A Digital Nomad Guide to Porto

Porto Visa

As Portugal is part of the EU and Schengen agreement, all other EU nationals can live and work in Portugal visa-free. If you are from an EU country, you are free to stay as long as you like and can come and go multiple times.

For everyone else, Portugal is still accessible, but for a shorter period. US, Canadian, and now UK citizens can enter Portugal and stay for up to 90 days without a visa. This is also the case for residents from other countries, such as New Zealand and Australia.

However, suppose you want to stay for longer than three months. In that case, you’ll need to get in touch with your embassy for information on applying for a long-term visa, such as a one-year temporary residence permit. Visas and permits are much easier to obtain when you are already in the country, so it’s best to enter with a visa-free 90-day stay and then apply.

Culture and Food in Porto

Portuguese food is similar to other Mediterranean cuisines, especially Spanish. However, it does seem to have its own unique twist. The flavors are often vibrant and spicy, and ingredients such as olive oil, fish, tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes are central to many dishes. And, of course, Portugal is renowned for its incredible spicy chicken sauces and seasoning.

The best part of Portuguese cuisine, though, is the pastries! The Pastel de Nata (Portuguese egg custard tart) is famous worldwide, but the authentic ones you will find in Porto are phenomenal. These delicious tarts are made from puff pastry and have a creamy custard filling made of egg, milk, and sugar. You’ll find some of the best ones at Nata Lisboa, Manteigaria, and Fábrica da Nata.

Pastel de Nata is just one of the fabulous sweets that Porto bakeries have to offer. Another delicious pastry is the Pastel de Feijão, with a flaky crust and a sweet white bean puree filling. I also particularly loved the Pastel de Côco, a pyramid-shaped coconut tart.

Dining culture

A typical Portuguese breakfast consists of bread with sliced cheese, ham, or jam. Locals usually eat this with a milky coffee like a galão or a ‘meia de leite.’ Most locals then eat a Pastel de Nata or another type of pastry for a mid-morning snack, so you will see the bakeries get busy around 11 am. 

For lunch, many people eat soup followed by a meat or seafood dish with potatoes. However, those on the go will usually opt for a bifana or francesinha instead, which are meat sandwich variations.

Portuguese people are similar to the Spanish when it comes to eating dinner, meaning they eat late! Locals in Porto eat dinner between 8 and 10 pm, even later on the weekends. In fact, it’s not so easy to find a restaurant that is open before 7 pm. So, unless you’re cooking at home, you might have to align your eating schedule with the Portuguese while living in Porto. 

If locals eat dinner at home, they may prepare a lighter meal consisting of soup, bread, cheese, and salad. However, if they eat at a restaurant, as they usually do on the weekends, they will eat a bigger meal. The most popular Portuguese dinner is probably a spicy chicken dish accompanied by vegetables and potatoes. In Porto, though, the locals seem to go crazy for tripe. 

On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurants are bustling until after midnight. Locals start by taking long, leisurely meals to unwind from the week. Many will then head to a local bar for a few drinks. 

When it comes to alcohol, as you would expect, wines and ports are top-notch here. However, Portugal’s national drink is actually a liquor called ‘Licor Beirão.’ Beirão has flavors of mint, cinnamon, cardamom, and lavender and is usually served on-the-rocks with a lemon slice.

Porto Nightlife

Despite being a small city, Porto has a bustling nightlife scene. Downtown Porto is the liveliest place in Porto at night and is the core of Porto’s nightlife. On the weekend, almost every bar and club gets packed, and you’ll often see the party spilling out onto the street. 

Bars

Bars in Porto usually play a specific genre of music. Once you learn which bar plays what, you will develop your favorites. There are some well-known bars open such as:

• Tendinha dos Clérigos, a popular 90 ‘s rock music bar.
• Plano B, a much-loved electronic venue with a retro design.
• Candelabro, a bohemian wine bar that’s perfect if you want a quiet glass of wine in a cozy spot. 
• Era Uma Vez em Paris (Once upon a time in Paris), a trendy bar that plays a few different genres and has fantastic cocktails and happy hour deals. 

Fado

If you’re not into bars and clubs like me, there is still plenty of cool stuff to do in the evenings in Porto. For an authentic Portuguese experience, you have to check out a fado show at least once. 

