Porto, as the second largest city behind Lisbon, is a fabulous choice for a holiday in Portugal. Why? Because in Porto, beautiful beaches glint on the horizon, the River Douro feeds the surrounding valley ensuring it remains lush, green and fruitful and the city streets pave the way to some beautiful buildings and quaint colourful houses, a historical UNESCO listed centre plus many interesting attractions.
I can hear what you are thinking; if it’s as good as it sounds then it must be quite expensive? Not the case! Porto is the least visited of Portugal’s touristic centres, frequently overshadowed by the towns and beach resorts of the Algarve in the south and the capital city of Lisbon. This mean that prices are fairly reasonable and you can still find many frequent flights from low cost airlines, most notably the likes of Ryanair but easyJet and TAP also serve the city. Tickets are pricier in the summer months of course but this is the case wherever you go! Do you have any tips to get the best deals on flights?
Accommodation choices are as eclectic as any city, ranging from wallet friendly hostels, ideal for those on a tighter budget or people looking to make new friends to luxury apartments and 5* hotels.
I prefer mid-range options, and there’s a large selection of 3 star hotels in central locations to choose from as well. What type of accommodation do you usually choose? You may struggle to find all inclusive options, but more often than not, you will find breakfast is included within hotel rates and if you opt for a self-catering apartment there are a number of supermarkets to purchase supplies from. Take a look at TravellingtoLisbon.com who offer a great range of holiday serviced apartments in and around Porto.
This brings me to the restaurants you can find here and eating in general. Porto is widely considered to be the best choice for food lovers in the whole of Portugal with an option for everyone. In the summer months, give street food a go and visit the Fish Festival in the attractive suburb of Matosinhos, where freshly caught fish is cooked to perfection and you get the chance to meet some of the locals. Be sure to sample the city’s traditional dish, “Francesinha”, washed down with a beer and visit one or two of the many bakeries for a sweet treat! If that doesn’t float your boat, visit some of the many restaurants and sample tasty Portuguese fare, European classics and give some vegetarian goodness a go.
Holidays aren’t all about sleeping and eating though! Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the majestic River Douro and enjoy a spot of sightseeing or arrange Porto car hire and visit some of the excellent beaches in the surrounding region of Gaia. 
If you visit just one, make it either Espinho or one of the blue flagged beauties such as Miramar or Aguda, with shallow water and golden sands as far as the eye can see. As the name of the city may suggest, Porto is the home of port wine so dedicate some time to a winery tour or two and sample some tasty varieties. Uncover the historic portion of the city on foot, known as the Riberia, shop at the traditional markets and cross the six bridges for wonderful views. I don’t want to spoil it though… the best way to discover a new city is first hand!
In my opinion, you can’t ask for much more and that’s why I think Porto is a perfect pick for your next holiday. What makes the perfect holiday for you?
Hello Paul,
Thanks for your comment.
As a car hire broker, we work with local suppliers in Portugal. As such, the suppliers we work with at Oporto Airport do not allow one way rentals free of charge due to the large distances between the major airports in the country.
We do hope that despite your disappointment on this occasion, we may be of assistance to you in the future.
Kind regards,
Kerri
Economy Car Hire
So why dont you offer a pick up OPorto and leave at Faro (without any penalty)