Best Time to Visit

Porto provides mild weather throughout the whole year. The winter months, in particular, can be dominated by heavy rain — do not forget the typical coastal weather that can change quite fast. To experience the typical Portuguese life, however, the best time to visit might be in the summer months, when the open-air markets fill with crowds and the city hosts many festivals, such as Serralves em Festa and Festa de São João.

Passport & Visa

Citizens of European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Portugal, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle-East, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

• Web:

  https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/visa-policy_en

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO)

The Porto Airport is called Aeroporto Francisco Sa Carneiro and is situated 11 kilometres north of the city. To reach the airport you can use the lightrail. It departs every 30 minutes. From the airport, you can also take buses number 601, 602, 604 and 3M into the city centre. There are also shuttle buses and taxis available at the airport.

• Web:

  www.aeroportoporto.pt/en/opo/home

• Address:

  Porto Airport, Porto

• Phone:

  +351 229 432 400

Public Transport

Porto has a good bus and tram network with routes serving all the key tourist spots. The city also has a Metro system that is both clean and efficient. You can buy a metro ticket at the station and in other sale spots, or you can buy tourist cards that allow you to get around Porto on all means of transportation: daily tickets and 3-day tickets.

• Web:

  www.stcp.pt

• More info:

  www.metrodoporto.pt

Taxi

Taxis in Porto are very convenient and also great for airport transfer. Taxis Invicta +351 22 507 64 00 www.taxisporto.com RadiTaxis: +351 225 073 900 www.raditaxis.pt

Electricity

220 V/50Hz with a Type F electrical plug with two round pins, same as in many countries in Continental Europe.