Fado is a particular style of musical performance that began in the 1820s in Lisbon. Since then, it has spread throughout the country. However, be warned, it’s not an upbeat music genre. Instead, Fado consists of a mournful-sounding singer accompanied by a classical Portuguese guitar. 

A few venues in downtown Porto put on a good, authentic fado show, such as A Casa do Fado and Taberna Real do Fado. It’s common to enjoy dinner with the show, and these two venues have great food and wine.

Wine Tasting and cellar tours

Wine tasting is another excellent evening activity to do in Porto. There are many wineries in the south bank that offer tasting sessions and cellar tours. Sala de Provas do Porto, Burmester, and Portologia are three centrally located wineries that offer various wines to try, including the region’s renowned port wines.

Night Market

The Mercado Beira-Rio de Vila Nova de Gaia (Beira-Rio Market) is an indoor food market by the river. On Thursday to Saturday, it stays open until 11 pm (and 10 pm other days). It is a great place to eat, drink, enjoy music concerts and admire art exhibitions. The market is ideal if you want a relaxed evening of local cuisine and culture.

Things to do in Porto

Being a historic city, Porto is full of charm and culture, and therefore, there are plenty of sights to see and places to explore. Here are some of the best things to do and see in Porto.

• Wander through Cais da Ribeira & cross Luís I Bridge

Porto’s riverside area, Ribeira, is one of my favorite parts of Porto as it is so picturesque. Along with the steep streets and colorful buildings, there is a beautiful square. What’s more, while taking a walk along the riverfront promenade, you’ll experience superb views of the Luís I Bridge as well as a spectacular sweep of the rest of the city. 

From here, you can take the Elevador da Ribeira to the slope of Barredo for a different perspective of the bridge. You can then walk across the bridge. There are two pedestrian crossings; the upper-level metro line and the lower-level walkway. I recommend taking one one-way and the other one on the way back.

While you are south of the river, definitely check out Miradouro da Serra do Pilar. This scenic spot gives panoramic views of the city from high up and is an incredible place to see the sunset.

• Relax by Porto’s seafront, Foz do Douro

With a long promenade, multiple beaches, a lighthouse, and an iconic pergola, you can easily spend a day in Porto’s beach district, Foz do Douro. The main beach, Praia dos Ingleses, is a lovely sandy space ideal for sunbathing and swimming. There are also some rocky beaches in this area that are nice for walking, such as Praia do Homem do Leme and Praia de Gondarém. By Praia de Gondarém, you will find the Pérgola da Foz, which is an excellent spot for sunset and for taking your new Instagram photo!. 

Further south is Praia do Carneiro, a pleasant beach with views of the 19th century Felgueiras Lighthouse. Close to the lighthouse, you’ll find the stunning Jardim do Passeio Alegre. These beautifully landscaped grounds are home to an 1800s Franciscan convent and offer a peaceful respite and nature walk.  

• Explore the historical sites

Architecture is plentiful in Porto, so it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Some of the best historical sites around the city center are:

• Clérigos Church & Tower – This 76m tower has a spiral staircase you can climb for incredible city views.
• Bolsa Palace – This quirky 19th-century building features a neoclassical exterior and eclectic interiors.
• Church of São Francisco – A 14th-century gothic church located right next to the Bolsa Palace.
• Muralha Fernandina – This is one of my favorite historic sites in Porto. These medieval defensive walls feature very steep steps, which from the top give expansive views. There is a funicular that runs right next to the steps if you don’t feel like walking, though.
• Livraria Lello – This historic building is a bookstore that looks like an ancient library. There is a winding wooden staircase inside, and it is a mesmerizing place to wander around. Interestingly, this is also where Harry Potter author JK Rowling began writing the famous book series.

• Climb the Arrábida Bridge

If you’re looking for a unique and adrenaline-filled activity to do in Porto, book onto the Porto Bridge Climb. This company offers guided climbs to the top with all the safety gear you need, including a harness, lifeline, and handrail. The climb is exhilarating, and the views from the top are incredible. It’s a must for all adrenaline seekers!

• Go wake surfing

Why not get out into the water and try a new activity? Surfaventura in Praia de Matosinhos holds group surf, bodyboard, and SUP classes for all levels, including first-timers, and they supply all equipment. It’s a super fun activity to do with fellow digital nomads and makes a great bonding experience.

