and restaurant are decorated in turn-of-the-century decor, with marble, gilding and mosaics. The hotel has 90 rooms, some of which have a balcony with city views, and there is a courtyard where you can enjoy the sun.
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The elegance of the Art Deco style is reflected in Le Monumental Palace, which is housed in a 1923 Gothic site on Avenida dos Aliados, within walking distance of the Cathedral District. The interiors, designed by a local design duo, combine the building’s Art Deco elements with 21st century luxury, black and white photographs and a palette of turquoise and muted gold. Custom furnishings adorn the hotel’s 76 rooms and suites, some of which feature balconies. The hotel also houses two gourmet restaurants, a mezzanine and a spa with indoor pool.
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Intriguingly, this inviting boutique hotel in Porto’s Freixo suburb encompasses an 18th-century Baroque-style palace and its adjacent flour mill. A frescoed lobby leads to the baroque palace’s restaurant and bar. A covered walkway then leads guests to the rooms and spa, which are located in the former mill. An infinity pool, indoor heated pool, sauna and steam room are among the site’s inviting amenities, with a riverside promenade where you can enjoy the hotel’s location right on the banks of the Douro River. The hotel is located three kilometers from the city center, but a free shuttle service takes guests there and back every 30 minutes.
Vinha Boutique Hotel is set in a renovated 16th-century country house, on the banks of the Douro River, in a quiet part of Vila Nova de Gaia. You can walk to a nearby river beach in just five minutes. In this redesigned mansion and its new adjacent wing, the common areas blend the historic and the contemporary, echoing mid-century modern and hints of inspiration from East Asia. Rich in amenities, the hotel has two restaurants, two bars and a Sisley Paris spa with an indoor pool and thermal facilities. The hotel’s 38 rooms are inspired by international fashion houses.
Contributions by Yolanda Carslaw, Katie Monk, Trish Lorenz and Emily McAuliffe