Best Things to Do in Porto for Students | Nido Living

The beautiful coastal city of Porto is a dream for any student to study in. Walking through the city is like wandering back through time, with medieval cobbled streets and Baroque architecture. A truly bustling city, filled with street art, local markets and delicious food, Porto is the place to be for students!

When you come to study in Porto, you’ll be doing much more than just attending lectures and classes. With Porto’s rich culture and history, there’s something new to learn around every corner. No matter what your interests are, there are so many fun things to do in Porto, from visiting Bolsa Palace to taking a river tour down the Douro River.

At Nido, we’re dedicated to helping you thrive and finding a study-life balance that works for you, so we’ve created the ultimate introduction to all the unique things to do in Porto (on a budget) whilst living in the beautiful country of Portugal.

Picture it - you’ve just moved in, you’ve started unpacking, and you’re itching to see the city. The best way to get to know your new home is to lean on the expertise of locals! Find guided tours that match your interests and start learning. These are three of our favourite choices:

Douro River 6 Bridges Tour

We’re certain you’ve already heard of the 6 Bridges Cruise - it’s one of the most popular ways to see Porto for good reason! 

You’ll learn about Porto’s rich history because you can travel the route that wine merchants used to take to bring Port from the valley to the cellars, and also get to admire Porto’s beautiful Dom Luís I Bridge. 

Don’t fancy the cruise? You can still walk along the Douro River’s edge and take in the sights from land.

Douro Valley Wine Tour

The Douro Valley is, without question, the most breathtaking part of Porto. The wide, crystal-clear river cuts a swathe through the slopes of terraced vineyards. 

If you’re ready to get to know this famous wine region, the first port of call is to take a wine tour - even if you wouldn’t normally choose wine, this is a fun way to learn about local history and maybe even get to know some new people!

And when you fall in love with Douro Valley - which we have no doubt you will - there are plenty of other things to do, from hiking to see the Miradouro São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint, to visiting towns nestled in the hills like Pinhão. 

When it comes to exploring the neighbourhoods of Porto - and finding the haunts you’ll frequent all year round - there’s no better substitute to putting on your best walking shoes and taking to the streets.

But that doesn’t have to mean wandering around aimlessly! A great way to explore Porto on foot is to follow a street art trail - you get to see some incredible works of art and soak up the atmosphere of the city. 

There are so many fun things to do in Porto on a budget, such as exploring the different districts around the city. Porto is home to many brilliant districts, all rich in culture, history and sometimes both! Soak up what the districts offer, from trendy Ribeira to peaceful Miragaia.

If you want to unleash your inner tourist, Ribeira is definitely somewhere worth visiting. It’s bustling at all times of the day, with plenty of delicious restaurants and places to eat too. Ribeira is famous for its colourful houses which make great photos for Instagram.

Stylish Rua de Santa Catarina is the perfect place for shopping - not only will you find all your international chains here, but also opulent boutiques and bars around every corner. Make sure to visit Café Majestic at least once while you’re living here - it’s a little pricey, but one of the most famous cafés in Porto for good reason.

Considered the art district of Porto, this is the place to soak up our city’s rich culture and architectural interest. Close to many of Porto’s most famous monuments (which we’ll talk about more below), Cedofeita is somewhere you’re sure to frequent while studying here.

Looking for non-touristy things to do in Porto? Visit Miragaia which is similar to Ribeira but much quieter. You can still enjoy delicious restaurants, mesmerising street art and colourful houses, but with less people around! The romantic Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace Gardens) are a must-visit while you’re there.

We’ve already touched a little on the fantastic, expansive Douro Valley, but there are many other incredible green spaces to explore in Porto. Whether you’re looking for a convenient spot to relax, or a remote nature-filled adventure, there’s something for you. Here are our favourites:

The oldest protected area, and only national park in Portugal, Peneda-Gerês is the perfect retreat from the daily worries of student life. Leave your essays and exam revision behind to explore this sparsely populated, delightfully blissful place.