• Visit the Fundação Serralves art museum

This contemporary art museum puts on frequently changing temporary exhibitions to celebrate modern-day Portuguese artists. The art is unique and intriguing, and therefore, an ideal place for art fans to visit. Moreover, there is a beautiful and immaculate sculpture garden surrounding the museum too.

• Chill at the Passeio das Virtudes

Passeio das Virtudes is undoubtedly one of the best spots in the city to relax and watch the sunset over the Douro river. This small, split-level garden is popular with young people and students. It is often full of people enjoying picnics or just relaxing. There are also a couple of craft beer bars around, so you can enjoy a drink in the sun while watching the sunset.

• Take a day trip to Douro Valley

When you feel like getting out of the city, jump on the train to Douro Valley for some fresh air, greenery, and of course, wine. Douro Valley is Portugal’s most famous wine region. Therefore, many tourists and locals come here for a scenic and relaxing wine-tasting experience. However, along with the vineyards and wineries, some cute authentic Portuguese villages here are worth visiting. Plus, there are plenty of stunning vistas too!

You can get to the Douro Valley by taking the Douro Line train from Porto. The journey takes less than two hours, but it will go by quickly as there are beautiful landscapes to admire throughout the route. Trains to Douro Valley run roughly every two hours from 7 am to 7 pm.

Best Time to Visit Porto

Portugal has a warm-temperate subtropical climate, but the country’s north gets much colder than the south. Therefore, as Porto is in the north, the city can get pretty chilly during the winter months with average temperatures of 9/10 °C.

The city’s location also brings strong winds during the colder half of the year. Moreover, rainfall increases between October and May, with November to January seeing the most rain. There is an average of 160 – 190 mm of precipitation (12/13 days per month) during this time.

Luckily, summers in Porto are warm, sunny, and dry. There is little rainfall and an average temperature of 20 °C. Temperatures can often peak at 25 °C in July and August, but it rarely ever gets unbearably hot. There is also a cool northern breeze from the sea that frequently blows in the afternoon during these months, keeping the air from feeling humid. Because Portugal is in the Northern Hemisphere, the days are long in the summer and short in the winter. 

Porto is ideal for people who like mild temperatures, where it’s neither too hot nor too cold. However, compared to Lisbon and the Southern regions of Portugal, Porto does have a colder climate. The ocean in Porto is also much chillier than in the south.

Porto for Families

Porto is a very family-friendly place and a pleasant place to bring up children. Porto is generally a very safe city for kids, and in the central neighborhoods, there is a low crime rate. 

Activities for kids

If you’re moving to Porto with children, you’ll find plenty of fun activities and things for them to do, whatever their age. Here are some of the most popular family-friendly attractions.

• Gaia Biological Park – Located to the south of the river is this nature park that homes over 700 species of wild animals and birds. I love this park because most of the animals here were rescued from abuse, ill-treatment, or illegal ownership. The park focuses on environmental education, making a fun and educational day out for older children.
• SEA LIFE Porto – The SEA LIFE Porto Aquarium is one of the most exciting places to go with your children. The aquarium hosts many displays, talks, and feeding demonstrations, so it serves as an educational day out too. Highlights are the ocean tunnel, rockpool, and penguin enclosure. 
• The World of Discoveries – The World of Discoveries is a part interactive museum, part theme park. The venue is full of engaging exhibits, showing the history of the early Portuguese settlers, theme park rides, and a souvenir shop.
• Piscina das Marés – The waters of Porto’s beaches can be cold and fierce, which makes the ocean unsafe for children to swim in. Piscina das Marés is an outdoor seawater swimming pool located on the beach of Leça da Palmeira in Matosinhos. There is a large swimming pool for older children and adults and a smaller one perfect for youngsters.

Schools and daycare

There are only two international schools in Porto that teach in English, The CLIP Oporto International School and Oporto British School. Both schools cater to children aged 3 to 18, and the tuition fees are similar, ranging from €7,500 to €12,800 per year. Both schools have pretty good reputations, but the Oporto British School has native English teachers.

Living in Porto

Porto Transportation

One of the best things about living in Porto is how easy it is to get around. The city has an efficient and extensive public transportation system. This consists of the metro, buses, and trams, all of which are run by the same operator, Sociedade de Transportes Colectivos do Porto (STCP). Therefore, when you live in Porto, there is no need to rent or buy a vehicle. 

