What to do in Porto in summer: our favorites

Summertime is a great time to discover new destinations, so why not visit festive Porto, which comes alive all summer long ? Accessible in just a few hours by plane, Portugal's most beautiful city invites you to experience an unforgettable vacation filled with activities, entertainment, walks, and tastings. Follow the Porto City Guide all summer long!

Attend a festival in summer

Festival season is in full swing in Porto from July! Dive into the heart of a lively city and experience the rhythm of the Portuguese who will take you on a more than festive journey:

• La Primavera Sound to start the summer off right on the ^first weekend of June, a 3-day festival in Porto's city park that brings together international and local artists.
• The Festa de São João takes place on the eve of Saint John with all kinds of street concerts and improvised dances washed down with a glass of port.
• The Douro-Porto wine festival at the beginning of July allows you to discover the expertise of producers through wine tastings, but also food tastings between two concerts and entertainment.
• The MEO Marés Viva festival welcomes internationally renowned stars at the end of July, an opportunity to party in Porto to the sound of your favorite music.

Lazing on the beach in the summer sun

What a pleasure to sink your toes into the sand with a breathtaking view of the ocean! In Porto, several beaches invite you to relax during your vacation, the opportunity to laze around all day in complete serenity.

• Salgueiros Beach has some rocks if you are looking for some shade in summer.
• Carneiro Beach is ideal for strolling and relaxing
• Matosinhos beach is perfect for swimming but also for learning to surf with beautiful waves.

Put on your swimsuits , but a word of advice: don't forget the sunscreen!

Enjoy water activities in Porto

With temperatures between 25 and 30°C in summer, there's no shortage of opportunities to dive into the water when you're on holiday in Porto! Get ready for moments of pure pleasure on the water aboard a canoe or paddleboard on the Douro River, while Matosinhos Beach is perfect for surfing the waves or paddleboarding on the salt water.

Take a cruise on the Douro River

Embark aboard a rabelo, a traditional flat-bottomed barge-style boat used to transport wine on the Douro River, and embark on an unforgettable tour of Porto. The 1.5-hour trip offers a unique perspective on the city, as you glide across the water under Porto's six bridges and glimpse the terraced vineyards.

Stroll through the markets to taste the specialties

The city of Porto is dotted with small markets, often open all day, perfect for strolling through the aisles and stocking up on fresh produce. Fish, seafood, cheese, charcuterie, Portuguese pastries, and of course, port, there's something for everyone. Take the time to chat with the locals or enjoy a drink on a terrace to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the markets. In summer, some of them host concerts, like the Foz do Douro market.

Visit the old town of Porto

The historic center is unmissable with its pretty medieval houses, its cobbled streets and its sublime monuments such as:

• The Stock Exchange Palace
• The Cathedral of Sé
• The Clérigos Tower (the tallest in Portugal at 76m high)
• São Bento station and its main hall decorated with magnificent azulejos
• The Lello bookstore that inspired JK Rowling for the Harry Potter series

And many others that make Porto a city with a rich cultural heritage, whose city center and historic center are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Discover the beauty of the Douro Valley

You have to move away slightly from the city to enter one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its terraced vineyards and sun-drenched grapes used to make Port, the Douro Valley offers sublime natural landscapes to admire in its 3 sub-regions: Baixo Corgo, Alo Corgo and Douro Superior. Several villages are worth visiting, such as Pinhão and Peso da Régua, but also Lamego, considered the most impressive in the valley. Don't hesitate to plan several days in the region to fully appreciate the magic of this extraordinary place, or book a complete cruise including a village visit, discovery of the vineyards and port tasting.

Visit a winery in Porto in summer

It's hard to escape this must-do in the city: port wine tasting. More than just an appreciation for the taste buds, the cellars invite you to discover the history of this iconic wine during a guided tour where all the secrets of port are revealed. Several cellars are open for visits, with many addresses in Vila Nova de Gaia boasting breathtaking views of the Douro River. Some have a terrace, while others offer the chance to combine gourmet pleasure and enchantment with tapas to nibble on and a fado concert to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture.

Fly to Porto this summer, you now have plenty of ideas to enjoy the season!

Did you like our article? Find more in our Experiences to Live section .

We also have a Porto City Guide Facebook page and an Instagram account @porto_city_guide