Hike the mountains, swim in the rivers and lakes, and camp under the stars if you wish. Alqueirão River Beach and the waterfall of Arado are must-visits. And since there’s more to do here than you could possibly accomplish in one day, use this excuse to stay in one of the nearby cities: Braga, Viana do Castelo or Vila Real. 

Peneda-Gerês National Park is a fair bit north of Porto city centre, but it’s well worth making the journey there at least once.

If your machine of choice in the gym is the stairmaster, then boy, do we have the challenge for you! The Paiva Walkways are around 8km of steep wooden walkways along the bank of the Paiva River. 

This is a very difficult hike, we won’t lie, but it’s also intoxicating - you ascend through the mountains, marvelling in the untouched natural beauty all around you, as everything beneath falls away. While you’re here, you can also visit the Aveiro Suspension Bridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. 

It takes a little over an hour to get here from Porto City Centre, so why not rent a car with your friends and take a trip you’ll never forget?

Had a long day? Jardim do Morro is one of the best places in Porto to visit during golden hour. In fact, it’s arguably the best viewpoint in the city - you get to soak up panoramic views of Porto’s city centre, which is even more beautiful at sunset. 

This small park overlooking the city is accessible by cable car or an uphill walk. It might be crowded, but that’s part of the fun! You’ll find people selling cold beers, soft drinks, and sweet treats in coolers at the entrance or walking through the crowds. There may also be live music. Dance, chat, snack, and feel your cares melt away.

If you’re already familiar with Porto, you’ll notice there’s a couple of major things we haven’t chatted about yet. Of course, a guide to the best things to do in Porto wouldn’t be complete without talking about the city’s major landmarks and distinctive features. Here are three of note: 

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Porto with friends and family to highlight the city’s rich history, wonderful culture and gorgeous architecture, you need to take them to Bolsa Palace! 

Spanning over 100 years of history, Bolsa Palace was actually built on the ruins of the cloisters of St Francis Church of Porto! You can enjoy a 45 minute guided tour of Bolsa Palace with your friends and family where you can learn about the history of the Portuguese Stock Exchange.

If that wasn’t enough, the architecture of Bolsa Palace is breathtaking. It has a noble staircase, a glass dome covering the Hall of Nations and also has an intricately designed exterior. No Porto travel guide would be complete without mentioning Bolsa Palace!

As a student, you’ll be no stranger to spending days surrounded by books. However, Livraria Lello is a student’s dream as it’s renowned for being one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Livraria Lello’s stunning architecture makes it a must-see attraction for any student, with its gothic wood panelling, breathtaking stained-glass skylight and beautiful curved staircase. You could spend hours walking around this gorgeous bookstore, and come away with your next favourite novel.

We think Livraria Lello is one of the most unique things to do in Porto, especially if you’re a Harry Potter fan. The beautiful architecture has brought flocks of Harry Potter fans over the years, with many people thinking it looks like it belongs in Hogwarts itself. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not, Livraria Lello offers a truly magical experience!

Porto is renowned for its charming white and blue Azulejo tiles and they’re a must-see for any international students coming to Portugal to study. You can spend the day with your friends wandering around the city looking out for these beautiful tiles and learning about their rich history. It’s a fun way to learn more about the city you’re studying in without spending a penny!

One of the best places to see Azulejo tiles is Porto Cathedral. Alongside being one of the city’s oldest monuments, its stunning architecture and gorgeous Azulejo tiles will blow you away. Plus, who doesn’t want a beautiful photo in front of them for Instagram? 

That leads us nicely into our next pick for the best things to do in Porto:

When it comes to monuments and attractions in Porto, a large number of the most famous and celebrated ones are religious sites, lovingly protected over centuries by local people. Those fascinated by religion, history and art alike will love the religious buildings found in Porto’s city centre.

Clérigos Church is one of the most famous landmarks in the city which makes it one of the top things to do in Porto when your friends and family come to visit you. Its fame is largely down to the Clérigos Tower that accompanies the church - this bell tower is 75 metres tall and can be seen from many other places in the city. 