Metro

The metro consists of over 80 stations and six lines, running daily from 6 am to 1 am. The network is easy to navigate as each line has a letter and color: the A (blue) line, B (red) line, C (green) line, D (yellow) line, E (purple) line, and F (orange) line.

The metro is very affordable, with one-way fares starting from €1.20. To use the metro, you need a rechargeable Andante card that you can load money on to. You can purchase one of these for less than a euro. You have to validate every journey you make by holding your card against the machine upon entering a station or changing lines. Alternatively, you can buy Porto cards that give you unlimited travel for a certain number of days, but tourists mainly use these.

Buses

There are over 75 bus routes throughout Porto and its surrounding regions. The bus network extends much further than any metro line, so it is a suitable mode of transport if you need to travel to the city’s outskirts. Buses are almost as frequent as the metro, running regularly from 6 am to 9 pm, and then with a limited-service until 1 am. You can use your Andante card on Porto’s buses, and the fares are similar to the metro. 

Trams

You will find three tram routes within the city of Porto: Line 1, 18, and 22. You can use either your Andante card or purchase a single ticket on board for about €3.50.

Aside from the STCP trams, you can also travel on the traditional Funicular dos Guindais. The funicular is a single-track cable car that runs up and down the steep hill from Ribeira to the Batalha square. Tickets cost €2.50 each way, and the operating hours vary depending on the season.

Walking

Porto city center is small and walkable. In my opinion, walking is one of the best ways to get around the city. Porto is full of quirky, colorful buildings and narrow, cobbled, and winding streets, many of which you don’t see on public transport. Therefore, walking is a great way to experience Porto’s majestic charm, stay fit, and save money!

Fitness and Health

It’s easy to stay in shape when living in Porto as there are gyms and fitness centers dotted around all the neighborhoods. Gym membership is very affordable here too, so with so many centers to choose from, you are bound to find a good deal. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Fox Gym – Located in north Bonfirm, Fox Gym is a fully equipped gym that offers a vast selection of fitness classes, including Yoga, Cycle, Kickboxing, and Zumba.
• Holmes Place – This centrally located gym also has a swimming pool and spa, including a sauna and jacuzzi.
• Fitness Hut – There are three branches throughout Porto, all of which offer fantastic sign-up deals and affordable memberships. They also have jam-packed class schedules ranging from pump to step to spinning.
• Be in Balance – Located in the west of Porto, this is an extensive fitness and wellness center with a state-of-the-art spa with treatments such as water jets and a massage center. They also hold many different classes such as yoga, pilates, and functional fitness.

Aside from the fitness centers, Porto has many beautiful outdoor areas perfect for running and outdoor workouts. 

• Serras do Porto – Whether you’re an avid runner, hiker, or cyclist, you have to check out Serras do Porto. It is located far out of the city center. Still, this gigantic park has 90 kilometers of signposted tracks divided by difficulty and activity.
• Matosinhos Beach – The long coastline of Matosinhos Beach is ideal for a run with a view. There are also some mini outdoor gyms here with fitness and weight training equipment available for free use. 
• Porto City Park – In the west of the city, close to the beaches, you will find the city park. Here there are sports fields, sand volleyball courts and plenty of cycling & walking paths. What’s more, every Sunday morning during the summer, there are free yoga, pilates, and tai chi classes here.

Porto People

Over 200,000 people reside in Porto, but only around 12,000 (5%) of Porto’s residents are foreigners. Therefore, the majority of the people you will encounter in Porto are Portuguese. There is also a substantial Brazilian population in Porto, plus immigrants from the former colonies. 

The Portuguese are warm, friendly, and genuine. They are very welcoming to foreigners, but they don’t go over the top to accommodate and help out. This is something I particularly like about the Portuguese as they don’t come across as false or like they have ulterior motives.

In my experience, I found the locals in Porto friendlier than in Lisbon. However, this is most likely because Lisbon is a much bigger and busier city. However, during my time in Porto, I learned a few fun facts about the locals here. 

• The residents of Porto are affectionately called “​Tripeiros” because of their love for eating tripe. In fact, they love it so much that they created their own dish called “Tripas à Moda do Porto.” As a vegetarian, I never tried this specialty, so I cannot comment on its taste!
• Porto is often referred to as the “Invicta” city, meaning undefeated. This name comes from the 19th Century Portuguese civil war where Porto was not conquered and survived a year-long siege.
• In general, Porto residents see Lisbon as their rival. They might talk down on the Lisbonites and often will define their character as the opposite of theirs.

Religion and values

Portugal is a predominantly Roman Catholic country. Like other Catholic European countries, the Portuguese have a close-knit family ethic. Because of this strong family bond, it’s not uncommon for children to live with their parents until at least their late 20’s. Even though most Portuguese are Catholic, most of the younger generations don’t actively practice the religion and attend church regularly. 

The rise of expats and digital nomads

Porto is a fast-growing city with more and more foreign nationals moving to this Portuguese paradise every year. Therefore, English is now widely spoken throughout the city, and it’s easy to meet other expats and digital nomads. 

Many coworking spaces like Porto i/o and Synergy hold networking events where you can get to know other nomads in the city. You can check ‘meetup’ for upcoming events as well as the ‘Digital Nomads Porto’ Facebook page.

Porto Insurance and Medical Care

In 2018, Portugal ranked 13th on the Euro Health Consumer Index for healthcare quality, a higher rating than the UK, Ireland, Spain, and Italy. The country’s high-quality healthcare is evident as the average life expectancy in Portugal is 81 years. 

In Portugal, there is a mixture of public and private hospitals. The public healthcare system is known as Servico Nacional de Saúde (SNS). It is free and available to all residents, including expats. However, not all services are free, and in recent years, there have been many changes. Because of this, some residents now have private health insurance to supplement what the public health service does not cover. 

Nomads from other EU countries can access the free healthcare system through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) scheme. Remote workers from countries outside the EU will need to purchase private health insurance to cover their stay in Portugal. What’s more, if you’re an EU resident and planning to live in Portugal for a long time, it’s best to get insurance anyway. This is because EHIC cards are for tourists and travelers staying places for short periods. So, if you try to use it after six months of living in Porto, you may have trouble. 

As the second-largest city in Portugal, you can be confident of finding a good selection of high-quality hospitals and other health care providers in Porto. Here is a list of the main ones:

• Geral de Santo Antônio Central Hospital
• Clinica Central do Bonfim LDA
• Hospital CUF
• Hospital Central Especializado de Crianças Maria Pia
• Instituto CUF
• Lusiadas Saude

Aside from hospitals, there are numerous health centers (known as Centros de Saude) that you will find throughout the city. They offer general GP services, non-life-threatening emergency care, and maternity and childcare services. Pharmacies are plentiful too. Most open between 9 am to 7 pm on weekdays, but a few stay open 24/7.

For most residents, dental care is not available on the SNS and, therefore, not free. This is another reason why it’s always best to have private health insurance, regardless of your nationality. Here are the leading dentists in Porto:

• ORALKLASS
• Porto Dental Institute by Falcão
• Clínica Dentária Cerejeira & Leão
• Centro Médico-Dentário
• Porto Vita Centro Dental Clinic

The emergency number in Portugal is 112. This number will connect you to ambulance, police, and fire services.

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in Porto

Most expats living in Porto are digital nomads and remote workers. There are very few in-person jobs available for foreigners. This is especially the case now post-Covid. Like most parts of Europe, Portugal’s economy has taken a hit, and many Portuguese have lost jobs. 

Because of this, Porto is a great, affordable European city to live in if you already work remotely. If you don’t, Porto is not the place to move to in the hopes of getting a job, even if you are an EU national and can legally work here. 

There may be a few positions open for native English speakers, such as in the international schools. Or, if you’re a doctor or surgeon, you could potentially get a job in one of the hospitals. However, these positions are very few and far between. 

The average monthly wage is around €2,600. As the cost of living is pretty good, many people working in Porto don’t struggle to get by. Of course, this can vary greatly, with wages in some jobs being as low as €700.

Aside from remote jobs, there are work opportunities for entrepreneurs in Porto. In recent years, the city has become a popular place for startup businesses, particularly in the tech or design fields. In fact, in 2021, the tech industry in Porto is thriving. There are many tech events and conferences for those working in the industry and those looking to enter it. The ‘Digital Nomads Porto’ Facebook page is a great place to stay updated on Porto’s startup tech companies.

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.