Your friends and family will love learning about its almost 300 year long history and its cultural significance. Plus, as a Baroque church, the architecture is truly breathtaking from both the outside and the interior!

The Chapel of Souls is hard to miss! It’s completely covered in azulejo tiles depicting the lives of saints from St Francis to St Catherine, which were painted in the early 20th century by Eduardo Leite. Admire this work of artistry and find a guide who can walk you through the stories.

Tucked away in a quiet courtyard, the Church of Santa Clara is unassuming from the outside. But the interior is a spectacle you won’t want to miss - showcasing delicately carved and gilded woodwork on every square inch, and covered in gold and polychrome, this church feels otherworldly.

For a 3€ student ticket, you can trace the angels, saints and cherubs depicted in this opulent baroque masterpiece yourself. You can also discover its complex and interesting history, from its inception in the 1400s to the restoration work completed in the 2010s. 

Still feel like you’re missing an aspect of the quintessential Porto experience? Here are a couple of miscellaneous things to do on a day out that will introduce you to other facets of life in Porto! There are so many destinations to visit and activities to do that will offer students cultural insight into Porto.

If you’re looking for quirky things to do in Porto, you have to visit Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art. One of Porto’s leading cultural institutions, you can enjoy a wide selection of modern art installations, music performances and dance shows. If that wasn’t enough, Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art is also home to a wonderful library and Serralves Park.

Serralves park is 18 hectares and has been listed as a national monument, making it a must-see attraction in Porto. Are you looking for crazy things to do in Porto as well as cultural and fun? Serralves Park is home to an exhilarating Treetop Walk where you and friends can have fun adventuring above the trees!

Whether football is a passion of yours or not, visiting FC Porto’s home ground and supporting them during a match is a great way to feel the community of your new home. 

The Estádio do Dragão is an all-seater football stadium - with a seating capacity of 50,033, it’s the third-largest football stadium in Portugal. It’s also easy to access by subway and bus. So don blue and white colours, head over, and experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Vamos FC Porto!

The Casa da Música concert hall in Porto, opened in 2005, was designed by architect Rem Koolhaas and opened in 2005. In a city full of ornate historical buildings, the deconstructivist design is strikingly modern. 

The building was conceived to mark Porto becoming the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2001, and it is the first new building in Portugal to be entirely dedicated to music - to the presentation and public enjoyment of music, to music education and to the creation of music.

It offers a vibrant cultural program - no matter what you enjoy, there will be an event for you. Best of all, some events offer free entry, perfect for students with limited budgets!

Lastly, one of the best things to do in Porto is enjoy local festivities! In particular, São João is a quintessential Porto holiday that’s been part of the city’s identity for over 700 years, so it’s a must for every student here to experience.

On the night of the 23rd of June, the people of Porto take to the streets to pay tribute to St John the Baptist with dancing parties, street concerts, incredible food, bright balloons and plastic hammers. At midnight, a huge firework display is held over the Dom Luís I Bridge.

The city centre gets extremely crowded during São João - if that’s not for you, avoid popular neighbourhoods like Ribeira and head to places like Boavista instead for a more tranquil party experience. It’s least crowded after about 3am.

We recommend you ask our staff and your friends what they like to do during São João, too - everyone has different traditions, from restaurants they frequent to neighbourhoods they visit.

Studying in a new city is an exciting experience and we want to help you create memories that last a lifetime! Firstly, we’ve written many detailed guides to Porto, including:

And secondly, by providing stylish and community-focused student accommodation.

Having a study-life balance is very important and at Nido, we provide student accommodation in Porto with all the facilities to help you achieve your ideal balance. With year-round events and a lively rooftop with panoramic views, you can unwind by yourself or with friends. When it comes to studying, we also have quiet study spaces for you to get your head down and concentrate. 

At Nido, we believe student accommodation should help you thrive and reach your full potential, which is why Nido Asprela is in the heart of the city, close to all the facilities you need to make your student life amazing. Book a tour today and see where you’ll be calling home!

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